FrOM ThE General manaGer
It is just about a week after our 20th AGM, and we are still feeling thankful to our community for how energetically you participated this year. Of course, it was great to be quorate on the first attempt, a feat we had not achieved in three years. The team and I enjoyed engaging with homeowners who have been here a while, and meeting quite a few new faces, too. As I write this, we are at the precipice of electing our new Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson/s, and allocating Director portfolios for 2024/25. We will announce this after the first board meeting has concluded, and I am sure our new Board may count on your support during their tenure.
the lifeblood of Simbithi, in that they act in an advisory capacity to the board and senior management. If you have the requisite skills to serve on one of the committees, keep an eye out for the invitation from our office. We have a few exciting things happening this month.
First, we are about to commence the solar project here at the HOA admin building. We will be placing panels on the building’s roof, and at our staff parking lot on Dragon Tree Lane. This is in direct correlation with our strategic initiative to promote sustainability, and our vision to guarantee our Estate’s sustainability.
Of course, this will bring about an invitation to homeowners to volunteer for our committees. As we often share, committees are
Our technical team will also be disseminating a survey soon to help us measure how many homes have solar power, and water tanks. We are currently developing estate-wide statistics on solar and rainwater harvesting, which we will share once complete, please assist us in this regard. We are also looking to finalise the proposals for the first phase of the upgrades to the Guineafowl Sports Field, this
FrOM ThE GENEraL MaNaGEr
month, which I am sure will be well-received. As mentioned before, this phase will concentrate on turf quality and irrigation.
Finally, I’d like to mention our active Simbithi community on WhatsApp. Four years ago, we established these WhatsApp groups as platforms where sightings of Simbithi fauna and flora could be posted and enjoyed. This is still their purpose, and we encourage respectful engagement on these platforms in accordance with the group rules. The administrators of these groups do so purely voluntarily, and act on behalf of SEEHOA.
When you join one of the groups, please read the rules and adhere to them, so the experience remains enjoyable for all participants.
Happy spring, Simbithi!
Marc Mc Clure
FROM THE Club General Manager
Dear Members and Residents,
I hope my column finds you well.
The Club has achieved The Pillars of Distinction Award for the third time. The accolade is given by the Club Management Association of South Africa (CMASA) in recognition of professional standards in management, financial control, productivity, service and efficiency through ongoing education and best practices. We are only one of only three in the country, and fourth overall in the Club of the Year competition. This is certainly an achievement of the highest merit, and a big thanks goes to the entire team for ensuring we live our strategy every day.
Onto our project constructing our sports precinct: a quick rundown of where we are with the first phase of the Masterplan:
• The squash centre’s external structure is 99% complete and the sports specialists have begun the internal shopfitting of tiling, carpeting and installing the squash flooring and glass paneling.
• The tennis and Padel subcontractors have moved on site and are currently working on the flooring.
• Our environmental department has signed off the planting plan with the landscapers. They are in the process of planting up the embankments.
• The drainage layer work is currently under way at the bowls rink, and the bowls pavilion is now being tiled and the roof structure waterproofed. The bowling carpet order has been placed and has been manufactured.
FrOM ThE CLuB GENEraL MaNaGEr
• Electrical and plumbing work has been completed at the ablution facilities beneath the bowls pavilion. A standalone unisex wheelchair friendly facility will also be added.
• The padel deck has been back-filled and the shopfitter is currently completing the internal works to the Pavilion bar area.
• Fibre glassing is currently underway at the pool and the stormwater link up has been done for the attenuation tank.
• We are still on track for opening in November!
The Club’s revenue stream remains under pressure, however better months were experienced in July and August. The Rugby Championship against New Zealand were very well attended. Thank you for your patronage.
we will tailor make your event. Pop down to have a chat with Thoko Philips, our Event Manager. She can give you a few food and beverage options to ensure you have a memorable event at the Club. So, if it’s an anniversary or birthday or even better a wedding, look no further than your Club!
Our kids’ play park is getting a complete revamp and our jungle gym specialists have been hard at work preparing the site and constructing the new offerings. We are planning to open the park at the end of September. Moms, we look forward to welcoming you back to the Fig Tree while your little ones enjoy the play pieces. Enjoy some al fresco dining on the terrace or a table indoors; the restaurant is the best value for money offering in the area.
A reminder that as a benefit of your membership (and, as a homeowner) you receive a 50% discount on venue hire and
With only three months of the golf improvement plan left Matkovich Turf Maintenance has been hard at work finishing off the last few major alterations. Once again, apologies for the inconvenience at the
FrOM ThE CLuB GENEraL MaNaGEr
13th as it undergoes its complete revamp. Opting to sprig instead of sod will ensure a more even surface once the grass has grown. Although still playable it will take some time before we can open the hole.
As I close out, I would like to thank the residents who have stepped forward and are acting as our sports representatives for the new Sports Precinct. Your involvement has certainly assisted the team with preparations and planning.
Take care, be kind and we look forward to seeing you soon.
