The Crest 100

MAR-APR 2021 ISSUE 100

COMRADES The Greatest Race

Distributed to the communities of Everton, Gillitts, Hillcrest, Kloof, St Helier & Winston Park

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*ed's letter

Happy Days

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e are absolutely thrilled to bring you the 100th issue of The Crest magazine, it’s such an achievement to reach this momentous milestone. The very first issue came out in 2005, and we have since then – through a strong production team, passionate sales consultants and five different editors all putting their own unique stamp on the magazine – shared hundreds of stories from our beautiful Upper Highway area. Isn’t it amazing how we just never seem to run out of inspirational, honest and positive stories? It certainly says a lot about what kind of

TALK TO US

katrine@famouspublishing.co.za www.thecrestonline.co.za W Crest Magazine

community we live in. If any of you, our faithful readers, can remember a particular story that stood out for you, please get in touch and tell

us why – and when, if possible.

We'd love to revisit that story to find out where it is today.

This year we celebrate 100 together with one of the greatest races on earth. The first Comrades Marathon took place in 1921, with only 34 runners on the starting line.

The last race, in 2019, saw 21 625 runners line up to tackle the gruelling yet compelling 89km stretch. It’s a race of sweat and tears, but also of incredible camaraderie and ubuntu. The world’s largest and oldest ultramarathon has many more magic moments up its sleeve, that we know for sure.

Our evocative cover paints a beautiful picture, and without doubt triggers happy memories for many of you.

This photo was taken on the up run in 1952, when Fields Hill was undergoing great reconstruction. Runners in the front are Trevor Allen (number 17) – a motorcycle patroller in the police force, who won in 1952 and was the first Durban winner since 1948. He won again in 1959, thereby winning both an up and a down race.

Next to him is Gerald Walsh, also from Durban, who finished third in the 1952 race and was also a double winner, breasting the tape in 1955 and 1956.

We also celebrate 100 with Botha’s Hill’s legendary Kearsney College – who has a fantastic event line-up throughout the year to mark their centenary (see page 18).

Robin Lamplough, who taught history at Kearsney for more

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Join the Crest newsletter community and receive all the positive vibes to find out what's happening in our area!

To subscribe, email sarah.mackintosh@ famouspublishing.co.za than 30 years, takes a closer look at the school’s history and its succession of headmasters.

We also meet four successful old boys who share with us how Kearsney, on different levels, helped shape their meaningful journeys.

Our 100th issue also introduces you to talented artist Laurie, maths and numbers activist Gary, Charlene and her remarkable Thusana Friends, gumboot entrepreneurs Liz and Cally, and Hillcrest’s famous Blonde Doctor. So many wonderful people for you to meet! So grab a cup of coffee and a couple of chocolate Easter eggs, and enjoy the heat of summer fading into cooler autumn days … happy reading, and Happy Easter!

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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 Kyle Griffin SALES CONSULTANTS Anneline Domnick 066 254 0621 Gaylene Diedericks 081 707 6313 DISTRIBUTION Mphumzeni Thusi ACCOUNTS & DISTRIBUTION QUERIES Meghan Dewet 083 533 5898 ONLINE EDITOR Sarah Mackintosh CONTRIBUTORS Les Abercrombie, Candice Botha, Darrel Bristow-Bovey, Cathy Clark, Ant Ellis, David Knowles, Robin Lamplough, Shirley le Guern, Sarah Mackintosh, 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.

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COMMUNITY LIVING THE DREAM

LIFESTYLE 8

TROPICAL PUNCH

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DOGS WITH STYLE & ATTITUDE

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MEMORIES OF ELEPHANTS

An inspirational group of women with big dreams

HIP, HIP HURRAH The Crest celebrates 100 issues

THE GREATEST RACE Published by Famous Publishing www.famouspublishing.co.za Printed by Novus Print (Pty) Managed distribution by Vibrant Direct

Racing for gold in the Comrades Marathon – 100 years on

KEARSNEY COLLEGE TURNS 100

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Celebrating a milestone in education

ADDING UP TO SUCCESS

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Tembe Elephant Lodge

REGULARS

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ADVERTORIALS

Meet local artist Lauriana Glenny

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Trendy accessories for your favourite pets

ED’S LETTER TAKE NOTE TRENDING LAST WORD

FINDING BEAUTY, INSPIRING HOPE 22

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Minimalist decor for a holiday or rental home

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A game to improve maths skills

THE SPIRIT OF UBUNTU

WE ALSO PUBLISH ...

The ABC logo is a valued seal of trust, providing measurement, compliance and auditing services which protects the way advertising is traded. The Crest is ABC audited and certified.

Thusana – supporting local talent

WHERE FLOWERS BLOOM Easter table setting

A SILVER LINING

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Two women and their dream business

3 CLASSICS

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Three favourite salads with a new twist

WEIGHING IN ON KIDS' NUTRITION 36 Helping children to control their weight

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ACTION COACH MJ ACCOUNTANTS HIGHBURY IMAGE INSURED RENISHAW HILLS ROSS CHAMPION SEEFF FMGH GROUP ILLOVO SUGAR ON THE COVER: See Ed's Letter, picture courtesy of the Comrades Marathon Museum

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*advertorial

B

usiness coaching is all about getting results for clients and having their business work without them.

To do this, you need the input of a skilled coach as well as an action-orientated, hardworking business owner and their team.

Let’s take a look at Northside Electrical, a well-known wholesaler with branches in Redhill, Durban North, Ballito, Hillcrest and Umbilo.  Situation Prior To Coaching Northside started as a small store in 1995 supplying contractors. Owners, Kevin and Liesl Sparg and Justin Kirby, attended a free ActionCOACH Ignite business seminar in May 2019. They had built a great business, but wanted assistance in improving systems to take it to the next level – as well as guidance in building a succession plan to allow the next generation to take the business to greater heights.  Situation After Coaching Fast forward 21 months and the business has grown considerably. A number of key elements have changed within the business, and they have enjoyed record months during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The team has a clear vision, mission and culture, and strive to deliver the best service to every single customer. They have hired more staff and have the right team members in the right positions, responsible for the right tasks. They have a more robust marketing plan in place that is delivering

LEFT: From left, Kevin Sparg,

ActionCOACH’s Deborah Coskey, Liesl Sparg and Justin Kirby.

Sparking life back into

BUSINESS DEBORAH COSKEY SHARES A REALLIFE CASE STUDY OF COACHING CLIENT NORTHSIDE ELECTRICAL LIGHTING SECURITY WHOLESALERS

positive results. The managers have received regular training sessions on how to run and build a better business, which has allowed the owners the freedom to step out of the business more often and allow

OUR OFFER TO YOU

Email deborahcoskey@ actioncoach.com for a complimentary Coaching Session their dedicated team to run the day-to-day operations.  Coaching Approach The first priority was to look at the business as a whole and clearly establish Northside’s aims and objectives. Once these had been identified, the

top three elements to start with were: knowing the numbers, increasing marketing activity, and understanding the team.

We identified who the “dream team” would consist of, ensuring they were passionate and dedicated to making Northside the No 1 electrical, lighting and security wholesaler in KZN by helping every customer with remarkable service and quality products.

Northside now has regular meetings, staff training and business development growth for managers. Time management, customer service, sales training and systemising the business has also been worked on.

The current focus is to continue to grow the teams, the company and the client base to allow Northside to excel in all areas of the business.

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 A few words from the CEO ActionCOACH has helped us recruit the best people, and improve systems, management, service and marketing. This has allowed me to focus on expanding branches and other projects. I knew that in growing our customer base, we would need bigger and better stores to serve the greater Durban area.

In June 2020 we opened a branch in Umbilo with our best showroom, ample stock storage, abundant parking and a great team to serve Durban central and south. After seeing its success, we have decided to improve our Hillcrest branch.

We are moving across Builders Way into a much bigger shop, where we wish to create a dazzling store to better serve our Hillcrest customers.

Our Ballito branch will also be moving into a brand new, much larger shop in the prime commercial development, Northside Park.

With the assistance of ActionCOACH, we have been able to focus on making our dreams a reality. We have seen great changes after working with ActionCOACH for two years, and we look forward to the next few years and the growth that will follow.

www.actioncoachignite.co.za W ActionCOACHIgnite

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take note*

KEEPING YOU IN THE LOOP

Enriching Lives THROUGH WILDLIFE

population and resulting development, indigenous wildlife throughout the world is under threat because of conflict with people in the race for space and resources to survive. Indigenous animals are injured and orphaned because of human activities, and this is why centres such as FREEME Wildlife exist. “Our mission is to rehabilitate and release indigenous wildlife back into a natural habitat, whilst maintaining the highest ethical standards and furthering conservation by playing a role in engaging with wildlife professionals, volunteers, learners, and members of the public,” says CEO Wade Whitehead. “We’re all about people, and wildlife is the vehicle we’ve been gifted with to change people’s lives.”

At FREEME Wildlife everyone works together to enrich lives; individuals, communities, organisations, and countries alike can add value both to one another and to the natural world around us. “We are leading the field in changing the approach and thinking regarding conservation and preservation of wildlife, and we are doing this through a willingness to embrace the knowledge and experience of people who know more than us, and an openness in sharing our own knowledge and experience with those who seek it,” says Wade. You can help by joining a programme designed to support the running of the rehabilitation centre. Visit the website to find out more.

editor's choice

FREEME Wildlife is a registered, fully permitted facility established to undertake the care and rehabilitation of sick and injured wildlife. Founded in 2007, when the need for a trauma and rehabilitation facility in the KZN Midlands was identified, Adel Malan took on the role of negotiations, ground was made available and building plans were put together for a state-of-theart wildlife rehabilitation centre in Howick.

Local developer Rob Taylor offered to sponsor the building, and doors officially opened on January 1, 2008.

Open 24/7 for admittance of animals or call-outs, experienced staff – together with many varied specialists and volunteers – run the centre and provide quality care in the best interest of the animals, no matter how big or small.

With the ever-increasing human

FOR MORE INFO: 033 330 3036; www.freemekzn.co.za

Caring For CHILDREN

Early this year doTERRA launched their Kids Collection – a kit containing “whole body” essential oils designed to confidently care for the health and wellness of children. Formulated specifically for developing minds, bodies, and emotions, these essential oil blends feature unique combinations therapeutically balanced to provide powerful benefits while being gentle on delicate skin.

The kit contains seven blends: Thinker™: Creates a sense of alertness and clarity, ideal for paying attention and concentrating. Calmer™: Promotes a serene atmosphere allowing bedtime to be a peaceful and welcoming experience, and a stress-free mood when tensions are high.

Stronger™: When environmental threats are high, use to promote feelings of wellness and vitality. Tamer™: Known to ease the effects of motion sickness and stomach upset.

Rescuer™: After a busy day of activity apply for a relaxing sensation to reduce feelings of growing, tired legs.

Steady™: Calming to the skin and emotions, can be used during times of distress to quieten the mind and soothe the body.

Brave™: To reduce feelings of occasional tension and anxiousness. Use before new or different situations to promote feelings of courage and confidence.

FOR MORE INFO: Tracey, 083 633 2399

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RET • TH

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ZINE’S B GA

REST MA EC

T KEPT S ES

NIFTY ACCESSORY For Young Women The revolutionary Drinkerbell is a drink cover with an ecofriendly silicone re-usable straw that fits snuggly into a pretty scrunchie for your hair or wrist.

Local resident, mother and businesswoman, Peach Piche, created the Drinkerbell after her daughter’s drink was spiked at

an upmarket restaurant at 7pm in November last year. “The effects the spiking had on her were horrendous – physically,

myths around drink spiking.

The Drinkerbell has a waterproof lining, offering further protection, and is very

{ SUPPORT LOCAL } mentally and emotionally,” says Peach – who is passionate about raising awareness around the prevalence of drink spiking as well as debunking several

easy to use – manufactured in such a way that it will fit almost any size or style of glass. Buying a Drinkerbell also makes a difference – as Peach

has partnered with Embocraft in Botha’s Hill, where the ladies have been taught to sew and are now proudly producing Drinkerbells. In addition, a percentage of all Drinkerbell sales go to the Jes Foord Foundation, funding counselling for victims of rape and the resultant trauma. R145 each.

FOR MORE INFO: www.drinkerbell. co.za; info@drinkerbell.co.za

SUPPORT LOCAL Funky Shirts Support A GOOD CAUSE

Launched during lockdown by Hillcrest couple Louis and Adel Weber, Red Cactus Clothing manufactures an exclusive range of shirts in a variety of unique designs. Only a limited number of shirts are manufactured per exclusive design, and you can choose from the following ranges: Nostalgia Series, Modern/Funky Series, Slogan Design Series, Active Series and Teens Series. Available in sizes S to XXXL, in 145g Classic Cotton, Dry Fit Mesh Polyester and Heavyweight 100% Cotton, the shirts are R289 each.

Red Cactus Clothing have also committed to donating one shirt for every four shirts sold, to the Robin Hood Foundation.

