Ridge 108

FEB-MAR 2019 ISSUE 108

SCHOOL LIFE

Set goals, work hard and reap the rewards

Distributed to the communities of Ballito, Durban North, Gateway, La Lucia, Mt Edgecombe, Prestondale, Somerset Park, uMdloti, uMhlali, uMhlanga Ridge, uMhlanga Rocks, Zimbali

MORE THAN SECURITY Marshall Security offers more than just security. We offer a genuine commitment to delivering unrivalled service to our customers and clients. From residential estates to retail centres and business parks, we are always on guard, so that you don’t have to be.

Marshall Security is now offering comprehensive and compliant security services to the north Durban area.

GUARDING 086 133 3031 | www.marshallsecurity.co.za Marshall Security is a BEE compliant, level 1 rated company. Our industry accreditations include:

“It’s all us” Many kitchen suppliers rarely venture beyond manufacturing carcasses and basic doors. At The Kitchen Studio, every single component of our kitchen and bedroom furniture is manufactured by us under one roof - which means that we are wholly responsible for your finished product and guarantees.

You can be assured that your entire kitchen and bedroom – from door to moulding – has been touched by the same celebrated artistry and craftsmanship that has helped us remain one of South Africa’s leading kitchen companies.

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Cape Town : 2 Highway Park, Northgate Estate • Tel: 021 510 8130 Midrand: 324 Old Pretoria Road, Halfway House • Tel: 011 312 4060 Sandton / Randburg: 20 Rhodes Street • Tel: 011 781 4888 Umhlanga: Urban Park Hotel, 60 Meridian Drive • Tel: 031 566 3412 Durban: 1322 South Coast Rd, Mobeni • Tel: 031 462 7722 Hillcrest: 1 Builders Way Centre • Tel: 031 765 4260 Ghana: 34 Spintex Rd, Accra • Tel: +233 207 591 313

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*ed's letter

NEW BEGINNINGS

A

ren’t we creatures of habit? As every new year dawns, so we have two things on our mind. The first one is getting the kids ready and motivated for another year of classes, homework, projects, sports and cultural activities, discipline, and long hours studying. The second is getting ourselves motivated to lose those extra kilos that have piled on over the festive season – be it exercising or simply disciplining ourselves to eat less and eat better.

The focus of this issue is education and wellness – two must-haves that might be poles apart, but are “joined at the hip” if we want to live a long and fulfilled life.

Leave all the afternoon for exercise and recreation, which are as necessary as reading. I will rather say more necessary because health is worth more than learning – THOMAS JEFFERSON

TALK TO US

salt are the latest trend for your home and health (page 46).

In our festive issue we ran a competition to win a weekend for two at the uMfolozi Big Five Game Reserve. Thank you to everyone who entered. But a big congratulations to our winner Bev Pennington from Durban North. Here’s wishing you an amazing weekend, relaxing and enjoying the luxury uMfolozi Big Five Game Reserve offers.

After 15 years of service, we bid farewell to Tracy Linden, our sales manager, who is leaving us to venture into new territory and face new challenges.

Good luck Tracy.

Until the next time,

E lorna.king@media24.com W Ridge Magazine  www.theridgeonline.co.za

Getting The Balance Right on page 12 looks at the issue of balancing academics with sports and culture to breed a good all-round learner, one who is disciplined, determined, driven to succeed, and goal orientated. Two other issues discussed are whether to choose a co-ed school or single sex school (page 18); and screen addiction (26), a growing concern for parents.

Getting healthier, fitter and embracing all-round wellness is on everyone’s lips at this time of the year, so turn to page 42 for some inspiration to kick you into gear. Tied in with this, the benefits of pink Himalayan

RECEIVE YOUR FREE DIGITAL COPY OF THE RIDGE MAGAZINE www.mysubs.co.za/magazine/the-ridge Simply log on and register to receive your complimentary digital copy or view past issues. 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 Lorna King DESIGNER Kyle Griffin SALES CONSULTANT Lynda Kapsimalis (082 379 9912) DISTRIBUTION Mphumzeni Thusi Enquiries: sumayia.khan@media24.com ACCOUNTS Sumayia Khan CONTRIBUTORS Doody Adams, Katrine Anker-Nilssen, Gareth Bailey, Cathy Clark, Lee Currie, Gavin Foster, Shirley le Guern, Jeremy Nell, Debbie Reynolds HEAD OFFICE GM: MEDIA24 PRINT MEDIA Raj Lalbahadur DIVISIONAL OFFICE GENERAL MANAGER Doody Adams

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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 uMhlanga, La Lucia, Zimbali, Mount Edgecombe, Ballito, Gateway, La Lucia Mall, the Crescent, the office parks, the residential estates and, of course, all our advertisers, thank you for your continued support

60 EDUCATION GETTING THE BALANCE RIGHT

LIFESTYLE 12 18

CRASH, BASH, RATTLE & ROLL

TIME TO GET AWAY

26

LOVE THE WILD

A closer look at screen addiction

32

LOOKING BEYOND MATRIC

36

BELOVED LONG RUNS

38

WILD ABOUT ESSE

40

WORKING YOUR WAY TO WELLNESS

42

WE ALSO PUBLISH ...

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Running to make a difference

Getting to the root of Trevor Steyn

Achieving peak wellness in 2019

THE OUTLOOK IN 2019 Looking ahead in the property market

56 58

A special wildlife experience

60

The VW Touareg

FAST FORWARD TO THE SILVER SCREEN

Odette Francesconi talks about NewBridge The ABC logo is a valued seal of trust, providing measurement, compliance and auditing services which protects the way advertising is traded. The Ridge is ABC audited and certified.

