The Crest 87

MAR-APR 2019 ISSUE 87

BACK ON THE MAP

Shongweni Dam and Nature Reserve

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

LR_Hillcrest_MoreEvoque_Crest.pdf

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2019/03/12

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RANGE ROVER EVOQUE

THE RETAILER OF THE YEAR. THE OFFER OF THE YEAR.

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RANGE ROVER EVOQUE FROM R7 777 P.M.* AT LAND ROVER HILLCREST & PIETERMARITZBURG With its dynamic body style, eye-catching colour palette and breath taking finishes, the Range Rover Evoque is the epitome of trending style and elegance. In addition, the Range Rover Evoque SE comes standard with 18” wheels, body-coloured door handles, keyless entry and front parking aid. Everything you need to put your best foot forward.

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Land Rover Pietermaritzburg 9 Armitage Road, Bird Sanctuary 033 897 8860

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Model

Range Rover Evoque 18MY 5 Door 2.0 D 132kW SE

Retail Price (incl. VAT)

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Principal Debt

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Deposit (11%) Period Monthly Instalment Rate

R87 172 72 months R7 777 2,70%

Balloon Payment (30%)

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Total Cost of Credit

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*Offer available from Land Rover Finance. Advertised offer calculated on base model and does not include any additional specifications. Changes in prime rate, currently 10.25%, will cause adjustments to this schedule. Initiation fee of R 1 207.50 and R 69.00 monthly service fee included. Final monthly instalment amount may vary depending on the final deal structure at point of sale. Customer will be liable for balloon payment as set out in agreement. Offer valid while stocks last. Retail prices subject to change without notice. Contact your nearest Land Rover retailer for available options. Finance subject to approval by Land Rover Finance, a product of WesBank. A division of FirstRand Bank Limited. An Authorised Financial Services and Credit Provider. NCRCP20.

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this part of life’s journey bring – such as the joy of being involved in the lives of grandchildren. On page 18 we meet a few retirees who are keeping active through part-time work and volunteering, while on page 16 we learn just how important it is to nurture your mind and body as you grow older. We also touch on the relevant topic of purchasing retirement property, taking a closer look at the three options of sectional title, life rights and buy-to-rent on page 20.

Along with an incredible bunch of dynamic women doing it for themselves – talented artist Kim Pereira, humble tour company owner Makhosi Msimango and fiercly independent financial planners Linda Stonier and Lisa Praschma – our Rosehip

s one goes through life, one learns that if you don’t paddle your own canoe, you don’t move – Katharine Hepburn.

I love our cover story, the beautiful Shongweni Dam and Nature Reserve is close to my heart and I was concerned about the reserve’s future when it disappeared off the radar for a couple of years. I have such fond memories of rushing up to the dam every Wednesday afternoon after work for the weekly Umzinyathi Canoe Club dice and braai, as well as regular weekend campouts filled with bird watching, frogging and long hikes – followed by a cold beer at the Tears of Joy shebeen on the way out.

KEEP PADDLING Now that the reserve is back on the map and ready to take on the world again, I’d like to encourage all of you to visit and enjoy everything it has to offer. Apart from rock climbing, fishing (catch and release), geocaching, hiking – with a chance of bumping into a tower of giraffe – and much more, the dam is without doubt a paddler’s paradise and the Umzinyathi Canoe Club, still going strong, would love to welcome more members. The Conservation Guardians and other fantastic projects and initiatives create jobs and promote sustainability – and at the end of the day they rely strongly on support from us; the community.

Many of you are either planning for, just starting or well on your way into wonderful years of retirement. This issue has a strong focus on retirement and all the positives

 TALK TO US

E katrine@media24.com b @TheCrestMag W @TheCrestMagazine  thecrestonline.co.za

fashion piece takes on floral with funky raincoats and umbrellas, while clean lines take charge in our decor feature – offering great tips and ideas for those working from home and wanting to create an inspiring yet peaceful working space separate from the rest of the house.

Last but not least, I would like to say a big thank you to our sales manager, Tracy Linden, who has left Famous Publishing after nearly 15 years. We will miss you, Tracy, but wish you all the very best in your new adventure! A warm welcome to Anneline Domnick and Gaylene Diedericks, I am excited to see your fresh ideas and look forward to working with you to create many more fabulous issues of The Crest going forward. On that note, happy reading!

RECEIVE YOUR FREE DIGITAL COPY OF THE CREST MAGAZINE www.mysubs.co.za/magazine/the-crest Simply log on and register to receive your complimentary digital copy or view past issues. ItÕs a great way to share your favourite community magazine with family and friends who don't live or work here. And it's free!

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in this issue*

GROUP EDITOR Doody Adams EDITOR Katrine Anker-Nilssen PRODUCTION EDITOR Lorna King GRAPHIC DESIGN Kyle Griffin SALES CONSULTANTS Anneline Domnick 066 254 0621 Gaylene Diedericks 081 707 6313 DISTRIBUTION Mphumzeni Thusi Enquiries: sumayia.khan@media24.com ACCOUNTS Sumayia Khan CONTRIBUTORS Andrea Abbott, Candice Botha, Cathy Clark, Gavin Foster, Olivia Jones, Robin Lamplough, Jeremy Nell, Debbie Reynolds, Dawn Rouse, Anne Schauffer HEAD OFFICE GM: MEDIA24 PRINT MEDIA Raj Lalbahadur DIVISIONAL OFFICE GENERAL MANAGER Doody Adams Copyright: All material in this issue is subject to copyright and belongs to Media24 unless otherwise indicated. No part of the material may be quoted, photocopied, reproduced or stored by an electronic system without prior written permission from Media24.

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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RETIREMENT GRANDPARENTS

LIFESTYLE 14

Grandparents play a major role in our lives

NURTURING MIND AND MATTER

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RETIREMENT ROCKS

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Starting the next chapter after retirement

THE RISE OF RETIREMENT ESTATES

FLORAL FANTASTIC

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Celebrating floral fashion

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Three weekend escapes to plan for this year

REGULARS 10

Shongweni Dam is back on track

WE ALSO PUBLISH ...

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A look at the options available

SHONGWENI SHINES AGAIN

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BOX CLEVER

BEACH, BUSH, BEER & BOUNTY 20

COMMUNITY

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.

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The Suzuki Jimny – fun and funky

Make retirement the best time of your life Published by Media24 Suite 1, 94 Armstrong Avenue, La Lucia.

Box 20162, Durban North, 4016.

031 584 7008 | www.famouspublishing.co.za Printed by CTP Printers, Cape Town Managed distribution by Vibrant Direct

TAKE YOUR WORK HOME Fresh looks for a productive home office

EXPERTISE, INDEPENDENCE AND TRUST

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A financial planning business with a different view

SECRET VALLEY

ADVERTORIALS 24

A nostalgic look at Makaranga Botanical Gardens

TEACH, PAINT, LOVE

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Kim Pereira’s colourful life

STRENGTH IN SERVICE Makhosi Msimango’s love of nature

ED’S LETTER 1 TAKE NOTE 4 SOCIALS 8 TRENDING 32 LAST WORD 48

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IMAGE INSURED EDUPOWER HIGHBURY PREPARATORY SCHOOL NEXIA LEVITT KIRSON ACTION COACH

ON THE COVER:

Shongweni Dam. Picture: Lawrence Blackbeard

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9 27 28 37 47

I.N.O.X. PROFESSIONAL DIVER TITANIUM PICOT & MOSS 011.669.0500

MAKERS OF THE ORIGINAL SWISS ARMY KNIFE | ESTABLISHED 1884

take note*

ou Keeping yp in the loo Two Acres

Two Acres, forming part of the Hornby Clivia Nursery, offers a combination of a natural environment with magnificent London Plane trees and amazing food – making it a unique, peaceful and firm favourite in our community. Teas and light lunches are delicious, wholesome and beautifully presented. And this is hardly surprising since Kathleen Hornby Walsh has made it her mission to perpetuate her mother’s and grandmother’s legacy – their love of good food and their passion for cooking. To this she has added her own brand of artistic flair and creativity.

She also brings to the business her 12 years’ work experience with wellknown culinary expert Prue Leith, in London, as well as her extensive knowledge of fine wines. But more than that, Kathleen’s warm and endearing personality and the effort she puts into perfecting the business that she and husband Richard have established, are further ingredients in their recipe for success. Richard is a keen gardener and ensures that salads and herbs are always fresh for the picking – and organic to boot.

There’s a tearoom, a gin garden, a Méthode Cap Classique room celebrating the best sparkling wines the Cape has to offer and a room dedicated to the curiosities of Hendrick’s Gin. The Potting Shed shop has been open for four years and celebrates everything botanical, and then there’s also The Bird House – a secret garden under the trees where ladies (and gents) can enjoy a nail treatment.  031 768 1957 T Tues-Sat, 8am-4pm W TwoAcresGardenMarket

Bellevue CafŽ Bellevue is the brainchild of Guy Cluver and Chris Black, and started off in 2010 just offering breakfast and lunch. “After six months we opened for dinner as well, in our third year of trading we hosted our first wedding, and from there we haven’t looked back,” says Guy. Today Bellevue is a very multi-functioning restaurant, from running their day-to-day à la carte trade, to hosting up to 20 weddings a year, engagements,

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birthdays and wine evenings. “We have many different areas of seating, be it inside for a louder vibey atmosphere, the loft for a quieter more business idea or under the umbrellas next to our garden for a long lazy lunch. Flip it over and come for dinner and Bellevue becomes intimate and cosy with many little spaces for special occasions.”

With a bistro feel to the menu, breakfast has a definite health slant, lunch is varied and covers all bases, while dinner has a more fine dining appearance but still with

ed's choice

that great cafe atmosphere.

“There are new restaurants opening up almost every month, which certainly keeps us on our toes. Competition keeps you moving forward and striving for the best,” says Guy. “It’s an honour to be recognised by Eat Out. I do believe it exposes us to a much greater market, and being listed holds us to a standard which we ourselves set for the restaurant and gives us a good push to uphold it.”  031 717 2780 W bellevuekloof T Mon-Fri 7am-9pm, Sat 8am-9pm, Sun 8am-4pm

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Helpful Advice On Retirement And Dementia Retirement fundi Henry Spencer has written several features for us over the years. Henry lives in Pietermaritzburg with his wife Ruth, and they have two daughters. After a successful business career Henry entered the non-profit field in 1993, when he was appointed CEO of TAFTA (The Association for the Aged) – a leading charity whose focus is care of the elderly and vulnerable. Commencing university studies late in life, he obtained a BA Degree in 1997 at the age of 55 followed by a Master’s Degree in Applied Ethics (cum laude) four years later.

After nine years at the helm of TAFTA Henry resigned and relocated to the UK where he worked in various retirement homes for several years before returning to South Africa in 2007 to retire. Henry continues to be involved with the elderly, consulting for a number of homes and retirement complexes in order to follow his own advice to keep pedalling and staying abreast with contemporary developments in the field of elderly care.