In addition, the online store now has the facility for any customer purchasing a shirt to also sponsor a shirt for a frontline worker at a hugely discounted rate. The Robin Hood Foundation has agreed to distribute these sponsored shirts to all the hardworking and highly respected frontline workers.

FOR MORE INFO: 031 700 4770; www.redcactusclothing.com; info@redcactusclothing.com; W @RedCactusClothing

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take note*

KEEPING YOU IN THE LOOP GET INVOLVED! The Valley TrustÕs KHULA KAHLE MNTWANA

Maintaining a 70-year legacy isn’t easy, especially if you rely on donor funding.

But that’s exactly what The Valley Trust (TVT), a registered NPO and public benefit organisation, is determined to do.

TVT’s flagship programme is the Khula Kahle Mntwana (isiZulu for “Grow Well, Child”) Programme, which helps over 1 000 caregivers in the valley take better care of their young children. This is done through education about health and parenting, assistance with vegetable gardens and financial savings, together

with providing psychosocial support.

To reduce reliance on donors and improve its own income, TVT is strengthening its property offering, which includes comfortable hostel-style accommodation that caters for individuals or groups of up to 40, office rentals as well as meeting and conferencing facilities.

The organisation welcomes support in the form of donations of toys, books or clothes for children, sponsoring a child care pack (with a child’s basic needs) for R300 or donations of plants or decor items for its property.

FOR MORE INFO: 031 716 6800; info@ vtrust.org.za; www.thevalleytrust.org.za; W thevalleytrustkwanyuswa

Got You COVERED

Ready for varsity? Make sure you do it in style with a durable, functional and versatile backpack.

The new Thule Notus Backpack and Thule Indago Backpack have been designed specifically for students and constructed with recycled materials, and are great to go from the classroom to weekend events. Choose from stunning colours that include black, blackest purple, olivine and Aegean blue.

All the boxes are ticked as you can keep your laptop protected in the elevated padded pocket, store folders and textbooks in the large main compartment, and keep pens secure in the zipped interior pocket. The two side pockets also make it easy to access water bottles, power cords and other accessories.

FOR MORE INFO: www.thule.com

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up

Picture: Coda Creative

Proudly KLOOF

A committee of Kloof residents actively revamp and maintain the heart of Kloof to a high standard.

The Kloof Project’s focus lies in beautifying the surrounds by planting and maintaining indigenous trees, bushes and plants. TKP also forge relationships with

municipal departments to ensure rubbish collection and infrastructure needs are met, and play a weekly maintenance role along the new railway trail. There’s ongoing litter control, complemented with energy from local school groups – who conscientiously help pick up litter along the railway zone.

TKP even involve the community with

UPHOLSTERY

Benze is a family enterprise steeped in tradition and old fashioned values since 1970.

WE DEAL WITH ALL FABRIC HOUSES

annual road-sign washing.

Chris Dalzell, international landscaper and nature-lover, is the group’s chairman.

His dream is to create a “village within a garden” for Kloof residents to proudly call their own.

Kloof Cars recently donated a secondhand bakkie to transport labour and materials, and Sharpline generously wrapped the vehicle using the The Brand Collective’s eye-catching design. The local Engen Convenience Centre topped off the sponsorship list with fuel and car washing.

With local businesses donating money, products and services, and residents offering skills and/or monthly donations, sustainability of this NPO is assured.

FOR MORE INFO: Sandra Wickee, 083 312 6654

WITH ADS RANGING IN PRICE FROM R2 000 TO R25 500, LET US PUT TOGETHER AN ADVERTISING PACKAGE TO SUIT YOUR BUDGET AND NEEDS. Contact Anneline Domnick 066 254 0621 annie.domnick@famouspublishing.co.za

SERVICES WE OFFER

RE-UPHOLSTERY * RESTORATION * REPAIRS * SCOTCHGARDING * CUSTOM FURNITURE DEEP CLEANING SERVICES: LOUNGE SETS, DINING CHAIRS, CARPETS, PERSIAN RUGS AND MATTRESSES 55 Buro Crescent, Unit 19 Buro Centre, Mayville, Durban upholstery@benze.co.za | www.benze.co.za | 031 208 7131 | 082 635 0165 (WhatsApp)

profile*

story katrine anker-nilssen pictures wild soul photography

C

erése Bouwer was born in Johannesburg and grew up on the KZN South Coast. “I was raised by a single mom who worked three jobs, so I know what hard work is all about,” she says. “During my high school years mom met my late step dad, Willem, who took one look at me and said: ‘You’re a typical hairdresser’ – whatever that means,” she laughs. “He offered to pay my studies at Terenzo International Hairdressing in Johannesburg, and I instantly fell in love with the hairdressing industry.”

After studying at Terenzo, Cerése completed her apprenticeship at Jeauval.

“Following a couple of years at some of the top salons in Johannesburg I decided to join my mom here in KZN,” she says. “For four years I worked extreme hours, by choice, in a Hillcrest salon, and built awesome relationships with my customers by making sure I always went the extra mile.”

The time came for Cerése to venture out on her own.

“Life threw some curve balls, and the journey was not easy.

It was one of the biggest challenges of my life. My salon was barely open six months when the first lockdown was announced. But through hard work, dedication, passion and continuous support from

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Living the

DREAM

MEET AN INSPIRING ALL-WOMAN TEAM WHO’S NOT AFRAID OF HARD WORK

customers, my business survived and bounced back better than ever,” says Cerése proudly. “I started my salon with my own savings and no other financial backing. My team now consists of two highly qualified stylists and two incredible assistants. We’re a dynamic team of women who love to inspire each other and see each other grow.”

Once lockdown was lifted, Cerése Hair Design outgrew its small rental space. “I decided to move to my own premises, where both myself and my mom’s salons could be combined and grow together.”

Cerése’s mom, Mariette Bouwer, owns and runs Body Sense Laser Lipo. She has been in the industry for more than 25 years and specialises in body and skin health care – with treatments

ABOVE: Cerése with her mom Mariette.

TOP: The CHD dream team, from left: Thembs Zuma, Busi Mngadi, Carmel Veron, Cerése Bouwer and Marisa Bronkhorst, with inhouse beautician Susan Tolma.

including laser lipo, faradic slimming, lipolitic slimming, radio frequency facials and derma pen skin needling.

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“My mom is my superhero, and today we are finally living our dream – running our own independent businesses where we like to empower other businesswomen to do the same. To us it’s all about networking and supporting each other,” says Cerése.

“While moving and building towards the end of last year, I received the devastating news of the passing of my dad, Pieter. But despite the heartache, I pulled through and we officially opened our new salon in November,” says Cerése. “December was the busiest month in my career – with new customers travelling from as far as Ballito, Pietermaritzburg and the South Coast.”

Cerése is Upper Highway’s Blonde Doctor – a welldeserved nickname which speaks for itself. She has also brought a new innovation to Hillcrest in the form of outdoor stations, where customers can enjoy hair appointments in open, fresh air and tranquil and natural surroundings.

“We specialise in cutting and colouring, keeping up to date with the latest trends and techniques from Europe,” says Cerése – who has been chosen to represent the Goldwell 2021 Collection this month as a guest artist. “We continue to grow in the industry, and always give our best to our customers.”

*

FOR MORE INFO Cerése Hair Design: 071 370 9942; 5A Wishart Rd, Hillcrest; W @ceresehairdesign Body Sense Laser Lipo: 083 728 2928; W @bodysenselaserlipo

*advertorial

 Tax Revenue Although there weren’t any major changes in tax rates, an additional R3-billion will be allocated towards SARS’ investment in technology, which is crucial in improving collections and closing the tax gap.  Corporate and Personal Tax The National Treasury is aware that South Africa’s Corporate Income Tax (CIT) rate at 28% is relatively high when compared to similar countries, and that this acts as a hindrance to economic growth. A higher CIT rate creates an incentive for profit shifting to jurisdictions with lower tax rates, thereby affecting SARS’ efficiency in administering CIT and ultimately reducing overall revenue collections. Treasury has proposed that the CIT rate be lowered to 27% from April 2022.

Despite the impact of Covid-19 on revenue collection, the Minister of Finance announced that there will be an above inflation 5% adjustment to the individual tax brackets and rebates.

The net result is that, with effect from March 1, 2021, the maximum rate of 45% applies to taxable income in excess of R1 656 600 (up from R1 577 300) while the lowest rate of 18% applies to taxable income up to R216 200 (up from R205 900) – with similar adjustments to the brackets in between. There will also be an approximate 5% increase in the primary, secondary and tertiary rebates. The tax-free threshold has now increased

LEFT: From left: Nicole Kitching, Melissa Jacobs, Suné Alexander and Emily Motaung.

Picture: Shane Doyle

BUDGET Speech breakdown

MJ CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS’ MELISSA JACOBS TAKES A CLOSER LOOK AT HOW THIS YEAR’S BUDGET AFFECTS YOUR FINANCES

TESTIMONIAL “Melissa and her team at MJ Chartered Accountants have been a huge support to our business! Outsourcing an accounting, tax and secretarial function is not an easy task, but MJ Chartered Accountants have a dedicated, professional and friendly team who are always willing to go above and beyond to ensure our reporting deadlines and statutory requirements are achieved.”

– Blake Edy, Director, Frozen Brands

from R83 100 to R87 300 for taxpayers under 65 years of age.

The medical tax credit available to taxpayers who are members of medical aid schemes will not be increased.

They have however been increased from R319 to R332 per month for each of the first two dependents, and from R215 to R224 per month for every subsequent dependent.  Excise Sin taxes: An increase of 8% in 2021/22 for tobacco product excise duties, and the alcohol industry excise duties are as follows: wine, beer and spirits are set at 11, 23 and 36% respectively.

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 Fuel Levies An inflation-related increase of 15c/litre in the general fuel levy, and an increase of 11c/litre in the Road Accident Fund levy, with effect from April 7, 2021.  Carbon Tax The Carbon Tax Rate increased from R127 per t/CO2e to R134 per t/CO2e from January 1, 2021, and aligned with the prescribed increase of CPI + 2%, in terms of Section 5 of the Carbon Tax Act. An increase of 1c per litre has been included in the fuel levy price for both petrol and diesel to account for Carbon Tax. The price of petrol will increase by 8c/litre for petrol and 9c/litre for diesel with effect from April 7, 2021.  Plastic Bag Levy Distinction will be drawn between fossil-based and biobased plastic bags. Fossilbased plastic bags will amount to 25c/bag, whereas bio-based plastic bags will be levied at 12,5c/bag.

MJ CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS

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

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celebration*

Hip, hip

HURRAH

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e can’t tell you how thrilled we are about being able to bring you the 100th issue of The Crest magazine – especially

REACHING A HUGE MILESTONE, THE FAMOUS PUBLISHING TEAM CELEBRATED IN STYLE AT EMBERTON ESTATE’S RENOWNED RAY’S KITCHEN

after such a challenging year where it has been touch and go for so many businesses. And we couldn’t think of a better place to celebrate this milestone than the gorgeous Ray’s Kitchen in Hillcrest. Here the food is simply the

best, the service is outstanding and the peaceful surroundings are beautiful. Our team feasted on roasted pork belly, fresh kingklip fishcakes, peri-peri chicken, falafel rotis … these are just some of the scrumptious homemade dishes available

Pictures Chris Allan

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Meet The Team IF YOU HAD A BUMPER STICKER … WHAT WOULD IT SAY? Greg: Human change, not climate change Kyle: Be the change you wish to see Mphumzeni: Take care of those who care Gaylene: Inner peace is the new success Lorna: Coffee and chocolate rule!

Meghan: Life’s a journey … enjoy the ride!

Doody: Find the joy Lynda: One day at a time Sarah: Wanna hear a joke? Decaf Katrine: Without frogs we all croak Annie: Stay humble, work hard, be kind!

FOOD: The talented Ray and

his team never fail to tantalise your tastebuds – whether you’re a meat lover or vegetarian, there’s a wide variety of honest, well-made food on the menu.

at Ray’s, and they all go hand-inhand with a glass of champagne to mark a special occasion.

Thank you to a hard-working, superhero team who has stayed focused throughout the years, bringing out issue after issue full of beautiful, uplifting community stories. Thank you to our loyal advertisers who see the value in our magazine as a platform to reach new clients. And last but not least, thank you to our engaging readers and our close-knit community.

Without all of you, we wouldn’t be here celebrating our 100th issue today. We can’t wait to continue this journey with you!

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FOR MORE INFO www.rayskitchen.co.za

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cover story* It was an allmen affair, Miss Frances Hayward of Durban lined up unofficially and to great applause, crossed the line in 11:35

1921

The greatest

O

RACE

n Thursday May 24, 1921, Empire Day, 34 runners from 48 entrants lined up outside the Pietermaritzburg City Hall to

1952 12

1923

On May 24, 1921, the first Comrades Marathon took place.