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Affordable accommodation up the North Coast

AS GOOD AS IT GETS

COMMUNITY Jailoshini Naidoo in the spotlight

INSPIRED TO WORK

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Helping children reach their full potential

DIGITAL DETOX

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Fresh and innovative office decor

Co-ed or same sex schools: the debate continues Published by Media24, Armstrong House, Suite 1, 94 Armstrong Avenue, La Lucia. 031 584 7008 www.famouspublishing.co.za Printed by CTP Printers, Cape Town Managed distribution by Vibrant Direct

COMFY, UNIQUE & TIMELESS Stylish and comfortable kid’s clothing

For a healthy lifestyle, the right balance starts at school

THE CHOICE IS YOURS Fa mou s P u bl i s h i n g

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REGULARS ED’S LETTER 1 TAKE NOTE 6 HOT HAPPENINGS 9 SEEN AROUND 10 TRENDING 46 LAST WORD 64

ADVERTORIALS BB Squares Vega School Stone Wealth Management

15 30 41

* ON THE COVER: Embracing culture at Durban Girls’ College

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P R I V A T E

E S T A T E

RAINMAKER 11|19

SIBAYA

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

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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

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take note*

ou Keeping yp in the loo Book Launch: Strelitzias Of The World It was standing room only when Strelitzias of the World, a publication from Durban Botanic Gardens Trust, was launched at the end of last year.

UKZN botany’s Professor Himansu (Snowy) Baijnath recalled his excitement as a child when cut strelitzia leaves were brought home to deck tables for a celebration. His co-author is journalist and researcher Patricia McCracken, and the design came from artist and photographer Clinton Friedman, with several local botanical artists contributing illustrations.

LEFT: Team Strelitzia, from left: Clinton Friedman, Professor Himansu Baijnath, contributing botanical artist Angela Beaumont, Patricia McCracken, contributing botanical artist Fransie Pretorius, Keith Kirsten and Professor Donal McCracken of the Durban Botanic Gardens Trust Heritage Committee. Tim Lubbe BELOW: Co-authors Himansu Baijnath and Patricia McCracken. Clinton Friedman

Celebrity garden guru Keith Kirsten officially launched the book in a rousing speech that had everyone on their feet.

Durban’s familiar bird of paradise flowers and wild banana trees are both members of a small but fascinating strelitzia family. It has eight main members: six in southern Africa, the traveller’s palm in Madagascar, and the big palulu in the upper Amazon.

This lavishly illustrated, informative and entertaining book profiles the adventures and history surrounding these extraordinary plants. It investigates scientific controversies; discusses the plants’ use by people, mammals, birds and insects; and surveys how they came to be recognised globally as one of the world’s most beautiful and desirable blooms.

 Price: R445; available at the Durban Botanic Gardens shop or online from E manager@dbgt.org.za

Know Your Numbers

HANDY PHONE NUMBERS FOR USEFUL SERVICES IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD 6

 NORTH DURBAN VICTIM SUPPORT SERVICES: (formerly Durban North/Umhlanga Crisis Team).

Trauma debriefing: 066 483 8589  NO WATER? SIZA WATER: 032 946 7200

 POISON INFORMATION 24-HOUR HELPLINE: (includes medication, toxic substances snake and spider bites): 0861 555 777  POWER FAILURE: 032 437 5081

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*take note

Food Of The Gods On The Bay Nick Papadopolous’s legendary Greek buffets have been hailed as one of the best value buffets in KZN for well over a decade.

In January Nick introduced his delicious spread at a new venue – Point Yacht Club –

and as always the food is fresh and plentiful with sights and aromas that will drive your taste buds wild. The variety of foods range from delicious starters to heavenly lamb that melts in your mouth, and irresistible desserts.

Delighted with the new venue, Nick says: “Point Yacht Club is one of KZN’s hidden

gems with exceptional views, and the location lends itself to long Sunday lunches.

There’s plenty of secure parking as well as public parking close by.”

The buffets take place on the last Sunday of every month, and cost R175 per adult and R100 for children six to 10 years.  031 563 3877 (weekdays) or 031 301 4789 (Sat/Sun)

Swap4Charity where supporters can donate four quality garments in pristine condition and in exchange, receive a nominal value, “thank you” token for use towards their purchases. On Day Two, plenty more amazing half-price items will be added to the rails.

Have loads of fabulous fashion fun supporting this event, knowing that all proceeds will fund Early Childhood Development projects. n 082 808 6288 T Tuesday, March 5: 9am-5pm; Wednesday, March 6: 9am-2pm P Calissa Lodge, 1 Raleigh Road, Woodside W www.facebook.com/chicdurban

ed's choice Chic Mamas Do Care Chic Mamas Do Care Durban’s first fashion event of 2019 takes place on March 5 and 6. Rails of fabulous new and preloved, quality garments, handbags, shoes and accessories will be on sale for discerning fashionistas who relish a quality bargain.

Besides regular shopping, Day One will feature an option to

 TO REPORT INJURED MONKEYS: Monkey Helpline: 082 659 4711/082 411 5444  CONCERNS ABOUT TREATMENT OF ANIMALS – SPCA: 031 579 6500

 TO REPORT POTHOLES AND BURST WATER PIPES: 080 131 3013  SNAKE CATCHERS: Jason Arnold 082 745 6375, Neville Wolmarans 082 561 4969

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 TO REMOVE BEES: Honey Bee Removals: 084 594 1122  WHALES AND DOLPHINS (beached and well as entangled in shark nets). Sharks Board: 031 566 0400

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take note*

ou Keeping yp in the loo

BEST KEPT SECRET Kindness Can Change Lives Is your teenage daughter or son feeling overwhelmed, insecure and unsure? Join Jane Linley-Thomas and psychologist Paul Bushell every week in March for 60-minute group kindness sessions designed to help children in various aspects of emotional intelligence and personal growth.

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.

KindnessCan change lives.

 R1 000 for four sessions.

Book at E info@kindnesscan.co.za

Pilates With M.E. Why not take care of your fitness and spiritual needs to improve your effectiveness and efficiency in your busy every day life? Certified STOTT pilates instructor, Michelle Emma from Pilates with M.E., describes pilates as a thinking person’s exercise which will teach you to exercise smarter and not harder and will assist you with living in a body you love and loving the body you live in. Michelle offers private classes, group classes, as well as kids, pensioners’ and mobile classes. n 083 298 9527 E me@pilateswithme.co.za

to accommodate your busy schedule. Studio and mobile classes are on offer.

Zulu Courses For Beginners Noleen Turner – who holds a PhD degree in Zulu – is running Zulu conversation courses for beginners.

The emphasis of the course is to give the learner basic Zulu conversational skills in a relaxed, fun environment, while at the same time introducing them to various pertinent aspects of Zulu culture in both social and business environments.

