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KEEPING YOU IN THE LOOP

further into research.” In May last year Alison invited a friend to join her on a walk and shared her knowledge with her, and that’s how it all started. “I qualified as a tour guide for the City of Durban in October last year,” she says. “I think the most rewarding thing for me is the interest I have created in the city, not a day goes by when someone doesn’t contact me to ask if I know about this or can I share more information on something.” Alison’s walking tours are very unique as they have an element of surprise. “I try not reveal everything upfront, I have lots of quirky

and interesting information to share and I take folk to places off the beaten track,” she smiles. “I love how communities have embraced my walking tours – often an owner of an establishment will invite us inside to visit, be it an art gallery, private home, a surf shop, a restaurant – I am overwhelmed at the support I have received. “My head spins continuously as I am always coming up with new ideas and new places to visit. I currently have five different walking tours and many different destination walks – which include editor's choice something interesting and learning,” says Alison. Her tours take two to three hours, with a minimum of six

Durban Walking Tours people and a maximum of 24. Registered tour guide Alison Chadwick “I love doing research and my bedside operates walking tours in and around the city table is piled high with books – I have a keen of Durban. “Living in Durban is a privilege interest in the bygone era,” says Alison. “I made for me, and one I don’t take for granted,” the decision this year at the age of 57 to follow says Alison. “I am passionate about this my heart and my passion, so after working for city and love to share my knowledge with accountants for 10 years I decided to quit my others. Sometimes the things closest to home job and become a full-time tour guide.” are the best, and as they say ‘local is lekker’!” Due to Covid things have slowed down, but Alison worked in the Point area for 12 years. Alison is starting up again with just a handful “Often after work I’d drive around the area and of people. “I am confident that my new venture take photos of various buildings, and then go will be back up and running soon, as I think home or to the Don Africana library in town people will be doing a lot more local travel.” and research the buildings,” she says. “I soon FOR MORE INFO: 082 777 7073; became fascinated with the history right on durbanwalkingtours@outlook.com; our doorstep and started to delve further and www.durbanwalkingtours.co.za about 5 kms of exercise and visiting

Mobile Barista On The Go Sanele Gasa grew up in Embo township outside Hillcrest. “I failed my matric quite a few times, but I kept on moving forward. I didn’t want failure to describe me,” says Sanele, who in 2013 joined an internship programme at the local church where he was given an opportunity to learn how to make coffee. That’s where his coffee journey started, and today he has his own business, Sans On The Go Café. “I have taken my love of coffee and my passion for small business – allowing me to provide barista services at events, markets and private functions,” says Sanele proudly. “I am so blessed to live and work in the Upper Highway area, the community is incredibly supportive.” Last year Sanele shared his story at a Robin Hood Foundation event with over 1 500 delegates, and this year he is sharing his story through Mr Price. If anyone is looking for a mobile coffee station for their event, please support this local talent – an inspiration to many, showing us that you really can do anything you put your mind to.

FOR MORE INFO: 067 138 9041; sansonthegocafe@gmail.com; www.sansonthego.co.za; W Sans On The Go Café

Fill Up Your Pantry With Local Goodies A small business with a passion for all things local, Pantry Box is a familyowned affair that started operating a year ago in the Upper Highway area.

Nutritional Food Operation Community Nutrition (OCN) is the brainchild of a group of friends passionate about nutrition and helping others. Over the last few months they have prepared 4 500 meals for orphanages in the Shongweni area and Valley of 1 000 Hills. Andre Rutishauser together with Matt and Kaz Wilson initiated the project during a time of great need, wanting to share their plant-based, highly nutritious meals with our surrounding rural communities. The vegetable and protein-rich meals are cooked in huge potjie pots over a slow fire in the traditional Zulu manner – with locally grown wild Superfoods and Moringa 5 000 added in, creating nextlevel nutrition and boosting the immune system. Based at the Hole in the Wall “A couple of years ago I started delivering vegetables to friends,” says Debbie van Heerden. “The more we chatted, the more I realised how busy we are. I felt a need to help moms cope a little better with everything life is throwing at us, and so Pantry Box was born.” As Debbie’s children were attending Winston Park Primary School at the time, they asked the school for permission all available for moms to fetch when they picked up their children from school. “Unfortunately this part of the business didn’t really take off,” says Debbie. “We were thinking of closing it down when our country went into lockdown.” But seeing all their suppliers were already in place, they made the wise decision to change their business to an online home delivery service. “I love that we are able to help other small local businesses that cannot operate until level 1 of the lockdown – such as the granny who bakes

{SUPPORT LOCAL}

to place a container on their sports field. They then enlarged their product list to include hormone-free milk, chicken, pork and beef, sourdough bread and also included some home-made meals – all our rusks and the most delicious shortbread, or our supplier of ready-made meals,” says Debbie. “We have over 140 products on offer – from sauces to pizza bases, pestos, vegetables, kudu biltong and so much more.” Pantry Box also gives to our community. “We’ve started a Pay-It-Forward voucher, an opportunity for clients to give a voucher to someone who needs it. Clients can also contribute through us to the amazing work Nation Changers is doing feeding the poor.”

FOR MORE INFO:

083 552 1808; www.pantrybox.co.za

milk, butter, cheese, fresh

GET INVOLVED

Pizzeria in Assagay, OCN have tactically partnered up with NPO Zero2Five – who identify creches and orphanages in the area who are in need, and help deliver the food. “We are in the process of setting up our own NPO called imiFino, and plan to grow this concept into something bigger – including food gardens. The ultimate goal is to empower those in need to be able to grow, harvest and prepare highly nutritious food for children and the elderly,” says Kaz. “The project could not have been possible without the local community donating and supporting this initiative with cash, vegetables, fruit, blankets and masks.Thank you!”