Henry has written numerous books and worked with people with dementia for over 22 years, and is happy to help and offer advice to retirees in our community. n 072 514 0913 E halfmens@telkomsa.net

BEST KEPT SECRET Michele Pope's Studio Of Dance At the early age of five, Michele’s mom enrolled her into a classical ballet class – and that’s how it all started. Michele has been running a successful dance studio for 27 years, and has two studios in Padfield Park along with the newly opened studio in Hillcrest at 2a Hudson Bennett Crescent. With highly qualified teachers who desire to pull out the best in each pupil, all ages from three upwards can be taught Classical Ballet, Modern Jazz, Hip Hop, Solo Latin, Paris floor barre and Tap. “For me dance is so much more than just movement. It allows the children to set challenges, be creative thinkers, explore boundaries physically and emotionally and be a part of a dance family,” says Michele – who is married to Ryno du Preez and has a daughter Zoack who shares her love for dance.

Appealing to everyone, from the little girl who dreams of becoming a ballerina to an adult who wants to reawaken his or her love of movement, Michele says she is privileged to have a pianist, Irene Candy, onboard and studios where pupils can feel it is a home away from home and are able to truly give their best in a professional yet loving environment. n 082 566 7717 E mpope@telkomsa.net

Kindness Can Change Lives Radio personality and mom of three, Jane Linley-Thomas, together with psychologist and author of the book #raisingkids To Thrive in a Constantly Changing World, Paul Bushell, teach that as simple as it may sound, kindness – as a core human value – can have a profound impact on the way people do life and work.

KindnessCan offers workshops, activations and products which promote kindness as a simple yet meaningful way of growing happier people, and thoughts and acts of kindness are easy and cost effective to implement, yet can have far-reaching benefits.

Visit their website for more info.

Einfo@kindnesscan.co.za

 Photo: Matthew Willman

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take note*

u Keeping yo in the loop from fluffy to sparkly and everything in between. Cost: R200 each.

Booking essential. n 073 493 6153  Beacon Easter Eggsplorer Egg Hunt, April 20-21, 10am2pm, Durban Botanic Gardens: Get ready for family fun in the gardens as you and your little ones get to solve clues, complete the challenges and hunt for giant Easter eggs hidden by the Beacon Easter Bunny. Cost: R95 each.  Monster Jam, April 20, 6pm, Moses Mabhida Stadium: Featuring 4m tall, five-ton custom made monster trucks racing and ripping up a track full of obstacles. This family friendly event appeals to the young and young at heart, as well as lovers of motor and adventure sports, and is sure to have hearts racing. Book through Computicket.

GET INVOLVED!

Five Fun Family Treats

 Easter Egg Hunt, April 21, 11am-1pm, Durban Country Club: Enjoy a day of fun and entertainment – your children will be enchanted from start to finish with entertainment galore and an Easter egg hunt to delight and amuse! Open to children two to 12 years. Cost: Adults R80; children R120, includes light refreshments, plus kiddie’s entertainment and Easter egg hunt. Booking essential.  031 313 1777  Africa's Biggest Easter Egg Hunt, April 20-21, 9am-12 noon, uShaka Marine World: Loads of Easter fun – sack race, egg and spoon race, musical chairs, Easter egg hunt. Tickets cost R186 for children over three (includes a goodie bag, all-day access to Sea World, Wet ’n Wild and uShaka Kids World) and R159 for adults.  Slime Workshop, April 3 and 20, 10-12pm, Astor House, 19 Stirling Crescent, Durban North: Ideal for kids aged seven to 12 years, this fun activity introduces sensory experiences, promotes communication skills, enhances focus and can be used as a selfsoothing toy. All materials will be on hand to create your own slime,

South Coast Bike Fest April 26-28, Margate, South Coast: Africa’s premier motorcycle enthusiast

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and music festival is set to be bigger and better this year with great music, incredible stunts, extreme sports, street busking, themed bars, demo rides,

food and drinks – all taking place along Margate’s palm-fringed beachfront boulevard.  www.southcoastbikefest.co.za

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Thenga - Let Art Discover You Art changes lives. Art awakens our imagination, transforms our homes and expresses who we really are. Thenga’s vision is twofold: to develop sales platforms and relationships directly with creative professionals to help African artists make a living doing what they love, and to help you find original art to suit your taste and budget.

Founder Sue Pretorius is dedicated to discovering rising artistic talent within South Africa and surrounding countries.

Working with interior designers and stylists, Thenga will put together art recommendations to bring heart and a unique touch to perfectly finish any space, as well as provide guidance and assistance with placement, framing, delivery and hanging. Focusing on the original, hand crafted, one-of-a-kind piece with a heart, soul and story of their own, Thenga’s home is currently online.  www.thenga.art W @thenga.art

Health Drink Revolution Rugani Juices are made using a world-first extraction process which ruptures 95% of veggie cells, optimising the nutritional content of the juice – making it a rich source of beta-carotene. The process, along with the unparalleled freshness, makes Rugani Juice a nutritionally superior product and a true nutraceutical (food that heals). No sugar, water or preservatives are added, and the range consists of five products: 100% Carrot Juice, Ginger Infused Carrot Juice, 100% Carrot and Pineapple Juice, 100% Beetroot Juice and 100% Pineapple Juice.

Available from Dis-Chem and Food Lover’s Market.

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Hip And Happening Markets  KZN Vegan Market, March 30, 10am-3pm, Golden Hours Market Site, 21 Uitsig Road, Durban North: All things vegan, including clothing, plants, food stalls, jewellery, crystals, pet toys and treats, books, live music and more. n 084 032 3686 W @kznveganmarket  First Thursdays Market, every first Thursday of the month, 4.30pm till late, Colony Shopping Centre, Hillcrest: A wonderful, vibey night market with over 45 upmarket pop-up stalls, a kids zone, live entertainment, live art showcase and delicious food served on-the-go from Republik, Stretta and Mythos.

E firstthursdaysmarket@gmail.com, W @firstthursdaysmarket  Musgrave Rooftop Market, Musgrave Centre, 115 Musgrave Road, 5th floor, 5-9.30pm, every first Friday of the month: This market is both upbeat and a showcase of local creativity, food and craft entrepreneurs fill the space with anything from artisan breads, craft beer and falafel to pear cider, handcrafted shoes, farm butter, racks of clothing, designer lights, jewellery, cup cakes, cookies, pastries, coffee, live music, cushions and samoosas.

W @rooftopnightmarket

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 Butler's Night Market, Butlers Restaurant, 24 Old Main Road, Hillcrest, once a month (check Facebook page) 4-9pm: Fun for the whole family! Enjoy time bonding with your friends and family while shopping, drinking, eating and being entertained with live music. Your children will love the kids area, and you will love the gin bar.

W @Butlerseventsonoldmain  Shongweni Farmers Market, every Saturday 6am-11.30am: From only 12 stalls selling food and fresh produce on a field belonging to the Shongweni Polo Club in 1998, to over 150 stalls with fresh produce, food, crafts and art at Lot 457 Mr551 Road, Shongweni Resource Reserve.  www.shongwenimarket.co.za

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take note*

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O K AT R IN E O U R P IC S T

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Brand Candy Turns 3 Brand Candy just celebrated their third birthday with a fab bash at their newly renovated offices.

Richard Burgess and Janet Hancock. Mike and Tam Dennekamp, Sav Dougans, Alicia Syffert and Tevan Wilfred.

Little Cooks Get Cooking Hirsch’s Hillcrest, in conjunction with the Little Cooks Club, recently held a wonderful cooking class for children between the ages of six and 13 where they were taught by chef Julius Wallace to make a delicious berry cheesecake sprinkled with gold dust.

Saoirse Wallace, Zoe Dube, Niamh Wallace, Dannika Liedbetter, Jemma Fitt, Dylan Scholtz, Terania Govender and Julius Wallace.

Bubbles & Beauty Fundraiser Huge Success Local businesswoman and philanthropist Cindy Norcott hosted the first in a duo of fundraisers at the CityHill Skyroom in Hillcrest to create awareness for Save the Rhino as she prepares to tackle the London Marathon, raising an impressive R40 000.

Alice Leah, Adele Benvie, Cindy Norcott and Kim Griffith Jones.

KERF Launch At Kings Park Celebrating the prospect of exciting schoolboy rugby at Kearsney College over the Easter weekend are rugby celebs, enthusiasts and sponsors who attended the launch of the 2019 Standard Bank Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival.

Keith Thompson, Jean-Luc du Preez, Elwyn van den Aardweg and Gareth Jenkinson.

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*makeover

FROM 69 TO 59!

How to take 10 years off your appearance

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arol Somerville from Winston Park turns 70 this year, but after her makeover at Image Insured she looks 10 years younger!

“I think so many women believe that once you reach a certain age there is no hope anymore,” says Fay Coleman. “But many of our clientele are women just like Carol, who need a little refresher on how to look their best even as they grow older.”

Grant Harper from Grant Harper Hair

Design in uMhlanga managed to transform Carol’s dull locks into a stunning trendy cut that is still manageable for her active lifestyle. He used the new Koleston Perfect ME+ light ashe brown, which counteracted the golden blonde in Carol’s hair.

“Many woman make the mistake of going blonde to hide the grey, but on certain skin tones this can be disastrous,” says Megan Coleman. “A cool undertone skin like Carol’s will have a tendency to throw out yellow, so

everything we do with her hair, clothing and make-up needs to counteract that. After a Colour Analysis we will be able to tell you exactly what colour your hair should be to suit your skin tone.”

Carol is dressed in Image Insured’s own local clothing range.

Looking good isn’t as hard as you think!

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031 764 3824 082 590 5491 studio@impakt.co.za

IMAGE INSURED -SINCE 1985-

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cover story*

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SHONGWENI SHINES AGAIN Conservation Guardians is protecting the reserve’s ecological integrity while simultaneously facilitating sustainable livelihoods associated with nature tourism story and pictures andrea abbott

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nce a popular outdoor destination, Shongweni Dam and Nature Reserve fell off the tourism radar some years ago when a land claim saw ownership of the property change hands. Although two organisations – Spirit of Adventure and the Umzinyathi Canoe Club – continued to be based there, the reserve was left rudderless. This was largely because the land claimants, the Zwelibomvu Community Trust (ZCT), weren’t provided with the necessary mentorship and capacity to manage the place. The absence of proper oversight created a vacuum in which facilities became dilapidated and activities like poaching, removal of perimeter fencing and subsistence harvesting of fire wood thrived. And so the odds were stacked against the survival of a richly biodiverse and sublimely beautiful area that, at 1 700 hectares, is the biggest protected area in eThekwini.

Thanks however to Conservation Guardians, an organisation committed to biodiversity conservation and ethical tourism, Shongweni is not only recovering but set to become a first class destination for those seeking real nature experiences.

“We saw the reserve’s potential and met with ZCT who appointed us to manage it,” says Greg Vogt, CEO and director of Conservation Guardians (CG). In under a year, without funding and through sheer hard work and determination, Greg, his co-director Sara Agostini, and a handful of staff members drawn from neighbouring communities, have made great strides in restoring the reserve to its full glory. As a result, visitors are returning to this ecologically important place, and feel safe to do so.