The courses run twice a year (in March and August), and lessons are once a week for 14 weeks. The cost is R3 250, which includes the course manual, a memory stick containing material pertaining to the course, with additional information on culture, and so on.

Noleen Turner n 082 451 4334  www.zuluzonke.co.za

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*take note

gs n i n e p p a h t o H TO SEND YOUR EVENTS

LORNA.KING@MED

IA24.COM

Decorex MARCH 21-24, DURBAN EXHIBITION CENTRE: Come and check out the finest concepts and products from a collection of expertly curated designers and manufacturers. This year’s theme, “Designing for Africa – feels like home” encapsulates the re-birth of the African style powerhouse. Pop-up market on Friday.

Tickets: R95 for adults; R85 for students/ pensioners; R20 for children under 12.

Common & Class FEBRUARY 6-17, ELIZABETH SNEDDON THEATRE: The uncommon combustible clash of breeding and culture pits drummer-comedian Gino Fabbri’s dynamic drumming and guitar-playing against Ian von Memerty’s pyrotechnic piano-ism, resulting in a roller coaster of musical contradictions which will have you rolling on the floor and rocking in the aisles.

Their mismatched machinations sees the “battle of the twits” moving effortlessly from Rock to Rocky Horror, Boeremusiek to Broadway and Country to Classical.

Computicket.

Summer Season 2019 Concerts FEBRUARY 21, CITY HALL: Conductor Berhard Gueller; soloist Pallavi Mahidhara on piano.  031 369 9438

Dusi Canoe Marathon

SA Tour Of Russian Ballet

FEBRUARY 14-16: This canoe race between Durban and Pietermaritzburg features top canoeists and teams ready to tackle the 120km marathon.

E info@dusi.co.za

MARCH 9, 2PM AND 6PM, PLAYHOUSE OPERA: The Royal Moscow Ballet tour to SA will present three pieces: Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet Overture; the third movement of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No 6; and excerpts from Carl Orff’s scenic cantanta, Carmina Burana.

Computicket.

Healing Himalayan Salt Ritual MARCH 1-31, OYSTER BOX: Enjoy a full body Himalayan salt exfoliation followed by a Back of Body Massage using heated Himalayan Salt Stones. Himalayan salt contains healing properties and helps to relax the muscles as well as detoxing the body. Costs R1 500 a person for 90 minutes.  031 514 5072

The Wonder Years MARCH 29, 7-11PM, THE PEARL ROOM, OYSTER BOX: Enjoy a night of retro food, music and cocktails that’ll take you back to a time when hair was crimped, tops were tank and pants were baggy. Sit back and relax with a three-course plated dinner, four retro cocktails and an 80s inspired show – The Wonder Years. Prizes for the best dressed, so get digging into the back of your wardrobe and book early. Costs R590 a person.  031 514 5000

Splashy Fen APRIL 18-22, UNDERBERG: The four-day festival boasts a live selection of local and international music, family-fun activities and craft and food stalls. Camp and unwind.  www.splashyfen.co.za

NWJ Bridal & Beauty Experience MARCH 1-3, THE GLOBE, SUNCOAST CASINO: With over 120 top local suppliers, this year’s exhibition will showcase the latest bridal and beauty trends and introduce innovative and creative themes, products and techniques – everything you need to organise the wedding of your dreams.

Tickets available at the door.

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take note*

! d n u o r a n e Se SEND YOUR PICS TO

LORNA.KING@MED

IA24.COM

Strelitzias Of The World The Durban Botanic Gardens Trust recently launched a publication, Strelitzias of the World, written by Himansu Baijnath and Patricia McCracken. Celebrity garden guru Keith Kirsten gave a rousing speech that had everyone on their feet.

Depika Dwarka, Keith Kirsten and Karishma Singh.

Tim Lubbe Asha Ramith and Sharmilla Maistry.

Tim Lubbe Martin Clement and Garth Kloppenborg.

Tim Lubbe Ray McNulty, Ron Clarke and Derek Griffin. Wanda Hennig, Lee D’Eathe and Niki Moore.

Tim Lubbe

Ca inf

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Glam Movie Premier It was all glitz and glam at the recent movie premiere for local “dramedy”, 3 Days To Go. Guests included Bollywood actress, Lillete Dubey (Best Marigold Hotel) who came from India to promote this film.

nd 1 s a0 160 ff i tar 94 or 031 f s n ll u tio Ca rma o inf

Zakeeya Patel. Leeanda Reddy, Jailoshini Naidoo, Lillete Dubey, Rahul Brijnat and Kajal Bagwandeen. Nazeera Mall, Ruan Scheepers and Kashmira Maharaj. Shiv Ramsander, Madhushan Singh and Akshar Birbal.

Somerset Lodge CARE CENTRE

ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY OF EXCELLENCE, OFFERING DIGNITY-BASED AND INDIVIDUAL CARE FOR OUR RESIDENTS Somerset Valley Estate – in close proximity to excellent uMhlanga hospitals and shopping centres Somerset Lodge offers strict, but discreet, security arrangements, with well laid out gardens and lovely furnishings Short-term stays are welcome, subject to availability Visit our website for a virtual tour

www.somersetcarecentre.co.za

education*

GETTING THE BALANCE RIGHT The experts agree that the secret to living a healthy, fulfilled and productive life is getting the balance right and the best place to start is at school, writes Debbie Reynolds

W

ith so much pressure on children to achieve both in the classroom and on the sports field, it’s easy to lose sight of the other important “stuff” like healthy coping skills.

La Lucia counselling psychologist Simon Brittz says more children than ever are anxious and overwhelmed, especially if they are also dealing with peer and parent pressure.

“We can’t expect children to be adults, so parents have to take a leading role, but without living vicariously through their children,” says Simon. “The best way to deal with anxiety is to begin with the end in mind.”

His suggestion is writing out goals at the beginning of each term: • Two academic goals.

• Two sporting goals.

• Two social goals.

• Two emotional/spiritual goals.

“Then prioritise by putting first things first. Write out what is most important and learn to manage your time. It’s the age-old goal-setting technique – the only way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time.

“So, if you’re facing matric and just seeing a mountain you don’t think you can climb, break it down into bite-size chunks and take the first step and the next will follow.”

Reaching your goals requires more than just determination and dogged hard work. To be at your most effective also means looking after yourself.