FOR MORE INFO: 072 0843555; info@moontree.co.za; W @OperationCommunityNutrition

KEEPING YOU IN THE LOOP

Make Sustainable Living & Learning Fun

EcoHome, a South African made educational activity for children that teaches the importance of sustainable living, launched during Youth Month in selected Spar stores across KwaZuluNatal. Each EcoHome flat pack kit retails for R129,95 and includes a house, assembly card, 16 collectable items and 17 information cards. “With most schools bringing sustainability into the curriculum, help your kids learn how to take care of our planet and the importance of recycling, permaculture, healthy living and conservation of resources. “Building their own eco-home using earth-saving materials will teach them the principles of sustainable living in a tangible, educational and fun way,” explains Jacqueline McCarroll – EcoHome Director. The EcoHome kit is informative, engaging and easy to understand. While educating children on sustainable practices, it also promotes fine motor development through constructing the pieces and also encourages reading and discussion through the information cards. EcoHome are running a fantastic competition until September. “Find a gold sun in your EcoHome pack and win one of the collectable items for your school – such as a water tank, recycle bins, LED bulbs, etc. Find a silver sun in your EcoHome pack and win R2 500 towards your school fees,” says Jacqueline.

FOR MORE INFO: www.ecohome. education; jacqueline@ecohome.education

Funky Ratbag Opens In Hillcrest Anton Southwood recently closed down his Ratbag factory and gifted the sewing machines to his employees – empowering these ladies to run their own businesses. Now he outsources all his work to the three manufacturing hubs they have created, using fabrics and prints/designs he has imported. A Kloof resident, Anton has • T H E C R E S T M A G A Z I just opened up his first store in Hillcrest. K E P T S E C R E T N E ’ S B E S T and other fun events. The Ratbag “It’s more like a showroom. journey began in 2012. I am in and out all day, but I “We threw a couple of designs have great coffee – so please together, wanting to introduce pop in for a cup and a browse!” a clothing brand that would Mainly doing markets, best engage the Durban culture and with a strong focus on and emphasise a comfortable his online store, Anton has attitude, consequently coining branched out with this the term ‘comfortude’,” says new spot – located at the back Anton. “We had the intention of Hillcrest Centre – and hopes it of a stylish, quirky, funky men’s can eventually also turn into clothing range that would catch a creative space for wine tasting the eye of any customer and put

a smile on anyone’s face.” The infamous Ratbag Chiller Shorts were born, and today the range has expanded to board shorts, golf shorts and smart casual shirts – in a wide range of unique and quirky prints. Big sizes, 3XL-5XL, can be made to order. There are also groovy masks and 100% cotton bed linen.

FOR MORE INFO:

083 578 8355; www.ratbag.co.za; info@ratbag.co.za

Life. Lemons.

Homemade Lemonade A proudly Durban born brand that star ted like many small businesses in the home of its founder, Lemonlicious is all about keeping it real, with an honest approach to life and lemon juice.

“We’ve perfected our flavours, which are all made from only the best all-natural ingredients with no dodgy junk added,” says

Natalie Baitz. The secret is simple: Real lemons, real ginger and spring water. Flavours include Old School

Squeeze, Cheeky Cranberry, Ginger

Ninja and Sugarless Sass, and are best enjoyed anywhere, everywhere and at any time. For a refreshing burst of flavour drink as is, or mix with your favourite gin or vodka for a taste sensation that is unmatched.

FOR MORE INFO: Available at Spars, butcheries, coffee shops, delis and takeaways, oremail hello@zestbeverages.co.za foryournearest stockists

Macnut Chapel Of Love From humble beginnings, the Macnut Farm in Assagay has grown into one of KZN’s premium wedding and function venues – accommodating up to 200 guests with all the catering, decor and flowers done in-house. The beautiful and tranquil gardens create amazing memories for bridal couples on their special day. Hannah and Paul Paine have developed many magical spaces on their property, but one of their most special features is without doubt the iconic Chapel of Love – the smallest chapel in the southern hemisphere. Beautifully decorated with individually designed and hand-crafted stain glass windows, as well as a hand-painted ceiling inspired by the

beautiful Renaissance cathedral ceilings of Europe, Hannah and Paul created the chapel together. Paul did the construction, using pre-loved wood, while Hannah worked on the artistic elements. The inspiration to build this unique Hansel and Gretel-like chapel was born out of the couple’s love for Macnut Farm, a passion for romance and a deep appreciation for the beauty that surrounds them. It is nestled under a giant Pink Cedar tree next to the Umhlatuzana River. Macnut Farm can do micro weddings during lockdown – for those couples eager to tie the knot and unable to wait!

FOR MORE INFO: 031 765 2572, 074 603 0000; info@macnut.co.za; www.macnut.co.za

JULI-ANN RILEY Physiotherapists

Practke no. 072 0000104434 Quality Care Quality Health Backs & Necks Sports Injuries Muscles & Joints Jaw Pain Women's Health � Fem1na Health, 75 Old Main Road, Kloof 031 767 3989 � 1nfo@Jarphys10s co za www Juhannnleyphys,o wordpress com

PHYSIOTHERAPISTS Reg no 2016/258337121 I A'a:!i:e na07200)C640074 Get Well. Move Forward 031 - 764 2750 Backs & Necks • Sports Injuries• Post Surgery• Rehabilitation • Pilates The Gillitts Medical Centre, 15 Old Main Road, Gillitts info @ rileyphysios.co.za * www.rileyphysios.co.za