Simbithi Eco-Estate Magazine Winter 2024

" S i m b i t h i i s a p a r t i c u l a r l y s p e c i a l p l a c e f o r m e h a v i n g

g r o w n u p o n B e v e r l e y F a r m a s p a r t o f t h e L a d l a u f a m i l y .

W a t c h i n g t h e e s t a t e e v o l v e o v e r t h e y e a r s a n d s e e i n g

t h e o r i g i n a l v i s i o n c o m e t o l i f e h a s b e e n a r e a l p r i v i l e g e

L o c a l R e a l E s t a t e i s a n e s t a b l i s h e d b r a n d o n t h e N o r t h

C o a s t O u r r o o t s a n d c o l l e c t i v e e x p e r i e n c e r u n d e e p O u r

t e a m m e m b e r s h a v e b e e n a n i n t e g r a l p a r t o f t h e

S i m b i t h i j o u r n e y f o r m a n y y e a r s a n d o u r e x p e r i e n c e d

S a l e s a n d R e n t a l s t e a m a r e e x c i t e d t o c o n t i n u e s e r v i n g

t h e c o m m u n i t y a n d c o n n e c t i n g w i t h y o u "

– Tim Johnson

Graham White, Managing Director

Johnson, Founder & Principal

Tim

Ian Brewer Wealth Adviser

Sean Fouche CFP® CA(SA) MBA Wealth Manager

Shaun Latter CFP® Adv.PGDipFinPlanning Wealth Adviser

Jacqui Mayne Insure Adviser

Marnus Steenkamp CFP® CA(SA) Wealth Adviser

Grant Clinton CA(SA) Fiduciary Adviser

It’s funny. Usually, my ed’s note is the first thing I cross off my content list when a magazine comes around. Probably because it’s about the easiest thing to write; it doesn’t require planning, scheduling, interviewing, photography and and and… like the rest of the content does.

This edition, however, I left it for last.

Funny.

I tried to figure out why, and the cobwebbed recesses of my mind recalled that I would have to write about our 20th birthday. And I wanted to roll the words around in said cobwebbed mind a few times before I typed them, to ensure I did the magnitude of this milestone justice.

Funny, then, that I’m finally penning this column exactly two weeks away from International Jodi Day. (You may know it as 15 May, but I know it as the day I was born. An international observance is utterly necessary). The older I get, however – and I’m not giving my age away – birthdays are different. I have heard some of my fellow millennials claim that birthdays lose their sparkle and become “just another day” the more candles appear on the cake, but I don’t feel that way. I love birthdays, especially mine, of course. I also adore

celebrating those I love and filling their day with sparkles, glitter and magic.

I remember my 20th birthday. Do you? It was giddily exciting. Finally out of my teens but not quite an adult, yet. That was still a year off. But it seemed like a decade of endless possibility awaited me, and I was aaaalllll up in it!

Standing on the field at our 20th birthday party recently, while Marc conducted a choir of Simbithi littlies in a heartwarming rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’, then assuming my position as Cutter of the Cake and Hander Out of Cupcakes got my eyelids decidedly moist. As every person came up to me, hand outstretched for a slice of birthday cake, I saw the diverse beauty of Simbithi. Everyone was different, but the magic in their eyes was unmistakable. It’s the wonder of calling Simbithi home, and it’s the joy of celebrating her birthday.

I could list more than 20 things that make Simbithi special, but I think, if I reminisce on our birthday weekends, that there are more than 20. There are thousands… because YOU make Simbithi extraordinary.