“Write out three ways you plan to achieve this,” says Simon. “Look at your emotional, social and physical well-being and address each one so that you are not just focusing on getting the best marks or making the first sports team.”

Getting the balance right might differ according to each child’s goals, but whatever these are, parents

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Picture: Getty Images

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LEFT: Mishe Chitarai, Northlands’ Girls High Dux 2018.

THE WYKEHAM COLLEGIATE

need to make sure their children don’t burn out by neglecting those things that help them cope.

These are the ways parents can help maintain balance: • Don’t overschedule or allow children to overschedule.

• Make sleep a priority.

• Ensure children are eating properly.

• Set electronic curfews.

• Manage your own stress.

• Make mornings calm.

• Check your own attitude to mistakes and failures.

“If parents are anxious and frenetic and in conflict then children will pick up on that negative energy,” says Simon. “You can’t expect your child to be calm and organised if you are all over the place.

“As a parent you must set limits and boundaries, but as your children grow up and you observe they are doing it themselves, you can step back. If you then see they are out of kilter you step back in and re-establish the rules.”

Children might not always ask for help so parents need to know what to look out for, including: •Somatic symptoms – headaches and stomach aches.

• Sleep issues.

• Academic changes – especially poor concentration.

• Mood changes – depression, sadness, irritability, flatness and demotivation.

• Pervasive sense or feeling of worry.

“The best way to deal with children who are having problems is to notice out loud and ask are you OK?” says Simon. “Break the problem down into isolated parts, discuss each part, devise a strategy to deal with each part and help where necessary.

“It might mean the parent phoning the coach to discuss better training options or setting up extra lessons for a problem subject.”

He says by finding solutions to immediate issues, the perceived crisis is often averted.

We asked some overachievers how they get the balance right: MISHE CHITARAI, Northlands' Girls High Dux 2018: This Phoenix teenager puts her success down to hard work and sacrifice, but also strongly advocates doing the things you love and not taking yourself too seriously.

“While I wait for my matric results and decide where I’ll study actuarial science, I am relaxing, spending time with family and friends and taking advantage of the holiday,” she says.

“I realised from Grade 1 that you have to set

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“Our core value is balance and our girls are required to play a sport or take part in a physical activity every term. A wide variety of clubs and societies – such as choir, wind ensemble, debating, enviro and outreach – are timetabled into the school day so that they do not clash with sporting or after-school commitments. This encourages the girls to take part in at least one club or society each term. Music is also widely acknowledged as a positive influence on academic achievement and discipline. Girls learn to manage their time well, and often our top academic achievers are also our busiest girls.”

– Sue Tasker, Lady Principal

HILTON COLLEGE “The modern world requires people to manage and deliver against multiple commitments and interests at the same time.

We believe there are learning experiences in academics, culture, sport, outreach activities and spiritual engagement – but young people need to develop skills to help them use their time productively, at the same time as enjoying being teenagers and making time to explore their passions. Our Grade 8s go through intense training to help them prioritise and plan for their five years at Hilton, which helps boys develop a personalised approach.

– Peter Storrar, Director of Marketing

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education* 70 Years of Excellence

RIGHT: Andrew Sutton, Northwood Boys’ High matriculant and recording artist.

MARIS STELLA

Consistent 100% Pass Rate and 93% Bachelor’s Pass, 2 Pupils achieved 8 A's including IEB Advanced Programme Mathematics.

Congratulations to the Class of 2018.

Top matric student awards include: 7th in District (2017), 9th in KZN and 3rd and 6th in District (2015); 5th in KZN (2014), 4th and 8th in District (2014); 2nd in District (2010) and 1st in KZN (2006).

Decades of Quality Education With a consistent 100% Matric pass rate and Allan Gray Orbis "Circle of Excellence" School for the 7th consecutive year, high standards and quality education always remain at the fore at NGHS.

First Class Facilities Learners are exposed to 24 Academic subjects, including Music, IEB French, and Advanced Programme Mathematics. Fully equipped and state of the art Music, Media and Art Centres, Consumer Studies Kitchens, a modern Gymnasium, Swimming Pool and Astro turf facilities ensure a first class High School career.

“As the world changes with the influence of artificial intelligence and technology, there is a definite focus to change from purely academic pursuits to include the development of one’s entrepreneurial skills and to maximise the skills that are beyond the reach of artificial intelligence. Creative skills, human skills such as empathy and the spirit of perseverance are hallmarks of entrepreneurship, and this is where our new generation of students need to be headed. Team work is another facet gained from sport, and the enjoyment and physical and mental health benefits from spending time with peers doesn’t hurt either. Art, music and dance are equally important in developing the mind to see problems and situations from a different perspective. If modern academics requires ingenuity, creativity, discipline and perseverance, then sports and cultural pursuits should be emphasised with greater positivity and embraced by all those who want to meet with success.”

– Bridget Aaron, Head of Grade 8 and 9

Stimulating Programmes Outside the classroom, learners grow on the sports fields and in the 20+ Arts and Culture Societies on offer.

As they get involved in our innovative leadership, community service and environmental programmes, they grow into well-rounded, strong women.

• South African Representatives in Chess, Hockey, Rugby and Volleyball.

• Provincial representatives in Swimming, Softball, Netball, Hockey, Fencing, Chess, Touch Rugby, Figure Skating, Soccer, Gymnastics and Music.

Music is my absolute passion and I can’t imagine doing anything else

goals and work hard to achieve them. Reaping the rewards at the end of the term motivated me.” Doing well in matric has always been her dream, but she made sure she was mentally and physically prepared. “I played soccer for the school team until my matric year, then decided to give it up so that I could concentrate on my studies.

“I also went out and had fun, but I didn’t go mad and I didn’t give up my cellphone,” she laughs. “Yes, to achieve any goal some things may have to take a back seat, but that doesn’t mean you have to give them up forever.

“It’s important to be exposed to a range of things,” she says. “We can’t exist in isolation. Playing soccer helped me relax, meet people and increased my academic productivity.”

Her best advice to learners is to “avoid trying to be perfect”. “It’s good to have goals, but you don’t have to have everything figured out. Use the support around you and, most of all, reward yourself when you’ve completed a task or reached a milestone.”