Miss Frances Hayward of Durban lined up unofficially.

IT’S AN ICONIC EVENT, IT GRIPS A NATION, IT REALISES DREAMS, AND IT’S A CHALLENGE UNDERTAKEN BY THOUSANDS. ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO THE FIRST STEPS WERE TAKEN IN WHAT HAS BECOME THE COMRADES MARATHON, WRITES DAVID KNOWLES

undertake a journey by road to Durban. The first Comrades Marathon had been born, and this year the race celebrates its centenary – although it would have been only the 95th edition, as there were no races from 1941 to

1945 due to World War II. Many believed those pioneering runners would not reach Durban before nightfall, but the first winner of the race, Bill Rowan, a farmer from Koster, breasted the tape just

Gerald Walsh (left) third and winner Trevor Allen negotiate Fields Hill in 1952. Both runners won the race twice.

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1961

Start of the 1961 race.

1934

1935

One of the Comrades greats, fivetime winner Hardy Ballington.

after 4pm in a time of 8:59, the slowest ever winning time, the race having started some 10 minutes after the seven o’clock chimes due to some minor hitches.

Of the 34 starters 16 finished, the last few in the dark and in later years, Rowan’s name was etched into modern times with the Bill Rowan Medal awarded to those finishing between 7:30 and 8:59.

And so a unique chapter in South African sport and history was born, an event acknowledged worldwide as the greatest ultra-marathon of them all; a race of character, emotion, struggle, pain, friendship and camaraderie.

1975

It wasn’t long before legendary characters made an appearance. Arthur Newton won the race five times between 1922 and 1927, later joined by fellow fivetimers Hardy Ballington, Wally Hayward, Jackie Mekler and the great Bruce Fordyce – who clocked an unparalleled nine wins.

Vic Clapham, an engine driver on the South African Railways, is credited with starting the Comrades phenomenon, approaching the League of Comrades of the Great War at the end of 1918 with his idea of a race between Pietermaritzburg and Durban, something initially scoffed at.

Clapham remained undeterred and was

The 1975 race saw new ground broken as the race was open to athletes of all colour as well as women.

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Robert Mtshali, unrecognised in the 1935 race.

given one Pound (R2), to be refunded, for expenses, and allowed by the League to organise the race which was not to cost the League a penny.

It was an all-men affair, although as early as 1923, Miss Frances Hayward of Durban lined up unofficially and to great applause, crossed the line in 11:35, stating she thought the challenge, “too much for a woman”.

In 1935 the first black runner, Robert Mtshali, crossed the line in 9:30, his effort also not officially recognised until 2019 when the Robert Mtshali Medal was introduced to honour his contribution to the race’s history.

This medal was awarded to »

1978

Alan Robb who beat the fiveand-a-half hour mark in 1978.

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cover story*

1981

Bruce Fordyce wins the 1981 Comrades Marathon, wearing a black armband in protest against apartheid.

those finishing between nine and 10 hours.

History was being written at a rapid pace.

In 1940, Allen Boyce’s winning margin of 1:50:28 over second man WD Parr remains one never to be beaten, as was the final tally of a mere eight finishers in the 1946 race.

Acknowledged by many as the greatest of them all, Wally Hayward won the race as a 21-year-old in 1930, a mere 37 seconds ahead of a fast finishing Phil MastertonSmith who, at 19, won the following year and remains the youngest ever winner.

That 1930 finish was bettered in 1967 when Manie Kuhn pipped Tommy Malone by a second after Malone had stumbled at the finish from cramp.

1989

2019

Sam Tshabalala writes a new chapter in 1989.

Hayward was the first to break the six-hour barrier in 1953, achieving the impossible, the bar raised higher by four-time winner Alan Robb who beat the five-and-a-half hour mark in 1978, finishing 19 minutes ahead of “Waltzing” Dave Wright.

The 1975 race saw new ground broken as the race was open to athletes of all colour as well as women. Elizabeth Cavanagh became the first official woman medalist and Vincent Rakabaele the first official non-white finisher in 20th position.

Rakabaele set the platform for the future of the race, which saw its first black winner in 1989 when Sam Tshabalala won the

down run. This year also saw the women’s race change gear when Benoni’s Frith van der Merwe finished 15th overall in 5:54, a record which still stands. Gerda Steyn came close to that record in 2019, finishing the up run in a record 5:58 and 17th overall.

Fordyce, Graeme Fraser, Tony Abbott, Hosea Tjale, Bob de la Motte, Nick Bester, Helen Lucre, Lindsay Weight, Isavel RocheKelly, Willie Mtolo, Andrew Kelehle, the Nurgalieva twins, Vladimir Kotov, Dimitri Grishine, Stephen Mushingi, Bongmusa Mthembu – these are some of the modern names that have made the race what it is; an institution highly respected around the world – and proudly South African at that.

Pictures supplied by Comrades Marathon Museum

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Gerda Steyn captured the nation’s heart with her 2019 win in the women’s race, setting an up record and finishing 17th overall.

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*

*advertorial

T

he year 2020 was a year like no other for all of us. Despite the turbulence, Highbury Preparatory School in Hillcrest has shown extraordinary resilience and creativity in adapting to the challenges of Covid-19 in order to deliver an outstanding all-round education to over 500 boys.

Highbury boys not only stayed on track with the curriculum throughout the pandemic, but kept a real sense of connection with teachers and friends even when learning online.

Belinda Willows, Head of Foundation Phase, says, “We have worked to balance caution with consistency, so we kept our jungle gyms open, our sandpits filled and our uniforms on. We taught the boys to ‘smize’ which means to smile with your eyes. We made the new Covid-19 school experience fun and happy, filled with boy-centric learning adventures and managed to keep our boys safe and healthy.”

For many boys, the part of school that they love most is playing sport with their friends. The disappointment of missing sports tours, fixtures and practices was a tough one for our boys last year. Highbury has always believed that exercise is important for boys’ physical and emotional well-being, and a new Covid-safe exercise programme was developed by Highbury’s sports department to keep the boys out in

Never BEHIND

EXTRAORDINARY TIMES CALL FOR AN EXTRAORDINARY SCHOOL the fresh air, burning off their excess energy and having lots of fun.

Individual cricket lessons were offered along with cross country and a reduced athletics programme, where the boys were timed individually to avoid gathering in groups. Along with these traditional forms of sport, several innovative activities were introduced, including recreational golf, canoeing, surfing and fishing. Highbury’s exercise programme over Covid-19 has not only proven our slogan of “Knowing Boys” but also epitomised our motto of “Jamais Arriere” (Never Behind).

Highbury music teachers have found creative ways to ensure that boys could continue music lessons, music concerts, orchestra and even djembe drumming and marimbas. Whether it means playing online or outdoors or in smaller groups, Highbury has continued to give boys the widest range of opportunities to find and enjoy their talents.

Headmaster Roland Lacock says, “I am still astounded by the resilience and adaptability demonstrated by our boys and our teachers.

Firstly online learning and then to a very different school experience. I am extremely proud that Highbury has continued to offer a world-class allround education throughout the global pandemic for all of our boys.”

FOR MORE INFO Visit Highbury’s new website to read more about all that Highbury can offer your son; www.hps.co.za

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nostalgia*

Kearsney College turns

T

ROBIN LAMPLOUGH TAKES A CLOSER LOOK AT THE SCHOOL’S HISTORY AND ITS SUCCESSION OF HEADMASTERS

he renowned school started a hundred years ago at Kearsney, inland of KwaDukuza, the old Stanger, on the Natal North Coast.

There Liege Hulett had built a palatial home that, by 1920, was empty. Hulett, by that time Sir Liege and a widower, had moved to the Manor House – overlooking Durban’s Mitchell Park.

Liege Hulett was a faithful Methodist, and back then there was no Methodist school closer than Kingswood in the Eastern Cape. To run the new school, Hulett chose D. Pyne Mercier. In 1923, Pyne Mercier was succeeded by Robert Matterson, formerly a teacher at Kingswood. Almost all the pupils at Kearsney in those days were descendants of Liege Hulett, who died in 1928.

The Great Depression of the early 1930s made it unlikely that the school would survive. Members of the school staff addressed an appeal to South African Methodists and, as a result, the school was able to move in 1939, to a piece of land in Botha’s Hill, between Pietermaritzburg and Durban. With six classrooms, two boarding houses and a dining hall which doubled on special occasions as a place of assembly, the school began its second chapter in a new location.

Before the end of the year, World War II had begun. By its end, 23 Kearsney Old Boys had died in service, a loss keenly felt by the small community. After the war, Old Boys built a memorial cricket

16

pavilion, a project which started a very active Old Boys’ club.

In 1946 Robert Matterson retired, to be succeeded by Stanley Osler, a Kingswood Old Boy and brother of the famous Springbok Benny Osler. Osler saw potential for significant growth. He commissioned the building of the Kearsney chapel, with space for twice as many congregants as there were boys in the school.

Osler was succeeded by James Hopkins, long-standing member of staff and direct descendant of Sir Liege Hulett. He presided over the golden jubilee celebrations in 1971 and the opening of the Kearsney library.

The glass windows that decorate the entrance to the library are artefacts taken

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BELOW: The opening of Kearsney College in 1939 in Botha’s Hill.

 1939: A view of Kearsney’s original dining hall at the Botha’s Hill school, taken from the classroom block.  2021: Today nutritional analysis, conducted by the school’s professional caterers, ensures the boys’ dietary needs are catered for in four bright dining halls.  1947:

Finningley House and the adjacent dining hall.  2021:

Finningley is one of four boarding houses for seniors at Kearsney, with Grade 8s being accommodated in Haley House.  1922:

Kearsney headmaster David Pyne Mercier with Kearsney choir boys at the original North Coast school.  2014: The international award-winning Kearsney College Choir has won 15 gold medals and seven silvers at the World Choir Games between 2000 and 2018.

from Kearsney Manor, where the school began and which had been the home of Hopkins’s great-grandfather.

Jimmy Hopkins was succeeded by Colin Silcock. He is reputed to have commented that Kearsney boys were good at being gracious in defeat, and he wanted to make sure they had more opportunities to be just as gracious in victory. The indoor sports centre that he opened during his tenure contributed to Kearsney’s sporting competitiveness.

During the Silcock term, Kearsney joined the small group of private schools admitting black pupils. In the same year, the Kearsney Board of Governors ended its historical association with the board of Epworth, the Methodist girls’ school in Pietermaritzburg.

In 1991, Silcock was succeeded by Owen Roberts. His first year in office saw the opening of the Kearsney cultural centre.

One of the hallmarks of his tenure was the growth, both in size and in prominence,

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of the Kearsney choir. Roberts also aimed for an improvement in academic results.

He introduced the practice of boys writing tests every Saturday morning, before their sports commitments.

Roberts was succeeded in 2001 by the present headmaster, Elwyn van den Aardweg, from Pretoria. His solid emphasis on academics, particularly mathematics and science excellence, has seen Kearsney post outstanding results, with distinction rates double those of the Independent »

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nostalgia* Kearsney College Centenary Events APRIL 7 - 9: Kearsney Tennis Festival JUNE 2 - 5: Founders Week JUNE 2: Squash Old Boys v Kearsney boys; Old Boys concert JUNE 3: Old Boys Golf Day; Hockey Old Boys vs 1st X1 JUNE 4: Survivors’ Assembly and Lunch; Founders black tie dinner JUNE 5: Chapel Service, KCOB AGM; Rugby and Hockey vs Maritzburg College JULY 17: Centenary Ball AUGUST 4: Centenary Epic and Garden Party AUGUST 5 - 8: Kearsney Hockey 5s SEPTEMBER 20: 24-Hour Challenge (inter-house) SEPTEMBER 24 - 27: Independent Schools Stayers Basketball Tournament SEPTEMBER 30 OCTOBER 2: Charl van Rooyen Cricket Festival *Please note that these events are subject to change, visit www.kearsney.com for updates

Examination Board in these subjects for 10 consecutive years. He introduced Mandarin as a matric subject, and the building of a new academic block, designed in line with international best practices for collaborative and modern learning and research. The Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival and development of the SportZone, which provides facilities to complement the school’s High Performance programme, have taken place during van den Aardweg’s

18

#BackAKearsneyBoy Last year this initiative raised R362 000 to assist Kearsney College families whose income was seriously affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Much of this was driven by California-based old boy Michael Hall. It assisted some families to keep their sons at Kearsney and enabled boys without access to laptops and data to receive these, to ensure their online learning was not impacted.

tenure and contributed to Kearsney becoming a premier independent boys’ school in South Africa.

Without doubt, however, one of the greatest challenges to any headmaster in the school’s history has been presented by the demands of carrying on in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic. Headmaster, all staff and boys are to be congratulated on the creative ways they have adapted to these unique circumstances.