Here’s to another 20 years… and, more!

marketing@simbithi.com

Publisher Lorinda Scott | 082 562 7202 | lorinda@fabmags.co.za

Graphic Designer evashini naidoo | evashini@fabmags.co.za

Sales Director Lucille Wendler | 083 747 3694 | lucille@fabmags.co.za

Operations Director Sharlene Odayar | sharlene@fabmags.co.za

Content & Copy Manager Jordyn trollip | jordyn@fabmags.co.za

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Contact Fabmags 032 946 0357

Head Office Suite 104, San hall Office Park, Kirsty close, ballito, KwaZulu-natal

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Online www.issuu.com/fabmags

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Cover Photo chris Allan Photography

We’re looking forward to a mild winter as the weather begins to cool on the North Coast. The Club team continues to shine like superstars, deserving of all accolades for a magnificently run Club Champs this year. The efforts of the Pro Shop and ground staff were certainly noticed by all our participants, with the 2024 Champs quite possibly the best yet. Read more about the Champs later on in the magazine.

While still on the topic of golf, let’s chat briefly about where we are with the golf course improvement project. Our end date is in sight, scheduled for the end of November. The Matkovich team has a clear completion map planned and a hole-by-hole presentation was delivered to the golf committee on outstanding work. All can attest that the course is looking fantastic, and we can’t wait for the finished product.

Our new Country Club menus will launch this month; price adjustments are inevitable as we keep pace with cost. On a positive note, Chefs Louis and Godfrey’s new dishes are sure to excite and delight.

Next month, July, we look forward to seeing the Springboks battle the Irish, a game we lost in the World Cup, which many will see as the grudge match. Seats are limited on the deck and no reservations will be accepted so ensure you arrive early for the two games.

Moving up towards the exciting Masterplan Phase 1, we are making steady progress on our new sports precinct. Due to inclement weather and design changes to our attenuation tank, the project has been set back approximately a month. Our contractor and sub-contractors are working hard to get back up to speed. Project costs are being carefully monitored as our contingency reserve had a small percentage allocation to start with. To date, we remain on track in terms of spend.

Behind the scenes, the management team and our Vice Chairman Frank Bradford have been working on the business models, access controls payment methods and engagement flow. Proposed staffing organigrams are being tweaked and we look forward to presenting roll-out during the next two months.

In closing, we realise the construction is not always a pleasant experience, especially for our residents who live close by. We are, however, confident that the finish product will be well worth it. This will be the exponential leap the Club requires to ensure we are the pre-eminent residential eco-estate in Southern Africa, in line with our mission.

Thank you for your time, and we look forward to seeing you at your Club.

Until next time, please take care!

General Manager

Simbithi Country Club

clubgm@simbithi.com

Simbithi

Snippets

A Round-Up of estate and club news

Would you look at that? A close-up of our 20th birthday cake, complete with custom macarons and chocolate. We can confirm it was every bit as scrumptious as it looks.

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LOCAL REAL ESTATE

Embracing Versatility and the

SURROUNDING LANDSCAPE

The landscape experience forms an integral part of this impressive home’s design, resulting in an immensely liveable four-bedroom residence. The porous edge of the two bordering outdoor, shaded verandas, plus the adjacent pool deck, provides a large viewing platform that offers generous views over the Estate and out to sea. An additional outdoor, decked alfresco area, situated in the manicured garden area outside the dining room, offers another inviting area that enriches the domestic space.

The entry sequence to the house is exceptionally welcoming, whilst the striking linear design accentuates its siting in the landscape. The key to the incredible comfort and enjoyment of this residence is the way the house performs holistically.

Every space, whether upstairs or downstairs, establishes a unique connection with the outdoors, while the layout embraces flexible spaces that can support a diverse range of activities and uses. These range from: the covered outdoor patio with a built-in braai adjacent to the indoor bar; the downstairs wine cellar and dining room that opens onto a garden patio where

an outdoor fire pit can be enjoyed; the expansive outdoor seating veranda overlooking the pool; a protected outdoor courtyard area by the kitchen; the serene TV lounge; the upstairs outdoor balcony adjoining upstairs bedrooms that offers panoramic ocean, golf course and estate views, or, the outdoor deck area set in the landscaped garden.