ANDREW SUTTON, Northwood Boys' High matriculant and recording artist: The 18-year-old has been singing since he stole the show aged six as one of the three kings in his

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*advertorial

LET'S DO LUNCH Your family is No 1 in your life, so celebrate lunches and pack them with goodness in every mouthful

I

t’s so easy to get into a lunch slump – making the same boring lunches day in and day out. But finding original lunch ideas for your family that are creative, delicious and tasty can be daunting, which is why it’s so much easier and simpler

to recycle the same old lunch ideas every day of the week.

Wouldn’t it be great to change things up with something new, fresh and exciting that puts the WOW factor back into lunchtime?

Something that leaves your family looking forward to eating

their lunch … something that brings a smile to their faces with every mouthful.

It’s time to skip boring and do the unexpected – from light and delicious to rich and decadent, the time is right to think outside the loaf and breathe new life into lunch making.

BB Squares are the quick and easy answer to doing lunch differently. High in fibre, these soft Squares can be topped, filled or toasted, and enjoyed sweet or savoury.

Stretch your imagination and revolutionise the sandwich. It’s what your family deserves!

DID YOU KNOW? People who eat regular, balanced meals are less likely to be tired, are more attentive in the classroom or office. And more importantly, they retain more information – leading to better results.

JOIN THE BB SQUARES TEAM AT LA LUCIA MALL ON FEBRUARY 23 AND 24, WHERE YOU CAN VISIT THE BB SQUARES MYSTERY LUNCHBOX, COLLECT RECIPE CARDS TO INSPIRE YOUR NEXT LUNCH, OR STAND A CHANCE TO WIN SOME AWESOME PRIZES. SEE YOU THERE AND LET’S DO LUNCH!

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education* RIGHT: BONGI MSOMI, Protea netball captain and coach. school nativity play. Three years later he entered the Gateway to Fame talent competition and blew the judges away.

“That opened a lot of doors for me and I’ve been performing ever since,” says Andrew. “Music is my absolute passion and I can’t imagine doing anything else.” But he first had to get through matric, which meant his singing career had to take a back seat.

“Thanks to my mentor and manager, Gangs of Ballet front man Brad Kleynsmith, I released my first single One More Chance in 2017. If I had my way, I would have concentrated on releasing more songs last year, but my priority had to be finishing matric.

“I am super conscious of how fickle the music industry is, so having a good education was my goal for 2018.” He did, however, still find time to write and record his own song, which he hopes will be on the airwaves by the time you’re reading this.

“While I am following my music passion, I will also look at doing tertiary studies, because I know it is important to not be one dimensional.”

He also advises keeping fit and healthy by finding something you love to do. “I played soccer, cricket and hockey at school and I love surfing. You must make sure you look after every part of yourself – and my life lesson is also to stay humble. The opportunity to make someone else happy through my music is what motivates me.”

BONGI MSOMI, Protea netball captain and coach: Growing up in Hammarsdale in a very traditional Zulu family, Bongi wasn’t encouraged to play sport and when it came to academics she was largely left to her own devices.

“My parents were very strict and worked hard, but I had to discipline myself when it came to study and homework. Back then, if you were a township kid it wasn’t unusual to fail a class and young girls often got pregnant.

“I wanted to make sure I got a good education and was lucky to find netball even though I was

DURBAN GIRLS’ COLLEGE “One of the greatest advantages of playing sport and being fit is a more positive body image and an increase in confidence. Skills practiced in sport like leadership, organisation, problem solving and strategy are of great value in the classroom. Being fit has major health benefits like being more energetic and alert, which helps concentration enormously.

However, children should not be overextended in their sporting commitments as this is counterproductive – they tire easily and are not able to concentrate as well.”

– Wendy Laatz, Head of Senior Primary

already in Grade 11.” Bongi had tagged along to netball practice with some of her neighourhood friends and because they were a player short the coach asked her to step in.

“Straight away he spotted something in me and encouraged me to join the training sessions, helping me with the drills so that I could catch up to the team,” says Bongi.

She is now the national team captain, runs coaching programmes and is an ambassador for the Girls Only Project, which aims to create a more equal sporting landscape for African women.

Because of her experience she advises that children try different sports in primary school, so they get an all-round feel for what they like. “It’s easier to teach a youngster than it is to teach teenagers who often are embarrassed to try something new,” she says. “Giving time to academics and sport teaches you time management and responsibility. It’s good to be busy and focused rather than wandering around streets or malls. Being exposed to lots of things early on helps you understand what you want later in life.

“Children do need time out, but if they have goals then they will use their time wisely to realise their dreams.”

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THE CHOICE IS YOURS Single sex or co-ed? This is a question all parents have to ask themselves at some stage, and although it’s not an easy decision to make – your choice should ultimately be based on your child’s individual needs, writes Katrine Anker-Nilssen

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avoid the competitive and confused dynamic which can arise between girls and boys struggling with different things in the same space,” says Paul.

However, it is very important that we understand and take the specific needs of individual children and the characteristics of individual schools into account when choosing where to send our children.

“Some children thrive in mixed environments, where they can have social and emotional opportunities with both boys and girls. Some children make better friends with the opposite sex, and experiences in single sex schools can be lonely and damaging to their self-esteem and socio-emotional development,” explains Paul. This kind of diversity can also promote ideas of gender equality and result in better communication skills with the opposite sex. “This is often seen as better preparation of the ‘real world’, where children will have to have

ingle sex schools are still very relevant in South Africa. For many boys and girls, these environments provide advantageous academic, social and emotional conditions.

“Educational and neurological research shows us that boys and girls often learn differently. This allows single sex schools to cater to these specific styles of learning,” says psychologist Paul Bushell. “Single sex schools can also eliminate some of the social pressures that boys and girls often place on each other during the various stages of learning – this can have a positive impact on self-esteem and selfconfidence development.”

There are clear differences in the emotional maturation and development of most boys and girls. “Single sex schools can capitalise on a specific knowledge of one sex, and

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF SINGLE SEX AND CO-ED SCHOOLS? VICTORY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY: “There is most assuredly a distinct advantage of learners attending a co-ed school. We spend most of our university and work life interacting between males and females and being in a co-ed school allows the learner to be confident when interacting with someone of the opposite sex. We know

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that both boys and girls are taught to respect each other and recognise the value both sexes play in the work environment. Co-ed schools help boys and girls grow in social skills, self-esteem and helps break down erroneous gender stereotypes.”