There’s more to it though than tidying up, repairing facilities and

removing invasive alien plants. To attract nature-loving visitors, the focus at Shongweni is on special interest groups whose activities are low-impact and compatible with wilderness conservation. These include the Mountain Climbing Club (the reserve is highly rated as a climbing destination), Shongweni Specimen Angling Association that practices a strict catch and release policy, the canoe club and birding groups (the bird count stands at around 240). As word spreads, more groups are signing up. Recently one young visitor expressed his wish for a geocaching group. “Start one,” Greg said to him.

This emphasis on interest groups doesn’t mean that the general public is excluded.

Day visitors who respect the rules (eg, no music) are welcome and anyone can participate in the popular Wild Walks that often provide close encounters

LEFT: Passionate Conservation Guardians Greg Vogt and Sara Agostini.

FAR LEFT: A beautiful reserve rich in biodiversity. Picture: Graeme Holliday with giraffe. In the offing too is a unique dining experience that the deputy chair of the ZCT, Lindiwe Ndlovu, is spearheading. The experience will involve patrons being paddled across the dam to an outdoor restaurant established on the site of an erstwhile fishing camp. Similarly, the turret-like building on top of the dam wall could see new purpose as a cafe. For those who’d like to learn to paddle, canoe sprint champion turned coach, Thembinkosi Ngcobo, is available to give lessons in the mornings.

These and other initiatives such as the training of bird guides and mountaineering guides, and an aquaculture facility planned for the disused water works infrastructure below the dam wall,

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RIGHT: Wild Walks often bring people and giraffes (and other wildlife) face to face.

BELOW: The dam wall and associated buildings were constructed in the late 1920s

by Italian engineers. The circular structure could soon find new purpose as a cafe.

BOTTOM: Mountaineering instructor Gavin Raubenheimer (in red) going through the ropes with trainee mountain guides Pa Khwela (left) and Cyril Msani.

are among the small business opportunities CG is developing for the communities bordering the reserve. This speaks to another cornerstone of the organisation’s ethos: sustainability. As Greg says, nature conservation affords some of the best opportunities to develop sustainable micro-enterprises.

Underpinning it all is CG’s mission to, as Greg puts it, “inspire a global community of conscious travellers.” Conscious travellers can be defined as those who seek ethically managed destinations where the welfare of people, animals and the natural environment are not compromised but are enhanced through tourism. Given their commitment to protecting the reserve’s ecological integrity while simultaneously facilitating sustainable livelihoods associated with nature tourism, the Conservation Guardians are well on track to achieve that goal at Shongweni. n 078 039 9881 T Opening hours: 6am-6pm W ntshongwenidam E info@conservationguardians.co.za  www.conservationguardians.africa

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CAMELOT RETIREMENT VILLAGE

Boutique retirement living

RAINMAKER 3|19

FROM R1,845 MILLION The prestigious Camelot Estate, situated in the heart of Hillcrest, presents its 8th and final village; Camelot Retirement Village.

Camelot Retirement Village comprises 44 apartments ranging from 1, 1.5, 2 and 3-bedroom options; all with exceptional views of the lush green surrounds and dams within this English country-style estate.

This boutique retirement village will merge into the Camelot way of life. Residents can easily become a part of its close-knit, multi-generational community and will have access to an exclusive onsite Camelot Care Centre run by Tafta Premium Care.

Book your appointment at our sales office.

18-Hole golf course

Heated swimming pool

Zen-style garden

Fis hin g d a m s

Tennis court

Restaurant & Clubhouse

Pet-friendly

Roaming hair salon

3k m Na t u re t ra i l s

Non-high-tech bowling green

087 095 2746 | camelotretirement.co.za

retirement*

The role of grandparents has evolved significantly to meet the changing times. How is that playing out in South Africa? story anne schauffer pictures dawn rouse

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n uMhlanga Rocks there’s a club. A group of women who meet regularly.

Their common ground?

Grandmothers who have children and grandchildren who live abroad.

Some are luckier, with a half-half scenario. Allison Isaacs’ son, Nicholas, lives in the UK with his wife Marguerite and their 18-month-old son Xander.

Allison’s not sad, because she understood that when the couple moved to the UK six years ago, this would be the reality. “I came to terms with it – that’s the way it is.

I focussed on developing a different relationship from the one I have here,” she says.

Allison’s daughter, Kerry Jane, lives at Kearsney College with two children; nine-year-old Zac and three-year-old Zoe. Allison is moving from Durban to Hillcrest to be closer to her grandchildren. Zac is disabled, and Allison, very involved in their lives, wants to be of more support.

For any distant grandparent, technology is their best friend.

For Allison it’s a regular Sunday night visual call, and although Xander isn’t yet talking, Allison’s

recent visit there means he responds to her. “Nicholas knows I’ll visit every June/ July for around a month.

That’s understood.” For many South Africans, visiting family internationally isn’t that easy, financial constraints being one factor. But for Allison it works.

“Nicholas spoils me rotten, and I have no expenses over there.”

It’s difficult not to spoil grandchildren at the best of times. Allison says, “I regularly post parcels with books, toys and clothes to Xander. I spoil the grandchildren here, so I try to balance it out.”

GRANDPARENTS PART OF OUR LIVES LEFT: Allison Isaacs (left) with her daughter Kerry Jane and grandchildren Zoe and Zac. Essentially there’s a handbrake on the level of intimacy achievable in a long-distance grandparent relationship. Certainly nowhere close to the experience of Jennifer Naicker of Umgeni Park.

When Jennifer met husband Jeeva, she knew his mum would be an integral part of their lives.

When they moved into their new home, mum came too, and

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when Jennifer had her first child, support from her mother-in-law enabled her to live the life she wanted. “When my son was four weeks old, my company merged with another and I needed to stay in Johannesburg four days a week. My husband and motherin-law raised my son. To know your child is in such good hands is priceless.”

Jennifer has three children now, Souvahn, 16, daughter Kathanya, 13, and son Tenzin.

Grandmother Dolly Naicker is now 80, and wouldn’t change

a very different one. I couldn’t have done and do what I do without that support.”

And it’s a two-way street.

Jennifer’s dad, 72-year-old Billy Naidoo, says “Being part of a household of eight people means you are always surrounded by the children and grandkids and their everyday drama. I lost my wife in May, and the loss was easier to accept and deal with as I could talk about and remember her with the rest of the family. I love being with my grandkids and taking them fishing, playing guitar, picking them up from school and hearing about their day. They keep me on my toes.”

“I have learnt to always

Picture: Getty Images a thing. “It means the world to me to wake up every morning and be a part of my son and his family’s lives. I get to watch my grandchildren grow up, and share their joys and successes in school and sports. I am never alone or bored as the children are so full of energy, I have no time to think about any aches and pains,” smiles Dolly.

A few years ago Jennifer’s parents began downscaling, but their search for a lock-up-andgo home was fruitless. They approached Jennifer and Jeeva about building a granny flat in their grounds. The young couple had been discussing building Jennifer a home office there – she started her own business in 2008 – and it made perfect sense to build a cottage too. In moved her parents.

Jennifer laughs at everybody’s

ABOVE: Kathanya Naicker with Leia, Tenzin Naicker, Billy Naidoo, Souvahn Naicker, Dolly Naicker, Lea Naidoo and Sebastian Naidoo. dubious reaction to living with parents. “It’s about boundaries – it can take time to establish them, but everybody has their own space and respects everybody else’s. For my

children, the involvement with their grandparents has been so beneficial. Grandparents bring a different dimension to your child’s life. You, as parent, serve one purpose, the grandparents

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You, as parent, serve one purpose, the grandparents a very different one. I couldn’t have done and do what I do without that support keep my promises and the importance of a ‘pinky swear’. I feel very youthful being around their energy – there’s no time to feel down as they always pick you up,” smiles Billy.

Increasingly in South Africa, grandchildren are spread all over the world as their parents seek out what they consider to be newer, greener, alternative pastures.

It’s become about reinventing ways to communicate and build relationships, without that physical presence. And for those who have the physical presence of grandparents, well, Jennifer said it all.

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retirement*

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tudies have shown that the peak age of great innovation is later than you’d think. In one such study, Professor Philip Franses of the Erasmus School of Economics in Rotterdam found that the Nobel laureates, composers and artists included in his data set had lived on average about two-thirds of their lives before reaching their creative peak.

Retirement, then, is a time to shine and to focus on what you’ve always wanted to do but sidelined for lack of time.

However, as Leonardo da Vinci said, “Iron rusts from disuse, stagnant water loses its purity, and in cold weather becomes frozen; even so does inaction sap the vigours of the mind.”

And, as Daren points out, people entering retirement often believe they can’t learn any longer. Yet, we can build neural networks and body mass until the day we die.

Strategies to keep brain and body fit include: • CULTIVATING A POSITIVE OUTLOOK. Psychologist Dr Martin Seligman, author of Learned Optimism, says adopting “learned optimism” over “learned helplessness” – the belief that negative events or adversity eg, a sense of irrelevance as one ages are beyond a person’s control – brings benefits such as better health, whereas a negative outlook can result in depression and illness. And while the reality of growing older cannot be changed, finding new purpose, as Daren says, can result in aging gracefully.

• BEING PART OF A COMMUNITY AND MAINTAINING SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS. Daren reminds us that the brain needs two things to thrive: glucose and relationships. Fear of aging can cause people to become isolated and lonely. Social isolation is recognised as a significant health risk whereas social interactions are key to health and longevity.

• EXERCISING AND A HEALTHY DIET. Rewiring instead of retiring requires commitment and effort. Aside from boosting fitness and energy, regular exercise provides social opportunities.

Take hiking, for example. The Durban Ramblers Club advises:

NURTURING MIND AND MATTER Retirement might be associated with being put out to pasture, but, as world memory champion Daren Denholm so nicely puts it, retirement is the start of the best years of a person’s life story and pictures andrea abbott 16

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CLOCKWISE FROM FAR LEFT: Colleen Raciborska – fit and happy on a hike in the Karkloof Forest; Everyone has a story to tell; Well-known musician Dave Marks gives his brain a workout; Art classes foster creative selfexpression and new friendships; Hiking gets you out into glorious places in the company of friends.

“When like-minded folk get together for our common cause to enabling artistic self-expression. Joining a writing there is always much chat and laughter. Friends are group also opens new social opportunities. made, muscles challenged and lungs gasp the clean Similarly, art groups foster the creative drive air often scarce in our city.” If walking’s not your and widen social circles. Who knows what •Daren Denholm is the founder of Genius scene, why not take up snorkelling? Michelle dormant talents might arise?

Series that teaches strategies for unlocking Morris of Salt Rock based Tidal Tao snorkelling • LEARNING A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT. brain power: www.geniusseries.com safaris says, “Snorkelling is one of the best ways Playing a musical instrument does for your •Writing: www.sawriters.org.za to keep fit and happy. Not only will you feel brain what a physical workout does for •Facebook Art Groups: relaxed and calm, but you also get a good, but your body. Can’t play an instrument? It’s North Coast Artists, durbanartworkshops non-strenuous workout.” Another bonus is that it never too late to start learning!

•Hiking: www.durbanramblers.co.za increases maximal oxygen uptake.

