The sun is rising a little earlier, the flowers are in full bloom, and as we have already started working on our year-end magazines - we are all excited for the last quarter of the year! In this edition, we “meet” the Scheepers family, a lovely couple from PE, with their adorable newborn, who have found a home in Seaward, and its wonderful community - they say they couldn't have found a better place to settle down!
Seaward Estates’ forest is currently filled with rare species; The LionHeart Experience shares with us a few feathered beauties, plants, and creatures they’ve found and how they plan to protect them as well as the environment.
With more seasonal colour, comes more colourful dishes, right? We have two yummy, quick, and simple recipes from Louisa Holt's book called One Pot. A crispy chicken stir-fry and apple fritters!
From the Estate office, they also share a little bit of the architectural inspiration behind Seaward and the compliance department tells us the types of fencing allowed in the estate. And if you’re looking to sell or rent your home out, we’ve got you covered with the finer details! Then the security team also reminds us all to be more vigilant and mindful as the festive season approaches.
That is it for now! Till the next edition, God bless.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the contents FABMAGS cannot be held responsible for any omission or errors, or for any misfortune, injury or damages that may arise there from. FabMags is a privately owned and funded company and is not subsidized by Seaward Estate or the SEMHOA.
Passionate about wildlife and conservation, we at The LionHeart Experience have turned our focus into fighting for the last pieces of heaven in the urban areas. This is what brought us into Seaward Estates this spring.
Having worked in Zimbali for many years on threatened and protected species, we knew of Seaward next door, but had absolutely no idea what was hidden just on the other side of the fence! Andrew met us and took us for a walk into the greenbelt. We were
immediately amazed at the wetlands on the property, and, as we walked around the Estate, each new habitat got us more and more excited about what potential the Seaward residents’ ‘back garden’ may have with regard to rare and protected species! Not only is there wetland, but there is coastal dune forest,
small patches of grassland, and pristine swamp forest (a very rare habitat type).
It’s like a hidden gem, a best kept secret, and as we entered this beautiful and enchanting forest, the haunting calls of a black sparrowhawk pair and their wailing juvenile greeted us. This finally revealed
Stunning forest scenes in the heart of Ballito, hiding mysteries and secrets, that we hope to uncover!
an answer we have been seeking for many years. We have been monitoring black sparrowhawks in Zimbali for ages, knowing that they breed very close, but we knew the nest was not here. It is now pretty evident that the nest belongs to you! It’s in Seaward! This was only a few minutes into our visit. Imagine what could be found with much more time to search this magic forest.
To add to this magic, we then had a palmnut vulture fly over the forest, all the while, this swamp forest had me drooling with excitement, particularly wondering if the extremely
rare swamp forest orchid Platylepis glandulosa may be in there. It must be, surely?! And what other rare species may be in there?
As we continued, the tracks in the sand told us stories. We are both qualified trail guides, where understanding tracks are crucial (particularly so you don’t die by walking into a sleeping buffalo, or a leopard with cubs), but tracks also reveal the secrets of the more elusive species that are roaming around at night in the forests. We were able to confirm that Seaward is home to rusty-spotted genets, water mongooses and bushbuck.
It would be fantastic to determine what else may be in the area, as well as gain an understanding of how these populations are doing.
The beautiful forest is likely to have incredible and possibly endangered birds too. We have been running a Spotted Ground Thrush Monitoring Project in the area, trying to establish more data on this rare and endangered species, estimated as potentially having less than 1000 birds left in SA. We believe this forest may provide habitat for this species, but that would require returning in the winter months to establish that.
A beautiful adult palmnut vulture, in search of its favourite food, the fruit of the Raffia Palm Platylepis Glandulosa
Rusty-spotted Genet
Water Mongoose
The forest also provides a safe haven for other breath-taking birds like the Narina Trogon, as well as the threatened crowned eagles that we have dedicated much of our lives to protecting.
Another surprise came in the form of an old giant, a large Macaranga Tree along the
swamp forest watercourse. There are not a huge amount of these in the area, due to previous deforestation, logging, sugarcane farms etc., so this was a nice find, and a hopeful sign that perhaps some of this area may have been relatively untouched for quite some time. The wetlands are likely to have
amazing frogs, and perhaps, just perhaps, another big moment can come for Seaward, if we find a specific endangered frog there, it can be added as the 39th known site for this frog on the planet. Let’s see what the future holds.