WORDS CHRISSIE JOHNSON

Top LefT The outdoor, decked veranda defines a seating area as well as a viewing platform, while the adjoining veranda with the striking built-in braai integrates with the indoor bar area. boTTom LefT The floor-to-ceiling glass façade in this spacious, downstairs cellar room provides ample natural light while maximising the outward view onto the outdoor paved patio and garden. Top RighT This serene outdoor seating area, set within the beautifully landscaped garden, has an outdoor terrace aesthetic, provides a tranquil social space, and benefits from striking views onto the entry area of the home.

cenTRe This dining cellar room exudes rustic warmth through the use of exposed brick walls, rustic concrete ceilings and floors, wooden wine racks set inarched enclaves, custom built-in cabinetry and attractive focal lighting.

cenTRe RighT

The expansive outward view over the pool from the outdoor veranda offers breathtaking ocean and estate views. boTTom The sophisticated indoor bar occupies a well-defined nook, providing an integrated space where guests can drink cocktails or other refreshments while still engaging with the outdoor braai area and the indoor kitchen and lounge.

Large, glazed doors and windows seamlessly connect the internal living spaces with semi-sheltered, shaded and open private spaces – pragmatically extending the living spaces throughout this home to the outdoors. The upper level of the home holds four en-suite bathrooms, with the master suite

also including a lavish bathroom and private gym.

This landscape-inspired house has been customised to respond to its location deftly using siting, space and structure. The various room arrangements draw attention to nature, amplifying the enveloping experience of the stunning outdoor landscape and enabling the natural environment to become part of the daily routine.

Enriched by the outdoor landscape and varied outlooks, this superb home can cater to large social occasions, but just as importantly, it is also carefully attuned to a family’s needs.

This home is available to purchase through Local Real Estate. For more information contact:

Graham White: 071 797 6666

Richard Anderson: 083 358 5902

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They are on the calendar once a year, usually with a trail of excitement, a sprinkle of good-natured pandemonium and an extra helping of fun in their wake. At Simbithi, of course, there is that quintessential gees, too, that you simply do not find anywhere else. In this edition, we chat to our golf team to hear all about the 2024 Club Champs, which have been widely stated as our best yet!

The Pro Shop is quiet, and Eddie Taylor is cheerful as he steps out to say hello.

The Pro Shop Manager looks over his shoulder to make sure Golf Manager Dane Vosloo, fresh from his participation in the PGA Champs, is following him. Sure enough, he is, and Sport Administrator Shanel Pillay brings up the rear with a smile.

The team, with Operations Supervisor Andile Khumalo, has been congratulated on the ’24 Championship, which took place at the end of April. Club Champs, Dane says, are the pinnacle of every Club’s calendar. “It is designed to determine, essentially, who the best golfers are at the Club. There is a prestige attached to it, which has been going since the eighteen hundreds.”

Simbithi, the team shares, plays across several divisions. In each division, golfers are separated by their respective

handicaps. Presently, we have three divisions for men, A, B and C, and four for ladies’, Bronze, Silver, Gold and Copper, and Overall.

Since this is a flagship event for the Club, preparations begin as far as a year in advance, specifically in terms of securing event sponsorship. This year, we partnered with Terrapod as the main sponsor. To add to the fun of the event, the 2024 Champs saw the addition of an auction of golfers, which raised R51 000 and created suitable hype ahead of the main event.

Although not quite as ahead as the organisation team, our golfers, we are told, also have routines to prepare for champs. “It’s probably the only time we see nerves on our golfers,” Dane smiles. “But we do try to warn them that practising your swing a week before Champs probably will not do too much to help you.”

WORDS JODi chettY

The Champs are played over two days, given that a standard championship is played over 36 holes. “There is such a vibe at the Club during Champs,” Eddie shares. “This year, we did a few things differently to improve the golfers’ experience, like changing the scorecard, doing a two-tee start off the first and tenth, and allowing all divisions to play together.”