For every one of these ideas there will be •Snorkelling: dozens more. And as Daren points out, taking • EXPLORING YOUR CREATIVE SIDE. According www.tidaltao.com on new challenges can spark areas of the brain to SA Writers’ Circle, creative writing yields benefits that have seldom been used. ranging from enhancing self-confidence and imagination

INFO BOX

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RETIREMENT ROCKS There’s wide consensus that the Baby Boomer generation can take solace from the belief that 40 is the new 60, which means retirement is just the start of the life’s next chapter, writes Debbie Reynolds

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lobal research has found that in developed countries 50-somethings are generally living a decade longer than their parents and reaching old age in much better health. Instead of going quietly into the night, so-called pensioners are reinventing themselves by staying physically, mentally and socially active.

Graham Edmunds gave up the Joburg rat race of corporate communications and large-

scale event design and production to take early retirement in Nottingham Road.

“I’d bought land and a small house here when our children were at school in the area and decided to fix it up and run it as a B&B,” says Graham. Over about 10 years Graham has grown the FarSide into a boutique guest farm and sought-after wedding venue.

After the tragic death of his first wife to cancer, Graham picked up the pieces and met and married his second wife, who is British.

“We live our lives vicariously between Notties,

ABOVE: Graham Edmunds recently held a photographic exhibition in the UK. LEFT: Graham loves socialising with his FarSide wedding guests. the UK and Mauritius, where we have a holiday home, and I am blessed to be able to experience the best of all those worlds.”

A Natal Technikon photography graduate, Graham is embracing his first passion and recently held an exhibition at Dorset Art Weeks in the UK, where he sold 20 prints.

“I also started painting two years ago and have sold some of my watercolours,” he adds, before telling me about his collection of 110 international gins.

He is also a mean cook, runs gun dogs and is training for a half marathon.

“Don’t get caught up on the couch in front of the TV or the quietness and peace will get you in the end,” says the 61-year-old.

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ABOVE: Darryl Kreutzner – who runs a successful word-of-mouth-only “taxi” service – says ferrying people around and learning more about them keeps him young. Picture: Debbie Reynolds BELOW: Minnie Maharaj loves living in central Durban where she has easy access to public transport, shopping and theatre. Picture: Debbie Reynolds “If there was a billboard for life it should be always improve yourself physically and mentally and leave a little less to chance.”

Minnie Maharaj retired as a senior nursing sister specialising in psychiatry last year. “But only because I had to,” she laughs. “I’m turning 66 later this year so it was my time, but thankfully I still get called in to do relief work.”

The confirmed bachelorette says for her, retirement means being able to give

back to others.

“I’ve worked all my life and had a very good career and a very good life,” she says.

“Hopefully I can use some of that experience to help where I can.”

As a resident of Tafta Kings Hall in central Durban she sits on their Tafta Life Rights Committee and volunteers to help with functions and events.

“We have about 15 events here a year, so I help with decorating, serving meals,

cleaning … whatever is needed,” she says.

“I am also a fire marshal for my floor and I stand in for the building manager about eight days a month.”

Being a nurse, another of her passions is assisting with various wellness days and she also helps individual residents with health issues.

She says she’s “hooked” on computer games and enjoys knitting – when she has the time.

Minnie also loves travel. “I’ve been all over the world, but home is still my best, so from now on I’m sticking to local holidays and cruises along our beautiful coast.

“I’m probably busier now than when I was working full time,” she says. “It’s very important for your quality of life to keep active and to get involved with your community.”

Darryl Kreutzner took early retirement around eight years ago, after a 32-year career in sales and marketing.

“I knew there was no way I could sit around doing nothing, so I worked at a friend’s digital labelling company for about a year,” says the 65-year-old. “In the interim I met a guy at my church who did airport shuttles and he asked if I minded helping out occasionally.”

From that small seed grew a business that has Darryl hopping 24/7. “I started mainly doing airport shuttles, but now I do school runs, tourist trips and even run errands for people who are housebound.

“My new job is more lucrative than my previous one, not financially but definitely socially which is the part I enjoy the most.

As my wife will tell you, I love talking to people, so what better way to spend my days than meeting people from all over the world with such different backgrounds.”

With up to 10 appointments in one day, Darryl says he has little time for anything else except “playing around” with bonsais and a vegetable garden.

“My new job definitely keeps my spirit young and hopefully my body will follow.”

As celebrated writer C. S. Lewis said: “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”

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retirement*

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he escalating costs associated with freestanding homes, security concerns and desire for a lock-up-and-go lifestyle have seen an increase in the popularity of modern retirement estates countrywide, with KwaZulu-Natal fast becoming the most sought-after location for retirees seeking an all-year holiday experience.

One such estate is Renishaw Hills, a mature lifestyle village within the Mpambanyoni Conservation Development near Scottburgh, just 40 minutes from Durban, boasting coastal and forest views, quality facilities, 24-hour security, transport services and home-based healthcare.

“While the choice of purchase method is important, it’s far more important to do one’s homework when selecting a development,” says Phil Barker, managing director of Renishaw Property Developments. “The homes and facilities must be of high-quality construction, the estate must be wellsecured, there must be the provision of affordable healthcare options and amenities to promote a community spirit.”

Barker outlined the three main types of purchase methods – buy-to-rent (buy as an investment), life rights and sectional title.

Popular with the affluent under-50s, the buy-to-rent model hinges on identifying a quality development in the planning stage, and purchasing with a 10-year view. While there is not necessarily a big return on investment short-term, the capital gains can be quite substantial.

Sectional title is the standard model whereby the purchaser accrues capital gains but the developer has no obligation to remain invested in the sale. A popular version is the Reversionary Transfer Obligation (RTO) sectional title model, where the investor is offered a significant discount upfront but the developer is given first option to buy the unit back at the original price.

Then there’s life rights, an increasingly attractive option to many retirees as it provides a reasonable entry point price with similar benefits to a sectional title estate.

The purchaser never has full ownership, but does purchase with a right to occupy for life.

“Although not a retirement estate, Balize Private Estate has been a popular option for

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THE RISE OF RETIREMENT ESTATES A closer look at buy-to-rent, life rights and sectional title purchases TOP: Renishaw Hills, a mature lifestyle village within the Mpambanyoni Conservation Development near Scottburgh.

TOP: Camelot Retirement Village - a boutique retirement village in Hillcrest.

ABOVE: The luxurious Balize Private Estate in the Sibaya Coastal Precinct.

those looking to downsize and live in a likeminded community,” says Butch James, Sales Director of Balize Private Estate. “Many buyers are not ready to move into a retirement estate, but they’re finding the home too large for two people. Within walking distance to the beach and only 10 minutes to the airport, Balize is ideally situated and offers several familyfriendly facilities.”

Camelot Retirement Village – a sectional title model – is a boutique retirement village.

“We are seeing children already living in Camelot buying on behalf of their parents, as well as buyers who want to experience the Hillcrest lifestyle, close to friends and family,” says Wicus Jacobs, Director of Carmel Properties. “TAFTA Premium Care provides residents with wellness management, frailcare bed assistance, and a clinic for basic care.”

 Olivia Jones Communications

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E media@oliviajones.co.za www.oliviajones.co.za

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P R I V A T E

E S T A T E

RAINMAKER 11|19

SI BAYA

cabanas and villas from R3.9 million The depictions herein are for illustration purposes only and are subject to change without prior notice.

B

alize Private Estate is the first luxury estate in the sought-after Sibaya Coastal Precinct with ocean views from every home.

Offering smart-ready 2, 3 and 4-bedroom luxury freestanding Villas, Cabanas and Penthouses, Balize Private Estate is designed to inspire a resort-living feel with highest-quality finishes, generous outdoor living and an ocean-front lifestyle.

u m h l a ng a umdloti

The depictions herein are for illustration purposes only and are subject to change without prior notice.

The depictions herein are for illustration purposes only and are subject to change without prior notice.

Contact our Development Consultants to set up your on-site appointment and experience the most exceptional views on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast.

John Robinson: 083 410 1536 | Charlene Anamourlis: 083 262 2200

0 87 095 2744

ba l i z e . co . z a

i nf o @ba l i z e . co . z a

profile*

I

t takes a few minutes to convince myself I’m not at a boutique hotel and spa, but rather at a financial planning practice. I’m at the Kloof head office of Stone Wealth Management and about to meet partners Linda Stonier and Lisa Praschma.

They are every bit as welcoming and professional as their surroundings suggest.

Linda, who started the business 17 years ago, tells me that she began her working life as an attorney in Pietermaritzburg.

“I was headhunted by Old Mutual to work in their legal advising department and soon realised what I enjoyed most

EXPERTISE, INDEPENDENCE AND TRUST If you’re looking for a lighthouse in the fog of financial planning then Linda Stonier and Lisa Praschma are the business, writes Debbie Reynolds

Our differentiating factor is that we are one of the few practices which has the financial IQ to deal with high-level planning requirements about the business was sitting face to face with clients and working out and solving their problems,” says Linda.

She continued to earn her stripes in the industry working at Nedgroup Investments as an account manager until she couldn’t resist the calling to “do her own thing”.

“I was uncomfortable with how financial planning was such a commission-driven industry and how so many supposedly qualified financial advisors gave clients inaccurate advice – no matter how well meaning – that incurred serious tax and cost repercussions.

“I wanted to build one of the

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first truly advice-based practices where commission was almost a swear word – where our fee structure stood on its own and where we were not motivated by the wrong factors.”

Enter Lisa Praschma, who with the same principles and goals was the perfect partner.

“We met at Nedgroup where I

actually took over her role when she left,” laughs Lisa. “She became one of our clients and I became very taken with her drive for changing this industry.

“I was nervous to leave the corporate world, but what Linda was doing was something I wanted to be part of, so finally I walked into her office and asked

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RIGHT: SWM directors Lisa Praschma (left) and Linda Stonier. her when I could start.”

Lisa’s history includes a stint in London with Citibank and several years with the Nedbank financial planning division in Pietermaritzburg.

While Linda has a Master’s

Three things that make Stone Wealth Management different: “Expertise,” says Linda. “Our advice team have degrees as well as the CFP qualification, which is equivalent to an honours degree. Our premise is that doctors can’t practice medicine without a degree and the same should apply to financial planners – although this is sadly not the case.” “Independence,” says Lisa. “We are fiercely independent and not aligned to any specific product, unlike so many other wealth/financial planning or corporate practices. “Trust,” says Linda. “We have a 99% client retention rate, because for us it’s all about being the most trusted wealth management practice in the country.”

degree in Tax, both Lisa and Linda are CFP (certified financial planner) wealth managers, but Lisa says she thrives on the operational and accounting side of the business while Linda concentrates on the legal, advisory and marketing side.

“We do have separate roles, but we are very interlinked and work together closely on day-

how even the most professional qualified people have very messy financial affairs. “You’ll find their situation has largely come about by default rather than design and our job is to streamline all that and make it easier and better.”

With the company on track to reach an AUM (book value) of R2,5-billion by next year,

Our principle role is to assist our clients with the creation of wealth during their lifetime and then the ordinary management and distribution of such, after they retire to-day decisions,” says Linda.

“Our differentiating factor is that we are one of the few practices which has the financial IQ to deal with high-level planning requirements that adds value across investment, retirement, tax and estate planning.”

“It’s all about trust,” they say.

“We mine deep to make sure we understand our clients’ affairs and the challenge is always to help them achieve control and peace of mind.”