Dane Vosloo, our acting Sports Manager, is looking to re-open the hole in December. You may have also noticed the work done where the clock once stood above the putting green. Our new golf concierge desk is currently being constructed in this space. The desk will be a great improvement from the podium that is currently in use by the porters. Our golf course ablutions are being reviewed by our architect as the construction for the facility has increased exponentially. Options are being considered and once a solution to the challenges is found we will communicate the plan going forward.
Craig Nell
In The Trees of Simbithi
We have had a few notable sightings on the Estate, recently. Thank you to the Simbithi Birding Group for their exemplary photography and documentation of our birdlife. Here’s who we’ve spotted recently.
Haydn Mc Clure took this striking image at the underpass, near the North Gate. The Female counterpart was found by Warren Sutherland in the Mgeni Forest.
Male Narina Trogon
Female Trogon
Male Nerina Trogon
Warren Sutherland
Nerina Trogon
Warren Sutherland
Nerina Trogon
Warren Sutherland
Nerina Trogon Brian Roberts
Male Narina Trogon
ENVIRONMENT
Black Winged Kite
Warren Sutherland found this beauty at the western boundary. It was previously called the Black Shouldered Kite.
An incredible sighting of a Crowned Eagle near Feverberry Way, by Warren Sutherland.
Bush Blackcap Listed as vulnerable and an uncommon endemic to South Africa, the Bush Blackcap is an altitudinal migrant. An unexpected surprise, and a record first sighting at Simbithi for Warren Sutherland.
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SEcURITy
Estate speed limit
The security department has noted an increased number of speeding transgressions on the Estate. It must be noted the speed limit throughout the Estate is 40 kilometres per hour for all vehicles on all Estate roads.
All drivers are to strictly adhere to the speed limit and to be vigilant for other road users and wildlife crossing our roads.
Minors’ Code of Conduct
Minors, like all other persons, are required to abide by the Rules of the Association. Should any minor
breach any of the Rules of the Association while on the Estate, the Member/s who is or are the parent/s or guardian/s of the minors or through whom the minors gained access onto Estate, shall be held liable for the conduct of such minors, and shall be responsible for any action taken by the Association or penalty raised by the Association as a consequence of the conduct of the minors who breach the Rules of the Association and will likewise also be responsible for such minors’ conduct who cause any damage to the Association’s movable or immovable property or which is otherwise suffered by the Association or any person for whom the Association is responsible.
Lost and Found Items
Items that are misplaced around the Estate, particularly in our common areas, are collected and temporarily stored by our security department. Our team then follows a process to attempt to return lost and found items. If items are not claimed within a month, they are then donated to one of our CSI initiatives.
TEam SImbIThI
The HOA hosted our quarterly staff meeting, recently. congratulations to the following staff members who were recognised:
1. Employee of the Quarter: Natasha Binneman
2. People’s Choice: Nicky Misra
3. Innovator of the Quarter: Sandika Gounden
On tour with our Club General Manager Craig Nell on the site of our new sports precinct. This video was filmed at the beginning of August.
Click Here to view video
ContraC ting ExCE ll E n CE
Our technical department recently hosted a Contractors’ Seminar at the Dragonfly Conference Centre, where we recognised excellence among this sector.
Congratulations to the following, who were awarded by our Technical Manager, Nicky Misra: 1. Brad Cole, (Cole Projects)
2. Clinton Zuidewind (SJCP Projects)
3. Curt Paul (Da Rocca Construction)
Board of Directors
Jeff Leaver: Chairman
Clive Mc Creadie: Vice-Chairman HOA
Andrew Mackenzie
Louis Boshoff
Gavin Dunlop
Pamela White
Margi Lilienfeld
Frank Bradford: Vice-Chairman SCC EXCO
Director Human Resources board8@simbithi.com
Director Security board4@simbithi.com
Director Finance & IT board3@simbithi.com
Director Design Review Committee board5@simbithi.com
Director Technical & Maintenance board7@simbithi.com
Director Marketing & Communications board9@simbithi.com
Director Environmental board6@simbithi.com
Director Simbithi Country Club board2@simbithi.com
John Gowans
Director Legal & Appeals board1@simbithi.com
The Board of Directors are your elected representatives who volunteer their time and expertise without remuneration.
Approaching a Director should be your last resort.
Access
946 8383 finance@simbithi.com
Building Control
Control Room
946 8381/66 bca@simbithi.com
946 8373/4/5 controlroom@simbithi.com Environmental & Landscaping
946 8382 environmental@simbithi.com
Facilities & Maintenance
Finance Manager
General Enquiries
946 8380 facilities@simbithi.com
946 8368 fm@simbithi.com
946 8360/1 enquiries@simbithi.com General Manager’s Office
946 8364 gm@simbithi.com Heron Pizzeria
946
946 8384 tm@simbithi.com
Single Residential
Single Residential
Sectional Title units
Sectional Title units
TOTAL DEVELOPMENT: 1485 of 1610 = 93% developed