By all accounts, the event was a pulsating success, with the team mentioning the camaraderie and support among members as highlights. “To see members on the terrace and deck cheering each other on and staying behind to congratulate the champs was great. Ultimately, that’s what makes Simbithi truly special.”

Club General Manager Craig Nell shared his thoughts on the Champs. “Hats off to our

golf committee chairman and captains for their amazing contribution to the competition. Dane and his merry band of fantastic staff ensured the tournament ran like clockwork. Congratulations, also, to all our winners, who certainly put on a show for the spectators. Tee boxes, balconies and the deck outside the Fig Tree were filled with supporters as they cheered the golfers on. It is fantastic to see how special our camaraderie is at the Club.”

THE 2024 WINNERS ARE:

Men’s A Division: Greg Smith

Men’s B Division: Kurt Backeberg

Men’s C Division: Yasheen Jeon

Ladies’ Overall: Michelle Dold

Ladies’ Gold Division: Kemayah Moodliar

Ladies’ Silver Division: Michelle Dold

Ladies’ Bronze Division: Lynne Hepburn

Ladies’ Copper Division: Gail Leaver

G o l f C a r t O w n e r s

B o o k a s e r v i c e o r e n q u i r e n o w !

W e s e r v i c e a n d r e p a i r a l l m a k e s o f g o l f c a r t s

L i t h i u m P h o s p h a t e b a t t e r y c o n v e r s i o n s

G o l f c a r t a c c e s s o r i e s

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G o l f c a r t s a l e s

K u r t B a c k e b e r g | M a n a g i n g D i r e c t o r 0 7 4 0 3 8 9 9 6 7 K u r t @ m a i n t a i n a c a r t . c o . z a

PURPLE-CRESTED TURACO

Due to the dense canopy and spines, it is a favourite tree for birds to build their nests and is especially favoured by red-capped robin chats

RED CAPPED ROBIN CHAT

“Overwhelming.” That is how Nicky describes the feeling of seeing the destroyed dam. “Our financial year had just started, and some of our projects were already in motion. These had to be stopped so we could survey the extent of the damage caused by the floods.” He recalls the collapsed dam walls, spillway and extensive scouring.

Ayanda agrees, mentioning that her first thought was for the marine life in the dam. “I knew that we needed to get in and see what we could save. At the time, the water had drained to around knee-height, so we took buckets and netting to the dam,” she remembers. “We filled them with the fish and crabs we could save and relocated them to Rainbird and Weaver.”

It took the team two weeks to compile a report on the damages sustained to our dams and forests. The Cormorant Dam, which is below the Guineafowl on the corner of Ladlau Drive and Milkwood Way, also beached. A sewer line under the Guineafowl Dam was also damaged, which had to be speedily remedied and later relocated.

“When we began looking to the future, we knew we had two choices,” Nicky says. “We could either reinstate the dam as it was or completely reconstruct to prevent it from bursting again. If we were to reconstruct, then we needed to ensure the dam was well protected.”

The old dam was engineered for a 1-in20-year stormwater event. The team considered rapidly changing weather patterns and foresaw the reconstructed dam should be prepared for a 1-in-100 stormwater event. “Essentially, we were going to improve the dam’s attenuation capacity. So, build a deeper, larger dam,” Nicky shares.

Upstream, the Mngeni Forest took quite a beating, Ayanda recollects.

“The force of the water during the floods had caused our fence line to fall. This, coupled with the siltation from the dam, left Mngeni in a dire state.”

Considering the forest is one of the province’s protected swamp forests, attending to it was a delicate matter for the environmental team. “Mngeni Forest is one of the most special things about Simbithi,” Ayanda smiles. “Similar to the dam discussion, we had two paths we could follow: either intervene and fix the forest or allow nature to take its course.”