Lisa says you’d be surprised

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it’s hard to imagine that both women have big families and busy lifestyles.

Linda is married to Richard and is the mother of two sets of twins (15 and three-year-olds), and has just finished writing a book on financial planning aimed at the general public.

Lisa is married to Paul and loves running, going to gym, reading, cooking and spending time with her three children who are six, 15 and 18.  www.stonewealthmanagement.co.za

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nostalgia*

pictures makaranga gardens and supplied

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n the western edge of Kloof, between Everton Road and the old railway, lies a little hidden valley. The address is 1A Igwababa (“pied crow”) Road. This lovely spot is home to the Makaranga Botanical Gardens.

The name Makaranga comes from the wild poplar trees, Macaranga capensis, which grow in the valley. But it is also the name of the African people among whom Danna Flack grew up in the eastern highlands of the old Rhodesia. Danna and her husband “Chick” conceived and developed the idea of creating a peaceful and comforting environment, especially for people with disabilities. When Leslie Riggall’s Fern Valley Botanical Gardens, established in 1976, came on the market almost 20 years ago, they were able to acquire the site. Chick Flack’s memorial now stands in a quiet corner of the gardens.

The Flacks imported many tons of original sculpture, created by talented Shona artists in Zimbabwe. These remarkable works are displayed all over the gardens, often supported by brief

SECRET VALLEY Robin Lamplough takes a closer look at the story behind the beautiful Makaranga Botanical Gardens biographical details of individual sculptors. They make a striking and abiding display of the talents of Africa in a splendid setting of largely indigenous flora, fauna and bird-life. But, if sculpture is not your thing, you can amble for hours along well-made paths through an aloe garden, a cycad garden and even a Japanese garden – all in the same few hectares.

It soon became clear to the Flacks, however, that the original concept of providing a healing environment could not survive alone. It was essential to develop an infrastructure which would fund the maintenance and development of the gardens. And so it was that other amenities were gradually added. A lodge was built, a conference centre, wedding venues and a spa, as well as a restaurant, a coffee shop, a pool and a children’s playground.

The result was of benefit also to the wider community, the growth of the complex created much-needed jobs. Today the gardens have, in addition to a full-time horticulturalist, over 90 permanent employees – 25 of them in the gardens – and almost 30 casual workers. A memorial to Makaranga’s first horticulturalist stands in the grounds he tended.

Some visitors to the gardens, however, may have little

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LEFT: Chick and Danna Flack.

FAR LEFT AND BELOW: Showcasing the beautiful Makaranga grounds.

BELOW LEFT: One of Chick’s favourite Shona sculptures.

interest for culture or botanical excursions. They prefer to visit the swimming pool, with its large notice that there is no lifeguard on duty. Or they relax on comfortable chairs, watching their children gambol on the lawns or on the playground. Makaranga’s meals have received praise for their quality and huge variety. The TripAdvisor service, which assesses venues by balancing visitors’ reported plaudits and brickbats, has on this basis awarded the gardens a Certificate of Excellence.

And the development is not yet over. Danna says the next project is to establish a well-being centre, with a homeopathic physician in

attendance. It is intended that eventually the centre will offer a variety of ancillary services to promote personal health, and that this new complex will be in operation by mid-2019.

Reminiscing, Danna tells the story of a man who visited the gardens, literally on his death-bed. The patient’s son had flown down from East Africa to see his father for the last time. He pushed the invalid’s bed along the pathways through the luxuriant growth. And, that day, it seemed that all the old man’s favourite birds had turned out in numbers to give him a special farewell.

Perhaps you owe Makaranga Gardens a visit. You won’t regret it.

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’ve just sold a painting at the Talloula Gallery in Botha’s Hill and I can’t wait to find out who bought it and where it’s going,” says Kim Pereira. “It’s like someone has invested in a little piece of my soul.”

She’s been working full time as an artist for four years, but Kim still feels as excited about each sale as if it was the first one. “I suppose it’s because I put so much of myself into my work and paint what I love, not what I think is going to sell. So when someone likes what I do I get very excited and emotional.”

As her three boys – 14-yearold twins Ethan and Josh and 17-year-old Luke – try to curb their holiday enthusiasm Kim shows me the little studio where she creates her magic. It’s attached to the kitchen of the Cowies Hill home where she’s mostly lived since marrying her high school sweetheart Robert.

Kim started off her professional life working for architects in her home-town of Ramsgate on the south coast, before studying for her architectural technologist degree at the then Natal Technikon.

When her first child arrived, she decided it was time to work for herself from home so she could integrate career and motherhood. As her kids grew up and she had a little more time on her hands, she joined a weekly art class with her cousin, well-known Durban artist Dee Donaldson.

“I did art at school and loved it, but my family said I couldn’t make money from it,” she explains. “I also wanted to be a teacher, but I stutter so I

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LEFT: Kim Pereira at her home studio in Cowies Hill. Picture: Debbie Reynolds BELOW: One of Kim’s paintings.

TEACH, PAINT, LOVE Architectural technologist, mother, teacher and artist Kim Pereira has filled her life’s canvas with colour, creativity and courage, writes Debbie Reynolds

was told that wouldn’t be good for me either.”

Today, eight years after starting her art classes, Kim is an acclaimed full-time artist who has exhibited at art galleries around KwaZulu-Natal.

“A lot of my work is on a commission basis, but I love creating my own work for exhibitions,” she says. “I’m inspired by light and dark, reflections, seascapes, people and places and I work mostly in oils.”

She describes her signature work as layered loose contemporary, usually always built from an acrylic-base rather than a plain white canvas.

“I like to challenge myself, so lately I have been playing in a more contemporary way using digital devices. If I keep doing things the same way I get bored which is why I like to reinvent my work and move out of my comfort zone.”

She also keeps up to date with regular art workshops and teaches twice a week at her home studio and at Studio 3 at Durban’s Point. “I love teaching and I also do art therapy workshops at Brookdale Health Hydro in Nottingham Road.”

Her dream is to introduce her work to the rest of South Africa and to encourage budding artists to follow their aspirations.

“It’s never too late to try something new and follow your heart.”  www.kimpereiraart.co.za

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*advertorial

GETTING B-BBEE TO WORK FOR YOU EduPower Skills Academy unlocks potential in each learner and maximises B-BBEE compliance results

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EduPower is committed to putting its clients’ B-BBEE investments to work and delivers on the real intent of B-BBEE by creating relevant opportunities for the unemployed, low skilled and vulnerable people of South Africa. If you would like to be part of the change that EduPower is delivering, please visit www.edupowersa.co.za or give the EduPower team a call on 031 538 1888.

s your business dependent on being B-BBEE compliant? Are you struggling to compete? Are you achieving the 20 points on your scorecard that are available for skills development?

According to Rajan Naidoo, it’s a reality that while many business owners will answer yes to the first two questions, they do not realise the full allocation of skills development points. “For various reasons, many companies struggle to meet the B-BBEE requirements for unemployed and disabled learnerships, and thus miss out on these valuable points on their scorecards.”

Rajan heads up a Durban-based training academy called EduPower. Due to its focus on providing quality learnerships for people with disabilities, this company has been helping South African businesses improve their B-BBEE ratings through skills development.

“EduPower has more than 20 years’ experience in providing training for South Africa’s youth whilst also maximising results for B-BBEE compliance,” Rajan explains. “More importantly though, the investment our clients make helps us transform the lives of unemployed South Africans – as it allows us to provide practical skills and a solid foundation off which

our learners can build sustainable careers.”

In pursuit of maximising the potential of its learners, EduPower has pioneered many firsts in the skills development industry. It is one of the only training facilities to offer fully hosted training – where learners attend the academy from Monday to Friday and “work” regular working hours. In addition, EduPower’s learners don’t work on simulations, they work directly with customers.

“We have a 180-seat experiential contact centre and we source live campaigns from the market so that our learners have the opportunity to gain essential, practical experience that is relevant to the job market,” says Rajan.

And in another first for the industry, EduPower has recently introduced NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) for each of its learners. Working with a leading NLP practitioner, this course is aimed at unlocking the unique potential of each learner.

Rajan comments: “Our aim is to transform our learners so that they are employable. We do this by developing their full potential – through experiential skills, through ongoing learning and now through NLP. This helps our learners reclaim their hope and dignity, and the change this brings to their lives – especially those people with disabilities – is profound.”

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advertorial*

Boy-centric teaching and learning across the academic spectrum caters for energetic and curious young minds ready to take on the world, and is a fundamental part of Highbury’s ethos

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t the Media Centre, Robotics is built into lessons with the help of iPads, coding and the boys’ own wonderful imaginations. “I am always surprised at what the boys come up with and put together,” says teacher Lisa van Bronckhorst. “I keep telling them that design is a process, and encourage them to question everything. How do we fix this?

How can we make it better?” There are no desks cluttering up this room, just lots of floor space to spread out Lego and other more traditional building materials. It is clear to see the boys are engaged and happy. And what’s more – they all come up with different solutions to the same problem.

DIRTY FEET ARE HAPPY FEET “We have found that boys respond very well to the hands-on practical aspects of Lego, and often find creative and innovative solutions to problems,” says IT Integrator Lara Minietti. “STEAM/ DREAM/Robotics is a step-up programme that begins in Grade R with the use of Bee-Bots to teach simple coding. We progress through with simple machine sets that teach the basics of engineering principles of pulleys, levers etc. From there we move on to the Lego WeDo 2.0 robotics and then to the EV3 robot – which build on the engineering principles and incorporates more coding on an advanced level.”

Highbury teachers know boys and what they respond to, providing them with more activity, competition and creative ways of learning. “Intelligence is not fixed, you ‘become’ smart,” says Belinda Willows, Head of Foundation Phase. “Our boys choose to do hard things to challenge themselves. If they fail, they try again and do better.”

With beautiful, vast open spaces, Highbury is a massive playground. The boys have lots of movement breaks during the day – whether it’s on the jungle gym, trampoline, sensory path

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been inspired to develop,” says Grade 4 teacher Kerri Peatt.

Enrichment and extension go hand in hand. Jolene Goveia runs the Senior Primary Enrichment Club, an extra-curricular activity for boys who want to investigate what interests them and feed back their findings to the club. “The questions that need to be investigated are ‘why’ and ‘how’ things happen. The outcome is the cherry on the top, but not the reason why we get together,” says Jolene.

Head of Academic Support, Lea Lyle, says Highbury is privileged to be able to offer full-time remedial classes for Grades 1 to 4 to those boys who need consistent academic support. “Fully qualified remedial teachers work parallel to the grade team to cover the same curriculum, in a way which works through a boys’ strengths to address his areas of difficulty,” she explains. “Our boys can remain part of the Highbury family, experiencing friendships, sport and cultural activities with their peers, while receiving full-time remediation.” After Grade 4, step down classes of remediation are offered in English and Maths to support the boys in their integration into mainstream classes.

“We are also able to meet our boys’ needs on site, with professionals coming in to offer their expertise in our LAD centre (Learning and Development Centre),” adds Lea. “I am truly passionate about seeing boys find a safe and happy place, where

or going for that secret swim to release energy. “Dirty feet are happy feet, and active learning through play does wonders,” says Belinda.

For those finding learning easy, teachers are trained to challenge them.