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*

KEARSNEY COLLEGE A Tradition of Excellence Kearsney’s focus on academic excellence resulted in exceptional 2020 IEB matric results: • 100% Bachelor Degree (matric exemption) pass rate • 5 subjects with an average mark of at least 80% • Over a quarter of the boys achieved 5 or more distinctions • Over half of Maths and Science boys achieved distinctions • The average Kearsney mark for Maths was an incredible 80% and 78% for Physical Sciences.

• Tenth consecutive year that Kearsney’s Maths and Science distinction rates have been at least approximately double those of all IEB schools

See more on kearsney.com.

Seize the Day

nostalgia*

,

OLD BOYS

How did Kearsney help shape their future?

Michael Oakley Hall matriculated in 1953 and went on to study biochemistry. After obtaining his PhD at the University of California Los Angeles, he took a position at the University of Natal before returning to California a couple of years later – where he worked as a researcher and teacher in the Department of Ophthalmology at UCLA, until retiring at the age 70. “My brother always said that our success (he was a professor at Kings College, London) in life was due to the values and discipline that we had instilled in us at Kearsney, and that we should give back to our school by supporting it in any way that we could,” says Michael. “It took me a number of years to absorb this wisdom, but after meeting the current headmaster I was convinced that I could best fulfil my brother’s admonition and help my old school by raising funds to support deserving students who would not otherwise benefit from a Kearsney education.”

With the help of the Kearsney Foundation Office, Michael established the KCOBC USA and Canada Centenary Bursary Fund, which has to date raised almost R4,5-million in scholarship money for the school.

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Jonathan Pons matriculated in 1980 and went on to the University of Cape Town to get his medical degree. An ophthalmologist based in Swaziland, he is involved in rural eye health care throughout southern Africa – passionate about solving blindness in rural Africa.

“Growing up through six years at Kearsney brought lifelong friends and enduring values of excellence and integrity. The world-class academic journey was for me matched by a spiritual journey, and at a boy’s Bible study came the certainty of my Christian faith. One lazy Saturday came the first key directive of my career: serve the underserved. This became the fuel for my future in African Rural Medicine.”

Andile Mazwai matriculated in 1989 and is a successful Johannesburg businessman.

A chartered stockbroker and founder-CEO of iKhala Property Fund, he is also a non-executive director of Bidvest Bank, Alexander Forbes and the deputy chairman of St Mary’s School Waverley.

“My passion is to liberate people from the binds of pernicious debt. I have created VUNA to do this – a financial technology mobile application that facilitates lending between a stokvel and its members, providing good credit for good savers,” explains Andile.

“Kearsney afforded me a quality education at a time when black people were subjugated to Bantu Education.”

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Jabulani Nyathi matriculated in 2015, obtained a Bsc Degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of Cape Town, and is currently on scholarship studying for his MPhil in Engineering for Sustainable Development (ESD) at Cambridge University. “I was part of the KC choir, and I am currently a part of my college choir at Cambridge and still sing often,” says Jabulani. “The education I received at Kearsney was of a high standard, and this continues to be reflected in my academic career. I would not be the same individual without having had the opportunity to do my best in sport, be academically stimulated, be able to do music and drama, and even get to travel for this sake.

Kearsney is a special place as it opens opportunities that would otherwise not be easily attainable.

I have also walked away with incredible friends who I consider my brothers.”

*makeover

al Toerien, 67, recently visited Image Consultants Fay and Megan of Image Insured in Kloof, wanting to know how to make the most of herself and look a few years younger. Val was feeling tired and washed out, but had no idea where to start.

After doing a three-hour Colour and Figure Analysis with her, Fay and Megan were able to tell Val exactly which colours and styles to wear

to help her look more vibrant, how to apply her make-up in the correct colours and what colour and style hair would suit her. “Sadly most people we see have the incorrect hair colour, which is detrimental to looking your best,” says Fay. Val’s “after” outfit is from their own clothing range Seasons, a beautiful range of clothing all obtainable from their shop Image Insured in the Delcairn Centre, Kloof. The clothing is stunning and affordable, with a range to suit all skin tones and body shapes.

Pop into our shop in the Delcairn Centre, Village Road, Kloof and browse through our beautiful clothing range or contact us for more information on one of our life-changing makeovers.

Tel 031 764 1039 or email info@imageinsured.co.za

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Grant from Grant Harper Hair Design in uMhlanga Rocks (072 170 9651) worked with Fay and Megan to choose the correct colour and style for Val’s hair, and the result is stunning!

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profile*

Finding beauty, inspiring

HOPE

THE TITLE OF LOCAL ARTIST LAURIANA GLENNY’S RECENT EXHIBITION AT STEPPING STONE STUDIOS IN ASSAGAY SUMS UP HER INCREDIBLE CREATIVE JOURNEY, WRITES SHIRLEY LE GUERN

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A

s a little girl, Laurie was always drawing and, although she originally wanted to be a school teacher, her heart was set on a career in art by the time she reached high school.

Now, decades later, she has done both. No longer tethered by latest trends and looming deadlines, she is at last comfortable as a professional artist in the lovely studio overlooking her beautiful home at Cotswold Downs. Here, she’s surrounded by her journals, sketch books and a mix of paintings – from the landscapes that she admits challenge her to vibrant botanicals and the bold, enticing portraits that are her latest venture.

Much of her work is anchored by nature. “Botanicals have always been my favourite just because I love nature.

I love flowers, plants, their structure and the botany behind them. Proteas have become my low hanging fruit because they just sell. I think I’ve worked out a way of capturing them that’s slightly unique.

Proteas have to be botanically correct but there must be emotion. So, if I could sum up my work, it is my emotional response to the world around me,” she says.

Looking back, she admits: “I could have easily slotted into the graphic design role.

But when I walked into a fine art studio as a matric student, I knew I had found a home. I could smell the paint.”

Two weeks after writing her final exams at the then Natal Technikon, she married fellow student Reuben Glenny.

Her art career started with paint techniques and murals. “We would go into these massive big mansions and, by the end of the day, we had to have all the walls painted. We had to climb up and down scaffolding. It was an incredible experience,” she recalls.

As opportunities opened up, she took

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ABOVE: Laurie in her studio surrounded by the portraits that will go on auction soon.

Picture: Shirley le Guern

I could have easily slotted into the graphic design role. But when I walked into a fine art studio as a matric student, I knew I had found a home

them. Two years later, she was working for a children’s clothing company in Mobeni. Two years after that, she was part of a 12-strong team of textile designers working from a beautiful old Victorian house in Florida Road for David Whiteheads.

By 2001, Laurie had launched her own freelance design studio. “For the first year, I had to drive down to Durban to work in the morning and, in the afternoon, I took on photographic or mural work. It was quite exciting because, for the first time, I was completely on my own.”

By the time her eldest son, Ethan, arrived in 2004, she realised she wanted to work closer to home.

The beauty of having worn so many different hats, she admits, was the array of opportunities that opened up for her. But she

ABOVE: Gallery owner Greg Hayes and Laurie at her recent solo exhibition at the Stepping Stones Gallery. Picture: Publicity Matters

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was extremely busy doing everything from designing stationery to creating homeware ranges for major retail chains.

She quickly found that juggling motherhood and tight deadlines was far from easy. Shortly after her the arrival of second son, Ben, an exhausted Laurie became extremely ill.

During her two-year recovery, she admits that her paints were never far away. “Part of my healing was actually just immersing myself back into my canvasses. I didn’t tell anyone. Whenever I felt well enough, I would go and spend a short time painting.”

The impressive body of work that resulted was a foundation for her first solo exhibition at artSPACE in Umgeni Road during the middle of the 2010 Soccer World Cup. But the pull of the design world was strong and she not only continued painting but also taught art at the former Fat Tuesday Gallery above the Bellevue Café and launched an upmarket stationery and gifting company called Lauriana Designs with a business partner. Their first range featured proteas and was called Postcards from Parys.

In 2015, Laurie’s love for teaching reemerged. After signing up to study through Unisa, she started teaching high school art at Curro. She describes her next three years as an extremely steep but very rewarding “vertical learning curve”.

Teaching around the clock soon brought her close to burn out all over again. So, in 2019, she took another leap of faith and became a full-time artist.

“By last year, I had a body of work with a shared theme of finding beauty in unexpected places,” she explains, adding that her second solo exhibition was scheduled for May 2020 but was derailed by the Covid lockdown as was a second attempt in December. A lower key opening in February has finally allowed her to show her work after 10 long years.

*

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education*

W

e all know that South Africa’s education system is battling.

You just need to read reports of the pass rates, the challenges facing schools and educators, and the conditions that some learners battle in order to get an education. But what is particularly startling is how our maths and science marks are sliding year on year.

It’s this problem that has Gary Millichip so worried, and which got him looking for some way that he could help.

A chartered accountant by profession, Gary obviously has an affinity and background in numbers and maths, and so the dire state of the annual maths results are of particular concern to him.

“There was a period when we were home-schooling our daughter, and I was trying to find a way of making addition fun.

I played around with number tiles and different scenarios, and came up with the idea for the game. I actually went as far as having a demo game made in China,” says Gary.

The game that Gary is talking about is SumQuest, and it started out as a physical boardgame. His demo game, though, remained just that due to the cost of having the games made. “The game itself isn’t too expensive to make, but you need to have a minimum of 5 000 made at a time, and that adds up in terms of cost

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Adding up to

SUCCESS

GARY MILLICHIP HAS DEVELOPED A GAME THAT COULD HELP TURN SOUTH AFRICA’S MATHS CRISIS AROUND, WRITES STEPHEN SMITH needs to be done. His next big step took place in 2020, when he had a SumQuest app developed, with the help of local company EpicDev. The app uses the boardgame as its inspiration, but obviously things were changed to translate well into the digital realm.

“The app has been a great success, I think. It has been

The app has been a great success, it has been downloaded over 5 000 times already, from across the world – especially once you’ve taken the exchange rate and delivery into account,” Gary explains.

That first game was made over five years ago, and after that not much happened. But every year when the maths results were posted, Gary was reminded that something

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downloaded over 5 000 times already, from across the world, and has received excellent reviews both from downloaders and from experts in the education field, like Educational App Store (5 stars) and App Ed Review (8.2/10),” says Gary.

The app is available for download for both Android and

don’t have access to the internet, or have limited data.

Another problem is that many of the smartphones don’t have the storage capacity to download apps. My hope is to find a partner who is able to help me get the game made and distributed where it is needed,” says Gary.

While Gary speaks mostly of teachers and students and their matric maths marks, SumQuest actually has a far wider potential audience. “Studies have shown that mental arithmetic, doing

ABOVE: Gary Millichip and the boardgame that started it all.

LEFT: SumQuest started out as a boardgame and uses number tiles and dice to create a mathematical challenge.

Apple devices, from the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store respectively, for free.

While in-app purchases can be made, they are not necessary to play the game.

At the moment the app is single-player only, but Gary has plans for multiplayer and online versions as well as other game modes. There are different difficulty settings already, catering for players of different strengths.

And Gary still has great hopes for his physical boardgame.

“In South Africa there are so many people who could benefit from this game, but who don’t have access to the app. A lot of schools, learners and teachers

My hope is to find a partner who is able to help me get the game made and distributed where it is needed puzzles and even playing computer games can have a beneficial effect on cognitive functioning in older adults.

According to Stem.ork.uk, playing mathematical games encourages strategic thinking, problem solving and also develops fluency,” says Gary.

So it looks like we could all use a bit of SumQuest in our lives!

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FOR MORE INFO Gary is looking for ways to develop the physical boardgame. If you or your company would like to get involved, get in touch via gary@happytum.com

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WATERFALL COLLEGE NEW SCIENCE LABS

OPENING IN 2021

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community*

The spirit of

UBUNTU

THUSANA IS ALL ABOUT SUPPORTING EACH OTHER AND CELEBRATING LOCAL TALENT, WRITES KATRINE ANKER-NILSSEN

W

hen Charlene Udal attended The Global Leadership Summit in Chicago five years ago she felt challenged to do something that would really make a difference. “Seeing first-hand how the cycle of poverty keeps people locked in a place where

they have little choice but to live hand to mouth is heartbreaking,” she says. “However, they know what their gifts and talents are, and they’re already passionately using them. But they need a platform to sell their products.”

Thusana was born out of a desire to create that platform. “It’s a place where

LEFT: Brett and Charlene Udal finally took the leap and started building the Thusana.com site during lockdown last year.

South Africans can support each other – not from a place of pity, but one of genuine appreciation, respect and a love for craft,” says Charlene.

Owning a digital marketing agency, it made sense for Charlene to use what was in her hands, and the idea to create an e-commerce platform came about.

“Unfortunately it remained a dream for four years,” she says.

“But then my husband Brett grew tired of me talking about

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it, and during lockdown he encouraged me to just go for it.

We both dug into our savings and started building the site.”

Brett, head of music at Hilton College, and Charlene married five years ago after meeting online, and between the two of them have three sons. “We’re part of Open Skies Church and I serve most Sundays at our Giba campus in Dassenhoek.