The Department of Environmental Affairs required that a study be undertaken to evaluate the magnitude of the forest’s destruction. Once this was complete, Ayanda and the environmental team chose to follow a three-pronged approach to restoring the forest. “In some areas, we raised the forest pathways to allow for removal of silt. In others closer to water sources, we allowed the excess sand to flow naturally. And, in certain spots, we simply left the forest as is, permitting nature to naturally heal itself.” Nature did, indeed, have her

way, even at the Guineafowl Dam. For a season, Little Bee Eaters nested on the dam’s bank. “That was a beautiful sight,” Ayanda says.

Almost two years to the day, the restoration of both entities is nearing a satisfying end. The base of the new dam is layered with G5, which stabilises its establishment. Additionally, a new high-density polyethylene (HDPE) lining was used to prevent issues with seepage. Snags were completed in early April, and the team was finally able to remove the construction safety netting long Ladlau Drive.

The forest is coming along well, too, with encouraging recovery taking place. “The areas where we did not

intervene are taking a bit longer to recover, but the forest is healthy. We expect that we will see full restoration within the next five to ten years.”

Challenges aside, the team is relieved to be at the end of these major projects. Nicky, in particular, thinks back to the rains pursuant to the initial flood. “We pushed through these, by trenching diversions away from the construction area. Thankfully, this worked.”

Nicky and Ayanda mention the collaboration between the two departments, which speaks directly to our strategic initiative of integration. “I’m proud of Nicky,” Ayanda gently bumps her colleague’s shoulder. “This was a beautiful, big project and to have witnessed it… from mounds of sand and destruction to a brand new dam. Wow - that’s something.” She adds that the environmental team attempted a new technique on the dam’s banks. “We planted up with a selection of wild grasses similar to what we find in our grasslands, to densify the area. I cannot wait to see what it looks like in spring when everything begins to bloom.”

“Watching this vision come to fruition is a proud moment,” Nicky affirms. “This is our first one in a hundredyear storm return period dam on Simbithi, which is a pivotal point.”

“The learnings we have taken from this period, specifically with saving a protected space and restoring it, are valuable to our team,” Ayanda agrees. “In a way, it’s a lovely metaphor for life. Something, or someone, can be completely destroyed but there is always a way to rebuild. As we did with the dam, you could reconstruct and improve. Or, as we did in the forest… you could just rest and allow yourself to recover.”

Simbithi is, as we often say in the office, quite a “big machine”. To keep the machine not just functional but optimal is a feat that takes the hearts, minds and hands of more than a few dedicated individuals.

These individuals comprise a diverse, widely skilled and multi-disciplined team that

proudly wears the dragonfly daily. While they are on the clock and, in certain cases after the proverbial clock tickers over on the workday, #TeamSimbithi is at the coalface of our Estate, making sure she is well taken care of.

Annually, our Board of Directors and heads of department honour our long-serving employees in

increments of five, 10 and 15 years. At the 2024 ceremony, SEEHOA Vice Chairman Clive Mc Creadie, who stood in for our Chairman Jeff Leaver, thanked staff for their service to Simbithi. “We see your hard work and we know that it is not always the easiest. So, on behalf of the residents of Simbithi, we say thank you for keeping our Estate well-run.”

Special mention was made of our Security Manager, Dysan Parasaraman, who earned his 15-year certificate. Recounting the early days of Simbithi, Dysan remembers building security infrastructure. “To see the vast pieces of vacant land develop over the years and the excitement shown by families moving into their new homes knowing they were moving into a safe Estate made me feel proud. Also, to see Simbithi kids grow up from toddlers to teens was pleasing to note.”

Congratulations to all our staff who were awarded.

Simbithi Eco-Estate Homeowners’ Association Awardees

15 Years - Dysan Parasaraman

5 Years - Nicky Misra - Rodney Reddy - Alvin Govender - Shantal Chithiya

- Sandika Gounden

Simbithi Country Club Awardees

5 Years - Kiosha Ramdut

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