Belinda explains that boys who would benefit from extension in a certain area are not given more of the same. “It needs to be more difficult. This encourages critical thinking and problem solving,” she says.

The introduction of technology has facilitated further opportunity for extension, such as “flipped classroom” learning.

This reversal of traditional learning enables extension to take place with ease within the classroom for those individuals or groups who would benefit from it. “Boys who are out-of-thebox thinkers often grasp this opportunity to explore a classroom topic further, or present their own extension that they have

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Intelligence is not fixed, you ‘become’ smart. Our boys choose to do hard things to challenge themselves. If they fail, they try again and do better they are free to make mistakes, ask for help, learn how they learn best and as a result, reach their true potential.”

Along with outreach programmes, Highbury also offers a vibrant cultural programme. “Highbury’s 116-year history carries a rich tradition of boys’ preparatory education. Over these years the boys who have walked our halls have not only experienced a holistic education of sport, culture and academics, but have also learned the importance of good manners and solid Christian values,” says Highbury’s Headmaster Roland Lacock. “We are dedicated to educating boys to thrive amidst the challenges of the 21st century.”  031 765 9800 E highbury@hps.co.za  www.hps.co.za

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profile*

STRENGTH IN SERVICE A love of nature and a fighting spirit has made Makhosi Msimango leader of the pack, writes Debbie Reynolds

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hen Makhosi Msimango started out in the cultural tourism business some 13 years ago, no one took her seriously. Today she’s chairperson of the Women in Tourism KZN Chapter, 1 000 Hills Community Tourism executive committee member and winner of the KZN Lilizela Tourism Award for Service Excellence.

As the owner of Ndzenga Tours and Safaris, with its head office in Hillcrest, she employs 23 people and has the exclusive rights to take tourists to the province’s Zulu Royal Palaces.

“It was when I attended my first Zulu reed dance in Nongoma that I got the idea to start my business,” says Makhosi. “I met some international tourists who had come into KZN from Swaziland to attend the reed dance, but sadly a woman was turned away because she was wearing pants, which is not allowed in our culture. It was embarrassing for her and not good for us.”

“After some research I realised there was no tour company looking after tourists who were coming here for cultural experiences, and so I saw a niche and Ndzenga Tours was born.”

Getting into the tourism business had been Makhosi’s dream since she was a schoolgirl at Westville Girls’ High.

“Some of my best memories of my teenage years were our family trips to the Hluhluwe Game Reserve … watching lions chasing zebra and sleeping under the stars at night,” she says.

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ABOVE: Isithumba in The Valley of 1 000 Hills.

Picture: Debbie Reynolds LEFT: Makhosi Msimango’s love for nature was nurtured by her parents in her teenage years.

BELOW: Makhosi in traditional gear.

“I loved visiting my grandmother in the rural area of Msinga in northern KZN, waking up at 4am to go to the river, bath and fetch water. My siblings thought I was crazy.”

Initially discouraged from going into the tourism business by her parents who thought she should be a teacher, Makhosi remained intrigued by the fusion of business and travel.

It was while working in a call centre that she decided she was going to follow her dream. “I apologised to my team leader saying I wouldn’t be going back to work the next day because I was starting my own business.”

She named her fledgling company after her oldest daughter Ndzenga, which was the name of an Angolan queen and means strength.

“Our specialty is cultural tourism, including everything from city and township to the Royal Palaces, the Valley of 1 000

Hills and the game reserves of northern Natal,” says Makhosi.

She is particularly proud of having exclusive rights to the Royal Palaces and the home-stay experiences she offers at iSithumba Cultural Village.

“The challenge has been to raise the bar to meet international standards,” says Makhosi. “It’s important for my guides to speak the languages of our tourists, so already we offer the 11 South African languages, German and French, with Mandarin and Russian coming soon.”

She is also passionate about service excellence and women empowerment.

“As chairperson for the Department of Tourism’s Women in Tourism KZN Chapter, my role is to encourage and empower women, especially those in townships and rural areas, to learn new skills, to upgrade facilities and to work together to provide

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top quality service.”

Makhosi is also using her experience and skills in her Qhawekazi Foundation to provide free training to women and youth in tourism-related businesses. “There is so much to do to be compliant in this industry that sometimes it’s nice to just get a helping hand and a breather.

“I remember my difficulties starting as one of the first black women tour operators in a very male-dominated industry where no one took me seriously and thought I could never succeed,” she says. “I am proud to have proved them wrong.”

A single mom to two daughters, aged four and nine, Makhosi is also studying tourism management and says most of her spare time is spent keeping up with the everevolving tourism industry, especially digital transformation.  www.ndzengatours.com

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on trend*

PLANT POWER The trend is plant-based foods … the time is now

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ccording to John Parker from The Economist, 2019 is “The Year of the Vegan”. The plant-based wholefood (PBWF) revolution has skyrocketed in popularity over the last couple of years due to the increasing number of vegans, vegetarians and flexitarians.

The mindful consumer seeks more than fads, they are wanting genuine ways to eat better for health, longevity, sustainability, animal welfare and the planet.

According to Nestle, the plant-based food market is expected to reach $5,2-billion worldwide by 2020.

The PBWF trend also emphasises organic, fresh, whole ingredients with minimal processed foods – hence the buzzword … eating clean!

When choosing a plant-based diet, pay particular attention to your protein intake. The protein in meat, fish and chicken is complete protein, meaning it contains the nine essential amino acids required by our bodies. Plants however, contain less amino acids than meat, fish or chicken, and the amino acid profile is different, containing less of the essential amino acids. Therefore, it is important to eat a variety of plant-based proteins in order to ensure you are getting a mix of amino acids.

Plant-based proteins include various beans, pulses, nuts, seeds, tofu, edamame beans, hemp, nut milks, mushrooms, temphe (unprocessed/NGM), legumes, nuts and some leafy vegetables. It is worth considering a good plantbased (pea/rice/hemp) protein powder to supplement your diet.

PLANT-BASED PICKS FOR 2019 Mushrooms: From the humble white button to the superpowered adaptogenic variety, muhrooms are the “it” food for 2019. They have a natural savoury flavour, which makes them the perfect choice for people who recently converted to veganism and are seeking plant

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based alternatives to their old favourite foods. Mushrooms are versatile – being used in stir-fries and to even substitute burgers – and new this year are mushrooms being used to create tasty snacks like mushroom biltong. Woolworths, R29,99.  Cauliflower: The incredibly versatile cauliflower is a satiating low-calorie, low-carb, high fibre way to bulk up any meal or snack, and can transform into endless varieties of comfort foods. In 2019, expect to see cauliflower trending in fried rice, pizza crust, cauliflower steaks, whole roasted cauliflower heads and even sweet cauliflower smoothies. This culinary chameleon will make eating your vegetables fun this year, and will be a hot favourite when eating out.

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Love yourself enough to live a healthy lifestyle

cooks and tastes like a fresh beef burger, has all the juicy, meat deliciousness of a traditional burger, but comes with the benefits of a plant-based meal. The Beyond Burger® packs 20g of plant-based protein and has no GMOs, soy or gluten. Available from Oh My Soul Café, R130 a pack of two patties E veganprotein.co.za Fish-style Fillets: New from the Fry Family Food Co are Fishstyle Fillets which are a sustainable and healthier way to enjoy a nutritious and convenient product that tastes like fish, has the same texture and can be cooked in the same way. Coated in a golden crispy batter, they are a source of protein, contain fibre and are cholesterol free and non-GMO. The fillets also contain added flaxseed oil, a source of omega-3. Available in the frozen section of all major retailers, R39,99. www.fryfamilyfood.com/za PLANT-BASED RESTAURANTS TO TRY CONSCIOUS CAFÉ, H 24B Old Main Road, Hillcrest.

CHILLIPLUM BISTRO, H Corner York & Clifton Roads,

Clifton Park, Gillitts.

INCREASE YOUR KNOWLEDGE Books: SIMPLE GREEN MEALS, Jen Hansard, Exclusive Books, R388. THE 28-DAY VEGAN PLAN, Kim-Julie Hansen, Exclusive Books, R368. VEGAN EASY, Denise Smart, Exclusive Books, R267.

Podcasts: SPOTIFY: Deliciously Ella. How to get a balanced Vegan Diet. SPOTIFY: The Rich Roll Podcast. James Aspey. Eat Plants not Animals.

Netflex Documetaries: What the Health; Forks over Knives; and The Cowspiracy Cookbook.

 Oat milk: In addition to the popular almond and rice milks, oat milk is the milk substitute of 2019. It has a natural sweetness without adding any refined sugar, and is super thick and creamy. Oat Drink is a popular dairy alternative amongst baristas, as its taste and texture blends seamlessly into Americanos and lattes. It froths just as well as dairy milk, making it the perfect choice for cappuccinos, macchiatos and flat whites. Rude Health Oat Drink, available from Sprigs in Kloof, R59,95  www.wellnesswarehouse.com NEW PLANT-BASED PRODUCTS  Beyond Burger: Africa’s plant-based protein product leader, Infinite Foods, has recently launched a plant-based Beyond Burger in South Africa. The world’s first plant-based burger that looks,

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decor*

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TAKE YOUR

WORK HOME With the trend for more flexible working and home-based businesses, a home office has become a necessity for many people. Striking a balance between function and aesthetics is key when incorporating a working space into your house story candice botha

FEELS LIKE HOME “The beauty of a home office is that you can add items of comfort and inspiration,” says interior stylist Genevieve Motley of Motley. “Personal touches are definitely making more appearances.” Interior designer Kirsty Lindley of Lindley and Co agrees, noting, “A home office needs to be a space that keeps you inspired at the same time as being a calming place where you can collect your thoughts and keep focused. It should reflect

LEFT & ABOVE: This space, designed by Genevieve Motley, took its cues from the balance of function and beauty. “It needed to inspire me but be practical day to day. The desk from Trestle SA ticks all these boxes.

The various forms of storage from baskets, bags, shelves and drawers ensure that the space doesn’t become too cluttered, and the more indoor plants the happier the space.” Picture: Genevieve Motley of Motley your sense of style and complement the rest of your home decor.”

The key to getting this right is to consider the decor of the rest of your home and follow it through into your home office space. Personal touches such as framed pictures and artworks, collections of books

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on shelves, a statement rug or some striking wallpaper blur the boundaries between home and work.

A PLACE OF ONE'S OWN “The home office doesn’t necessarily have to be an entire room of the house,” notes interior designer

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decor*

Kirsten Wuth of The Design Group. “It can be limited to a work nook or small area of the home dedicated to a work space. The key is to demarcate the space and try to have a bit of privacy if there are children or others at home during your work hours.

Most home office users are using laptops and perhaps a small printer and don’t meet visitors or clients at their home, preferring to meet at a restaurant or co-working space, so the work space does not need to be large, just beautiful and functional. A wall mounted work station is also a great way to have a small, neat and functional work space that takes up very little space in the home.”

STORAGE SPACE To keep the look neat and uncluttered, storage is essential. “There are so many wonderful storage solutions out there:

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beautiful baskets, shelves, hooks,” says Kirsten. “You don’t need to use typical office furniture and accessories or use up valuable cupboard space.”

BEHIND THE DESK An essential item in any office is a desk.