I love the spirit and sense of community in the township – going there is food for my soul, and has kept my desire to do something to help people living in poor situations alive,” says Charlene.

Thusana, which means “help each other” in SeSotho, has a long way to go to reach its vision, but the e-commerce site already has five Thusana Friends onboard. “We don’t charge anything for products to be on the website. As a

Thusana Friend, you only need to offer us wholesale pricing so we can make a small profit.

Thusana is not a charity or an NPO, so we need it to make a profit so we can make it sustainable in the long term,” explains Charlene – adding that

Thusana Friends are resilient, resourceful, remarkable and respectful

she looks for four character traits when accepting new Thusana Friends. They need to be resilient, resourceful, remarkable and respectful.

“Giving up is not an option, and believing in using what’s in your hands as well as making sure »

community*

ABOVE: Charlene in rural Eshowe meeting the resilient Sisters in Craft. no harm is done to the planet or others is also crucial,“ she says.

“The products they produce are world class. There is no reason for us to buy similar products from anywhere else other than local.”

The first ladies to join were the Sisters in Craft – a resourceful and determined group of women living in extremely poor conditions in rural KZN. Some of them are grandmothers supporting grandchildren, others are dealing with husbands who do little to bring in any income and are the sole breadwinners. The other ladies are part of the Philippa French team of beaders and live in the Valley of a Thousand Hills.

“These ladies are self-employed through the incredible business model Philippa Stark has put together, and their work

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is being sold around the world,” says Charlene.

Thusana.com launched in November with a range of hand crafted Christmas decorations “Making our first online sales and being able to EFT the proceeds into the ladies’ bank accounts was so exciting and rewarding,” says Charlene – who has been in marketing for 20 years. Her 10-year-old business, BrandHeart Digital Marketing, employs four people. “I have a responsibility to continue growing my business and not losing focus, which means I work on Thusana in the evenings and on weekends. But I’m learning to accept that I’m on a journey I love, so it’s OK if it takes a little longer than I’d planned.”

Thusana celebrates local talent and the tenacity of our people. “We want to tell the stories behind the products and inspire everyone to choose

How can you be a part of the Thusana story?

Introduce us to disadvantaged talented, local people creating beautiful products.

Support Thusana Friends by buying their products at www.thusana.com.

Spread the word! local. Our dream is to build an e-commerce platform with hundreds of locally manufactured products, and we aim to make it the biggest online platform with the widest range of quality, eco-friendly South African products,” says Charlene – adding that Thusana is so much more than an e-commerce site. “It’s a place that shows off local

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talent and connects people through the products they produce. We want to build an inclusive community that lifts each other up and celebrates our people’s spirit of ubuntu.”

On Thusana.com you’ll meet the people behind the brands and connect with their individual stories. “You’ll fall in love with the products and want to support the people who made them. When you leave, you’ll feel proudly South African and hopefully be inspired to support local more than you did before,” says Charlene, who loves building relationships with the people she meets. “As Thusana grows we will hopefully help change lives and break the cycle of poverty for individual people – every life matters, and that’s what matters most to me.”

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FOR MORE INFO www.thusana.com; charlene@tusana.com

*easter decor

 WILD WREATH DISPOSABLE PLACEMATS These quality paper mats set the scene for a beautiful floral function. Classic and sophisticated, each book has 10 different animals – you get three of each animal. *R200, BOOK OF 30

 WILD WREATH GIFT TAGS Packed in sets of 10 tags, these quick and easy gift tags are spot-on for your Easter table decorations. *R100, SET OF 10

 RIBBON ROLL Ð ASSORTED COLOURS Macaroon bespoke bright ribbons co-ordinate perfectly with your Easter table and treats. *R180, 20 METRES Go on, Macaroon your table this Easter!

*

FOR MORE INFO www.macaroon.co

Where flowers

BLOOM EASTER – A TIME FOR A RENEWAL OF HOPE AND MEANINGFUL FAMILY GATHERINGS

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ay the prettiest Easter table with Macaroon’s Wild Garden & Wild Wreaths range. The Proudly South African disposable placemats feature fabulous animals adorned in blossoming floral wreaths. Paired with co-ordinating gift tags, used as name place settings or Easter egg tags, your table will look amazing and ready to welcome the extended family for Easter Sunday lunch or dinner.

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profile*

Every cloud has a silver

LINING

automotive and other industries are melted and turned into pellets which are then re-melted and poured into moulds to make the boots. The new yellow additions are made from virgin PVC which can be recycled.

Cally and Liz started out with a range of six different boots with a limited number of sizes (five, six and seven) and have adjusted designs and

SHIRLEY LE GUERN MEETS THE TWO DYNAMIC LADIES BEHIND SILVER LINING GUMBOOTS

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ith Silver Lining Gumboots, we’ve really learnt that every cloud has a silver lining. You just put on your gumboots and go for it!

No matter what situation or circumstance that you’re in, you should never forget the

The idea is for the boots to be both fashionable and functional reason why you started. You must also focus on future goals. Stay in your lane, work hard and just keep walking,” says Cally van Blerk, co-owner of Silver Lining Gumboots.

Cally, together with partner Liz Payne, officially launched the company at the muddiest

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of outdoor events, the Spashy Fen music festival, in 2019. The company has never looked back with the partners recording an average growth of 200% since they made their debut.

Now Cally and Liz are adding two new boots to their collection – a bright yellow ankle boot and a mid-calf gumboot. Up until now, their collection has been all black, accessorised with leather straps, tassels and buckles.

The idea is for the boots to be both fashionable and functional. An orthopaedic insole is inserted for comfort and good fit, making these boots nothing like the standard, clumpy versions which can be found in local hardware stores.

Each boot has a signature cloud stud on the side.

The black boots are made from 100% recycled PVC. Rather than find their way into landfill, offcuts from the

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styles as they have received feedback from customers.

The yellow boots were added to complement the extremely popular bright yellow raincoat they introduced last year.

The two were working in a social media marketing company when they decided it was time to take a completely different course and launch Silver Lining Gumboots from the

OPPOSITE: Liz (top)

and Cally launched their business in 2019.

LEFT: The bright yellow raincoat is a bestseller.

BELOW LEFT: The new yellow gumboots are made from virgin PVC which can be recycled.

lounge of one of their homes.

Liz explains that during a 10year stay in the United Kingdom, where she built a career as a social media marketing guru, she’d come to virtually live in her gumboots. On returning to South Africa, she couldn’t find anything that matched the ones she’d had there and definitely needed a pair to keep up with her outdoorsy lifestyle. Added to that was the fact that with the exchange rate and a highly volatile rand, the average landed price of an imported equivalent was completely out of reach of the average local shoe shopper.

So began their journey to source the right gumboot from a local manufacturer who would not only offer a quality product, but also grow with them as they develop their

range and grow their company.

From the outset, they also teamed up with local business coach Trevor Clark of ActionCOACH to build a strong foundation. “It was much like learning the alphabet in order to learn to read,” laughs Liz. “It took us almost two years from conception to delivery, and what a trip it has been. My greatest lesson has been to trust my intuition and vision.

Sometimes you have an inkling that something might work and you just need to lean into that,” she says.

Right now most sales are local with the majority coming in online. An export order has been dispatched to New Zealand with another to follow shortly.

The partners have also added a clear dome umbrella and other related products, and intend to continue building their collection of trend-setting outerwear as they extend their sales offshore.

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FOR MORE INFO silverlininggumboots.co.za

OUR WONDERFUL ASSISTED LIVING AND FRAIL CARE OFFERS

Loving care available for your elderly family member

 24-Hour care by trained and experienced professional nursing staff and carers  3 Healthy daily meals and tea  All bedding and laundry  CCTV in all rooms and common areas  Occupational therapy  Entertainment to support and encourage patients to participate in enjoyable activities  Qualified caring for dementia and Alzheimer’s patients

For more information or to book a private tour of our facilities, please contact Sr Sue Dalais on 031 561 3300 or visit www.twilanga.co.za

advertorial*

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ith this month marking a year of national lockdown, it’s important to evaluate one’s lifestyle and well-being to ensure mental health is being catered for – especially for those over the age of 50.

Durban-based counselling psychologist, Charlene McIntosh, says the pandemic and increased isolation have resulted in fear and anxiety for older people: “The increased risk to health means they are

RENISHAW HILLS SHARES TIPS FOR MAINTAINING MENTAL HEALTH IN 2021 housebound or only venturing out when extremely necessary.

It is not easy to cope with prolonged confinement, so seniors may experience depressive symptoms and deterioration in cognition.”

During the pandemic, persistent symptoms such as regular and debilitating worry about routine activities have been noted. “Lack of social events and support also heighten stress and decrease coping skills, therefore older individuals tend to fixate on the uncertainty of this pandemic and feel agitated,” explains Charlene. “Other signs that could denote mental health decline include increased anger, changes in eating and sleeping patterns, loss of interest in activities that once held

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need for outdoor socialising to minimise the risk of infection.

With the sub-tropical KZN South Coast climate, constant sea breeze and exquisite indigenous landscape within Renishaw Hills, residents are able to maintain connections while keeping safe. And the state-of-the-art security system means there are no restrictions in movement and associated anxiety.  Well-designed homes Every home within Renishaw Hills maximises on natural light and spacious living with a

FREEDOM,

fitness and friendship attention, increased feelings of isolation, sadness and possible suicidal thoughts.”

Charlene suggests that all approaches to dealing with the impact of the pandemic should involve holistic interventions that involve emotional, spiritual, social, and physical components to meet mental and other health needs.

Tips for improving mental health include:  Limiting media exposure to avoid constant negative input.  Eating a well-balanced diet.  Keeping to simple yet consistent routines.  Doing some form of daily exercise.  Keeping in contact with loved ones and relying on support networks.  Getting creative.

WHY RENISHAW HILLS IS THE IDEAL SPACE IN 2021 “One of the biggest takeaways from our residents during the year of lockdown has been the positive impact the Renishaw Hills’ ‘living the holiday’ lifestyle has provided for holistic well-being,” says Phil Barker of Renishaw Property Developments. “Many of our prospective buyers have noted that lifestyle is a top priority when looking for property in 2021, and that’s what sets us apart.

The Renishaw Hills lifestyle is centred on what we refer to as the three ‘Fs’ – freedom, fitness and friendship. This is invaluable for maintaining physical and mental wellness.”  Natural open spaces This year will see a continued

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personal garden for each home, carefully crafted by leading indigenous landscapers.

So, even when residents are home, there’s no sense of confinement or isolation.  Endless activities The wealth of space within Renishaw Hills and community of like-minded individuals means there’s always something happening. From walks and cycles through the on-site nature trails through to sociallydistanced crafting, residents keep fit and active every day.

FOR MORE INFO Start a new adventure by making every day a holiday at Renishaw Hills. For more info or to book a tour with all relevant health-and-safety measures closely adhered to, contact Renishaw Hills on sales@renishawhills.co.za or visit www.renishawhills.co.za

IT’S JUST THE BEGINNING What does your fresh start look like? For many, it’s a mature lifestyle village in a glorious location, surrounded by state-of-the-art security, lush indigenous gardens and completed by forest or ocean views. It could also be freedom of choice when it comes to activities, home types and purchase options that suit every need. Then, there’s the convenience factor of a single monthly levy that ensures everything is taken care of. Because when it comes to a new adventure, why should you settle for anything less than all of the above and then some?

To see how you can live the holiday from as little as R1.6 million, book a private tour of Renishaw Hills, Scottburgh today. Email sales@renishawhills.co.za to get started or take our virtual tours on www.renishawhills.co.za

THE START OF A NEW ADVENTURE

Julieann: 084 514 8028 | sales@renishawhills.co.za | www.renishawhills.co.za

rock the kitchen*

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s we hurtle towards the end of summer, you’ve probably started feeling that your salads may be a little boring, predictable or over-familiar – or conversely, schizophrenic and over-complicated, using everything you have including the kitchen sink. For a salad to be great, it should include a wellbalanced combination of ingredients that deliver texture, flavour and colour whether as a starter, a side or even as an alfresco main course.

Don’t use the back-of-fridge lurkers in a salad. Use fresh and crisp vegetables and leaves (do yourself a favour and ditch the iceberg lettuce and try some sweet, bitter or wild leaf options to mix it up), and always, always pair your salad with the perfect dressing – vinaigrettes and creamy dressings aren’t always interchangeable.

Dig these three classic salad bases, and add your own vibe.

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1 SALAD DAYS ARE NOT OVER YET, SO TRY MY SPIN ON CLASSIC FAVOURITES, WRITES ANT ELLIS

THREE Classics

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The Caprese

The quintessential Italian salad in red, white and green, this simple plate is pure Mediterranean sunshine.  3-4 tomatoes, firm and ripe  400g creamy mozzarella cheese, the best quality you can get  fresh basil leaves  salt and pepper  extra virgin olive oil

Slice the tomatoes medium-thick, and tear or slice the cheese. Arrange or stack in equal quantities on the plate. Garnish with whole basil leaves as desired and drizzle with olive oil.