– Vernon David, Principal

CLIFTON COLLEGE: “Teachers at boys’ schools encourage their students to grow and mature at their own

developmental pace, using teaching strategies that address learning styles specific to boys. They understand the different and complex worlds of the primary school boy and the young man preparing for life after school. We strive to support each individual’s needs and goals. We acknowledge that boys most often are physically active, competitive, and like to take risks, characteristics that are channelled into their learning experience. One of the important

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advantages of boys only education is the opportunity it presents to create a learning environment, literally and figuratively, that accommodates what boys and young men need. We have boy-centred teachers who introduce more kinesthetics and sensory experiences into their curriculum and engage boys more fully in their learning.”

– Barry Mezher, Deputy Principal: Marketing 19

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personal and professional interactions with the opposite sex.”

“Going to a single sex or a co-ed school is a personal choice and various factors should be considered when making this choice,” says educational psychologist Nicola Buhr. Questions you should be asking are: Does the school’s ethos align with yours? What opportunities does the school offer your child? What about cost and distance from home?

Does the school offer remediation? “Every child is unique and deserves an education that is suitable to their individual needs,” says Nicola.

“When it comes to educational attainment, it is not necessarily dependent on the school’s model. Children who are intellectually inclined will perform better regardless of school model, and vice versa for children who struggle. Children also benefit from being taught different learning styles and the view that children should be taught differently does not necessarily apply,” says Nicola.

There is little scientific evidence to suggest that the school model

REDDAM HOUSE UMHLANGA: “We believe that co-education best reflects society and contemporary trends, and that co-ed schools are best equipped to produce confident, socially well-adjusted young adults. As a result we aim to encourage an atmosphere of mutual respect for the opposite gender.

Boys and girls learn to work together and accept each other as equal partners in 20

school and in life. However, in teaching both genders we have to be mindful that girls and boys are not the same. Our teachers’ task is to understand these differences and design our learning programmes to be mindful of these differences, but not limit boys or girls to what they generally speaking can or can’t achieve.”

– Adam Rogers, College Headmaster

will change academic outcome, so placing a child for this reason is not going to benefit your child. This also extends to social benefits.

“Some children flourish is single sex schools and others flourish in coed schools. Having a choice is a good thing, and no one school suits all children. Make the decision based on your child’s individual needs and talents or weaknesses. In our current modern society, we benefit from choice and diversity,” says Nicola.

Research and visit the schools you have shortlisted before you make an informed decision to best suit you and your child. At the end of the day, perhaps the most important thing is not whether you enrol your child in a co-ed or a single sex school, but rather to make sure the school you choose is a good one with dedicated and experienced teachers – as well as great management.

Paul Bushell n 073 200 7219 E bushellpaul@live.co.za Nicola Buhr n 082 854 6902 E info@nicolabuhr.co.za

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DURBAN GIRLS’ COLLEGE: “Extensive research suggests that academic performance is better in single sex schools, especially at high school level where girls and boys can engage in curriculum delivered and designed for specific purpose. Levels of engagement are not threatened within the whole social and self-consciousness psyche of teens. Activities, speakers, enrichment

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and excursions are customised to meet the needs of girls or boys, and so there is often a sharper focus. The advantage of co-ed is the ‘real-worldness’ of it.

Work environments are co-ed, and post-school university experience may be easier to adapt to.”

– Heather Goedeke, Head of High School

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CRASH, BASH, RATTLE & ROLL With a personal understanding of concentration difficulties, a passion for play and a love for teaching, Lauri Adams is helping children reach their full potential, writes Debbie Reynolds pictures dawn rouse

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here’s absolutely no doubt Lauri Adams is passionate about kids and occupational therapy (OT) – specifically how kids can benefit from the science. Her eyes light up when she talks about helping children cope with everything from learning difficulties and autism to sensory processing disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

“I know what it’s like as I was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) in Grade 4,” says Lauri. “From then I remember my occupational therapist being my best friend.” It

Kids need to be climbing, crashing, bashing, rolling and tumbling – it’s how their bodies learn to develop and function properly was this breakthrough that convinced Lauri she wanted to be an occupational therapist, so after matriculating from Crawford La Lucia in 2008, she was accepted at the University of Cape Town where she completed her OT Honours Degree.

Her first year as a qualified occupational therapist took her to the rural town of Manguzi in northern KZN where she worked closely with the community in developing hands-on solutions for its children with special needs.

A stint at a private North Coast school was followed by 18 months in the UK where she gained invaluable experience

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LAURI'S TOP TIPS FOR PARENTS With your child, create a visual schedule for the day of what needs to be done – very much like an adult’s diary – which will focus and guide them and give them a sense of control.  Spend time watching your child’s behaviour, really listen to them and aim to give them your undivided attention – even if it’s only for a few minutes a day. Children thrive on positive reinforcement and affirmation. Find the sensory strategies they need to cope. Each child is different so find the things they feel good about, whether it’s walking, jumping on a trampoline, catching a ball or helping with the groceries.

ABOVE: Lauri Adams teaches children about play during her community service year in Manguzi. before coming back to South Africa and specialising in sensory integration occupational therapy.

While it all sounds terribly complicated, Lauri points out that at its core, occupational therapy for kids is really all about play. “Kids need to be climbing, crashing, bashing, rolling and tumbling – it’s how their bodies learn to develop and function properly.”

We talk about how so many more children seem to have learning and concentration problems compared to “back in the day”.

“It’s true and you can blame nutrition and screen time for that,” says Lauri. “We’re not getting fruit and veg from our gardens or milk on our doorsteps anymore. Today just about everything our kids eat is packed with preservatives and contaminated with sugar and very little is organic. Children are being over aroused, having sugar spikes and crashes.”

Compared to a couple of decades ago children are spending way too much time playing computer games and watching television. Besides the screen light disturbing sleep

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patterns, continued time in front of the screen releases a chemical called dopamine which activates pleasure, the same way recreational drugs do, creating addiction and subsequent withdrawal.

“Sadly, this means children are isolated and aren’t socialising and playing like they used to,” says Lauri. “How many times have you been out to dinner and seen an entire family stuck to their phones or tablets instead of making eye contact and actually communicating with each other?”