“Your desk needs to have sufficient space for your needs,” says Kirsten. Consider if you simply need it to house a laptop or whether you need a working area for large sheets of paper or files as well. A comfortable chair that is ergonomically designed is another must-have.

BELOW: “For this home office I went for a minimalist clean look and put emphasis on textures,” says Kirsty Lindley. “The raw wood of the desk pairs beautifully with the rich leather of the office chair and texture of the Nguni rug. The natural colour palette reflects a calm atmosphere to work in.” Picture: Kirsty Lindley of Lindley and Co

BANG ON TREND “A pin board or word grid to pin up bits of inspiration, reminders and notes is a trendy and practical idea,” says Genevieve. Kirsty says that black is back.

“When paired with brass, black creates a sexy masculine look for any home office.”

Kirsten suggests using a rug or an accent wall to demarcate your work space. A trendy light fitting or lamp is an easy way to add a stylish touch to your home office.

“Light fittings add some interesting angles as well as softer lighting when working in the evenings,” says Kirsty. “Good natural light is first prize during the day,” notes Kirsten. “Position your desk near a window.”

E Lindley and Co: lindleyandco.co.za E Motley: motley.co.za E The Design Group: thedesigngroupsa.com

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*advertorial

EXCITING NEW PARTNERSHIP AT NEXIA LEVITT KIRSON Samantha Cheesman’s appointment as partner, with Jono and David Hotz, is set to take Nexia Levitt Kirson (NLK) to new heights

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avid Hotz started his own accounting practice with three clients and two staff members in 1989.

From humble beginnings, the business now has a staff complement of 60. “We are currently focused on implementing technology in our business to improve efficiencies to ensure we work smarter and not necessarily harder,” says Jono Hotz – David’s son. “Sam has been instrumental in driving these advances.”

Sam joined the team in March last year, and has in her short time with NLK taken her position by the horns. “We are very excited to welcome Sam as a partner as she has been such a good fit in our team, and will continue to push us to keep developing and improving the business in all aspects,” says Jono, who adds that NLK pride themselves in their purpose to help entrepreneurs build sustainable businesses. “We ensure that we always have two senior staff members who know our clients – so that if one is unavailable or is hit by a bus, the other is able to continue, without having to familiarise themselves first.”

Sam obtained her Bachelor of Accounting Science degree and thereafter her Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Accounting whilst serving articles at PKF Durban. “I qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2008 and went to work in London at PKF UK LLP as their Training Manager in the technical department,” says Sam – who returned to Durban in 2012 and worked as financial manager for a listed electrical wholesaler, before joining an audit firm three years later as the practice manager. “I have experience in both practice and commerce,

which helps me understand our clients perspective and the regulatory side of the business,” says Sam. “Growing up I was always inspired by strong, independent women and by following this career choice I knew it would give me the financial freedom to always be able to stand on my own two feet. I love business and am passionate about building relationships with my clients.”

Sam lives in Hillcrest with her husband, also a Chartered Accountant, and their two children.

“Becoming a partner has

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always been a dream of mine and a goal I have been striving towards for many years. I could not have asked for two better partners to be taking this journey with. Both David and Jono have a wealth of experience and knowledge, and together we complement each other to be able to take NLK forward into its next chapter.”

“It is very exciting to see what the future holds for the business and how it will change in the next few years,” says Jono.

“The new generation has been given the reins to run it, which is encouraging as it shows that David has faith in his junior partners.”

E samanthac@nlk.co.za  031 266 2250  www.nlk.co.za

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motoring*

BOX CLEVER If it’s practical rather than sophistication you want, then take a look at the Suzuki Jimny, writes Gavin Foster

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ffordable small cars don’t often become motoring icons nowadays. The Model T Ford, the original VW Beetle and the first Mini – it really was a mini – all qualified as icons because they were so different to everything else around.

Later cars bearing those names didn’t meet the criteria though, because they were usually just

heavily disguised clones of other models from the parent manufacturer. Despite numerous compromises – like tiny luggage compartments, cramped passenger compartments and, frequently, underpowered engines – the originals survived in the marketplace for decades, but later versions of the cars just didn’t cut the mustard. They’d lost their personalities.

The Suzuki Jimny, first launched in 1970, was a small, somewhat gutless unsophisticated offering that achieved near cult status in the early days, despite its tiny air-cooled 360cc twin-cylinder two-stroke engine and 70km/h top speed. The next two generations, sold in South Africa from the early 80s until 2018 grew in size and performance, but still offered pretty severe compromises when compared to their more sophisticated rivals, and the latest incarnation launched last year is more of the same. It’s also by far the best of the lot, and remains true to the original as an icon. Suzuki’s selling ’em as fast as they can get them in South Africa.

The secret to the Suzuki Jimny’s success lies in its soul. It’s a small, boxy SUV

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PETROLHEAD SPECS designed to be extremely competent off-road as well as acceptably safe and comfortable on tarmac. Where other small SUVs use svelte monocoque body shells with transverselymounted engines, the Suzuki has a separate body mounted on a truck-like chassis, with a longitudinally-mounted engine, four-wheel-drive and a lowrange transfer case operated via a short, stubby second gear lever. There’s no mechanical diff-lock, but the brakes act on any wheel that starts spinning, and allow torque to be directed to the opposite wheel. The Suzuki has solid axles with coil springs front and rear, and its short front and rear overhangs allied with its short wheelbase and generous 210mm ground

ENGINE: Naturally aspirated 1,462cc four-cylinder petrol POWER AND TORQUE: 75 kW @ 6,000 rpm 130 N.m. @ 4,000 rpm TRANSMISSION: 5-speed manual/4-speed auto MAXIMUM SPEED: 145km/h (electronically governed) ACCELERATION 0-100 KM/H: 12,77 seconds FUEL CONSUMPTION (claimed): 6,8-litres/100km DRIVER AIDS: ABS, ESP and Hill Hold PRICE: R264 000R319 900 with 5 year/ 200 000km warranty and 4 year/60 000km service plan

clearance mean that it can go anywhere that a much more expensive hard-core SUV could take you in the bundu.

For most of us, though, acceptable on-road performance is equally important, and Suzuki has improved this enormously in the latest Jimny. Firstly, the new 1,5-litre naturally-aspirated engine is about 20% more powerful than the outgoing 1,3-litre motor, which makes the Jimny a fair bit quicker. One of the biggest shortcomings of previous models – including the outgoing iteration – was that they felt very twitchy at speed.

The new car is slightly shorter than the old, but that’s because the tail lights are recessed into the bodywork and the wheelbase is exactly the same

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at 2250mm. The new Suzuki is 45mm wider than the old, though, and on-road stability feels significantly better. This means that a 120-130km/h cruising speed can now be maintained with confidence.

The Suzuki is still small, the boot is tiny, the ride is a tad choppy and the styling old-fashioned, but the Jimny is still a cultural gem because the factory has managed to refine the little 4X4 without forfeiting any of its charm. It’s now a lot more practical, and at R264 900 for the entry-level GA five-speed manual I’d have one tomorrow. A higher-specced GLX manual (R299 900) and GLX four-speed Auto (R319 900) complete the range.

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fashion*

FLORAL FANTASTIC

Gerry Young and Chris Powell celebrate all things floral with their fresh and trendy Rosehip range story katrine anker-nilssen pictures milo photography

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erry and Chris met 17 years ago at a party.

“Chris persuaded his date to get my number,” laughs Gerry. “All of a sudden I had an instant family with three teenagers; Sarah (now 35), Emma (now 32) and Matthew (now 29).”

Gerry was running the Wetherlys marketing department when she met Chris. But soon after their son Nicholas (now 12) was born, she decided to go on her own. “I started supplying Wetherlys with certain products,” says Gerry. As Rosehip grew, Gerry and Chris bought a screen printer and started printing in their garage – something they still do for certain customers. “About five years ago we decided to start digital printing and manufacturing. It began with a stand at the SARCDA Trade Exhibitions, when we had four umbrellas and a range of screenprinted table linen. Our wholesale customer base went from three to 97. We didn’t know what had hit us,” smiles Gerry.

Discovering digital printing certainly took the business to new heights.

RIGHT: Chris and Gerry - the creative team behind Rosehip’s success take time out to enjoy the beautiful outdoors.

“This move gave Gerry the licence to do her beautiful floral work,” says Chris. “I have always been a very passionate gardener. The botanical designs were just an opportunity to take what I love to the next step and print on fabric,” adds Gerry. With Chris’s extensive experience in marketing and export, things fell into place. “Gerry does the design work and I do everything else,” he laughs.

Starting out at markets they sold bags, followed by umbrellas and raincoats. “I started manufacturing with a chap from Richards Bay, and one day we got a call from this retailer who had been let down by his supplier in India and needed 1 200 cushions in 10 days. Some were embroidered, others were printed. I still have no idea how we managed, but we got the order to them on time, and my manufacturer was able to buy himself a car,” says Gerry.

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 Waterproof Poncho in a bag, Chelsea Blue, R690.  Tropical Umbrella, R690, and Cambridge Parka, R890.  English Garden Umbrella, R690, and Cambridge Parka, Summer, R890.  Cambridge Parka, Peony Ebony, R890.

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fashion*

Clutch Bag, Tropical Leaf, printed on vegan leather, R390.  Umbrella, Peony Blush, R690. Hepburn Shopper, Peony Ebony, printed on vegan leather, R790.  Apron, Pansies, R450.

“Getting accepted into the KAMERS/Makers shows was terribly exciting as all the products are locally manufactured and they have thousands of applications for each show. Having such a fabulous response to our product gave us the confidence to keep going,” says Gerry.

There’s an agent in the US who has been amazing at getting their products into shops over there. “We pride ourselves in being 100% local and creating employment as we expand,” says Chris. “Rosehip is the two of us and a whole team of talented seamstresses,” adds Gerry. “We strongly believe that the answers to South Africa’s problems lie in job creation, and although we are hoping to increase our sales offshore, we will always manufacture here.”

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Two years ago Rosehip did a wholesale show in the UK – the Spring Fair in Birmingham. “We had fantastic response to our products and their quality,” says Gerry. This year Rosehip has been invited to take stands at another two UK retail shows, the RHS Chatsworth House Flower Show and the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival – sister events to the world famous Chelsea Flower Show. “We are particularly excited about this, as everyone walking through the gates are interested in flora and fauna. Gardening is practically a national sport in the UK,” says Gerry. “Being in that environment is both exciting and terrifying,” she laughs, “but it’s an honour to be selected when up against such world-class competition.”

Rosehip is all about botanical prints. “We only use our own

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THE LATEST ADDITION TO THE TALLOULA EXPERIENCE

designs, which we print on to various different fabrics. We print and manufacture raincoats and umbrellas, bags and purses, aprons and tea towels, hats and towels. We have recently added a range of pyjamas and dressing gowns too,” says Gerry. “For me it is all about the new – new products, new designs – and seeing the concepts turn into things that people use and love is very gratifying.”

“Look after your suppliers, and they will look after you. Build relationships with them, as without your suppliers you don’t have a business. And remember that every customer is valuable, no matter how small,” says Gerry.