Customise it! Olives, avocado slices, anchovy fillets, preserved lemons, oregano or any of your favourite Mediterranean extras will take this to the next level. Finish with balsamic vinegar or glaze.

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ABOVE: Durban lover of good food, wine and company, Ant Ellis.

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The Waldorf

A New York City staple. There are a zillion versions of it out there, but lots of common ground – sweet, tart, crunchy and creamy.

If you haven’t had one, it’s time you did.  2 Granny Smith or Top Red apples, cored and cut into chunks  1 cup red seedless grapes, halved  1 cup celery, cut into small chunks  6 Tbsp mayonnaise or Greek yoghurt  1 Tbsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed  salt and pepper  lettuce leaves as desired  1 cup toasted walnuts, pounded into a rough crumble  mint leaves for garnishing

Putting this together couldn’t be easier.

In a bowl mix the mayonnaise, lemon juice and seasoning together. Mix with apple, grapes and celery and serve on a bed of crisp lettuce. Top with walnuts and garnish with fresh mint.

Customise it! Change out the walnuts for pecans, add raisins, try kale or spinach leaves instead of lettuce, add chopped dried fruit or thinly sliced red onion.

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The Tabbouleh

Sounds weird. Tastes kick-ass.

Traditionally Lebanese, this cracking salad has been adopted far and wide and is a proper winner.

 ½ cup bulgur wheat  1 cup cucumber, diced  1 cup tomato, diced  1 teaspoon fine sea salt, divided  cup extra virgin olive oil  4 Tbsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed  1 clove garlic, minced  ½ cup red onion, finely chopped  1 cup flat leaf parsley, finely chopped  cup fresh mint, finely chopped

Cook the bulgur wheat according to the packet instructions until tender. Drain excess water, set aside to cool. In a bowl, put cucumber and tomato and add half the salt. Mix and rest for at least 10 minutes. In a separate bowl, mix together the oil, lemon juice, and remaining salt. Drain excess water from tomato and cucumber mixture and mix in garlic, onion, parsley, mint, then add olive oil and lemon juice ensuring the salad is not wet. Season with black pepper and more lemon juice if desired.

Customise it! Switch out bulgur wheat with cous cous or quinoa, add pomegranate rubies, olives, finely diced apple or chopped dried apricots. Stir through 4 tablespoons of hummus or tsatsiki and top with crumbled feta cheese.

Until next time, let salads rule. Create your own classic and remember – sometimes just three good ingredients are all you’ll need.

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

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Nov-Lillies Quarter.indd 1

10/19/2020 3:20:31 PM

nutrition*

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he Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown has raised concerns among many parents when it comes to weight issues in their children. With schools being closed for the majority of last year, and sports and extra murals cancelled, there was a significant decrease in physical activity. Children were stuck at home, had more screen time, more food and less exercise.

Through her practice, Lindi has noticed a definite increase in nutrition and weight problems – both in the form of weight gain and weight loss.

“I think one of the main underlying issues is stress and anxiety. Most children like routine and predictability, and lack of this can cause anxiety. Children also pick up on their parents’ stress,” says Lindi. “Lack of social contact also creates a lot of anxiety – we are pack animals and were never designed to be in isolation. Our body’s stress response can cause us to gain weight, even without increased food intake, or lose weight.”

Lindi points out that being stuck at home resulted in access to more food, more often – so an increase in intake combined with less energy being burnt due to more screen time and less activity, took place. Boredom and not having set meal routines also increases calorie intake. Lastly, a change in sleep patterns can affect hormones that help regulate

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Weighing in on kids'

NUTRITION

SARAH MACKINTOSH CHATS TO LINDI COLLETT, A REGISTERED DIETICIAN WITH A SPECIAL INTEREST IN WEIGHT LOSS AND WEIGHT LOSS BEHAVIOUR

Nutritional Tips For Parents Eat at least one meal as a family per day. Eating together has been shown to promote more sensible eating habits and help with weight control.

Avoid eating in front of a screen or device. When we eat it should be intentional and mindful.

adjusting to a new normal, which means that your child’s metabolism should return somewhat to what it was before lockdown – depending on the amount of weight gained.

“For all children, is it important for parents to be a role-model.

Preaching to your children about healthy food choices

Ditch the juice. Encourage your children to only drink water. Fizzy drinks, cordials and even 100% fruit juice is loaded with sugar and empty calories.

Eat home-cooked foods, not fast foods or convenience foods – these are higher in calories and damaged fats.

Routine is important, eat meals at a similar time each day. Try not to skip meals, and go to bed at a similar time each evening.

Get your children involved with cooking, packing their own lunch boxes, helping with the shopping, etc. This is a great way to teach them about healthy eating habits.

metabolism and appetite.

Lindi advises parents not to panic if your child experienced a significant weight increase over the past year. Many of the unusual circumstances related to the pandemic are slowly

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and exercise is pointless if you yourself don’t practice what you preach. Eat meals as a family, eat at the table and not in front of the TV, cook together, make takeaways a treat instead of a weekly routine, make sure that there are lots of healthy food choices available at home and limit unhealthy choices,”

says Lindi. “What you and your children drink is also critical – limit sugary drinks such as sodas and fruit juice. Exercise with your children – go for walks, jump on the trampoline with them and encourage sports. Never use food as punishment or reward, as this will reinforce emotional eating.”

If you are wondering whether you should address weight issues with your child and how to go about it, Lindi says it depends on the child and her/ his personality. “Our weight is an important part of our health, and avoiding the issue altogether can be unhelpful. At the same time, if you have a very sensitive teenager you may need to take a more subtle approach. The problem with weight gain and obesity is the health impact it has. My advice is for a healthy

strong body to always be the focus – health and not weight, physical ability and not physical appearance. Being a good example is also essential here – if you keep commenting negatively on your own weight, this can rub off on them in a negative way,” says Lindi. “Most importantly, do everything in love. Your children must never feel like your love and approval is conditional to their weight.”

If you have tried to address your child’s weight but the problem persists, it’s best to seek professional help.

There could be underlying medical or psychological issues contributing to your child’s weight gain or loss. It is also a good idea to contact a professional for assistance if your child is battling with any other symptoms – such as gut issues, sleep issues and fatigue. If you are unsure if your child is a healthy weight, you can have their Body Mass Index (BMI) assessed by a dietitian. Note that the approach in interpreting a child’s BMI is different to that of an adult.

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FOR MORE INFO 082 926 6251, 031 762 2062; info@lindicollett.co.za; W Lindi Collett Dietitian

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advertorial*

The CHAMPIONS - 82 years of specialist service YOU KNOW THE NAME, AND NOW YOU’LL KNOW THE BRAND – THE ROSS CHAMPION GROUP IS AN AUTO BODY REPAIR SPECIALIST, A BUSINESS RUN ON QUALITY, SERVICE AND CONVENIENCE

R

oss Champion.

It’s such a familiar name.

No wonder, because the company has been in business for 82 years, so clearly they’ve been doing everything right.

Ross Champion is an auto body repair specialist, owned since 1997 by husband and wife team, Kuven and Shereen Reddy. They’re proudly BEEE Level 1 and approved by most major insurance companies and car manufacturers – most recently adding Land Rover and Jaguar (Mount Edgecombe branch only) to their list, and they are also a Volkswagen and Audi Approved Motor Body Repairer.

If you’ve interacted with the team at your local Ross Champion, you’ll know they’re welcoming and extraordinarily smooth operators. They’re aware you’ve already experienced stress with the damage to your vehicle – and are determined to make its recovery a stress-free one.

You’ll feel your stress barometer ease as you watch an exceptionally well-run business, right from the

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MOUNT EDGECOMBE BRANCH

NOW APPROVED FOR LAND ROVER AND JAGUAR

reception area, to the customer lounges, the check-in of your vehicle, and daily progress updates. Each branch has a customer service host who is dedicated to your needs – that’s the Ross Champion added value, so the experience is cool, calm and collected.

Ross Champion has

A threeyear warranty on workmanship, and a lifetime warranty on paintwork

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six – soon to be seven – conveniently situated branches in KwaZulu-Natal, with Flanders Drive, in Mount Edgecombe, being the one with which you’re likely to be most familiar, or perhaps the original Ross Champion branch in Point Road. But head west and you’ll find one in New Germany

a 24-hour towing destination with 24-hour security.

And if you’re in Cape Town, you’ll find no fewer than six branches run by son, Kaelin Reddy, under the brand Farbers Coachworks, owned and managed by the Ross Champion Group. Two branches are in Montague Gardens, one each in Tokai, Paarden Island and Paarl, and one trading as Smith & Santos in Lansdowne.

Ross Champion’s stellar reputation comes largely from word of mouth. That may be why you recognise the name.

The brand is synonymous with quality service and commitment to customer satisfaction.

If your car needs a little or large dose of TLC, choose the smart option. Ross Champion.

When it comes to specialists in auto body repairs, they consider themselves the benchmark. All their paint is environmentally friendly, and the management team is constantly investigating innovative, ecologically sound, methods and materials to achieve best results.

This is what you can expect from Ross Champion. A threeyear warranty on workmanship, and a lifetime warranty on paintwork.

trading under Panelrite, and another in Old Main Road in Pinetown. If you’re on the KZN South Coast, you’ll find Ross Champion in Margate trading as Margate Panelbeaters and Refinishers, and another in Port Shepstone, trading as Margate Auto Refinishers.

And for those in Prospecton … Ross Champion is excited to announce their newest branch will be opening in this industrial zone in mid-2021.

At Ross Champion, you may find yourself there via your insurance broker – as a walk-in client with a little ding or a scratch on your car – or you might have asked us to visit you at your premises for an assessment. Ross Champion is easily accessible. Whether you’ve had a little fender bender or a larger accident, Ross Champion prides itself on returning your car in showroom condition.

And worth noting is that the Flanders Drive branch offers

FOR MORE INFO Mount Edgecombe: 031 555 0050; Durban: 031 337 7585; Pinetown: 031 701 9226; New Germany: 031 702 6711; Margate: 039 312 1079; Port Shepstone: 039 682 1212; www.rosschampiongroup.co.za

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trending*

The new face of

WELLNESS AFTER A YEAR OF EXPERIENCING “NEW NORMALS”, IT’S UNDERSTANDABLE THAT 2021 WILL CHANGE THE WAY WE APPROACH OUR PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, AND SPIRITUAL WELL-BEING

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O

ur traditional wellness routines had a real shakeup in 2020. We started exercising at home, found different ways to de-stress, our skincare focus moved from anti-aging to sanitisation while dealing with continuous “maskne” (acne due to mask wearing), and a profound sense of grief and loss left our mental well-being in complete disarray.

For many of us, 2021 will be about regaining what we lost last year, and for some it will be about finding new ways to take care of ourselves and our communities. Amidst this collective need for catharsis and renewal, a collection of deeper, more accessible wellness experiences are emerging.

Touchless Spa Therapy

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1

Relaxing massages and decadent spa days with high-touch services have sadly become a no-no during our current times.

What once was a way of de-stressing and self-care is now fraught with worry and anxiety.

Touchless services – like cryotherapy, compression therapy, salt caves, infrared saunas, IV drips, hyperbaric chambers, and float tanks – offer a way for people to relax and recover, without any close personal contact.

ONE Mind Body Soul, a wellness centre specialising in holistic, non-

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invasive recovery treatments, offers Ozone therapy. This is a natural, antiviral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal treatment that enhances your body’s ability to detoxify and recover at a cellular level. By increasing oxygen levels in the body, Ozone not only fights infections but strengthens the immune system, improves circulation, boosts recovery and enhances energy levels. ONEmbs also offers Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) Therapy and Ozone Sinus Insufflation. 073 771 5668; info@onembs.co.za; www.onembs.co.za

Cold Exposure Therapy 2

Cold exposure therapy, applied in the form of cold showers and ice bath immersions, led

by Wim Hof and embraced by biohackers, performance coaches, and recovery specialists around the world, is predicted to become a mainstream trend in 2021.

Frequent exposure to cold is cheap, available to nearly everyone, and is linked to a number of different health benefits, such as an increased metabolism, reduced inflammation, improved sleep quality,

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4 Walk-and-talk sessions with clients will become more popular in 2021

Respiratory Wellness 5

to traditional religious activities.

During this pandemic time, research has shown that self-care is not only about having a nice bubble bath or a glass of wine, but will often look more like community care.

After a year of being forced to isolate from friends and family, removing all forms of physical nurturing and care, we will definitely see a trend towards giving back, making meaningful connections, helping others, while actually helping ourselves.

Talk And Walk Therapy 4

Forget the couch in 2021 and head outdoors for therapy sessions. Since the onset of the pandemic, many therapists have stopped seeing clients in the office due to safety concerns and are doing teletherapy

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as a safer alternative. While telehealth will continue to be a very viable and safe way to deliver therapy services, many therapists and clients miss seeing each other in person.