It was just a short visit for us, but that was enough to realise that this is a precious little piece of heaven, one that is well worth protecting. With all the rapid development happening on Earth now, especially outside of protected areas, there is going to come a time when anyone with access to a beautiful piece of natural forest will be envied, as there may not be too much of it left someday. This, in our opinion, this is Seaward’s greatest asset!
The Pickersgill’s reed frog is known from less than 40 wetlands on the whole planet
Narina Trogon
Spotted Ground Thrush
Crowned Eagle
Did you know that Seaward’s styling is easily adapted to the practicalities of modern living and exploits the variations of topography, context, climatic conditions, and environment of the Estate?
Water and Maintenance Update
Seaward Estates Infrastructure: Water Meters
Water meters belong to you, the resident. If you have a water leak and it is before your meter (i.e. closest to the road) or on common property, then please advise Jonathan Cribbens, our Maintenance Manager, on 032 946 0685 / 063 292 0121 as the Estate will need to repair this. This will be the quickest way for us to have the leak attended to.
After hours and weekends: phone Security on
032 946 0685 and they will call a plumber.
If your water meter is cracked or there is a leak between the meter and your home, this is for you to attend to by calling out your local plumber.
We hope this assists you in distinguishing responsibility.
Seaward Estates Maintenance
Over this winter period the team undertook as much installation as was possible. In particular, they made a
number of flower boxes to retain the embankments outside San Marina. These will begin to flourish with the forthcoming rains.
Our forest pathways are opening up as we have added bridges and walkways to combat the water that crosses many of these paths. We are working on extending the pathway from which you enter San Sydney as there is a lot of water seepage from the embankments hindering that walkway. We will map and signpost our paths in the new year.
What sets our primary school apart?
Innovative approach to learning
Unlocking true potential
Play-based learning is blended with foundational academics
Limited class sizes for personal attention
Dedicated teachers and staff
Variety of extramural activities
Enrolments for Grade R and Grade 1 are now open!
For more information, scan here.
087 285 1671
SALES AND RENTALS
If you didn’t know before, here’s a quick rundown on how you can rent or sell your home with ease.
A household name on the North Coast, the Fiona Crago Real Estate team, led by Fiona Crago herself, is synonymous with quality highend properties and expertise. Over the past 17 years, Fiona Crago Real Estate has stood the test of time, flourishing through challenges and complications in the competitive Ballito market. The longevity is testament to Fiona’s expertise, resilience, and the trust she has built with her clients. Her success is also deeply rooted in her love for Ballito, a place where she has found both personal and professional fulfillment.
From two to three, PE to the North Coast, this wonderful family found a place to call home in Seaward.
We are a small family of three but our little one's personality and outgoing spirit makes up for the size! When it was just two of us, we travelled from Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape and arrived here into the unknown
with Philip starting a new job, still unmarried, and no idea what home was going to look like. Since we have moved to Ballito in the year of 2021, we have never looked back. We have fallen inlove with the community of Ballito and more so what Seaward Estates has to offer.
Last year, on the 24th of August, we had an early suprise and welcomed our little girl, Nova Rose, into the world. We then headed back to Port Elizabeth in March this year to tie the knot and became the Scheepers household of number 29 San Marina here in our beloved Seaward Estates.
Dad, Philip Scheepers, is the pillar of our home. Loving husband, wonderful first time daddy, and engineering manager at Hesto Harnesses. Mom (me), Lize Scheepers, I am a foundation phase teacher and now teach from home while creating space for my new passion and business venture to grow in sensory development and play.
Our little Nova Rose has just turned one and we loved celebrating her life right here at home with loved ones and lucky for both sets of grandparents to have come all the way to celebrate too! Another member that has recently joined our family is our beautiful and beloved Gugu. She is a second mom to Nova and a real light in our lives.
Saturdays’ consist of all sorts and a whole load of splashing with swimming lessons for our little water baby. As a family we love to spend time at home and every Friday is braai day! All of these reasons once again tell you why we have chosen Seaward Estates and more so San Marina within. Everyone lends a helping hand, it is
so family orientated and we live right on nature's doorstep with our little monkey friends stopping by for their daily visits. This is a place that has become home to us. Where strangers become friends and neighbours are like family to us, such as the Sparks next door!
Our house started out as a building we rented and quickly became home when we bought it. The privacy
it offers, the security, and never feeling lonely within our community of wonderful neighbours. We love that we live in a place that is so central and we have everything we need all around us and more!
They say a house is just a building but this building and community has made the process of fitting in and settling a dream come true for us as a little family of three. It is our home.