Her advice is not to totally ban screen time, but to find ways to add more constructive play and recreation time. With her key focus on early intervention in children aged from two to 12 years, Lauri works closely with parents, caregivers and teachers to find the best solutions

to overcome various problems.

She opened her own practice – OT for Kids – in Durban last year working at schools from the Berea to Ballito. “I wanted to return to my roots and to the incredible support of my parents, Brendan and Tanya Adams, and my boyfriend Gary Hill. I loved travelling and learning, but it’s also good to be home,” she laughs.

With her love for the outdoors and exercise, being based at Mount Edgecombe gives her the opportunity to follow a healthy and active lifestyle. “I love running, aerobics and yoga and I’ve completed several half marathons and trail runs, as well as the Cape Town Cycle Tour and the Midmar Mile.”  www.otforkids.co.za

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DANVILLE PARK GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL Danville Park Girls’ High School has established itself as one of the top academic public schools in South Africa. The school has celebrated a 100% pass rate for 25 consecutive years with over 94% of learners obtaining a Bachelor’s Pass.

Our superbly equipped campus, and our staff of dedicated and highly motivated teachers, combine to provide a multi-faceted relevant education enabling each Danville girl to discover her PASSION, reach her POTENTIAL, find her PURPOSE and be PREPARED for life’s opportunities.

PASSION

POTENTIAL

PURPOSE

CLIFTON GROW WITH US

Grades 8-12 Open Evening Wednesday 6 February 2019 at 17h30 Grades R-7 Open Morning Saturday 2 March 2019 at 08h30 Clifton, the independent school for boys in Durban, invites you for a tour of this unique and beautiful campus, set in the heart of Morningside. Come and find out more about Clifton and why we believe your son will Grow With Us. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT BARRY MEZHER ON 031 312 2147 bmezher@cliftonschool.co.za Visit our website and find out more.

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2019/01/22 9:06 AM

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DIGITAL DETOX

Screen addiction is a real thing with real consequences, and with awareness comes responsibility.

Katrine Anker-Nilssen takes a closer look at its problems, effects and possible solutions

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’ll put it out there right from the start that I’m not ‘antitechnology’. It’s too late for that. Technology is here to stay, and we might as well enjoy all the ways it has made the world a better place,” says Paul Bushell, psychologist and author of the book #raisingkids To Thrive In A Constantly Changing World. However technology and screens have reached “basic needs”

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status in many of our lives. “We sit in front of television screens, with tablets on our laps and phones in our hands. We don’t dare leave the house without a screen for ourselves and our children.”

Diane Pickford, Chaplain of St John’s DSG, held a powerful talk on being screen smart at Durban Girls’ College recently. “Screen dependency leads to addiction, which in turn can lead to unhappy,

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WHICH STEPS DO YOU TAKE TO AVOID TOO MUCH SCREEN TIME FOR YOUR LEARNERS? THE WYKEHAM COLLEGIATE: “Throughout the school, we have a policy of making discerning, rather than indiscriminate, use of technology. While iPads, cellphones and computers are used in classes from time to time, their use needs to be relevant and add value to the lesson. Technology is not a substitute for good teaching and the relationships built between girls and staff are something on which we place great value.”

– Sue Tasker, Lady Principal

REDDAM HOUSE UMHLANGA: “When our students move to university, no one will be there to monitor their usage or behaviour online. So the goal is to get them to a point of being a responsible, confident manager of their own technology usage before they head out into the big world. We encourage our students’ parents to set up rules for responsible use of technology in their homes. A better question about screen time is not “how much is OK” but rather “what else is important”. A more helpful framework is to consider screen time in terms of contributing to a balanced life.”

– Adam Rogers, College Headmaster

DURBAN GIRLS’ COLLEGE: “Screen addiction is a challenge, and I suspect that it

unfulfilled lives. We are constantly distracted from the present moment, and we lose depth of thought and feeling,” says Diane.

“The best solution is to seek a replacement – getting lost in projects and activities like gardening, pets, arts and volunteering,” says Diane. “And it’s necessary to set boundaries – such as no phones in bedrooms at night or at mealtimes – as well as strategic stoppages.”

It is also crucial to set a good example, as digital addictions and habits project on to others. Children learn from what they see, so when they see us on our devices, or when we give them a

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is even more of an issue at home than it is at school. The reality is that this has a bearing on performance at school. Teenagers binge watch series and this impacts negatively on their sleep patterns and of course, time management. Homework tasks get pushed aside and done at the last minute. I worry about reading.

Essentially, time which was spent reading has now been replaced by screen time and this is highly stimulating, but less cognitive. Teens’ ability to read with ease is under threat and even bright pupils sometimes struggle with reading passages because the process is not something they’re practising anymore.”

– Heather Goedeke, Head of High School

HILTON COLLEGE: “A strong emphasis of our approach to learning is getting boys to work in group environments, creatively solving problems while consulting their teachers for expertise and inspiration. This requires them to integrate different streams of learning and develop relationships with their peers and subject matter experts. If the use of technology facilitates such learning, we encourage it. In many cases, however, technology creates a distraction.

Boys are coached about how to use technology appropriately – and encouraged to take ownership over how they spend their time.”

– Peter Storrar, Director of Marketing

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device so we can have our own time, they start to copy. “We can’t make this a children-problem,” says Paul. “We need to start acting like the kinds of people we hope our children will be one day.” This means putting down our device more often, taking away the amount of time we let our children be on their device, and filling that time with meaningful conversation and activities.

“It is also good to teach children to limit themselves when it comes to screen time and develop self-control,” says Diane, who

believes that although it’s primarily parents who model screen use and norms, schools can help in teaching about the effects of too much screen time.

“There is an increase in the number of schools requiring learners to do a significant amount of school work on screens. Even though there are benefits to learning about technology and being able to utilise technology, a balance is important. Screens should be avoided during break times and adequate filters should be in place to prevent access to inappropriate content,” says educational psychologist Nicola Buhr.

“Schools do need to take on responsibility for teaching responsible technology use. With the increase in cyber bullying, pornography and sharing of explicit content, it is vital that schools engage with learners about the dangers of technology and social media and what the consequences are.”

Screen addiction is concerning. The lack of physical activity together with diminished physical social interaction can lead to further problems. There may also be underlying problems such as depression that are being covered up with excessive screen time.