Walk-and-talk sessions with clients on nature trails, roads, and beaches will become more popular in 2021. With walkand-talk therapy, clients and therapists are moving together in nature while safely feeling connected.

For the last year our hygiene attention has focused on surface cleanliness and hand sanitising. However, as Covid-19 is airborne and can result in severe lung complications, it is no wonder people now, more than ever, are concerned about air quality and our air purification measures.

Introducing the SOH Pure Aerial Sanitiser.

A one-of-a-kind residential aerial sanitation solution which will keep your home safe from bacteria, viruses and harmful germs. Think of it as your “always-on” sanitiser. The ultrasonic unit comes with Pure aseptic liquid. When the unit arrives simply plug it in, pour the liquid into the reservoir provided and turn on. So simple and so effective. Sarah McGregor, SOH Collections, 072 671 6409/031 312 0019; www.sohcollections.com

*

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higher energy levels and even an increased immune response. www.wimhofmethod. com; Instagram: iceman_hof

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Radical Self-Care

After a year filled with trauma, our mental health is fragile. Anxiety, grief, loss, fear, a change in family dynamics and financial stress has resulted in us hearing the term “radical self-care” a lot this year.

Radical self-care will look different for different people. For instance, we may notice a renewed interest in spiritual practices – everything from meditation to manifestation

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advertorial*

Thirteen

WEST A NEW LANDMARK DEVELOPMENT IN CENTRAL HILLCREST, WITH A MODERN AND TRENDY URBAN FARM STYLE FEEL

D

ave Jones of Seeff Hillcrest and Kloof is a long-standing property personality in our area, and part of his expertise is to work with developers to bring to the market homes that will appeal to current buyers. The demand for secure gated estates remains high, and the low interest rates coupled with availability of excellent schooling and comparative value for money are attracting buyers to our area. The ability to make a purchase which is transfer duty free is an added advantage, as this results in an added saving of approximately R170 000 per purchase.

Thirteen West is definitely not typically Hillcrest, which tends to be more conservative in approach. The architectural language is natural, under stated and contemporary, with simple forms and structures. The urban farm aspect will see materials such as exposed weathered brick, timber, concrete and natural stone used to create contrast and texture. Pergolas and decks constructed with timber will be left in their natural state to weather and age. Ceilings will be open to allow for maximum volume in the living areas, allowing light in from high level windows facing towards north or south.

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 What are the particular features of the development?

Thirteen West is blessed with natural views from half the sites. The security arrangement will see 24-hour manned security, surveillance cameras, access control via a gatehouse and electric fencing. Pets will be welcome, with two pets per home – either dogs or cats. The living areas are open plan, and the covered verandas will form the foundation of a variety of entertainment options. The combined land and building prices will range from R2 950 000 to R3 430 000, with no transfer duty payable.

This results in an average saving of R170 000 per purchase. The development will offer buyers a wide scope of optional extras – which will include swimming pools, outdoor fire pits, pergolas, JoJo tanks and laminate flooring in place of tiles.  Are land and building packages available?

Yes, this is a freehold development and purchasers will simultaneously purchase their own plot with a selected building plan and finishes. They will take transfer of the selected plot and thereafter once an approved building plan is in place, construction will commence on their selected home. It is important that all new purchasers note that once the transfer of the land has taken place their bond repayment will commence on the price of the land, and if the construction aspect is bonded there will be specified building stage draws which will come off the bond – and will result in the purchaser being required to service these building draws in terms of bond interest.  What do you anticipate being the most popular design and what will it cost?

There will be one two-bedroom home of 243m² at a combined land and building price of R2 950 000. The balance are all threebedroom homes, and they will range in size from 243m² to 267m². Buyers will have the ability to upgrade their unit from a list of exciting optional extras.

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and once the land has been transferred to the new purchaser and an approved building plan issued by the municipality, construction can commence on the house. The construction period per home will be six to seven months.

Therefore, depending on the pace of sales we can expect, land transfers should take place around September 2021, with the completion of homes around February 2022.  Which banks have approved financing of new homes?

Three major banks have approved end-user bond finance through the bond originator, ooba. The originator will ensure that the bond application is shopped around to the four major banks, to make sure the purchaser gets the most competitive bond rate. It is important to note that current interest rates are at an all-time low, which encourages consumers to buy rather than rent.

It is also important to note that a 100% bond of an average price of R3 200 000 will result in a monthly repayment over 30 years of R21 290.

 Has the development been approved by the relevant authorities?

Yes, the outer west council approved the development in December 2020.  When will construction commence and what is the projected completion date?

The development will launch at the end of March 2021, and the project has two distinct phases. The first stage is the sale and transfer of the land plot into the name of the purchaser.

It is anticipated that the transfer process will take three months. Plots are being sold with specific designs allocated to specific plots,

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 Who is the builder?

The builders, Mc Currach & Swart Construction, are based in Hillcrest and have been committed to delivering quality builds in the area since 1969. Mc Currach & Swart are proud to provide a complete building package to our clients, and are experienced in a diversity of projects – including commercial, industrial structures, new home builds, residential developments, renovations and specialised alterations nationally.

The development is deliberately pet and child friendly. Each design will see living spaces leading on to covered verandas which open out on to private gardens. We expect the excellent schools in the area to benefit from the arrival of this development – including Kearsney, Curro Primary and High School, Waterfall Schools, Hillcrest Primary and High School, as well as Highbury Preparatory, which all lie within 10 minutes of this exciting site. This is modern, trendy, secure and private living like nothing Hillcrest has seen before.

FOR MORE INFO Dave Jones: 082 445 8771; www.thirteenwest.co.za

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advertorial*

T

o say that the Volvo XC range is merely luxurious is an understatement. The equivalent would be to say that the Mona Lisa is merely a beautiful painting. It is not. And like the Mona Lisa, the creation of the Volvo XC range is richly layered, simple yet complex, elegant yet practical, and an object of both desire and beauty.

Driving a Volvo XC60 from Volvo Cars Hillcrest – which to the uninitiated to Swedish luxury is an experience to behold and a seismic shift in one’s comprehension of what driving should feel like – is a pleasure indeed.

From the moment you lay your eyes on the XC60 you are captivated. Its large front grill makes a statement that this is an SUV that will not be bullied on the road, while its sharp creases and curves, combined with full-LED headlights with distinctive T-shaped daytime running lights, is unmistakably Volvo. It is beautifully designed and bound to turn heads and make an impression wherever it goes.

It’s inside the car, however, that Volvo’s world-leading safety features and driving technology comes to life and takes your breath away. For a family person who values passenger safety above speed, the Volvo XC60 is the obvious choice.

The car comes standard with Volvo’s industry-changing three-point safety belt and side-impact airbags. In addition to this, the four cameras positioned around the car give the driver a bird’s-eye view of their setting – which ensures that whether you are driving into a parking space or reversing out of one, you can do so with absolute confidence that you are not going to hit anyone or anything.

But that is not all. The XC60 comes with Volvo’s IntelliSafe technology that actively scans the area around you, looking out for the unexpected.

Volvo pioneered City Safety, a collision avoidance technology which helps prevent

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Crafted with you in

MIND THE VOLVO XC60 IS NOT JUST LUXURIOUS, BUT INTELLIGENT AND PACKED WITH INDUSTRYLEADING SAFETY FEATURES

collisions even up to highway speeds, and is the world’s first car manufacturer to include this feature as standard equipment in all new models.

A really cool feature that came into full effect during a drive on the N3 to the KZN Midlands is BLIS™ blind spot information with Steer Assist – which supports you when you have to change lanes in busy traffic.

When a vehicle enters your blind spot or approaches fast from behind, BLIS™ can alert you via a light in the left or right door mirror, and if you nonetheless drift into the path of another vehicle, BLIS™ can gently help steer you back into your lane.

If you are not used to technology that helps you drive better, this is a feature that can be disconcerting at first. But once you get used to it, it is so valuable you will wonder what life was like before it.

It is not just the driver-assist functions that make Volvo cars smart. A feature known as Volvo On Call turns your car from being just your mode of transport into your personal assistant. It can tell you where to grab a cup of coffee or find that perfect last-minute gift, and send the destination

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them where you are.

And in our ever-connected world where we are more likely to be asked for the Wi-Fi password than anything else, the built-in Volvo On Call modem – which needs an additional SIM-card – turns your car into a Wi-Fi hot spot which not only allows you and your family to connect your devices when you get into the car, but also allows you to connect your Volvo to the internet and access in-car apps that include Google and Spotify.

The Volvo XC range is not just about luxury. It has been crafted with you in mind. Every aspect to ensure that your life is better while in the cabin of a Volvo has been thought of and then elegantly put together. People are at the heart of everything that Volvo does, and no truer is this statement than driving the XC60.

to your car’s navigation system. It knows when you have got appointments, where they are and how to get there. You can use it to make your car ready for the drive to the office or the drive home, by remotely cooling or heating the cabin.

It helps keep you safe, automatically contacting the emergency services if you are involved in an accident and telling

The XC60 comes with Volvo’s IntelliSafe technology that actively scans the area around you, looking out for the unexpected

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FOR MORE INFO 39 Old Main Road, Saint Helier, Hillcrest. Open 7.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday, and 8am to 12pm on Saturdays. To book a test drive contact the Volvo Hillcrest team on 031 716 5000; info@fmgh.co.za; www.volvocarshillcrest.co.za; W @VolvoCarsHillcrest; @volvo_cars_hillcrest

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decor*

story candice botha pictures chris allan

W

hen the owners of this newly-built apartment at Sibaya’s Coral Point bought it, the bones were good but it lacked personality. Intended as both a city bolt hole for the couple and their young daughter and son who are based in northern KZN, as well as an Airbnb rental, it needed to be a comfortable second home as well as a resilient apartment for renting.

To get this balance right, they called on Katherine McIntosh of Dandelion Designs who immediately took note of her clients’ lifestyle and decor style.

“The apartment’s fittings were all good quality and the design quite functional,” she says, “but maximising space was a priority. Adding a table to the end of the kitchen island utilised empty space to give the family an indoor dining area, and instead of a series of small sofas and chairs, choosing just one large sofa that fills the wall and a narrow coffee table in the lounge allows for plenty of seating without blocking the flow on to the balcony.”

The concrete ceilings, white tiles and cabinetry created a good base to work from and Katherine added colour and texture, all the while choosing durable, low maintenance items which would stand the test of time. Injecting style without taking up floor space is a perfect job for wallpaper and Katherine selected a custom-printed tropical pattern »

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Tropical PUNCH ALTHOUGH SMALL, THIS APARTMENT’S CLEVER INTERIOR DESIGN MAKES IT A COMFORTABLE AND STYLISH RETREAT FOR THE OWNERS AND THEIR AIRBNB GUESTS

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Tips for decorating a small space to be rented out Durability is key. Choose linen and curtains which will survive being washed on high heat, have your sofas treated to prevent stains, and choose rugs that can survive high foot traffic. Indoor-outdoor rugs are easy to clean and look good for ages. Buy doubles of items like crockery, cutlery, glasses and linen and store them nearby.

That way, if something breaks or goes missing, you’re not running around having to replace it before your next guests arrive.  Think about what guests will want to do while in the apartment and cater to those needs. Provide the necessary items for cooking in the kitchen or having a braai. Hooks to hang towels, strategically-placed power points, bins and thoughtful touches like a laundry basket create a homely feel.  Spend where it’s going to have an impact and choose at least one noteworthy element that potential clients will remember when looking at your online listing.

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decor*

Since it’s so close to the sea, we needed the balcony furniture to be both stylish and hard-wearing. The predominantly black palette is forgiving and the concrete table very durable

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design which not only sets the tone and colour palette for the space, but is a clever nod to the coastal location and views outdoors. The rich green in the wallpaper is echoed in the sofa, a small splashback of tiles in the kitchen, and the green marble top of the coffee table, while touches of mustard are picked up in the scatter cushions. A series of geometric patterns in black and white add a contemporary feel in each space.

“Layering texture is essential to creating interest in a small space,” says Katherine. “We’ve chosen wicker, rattan, leather, velvet and cushions with bold embroidery that invite touch.” In the bedrooms, the headboards have been cleverly

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designed as focal points: woven leather in the guest room, and in the main bedroom, a timber one running the length of the room that, with its built-in side tables and lamps, gives the illusion of a much bigger space.

“Since it’s so close to the sea, we needed the balcony furniture to be both stylish and hard-wearing.

The predominantly black palette is forgiving and the concrete table very durable,” says Katherine. A round rug, cushions with an inky tie-dye pattern and a series of custommade planters on the wall soften the space, making it feel as chic and inviting as the interior.

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FOR MORE INFO Dandelion Designs: dandelionsa.co.za

pet fashion*

DOGS

with style & attitude

I

ARE YOUR DOGS RED CARPET READY? LES ABERCROMBIE LOOKS AT THE LATEST FASHION TRENDS FOR DOGS

collars (Skabenga, the Oyster Box’s infamous cat, sports K&G collars).