H Rosehip is available at Baggy House in uMdloti, Willow in Windermere, Unison in

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Mt Edgecombe, Two Acres in Assagay and from Gerry and Chris’s Kloof home – by appointment on n 083 250 4486 M A R - A P R

OVERNIGHT, FULL OR HALF DAY PACKAGES AVAILABLE Check our monthly 2 for 1 Specials on facebook and instagram

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61 Old Main Rd, Botha’s Hill 031-777 1586

weekend escapes*

BEACH, BUSH, BEER & BOUNTY Living in KwaZulu-Natal we are blessed with a myriad of getaway choices from the beach to the bush and everything in-between. Debbie Reynolds chose three towns, each with unique charm, which are well worth a visit for a weekend escape

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n either direction from Durban there are two distinct coastlines, the more newly-developed and glossy north and the slightly “shabby chic” south. Depending on your preference, both have their unique attractions.

If you’re more of the south coast type, then Southbroom is one of our top picks. Nestled between Margate and Port Edward it offers a quieter, more laid-back feel for travellers wanting to kick back and chill out.

Here natural heritage has trumped high-rise development offering a pristine 4km of sandy Indian Ocean beachfront bordered by lush indigenous coastal bush. For those who love sand between their toes and the call of the ocean, it boasts two protected swimming beaches complete with tidal pools.

TOP RIGHT: Southbroom boasts some of the best beaches on the KZN coast.

INSET: From Southbroom it’s a short drive to Protea Banks reef, one of the best shark dive spots on the coast. Picture: Debbie Reynolds BELOW RIGHT: Voted one of the “Most Fun” courses in KZN, Southbroom Golf Course has stunning sea views.

For the more adventurous sea lover, a 15km drive takes you to Shelly Beach, launch site for the famous Protea Banks reef which is renowned with scuba divers around the world for its close encounters with a large variety of shark species.

If being on land is more your thing, the Southbroom Golf Club is an alluring attraction for those so inclined. Ranked as one of South Africa’s “Most Fun” courses, it meanders along a nature reserve, coastal residences and offers spectacular sea views with regular sightings of whales and dolphins.

Accommodation varies from boutique B&Bs and guesthouses to country hotels and self-catering holiday

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Fishing is another favourite pastime here and not far away is the unspoilt Cape Vidal Beach where snorkelling is sublime. From November to February you can experience the phenomenon of leatherback and loggerhead turtles at their ancient breeding grounds.

There are also fascinating cultural tours, including a lazy bike ride through a traditional village, Zulu dancing and storytelling. The town itself is surprisingly cosmopolitan with budget to five-star accommodation and heaps of restaurants.

For something completely different, the Midlands Meander town of Nottingham Road is a gentler but no less exciting retreat. Steeped in history it was named after the Nottingham Regiment which was stationed there in the mid-1800s to quell “stock raids” from the indigenous population.

Over the years it has grown into a charming town popular for its picturesque surroundings, arty crafty shops, quaint restaurants, pubs, taverns and country stalls offering homemade gastronomic delights.

Trout fishing is a major attraction with many well-stocked dams in the area open to visitors, many of whom come here to escape the coastal humidity both in summer and winter, when snow often falls over the sleepy town. It’s also a short hop away from some world-class health spas. If you’re more inclined to less vigorous pursuits, the historic “Notties” pub at

homes or apartments.

Up north, you’re in for a wilder experience in the town of St Lucia, hub for the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a Unesco World Heritage Site, and gateway to some of the country’s best game parks.

Here you ignore the “Beware the Hippos” signs at your peril. The dangerous creatures are often found prowling the streets at night and shooting the breeze on the town’s grassy verges.

If you want to find them in their more natural habitat – along with rhino, elephant, buffalo, buck, leopards, 500 bird species and more – a visit to the Wetland Park is a must. There are plenty of options from licensed operators including full-day safaris, night drives and hippo and crocodile boat cruises.

TOP LEFT: Steeped in history, Nottingham Road is the heart of the famed Midlands Meander.

Picture: Dee During Photography LEFT: Cultural tours in St Lucia include a bike ride through a local village. Picture: Debbie Reynolds INSET: A water buffalo at the iSimangaliso Wetlands Park. Picture: Debbie Reynolds the Nottingham Road Hotel has been a firm favourite for its hospitality since 1954.

No trip to town is complete without a visit to Rawdons Hotel and the Nottingham Road Brewing Company, home of one of KZN’s very first craft beers. With brands ranging from Swinging Samango Mango Ale and Cappuccino Porter to Pye-Eyed Possum Pilsner and Tiddly Toad Premium Lager, you’re spoilt for choice.

There are also plenty of golf courses in the area, some of which offer accommodation. For the rest, the options range from cute self-catering cottages and boutique B&Bs to elegant hotels and sprawling guest farms.

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45

Athletes...

DON’T IGNORE THOSE NIGGLES! With this year’s Dusi and Midmar Mile completed and Comrades just around the corner, many Upper Highway community members are in serious training. Partaking in exercise does wonders both mentally and physically, however it often comes with aches and pains.

And what about those niggles? That uncomfortable feeling that comes and goes, always in the same spot?

Training through a niggle should be avoided, as it can quickly turn into something more serious.

2018

deemed necessary. Working closely with you, a physiotherapist can assist in improving joint and soft tissue mobility, muscle strengthening and conditioning, improving proprioception (joint position sense, which is so vital in sports and in preventing injury) and correcting abnormal biomechanics – which helps in injury prevention and also assists with achieving optimal performance.

To determine the cause of the niggle, a physiotherapist will do a full assessment and possibly send you for further investigations if

“Many patients have reported feeling better and stronger at their sport than before their problem or injury after receiving physiotherapy,” says Juli-Ann Riley – who now practises at Meyrickton Park as well as Femina Health.

Femina Health, 75 Old Main Rd, Kloof, 031 767 3989, jariley@mweb.co.za www.juliannrileyphysio.wordpress.com

Unit A1a, Meyrickton Park, 2 Meyrickton Place, Hillcrest, 031 035 1155 info@rileyphysios.co.za, www.rileyphysios.co.za

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COACH'S CORNER

W

hether you’re a business owner or a manager, there never seems to be enough hours in the day. Balancing your team and their needs, as well as tracking output, can be a nightmare if you don’t have concrete processes in place. The biggest keys to time management are discipline and prioritisation. By dividing your to-do list into urgent tasks, short and long-term goals, you’ll be able to allocate your time more effectively. Here are five of our favourite time management tips for business owners: Prioritise Communication Email is both a blessing and a curse. On one hand it’s a great way to communicate, but it can also be one of the biggest distractions – especially if you’re checking it every 10 minutes. A great way to avoid the distraction is to disable the email notification pop-up in Outlook and then set aside two or three periods of time during the day to attend to your emails. This will take discipline, but will yield great results if you can get it right. Conduct a Time Study Do you often get to the end of the day and wonder what you’ve accomplished? A great way to get a handle on your time is to conduct a time audit for a week where you enter everything you did in the day, broken into 30-minute intervals.

Darryn Le Grange shares his top time management tips for business owners

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Set your cellphone alarm for every 30 minutes and when it goes off, enter what you’ve just done. At the end of the week, sit back and analyse what you spent your time on – there should be plenty of light bulb moments. Look specifically for time-wasting activities and lower value tasks that you could delegate to someone else.  Block off Focused Time One of the challenges of being a business owner is that you get pulled in all sorts of directions and unless you make time to work “on” your business, you will forever be working “in” your business. Working “on” refers to tasks like planning, strategising, analysing, marketing etc. The only way to ensure this gets done is to block off chunks of time in your diary to do these activities, and then ensure you have the discipline to stick to it.  Book Meetings in Chunks When it’s time to book meetings, try to clump them shortly after one another. This will not only keep you forcibly punctual, but won’t break up the remainder of your day.  Be Intentional with Agendas Long, drawn out, ineffective meetings are the worst. You have the power to change this.

Give your meeting purpose by creating an agenda and keeping the meeting on track. n 081 231 2270 www.actioncoachignite.co.za W ActionCOACHDurban/

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last word*

S

o now that you’re about to become a pensioner, how do you intend spending your days? Do you want to go fishing? Buy tickets for a Mediterranean cruise ship? Splash out on a Harley and a tattoo? Learn how to successfully grow roses? Well, none of that is going to happen if ElliQ has her way! According to the manufacturers blurb the “proactive social robot for older adults was specially designed with and for older adults to give them everything they need to stay sharp, connected and engaged”.

Interacting with ElliQ and the world is easy and fun, and through Artificial Intelligence she becomes even more helpful by learning what you like and need. Then it starts becoming really disturbing. According to the manufacturer, the R20 000 armless and legless robot “allows family members to monitor your day-to-day activities, and can even suggest personalised activities at the right time”. Allows, hey?

Suggests, surely?

I don’t know about you, but this patronising garbage scares the bejabbers out of me.

Artificial Intelligence – or AI – is supposedly the Next Big Thing, and I heard some expert on the radio a few days ago explaining how it works. According to him, hundreds of occupations will fall away, with machines that can think and make decisions taking jobs away from humans.

Amongst those at risk are medical doctors, journalists, drivers, call-centre operators, receptionists, financial analysts, and – a peep of light at the end

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WHEN ELLIQ MET RYAN Retirement – a time to kick back, relax and work your way through your bucket list. Not if ElliQ and Ryan have their way, says Gavin Foster illustration jeremy nell of the tunnel – movie stars.

This proponent of AI would have us believe there’s no need to worry because the present incumbents in these jobs could find themselves moved up a notch in their careers.

“In journalism the computer would actually write the article, for example, and the journalist would assume the role of editor.”

Bah, humbug! And I can just see a specially-trained medical robot sitting at my bedside

asking a few daft questions in one of those scary, tinny robotic YouTube voices before scrawling an illegible prescription for “two aspirins and a tablet to make him pee a lot”.

It seems that the designers of ElliQ have made one important addition to their wish list of roles that their robot that looks like a food-processor with a touch screen and camera can take over – wife! “ElliQ responds to you – to your voice, to your

w w w . t h e c r e s t o n l i n e . c o . z a

gaze, even to your touch – in ways that go beyond speech.

Her body language intuitively helps you understand and communicate at a deeper level,” goes the blurb. “As you start to get to know ElliQ, she gets to know you and her suggestions grow better tailored to what you might want.”

It’s not clear who came up with the programming of ElliQ’s much vaunted body language, but I suspect it was some pimply 22-year-old male dude with thick spectacles and purple hair.

How any robotic contortions this genius can massage into the way my intended cyber-wife moves are going to help her and me to communicate at a deeper level shall remain a mystery forever – or at least till the warranty expires.

And then there’s Ryan, a companion robot developed at the University of Denver to help presumably older folk with Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive disorders. Ryan can apparently recognise individuals and engage in conversations, and one of the claims made is that he can read people’s emotions through their facial expressions and then mimic them back. I suspect that Ryan’s going to collect a solid wallop upside the head pretty regularly if he tries that too often.

Perhaps the best option for men and women in their dotage would be one of the Companion Pets offered by the toy company, Hasbro. Their furry, robotic cats and dogs apparently react with realistic animal movements when petted and spoken to.

I personally could do with a couple of those for my real, live grandkids to play with when they visit.

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