Security Office
HAND READER UPDATE
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all SEMHOA residents for their patience during the recent biometric network upgrade, carried out by BSA Solutions. This upgrade ensures that our infrastructure remains functional and capable of supporting the security needs of our community. For those still experiencing issues at the Hand Wave
Scanner, we are actively exploring a second solution and method of access for you and in the event of the the Hand Wave Scanner being down. We will update you when this is finalised. Our staff have contacted the 13 people left on our “exception list “to ask them to come in and re-enrol. The Enrolment Wave Scanner has been sensitised to ensure a higher level of excellence in recording the
28 points on your hand… please make yourself available to come in at a particular time to meet with the BSA Solutions technician who is working with us to ensure that you enter and exit Seaward Estates with ease.
Please find some helpful images of how to use the Wave Scanner. We are all busy, often in a rush as we enter and exit the gates,
Wave Scanner
Ideal acquisition procedure
Insert your hand flat, palm down, from the front of the scanner
Slightly spread apart your fingers
Place your hand between the cover and the optical sensor
Slide your hand from right to left or left to right
but correct placement and movement of your hand over the scanner from right to left or left to right will speed up the process.
GENERAL CHALLENGES ON THE ESTATE
The safety and well-being of our Seaward Community remains our top priority in making Seaward Estate a secure and thriving place to call home.
The recent period has presented some challenges, from managing speeding vehicles within the Estate to addressing disturbances caused by teenagers, and continuous dog barking during
owners' absence. We ask all parents to please communicate with their children regarding the recent vandalism. This cannot be taken lightly by Estate Management and Security as other residents are being inconvenienced. As we approach the holiday season,
BE AWARE
we anticipate a rise in visitors. We urge all residents to remain vigilant and responsible, especially when it comes to the safety of your children. Security is not just an individual responsibility but a collective one, requiring participation of the entire community.
As we bid farewell to the winter season and welcome the warmth of summer, many of us will enjoy shopping and leisurely walks along the beautiful Ballito coastline. Whilst doing so, it is essential to stay vigilant and take precautions to safeguard our vehicles from theft. Recently, Ballito and its surrounding areas experienced a rise in vehicle theft, with several incidents reported.
Always be mindful and take proactive steps to remain safe. Should you observe any suspicious activity, we encourage you to contact the 24/7 IPSS Security Call Centre (0861 324 777). If within the Estate, phone Security directly on 032 946 0685, option 2 and/or a note on SEMHOA General Correspondence Group (kindly ask our Admin Office staff to add you to this group).
How to Maintain Your Car’s Value
Stress-free repairs and flawless finishing with My Paneel Klopper
The reality of life is that your pride and joy may pick up some minor scratches and dents from errant shopping trolleys, stones thrown out by trucks or other cars, or any of the myriad hazards of modern life on the road. The question, however, is whether to repair or not to repair. The simple answer is YES.
Repairing or removing scratches, dents, and other minor cosmetic problems may help you maximise the value of the car. Living near the coast means that scratches where the paintwork has been breached are havens for the formation of rust, as water will seep through to sit directly on the metal body and this rust will spread under the paintwork, often forming bubbles. By having your scratches repaired right away, you can help protect your vehicle and its paint job. A scratch is a scratch, right? Well, not necessarily. There are a few different types of scratches your car can experience. Hand washing your car can result in paint swirls on the top coat, caused by bits of grit getting stuck in the cloth used for cleaning. Run your fingernail
over the damaged area and if you struggle to feel it, you can simply take your car for a machine polish which will smooth out these superficial scratches.
Little dents and deeper scratches, caused by shopping trolleys, careless drivers in parking lots or small collisions with stationary objects, can be
fixed easily by booking your car in for paintless dent removal or for touchup paint jobs.
If you keep up-to-date with services, maintenance, and care, you will lower costs, lengthen the lifespan of your vehicle, and increase your resale value.
083 282 5859
AfTer
One Pot
From a crispy chicken stir-fry to crispy apple fritters, these delicious recipes call for one pot or pan, and are incredibly easy to whip up!
Chicken Stir-Fry WITH HOT HONEY-NUT SAUCE
Serves 4
Prep time: 15 min
Cooking time: 10 min
Awardwinning author Louisa
Holst is back with another brilliant concept: A collection of delicious, family-friendly recipes using only one pot or pan. In ONE POT, Louisa serves up nutritious weeknight winners that are big on flavour and on your table in under an hour. The book is ideal for busy people and has everything from cooking tips, soups, stir-fries, pasta and rice dishes, to batch cooking and sweet treats.