Karen offers ever-changing limited collections made from quality, personally chosen, cotton-printed fabrics and each collection is named to suit the print – Pink Orchard; Sabi Sands; Oyster Box; Zebra Stripe; Houndstooth; Miss Daisy; Bordeaux Claret; Burgundy Berry, etc. The accessories are made to order to the customer’s specifications – fabric choice, hardware colour (gold, rose gold or silver) and collar width 20cm or 25cm. There is also a range of handmade macramé collars and leads in soft pastel shades as well as beautifully hand-

s your pooch’s wardrobe on trend for 2021 or is it looking a bit “so last year”?

Fortunately, Karen Burnett, a vivacious uMhlanga resident with a background in advertising, has the answer.

She started her online pet boutique, Kingsley & Gray in June 2019, selling luxury pet accessories to dog lovers all over South Africa and abroad.

The name Kingsley & Gray was inspired by her two beautiful, Golden Cocker Spaniels, Kingsley and Grayson Heath. All the accessories are locally handmade from 100% cotton, are eco-friendly and recyclable, with superb attention to detail. The range includes collars, leads, the cutest bow-ties and bandanas. She also offers harnesses and a range of kitty

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ABOVE: Karen Burnett with one of her “models”, Kennedy.

BELOW: Cooper in a Tropical Thunder Snuggle Pod wearing a Houndstooth Collection bow-tie.

crocheted doggy jerseys for winter in classic or mohair wool.

Each order is lovingly boxed in tissue paper and includes a personalised note and treat for the recipient. The package is then beautifully gift wrapped with monogrammed paper, tied with a ribbon and couriered to your door. What’s not to love?

Karen has recently designed their latest bed range, the K&G Snuggle Pods, in the most fabulous range of designer prints, which have bolsters on all four sides. The beds are designed for maximum style, comfort and luxury and are oversized to allow the dogs to “stretch out”. She even makes custom cushions for their stunning range of Rattan Pet Beds. The beds are designed to look fabulous in the home and complement your interior decor.

“From the outset, our aim

ABOVE: Left to right: Grayson Heath is ready for winter in an Alla Moda mohair jersey; Summer with a Kingsley & Gray gift box.

BELOW: From the Softserve Collection, a collar and lead.

was to promote South African flair and style on a global scale,” says Karen. This she is gift pack. etherlands, Israel, Canada and even Oman! “By outsourcing the work we have been able to carefully choose and recruit people who are as excited by the brand as we are. Their commitment and buy-in shows in the care and precision with which each article is made.”

If you love dogs, why not visit their website to marvel, not only at the fashion but also at the ambassadors strutting their stuff. While you’re there also check out their Giving Back page and discover how you can assist dogs in need.

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FOR MORE INFO Stockists: The Oyster Box Hotel, uMhlanga; Collar & Comb, Ballito; www.kingsleyandgray.co.za; enquiry@kingsleyandgray.co.za @kingsley_and_gray W @kingsleyandgray

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advertorial*

PREP TIME: 10 MIN COOKING TS IM 10 MINS E: TOTAL TIM 20 MINS E:

Grilled Lamb with CHOCMINT Sauce

YES, YOU READ IT RIGHT! A DESSERT SAUCE PAIRED WITH A TASTY PIECE OF MEAT. THIS LAMB WITH CHOCMINT SAUCE DISH IS DELICIOUS AND SO EASY TO MAKE – BRINGING AN UNEXPECTED BUT REFRESHING SUMMER FLAVOUR TO YOUR DINNER AT HOME

Back To School Means Back To Building Thriving Communities ILLOVO SUGAR SA IS PROUD TO HAVE PARTNERED WITH KEY LOCAL SUPPLIERS TO MEET THE BACK-TO-SCHOOL NEEDS OF NINE SCHOOLS ACROSS KWAZULU-NATAL, WHICH DEMONSTRATES OUR COMMITMENT TO HELP BUILD THRIVING COMMUNITIES.

With the school year having gotten off to an uncertain start, and many schools struggling to provide their learners with all the vital equipment to be school ready, Illovo Sugar SA (ISSA) stepped in to assist nine impoverished schools across KwaZuluNatal. The essential school

supplies donated by ISSA consisted of school shoes, hand sanitisation stations and stationery packs valued at over R345 000.

This initiative resonates with our ambition to create shared value through social investment initiatives which are sustainable for future generations. The cornerstone

INGREDIENTS:  8 lamb chops  1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil  1 tsp salt  1 Tbsp Illovo Chocolate Mint Sauce  2 Tbsp lime juice  1 red jalapeño, chopped  1 green onion, finely chopped METHOD: Heat grill or braai to high. Rub lamb chops with 2 Tbsp oil and sprinkle with ½ tsp salt. Grill, turning once, until done to preference.

In a bowl combine the remaining ingredients (including remaining oil and salt) and mix well. Spoon over lamb and serve with a delicious side of your choice.

Serves 8.

of ISSA’s business and culture is to constantly strive to be a force for social good and to hopefully inspire the youth touched by these kinds of initiatives to do the same in years to come.

Connect with us on W www.facebook.com/ IllovoSugar  www.illovosugarafrica.com

travel*

story anne schauffer pictures anne schauffer and supplied

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love this quote by Chaim Potok: “I’ve begun to realise you can listen to silence and learn from it. It has a quality and a dimension all its own.” Tembe has this. The Tembe quiet may be the deep silence of sand underfoot or under-wheel, compounded perhaps by the 10 vehicle limit at any one time in the 300 square kilometre park, and the massive elephants which, despite their size, pad through their world astonishingly silently. It could be some or all of that, but whichever, that quiet wilderness “has a quality and dimension all its own”.

We stayed at Tembe Lodge, the community owned and run safari tent lodge on the Tembe tribe’s ancestral land, a story as old as the park

Memories of

ELEPHANTS

BUCKET LIST AND COVID CLAUSTROPHOBIA – THAT’S HOW WE FOUND OURSELVES ON THE ROAD NORTH TO TEMBE. IT’S SAID THAT TEMBE ELEPHANT LODGE IS SO MUCH PART OF THE RESERVE THE ANIMALS HARDLY KNOW IT’S THERE – WE, TOO, FELT THE PLEASURE OF DISAPPEARING itself. Vusi Tembe is a member of that family, a highly skilled and knowledgeable guide, who can hear and identify a bird call over the sound of a diesel engine while skilled birders are still scrambling. This has been his home for life, so the birds, wildlife, terrain is in his blood. His view about Tembe is clear cut: “I’m not working for myself, I’m working for the community.” It’s a view visibly echoed by everyone with whom we came into contact. Ownership and collaboration is empowering, and there’s a tangible sense that

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The park is renowned for its Tuskers, that is, elephants with impressive “ivory” weighing over 45kg

everyone – in front of and behind the scenes – puts their heart and soul daily into their warm, inviting version of hospitality.

From Durban, it’s an easy four to five hours to reach Tembe. The biodiversity of the park is managed by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, and the lodge by the community.

You’ll find the Big Five at Tembe – all historically known to have been seen here – but the biggest of the Five is the real drawcard.

The park is renowned for its Tuskers, that is, elephants with impressive “ivory” weighing over 45kg; the named Tuskers have now passed on, but a number of up-and-coming youngsters are clearly heirs to that throne.

Elephants may be a key drawcard at Tembe, but the landscape is the other. It’s a tapestry of four to five different ecosystems, with the largest tract of sand forest in South Africa, as well as woodland, grassland and swampland. Travelling through this everchanging environment is such a joy, because with the changes comes rare fauna and flora.

This mixed terrain is a tantalising one for birds, and Tembe has a massive birding population – topping 350 species.

Not much beats the intimacy with nature that glamping provides. A sheet of canvas between

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ABOVE: From left to right: Up close and personal with one of the many elephants at Tembe; birdlife is in abundance in the reserve.

BELOW: Luxury in the wild. The Tembe Family Suite, where a sheet of canvas is all that separates you from nature.

you and the wilds, one strong enough so you feel entirely secure, yet light enough to feel the vibration. That, together with plenty of light and air through the “windows”, and the primal pleasure of a joyful outdoor shower, gives you that sense of excitement, expectation, possibility.

Not only do you have a particularly spacious tent with en suite … but also your own opensided spa tent (and massage beds) attached.

The therapists come to you – an outdoor massage to the sounds of the birds and the bees beats any other, hands down.

Tembe Lodge is an informal, relaxed experience. Dress up or down, sarong or safari chic. You can interact with other guests, or not – entirely up to you.

Our game ranger was Vusi Tembe, and he remained “ours” for the duration of our stay. His knowledge was one thing, but his story-telling about African folklore was equally captivating.

Another thing unrivalled elsewhere, is the quality of the elephant interaction. The guides and elephants know each other and are habituated, so the elephants are calm around vehicles which provides some memorable encounters.

There are a number of waterholes and hides on Tembe. One, Mahlasela hide in particular, is near the lodge, and a favourite of the elephants.

We could have sat there all day watching a parade of species come down to drink. Is anything more satisfying than being elevated in a hide, secure, comfortable with coffee and rusk in hand … as the animal world carries on with its day, unaware of or unperturbed by your presence? For me, not much.

We took the road to Tembe to satisfy our curiosity to explore a park of which others had spoken so highly. We came away so much richer for the experience, discovered a wonderfully welcoming, relaxed, supremely comfortable and, yes, affordable tented lodge, and a skilled, knowledgeable guiding crew and hospitality team.

If you, too, feel the need to listen to some silence, head north to Tembe Elephant Lodge.

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FOR MORE INFO www.tembe.co.za; info@tembe.co.za

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last word*

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know you’re interested in beer,” said my partner’s brother. This was a mystery. Why does he think that? What’s interesting about beer? The hops? I don’t know what a hop is. I wouldn’t be able to identify a hop if I found one sitting on my sofa.

“Maybe because you’re always drinking it,” said my partner.

This is not true. I only drink beer during the day and on summer evenings and sometimes for breakfast in airports, but it seemed churlish to say so.

Grinning like a village idiot, he handed me my birthday present. It was a weird-shaped package.

“Open it!” he said, “I think you’ll really like it!”

It was some sort of sack with a pressure-release valve on one end and a kind of spigot on the other, and when you shook it you could tell there were some assorted dry ingredients inside.

“It’s a kit for brewing your own beer!” he said proudly.

“You put water in, and you leave it in a dark room for, like, a month, and it makes beer!”

Even if I were as interested in beer as he imagines, this would be an odd gift. If you know someone likes watching Formula One, do you bring a pile of metal and rubber and sprockets and dump it all on his driveway and say, “Look!

A build-it-yourself car.”? I also

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Brewing a

FRIENDSHIP WHAT MAKES SOME PEOPLE SO OBSERVANT, YET OTHERS – LIKE ME – ARE TOTALLY CLUELESS, WONDERS DARREL BRISTOW-BOVEY?

like watching television – does that mean I would like to build one? It does not.

“Oh,” I said, trying to sound polite. “This is great.”

“If you start it now,” he said, looking at his watch, “we’ll be able to have a glass of your home brew on my birthday!”

I did not know whether this was true or not, since I have no idea when his birthday is, but I dutifully filled up the sack and placed it in the back of a kitchen cupboard to ferment, or whatever beer does. At least, I

thought, it’s low maintenance.

“Don’t forget,” said my wife’s brother, who had read the instructions, “you have to release the pressure every week or so.”

“I won’t forget,” I said, and even as I said it, I guess some part of me knew what was going to happen.

Some months later there was an explosion in the middle of the night. I lay in bed, having flashbacks to Vietnam, when I was staying in a hotel and a maid woke me early one

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morning by dropping a tray in the corridor outside my room.

“Your damn brother,” I said.

“This is his fault.”

“Don’t you understand?” said my partner. “He’s just trying to bond with you.”

“Why?” “Because he likes you,” she said. That surprised me.

“And he gets nervous around you because you think he’s an idiot.”

“I’ve never said that aloud.”

“He is an idiot,” she said. “But he’s not such a bad guy, is he?”

I thought about that. Maybe he isn’t such a bad guy. He once helped me carry a full gas canister home from the shop and didn’t even comment on how weak I am. For a year after we met I had his name slightly wrong and he didn’t correct me once. He gives me a birthday present every year, even though I never give him one.

“What’s your brother’s phone number?” I asked.

She looked at me suspiciously. “Why?” And I didn’t reply, because I don’t want her to think she has managed to convince me of anything, but I think maybe I’ll call him up and ask him out for a beer.

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The key to achieving success is to assemble a strong and stable crew

7 T O R S VA L E C R E S C E N T, L A L U C I A R I D G E O F F I C E E S T AT E PO BOX 1219, UMHL ANGA ROCKS 031 570 5300

/

info@gb.co.za

4320 SOUTH AFRICA /

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