“Either way, it is important to further investigate why excessive screen time is occurring,” says Nicola.

“Too much screen time affects the development, psychosocial and physical health of a child,” says Nicola. Then there is also the expectation for immediate results and effects. “This constant influx of dopamine, from our pleasure centre in the brain, can lead to a disconnection with the real world and its less immediate rewards.”

So how can we set limits that achieve a healthy, manageable balance? How much screen time is too much? “The current recommended screen time per day is one hour for children before high school. Children under the age of two should not be exposed to screens at all,” advises Nicola.

Paul Bushell n 073 200 7219 E bushellpaul@live.co.za Nicola Buhr n 082 854 6902 E info@nicolabuhr.co.za

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advertorial*

VEGA SCHOOL A 21-YEAR LEGACY With more than 8 000 students having passed through Vega School’s doors since its inception, the future of brand building in South Africa is looking bright

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ega School was founded in 1999 by a breakaway group of pioneers, mavericks and innovators; born in response to the urgent need to shift the paradigm of conventional marketing communications.

A rapidly changing world called for a new school of thought and Vega answered that call. The founders realised at the time that technology would have a significant impact on communication, challenging the future of the advertising world, as we knew it. Gordon Cook, co-founder of Vega explains: “It was clear that the focus of such a school should be creative development, critical thinking, and on how to conceptualise, launch and sustain brands.”

With a strong philosophy and an idea in mind, the founders approached ADvTECH in November 1998.

The idea was so compelling, that Vega School’s building commenced in December, and in February 1999, opened its doors to 93 students, sharing the grounds with scattering guinea fowl and grazing cows (in Bryanston, Johannesburg).

A dream became a reality.

Two decades later, Vega School now forms the cornerstone brand of South Africa’s leading private education provider, The Independent Institute of Education (The IIE). The IIE is internationally accredited by the British Accreditation Council (BAC). Vega prides itself with four campuses, with 8 200+ successful alumni and counting. Strongly positioned as the thought leaders and trailblazers in brand, design and business, 95% of IIE Vega graduates are employed within six months of completing their qualification.

Boasting 10 IIE degrees in design, brand building and business, Vega continuously caters for industry demand by delivering qualifications such as the IIE BCom

FAR RIGHT: Gordon Cook, co-founder of Vega School.

RIGHT: Naretha Pretorius with Thina Dyantyi.

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in Digital Marketing, tailored for this rapidly growing field, and the state-of-the-art IIE BCIS Degree in Game Design and Development. Vega is also the only higher education institute that delivers a degree in Copywriting, producing some of the top creative writers in the industry.

Students can further future-proof their careers with postgraduate study options including an IIE BCom Honours in Strategic Brand Management, BA Honours in Strategic Brand Communication, BA Honours in Graphic Design and BA Honours in Interior Design, while graduates who did not study marketing or communication in their undergrads have the opportunity to enter the field by undertaking an honours equivalent study option – the IIE Postgraduate Diploma in Brand Contact Management.

Naretha Pretorius, Principal of the Vega Durban campus, shared the Vega School dream when she and Greg Tregoning (co-founder of Vega), launched the Durban campus in 2003. The campus opened with 17 enthusiastic students next to a quarry in Westville, often spotting the local leguaan. The Durban campus currently located in the heart of La Lucia is the home of over 500 full-time students. “Our campus moved three times since our inception to accommodate the growth. But with this growth, we have remained firm in our approach to ensure ‘hands-on’ education practice, keeping to small student numbers per programme,” says Pretorius.

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“Our foundation of believing in complex problem solving, critical thinking, and creativity as the top three skills required, still lives strongly in our intensive engagement in real-life client briefs, guest lecturers, and industry immersions at leading businesses.”

Vega provides students with the opportunities to rub shoulders with influential industry experts who participate in discussion sessions, seminars, and creative or strategic reviews.

When Thina Dyantyi, an IIE Vega alumna and Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Strategic Brand Communication student, was asked at a recent Open Day what it was like to study at Vega, she passionately stated: “I have learnt that all you need to do, is put up your hand; to pro-actively participate and the opportunities will materialise.” Thina was spotted by Ian Gourley, Chief Creative Officer from Barrows Global and Vega Advisory Council Member, while working on a real-life student brief and presenting to a client. Gourley offered her an internship on the spot, while she was in her second year of studies. Before she graduated, Thina was appointed as a Field Marketing Specialist at Red Bull.

With continuous growth and success, Vega School is looking forward to its future. Prospective students can visit the campus at any time or join the Vega Navigators on Open Days for information sessions. Late registrations for 2019 in-take remain open until mid-February.  031 569 1415 E dbn@vegaschool.com

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FAST FORWARD TO THE SILVER SCREEN She’s the “it girl” of the screen right now with lead roles in a hit TV soapie and two upcoming movies.

Durban’s Jailoshini Naidoo spoke to Debbie Reynolds about life in the spotlight

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’m relieved when Jailoshini bounces into the Musgrave restaurant where we’re finally meeting for a chat. After a good few weeks of my stalker behaviour, it’s good to see her in the flesh, as fresh and lovely as she looks on the screen.

Her reticence about the interview was not because she’s a diva, but because she has so little spare time.

Working 12 hours a day Monday to Friday filming the e.tv drama Imbewu: The Seed and hosting a Lotus FM radio show on Saturdays doesn’t leave much leeway. Add her MC work and throw in a few movies and it’s no wonder she’s hard to get.

But when you do pin her down, you get the very best of one of Durban’s most prolific stars, who also happens to be really grounded and totally captivating.

On January 25, 2019 she returned to the silver screen in 3 Days To Go, a local family drama in which she plays Melissa Isaac, one of four dysfunctional siblings who return home for their father’s funeral.

“It’s a beautiful movie which tells the familiar story of siblings

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RIGHT: Jailoshini Naidoo (centre) with the cast of 3 Days To Go, a local family drama movie filmed entirely in and around Durban.

BELOW LEFT: Jailoshini Naidoo on the set of 3 Days To Go which hit the screens in January.

FACT FILE who pretend their lives are perfect when they’re actually terrible,” says Jailoshini. “I’m the oldest sister who has a complicated and miserable life with an abusive husband and a wayward daughter. Simply, I’m washed out.”

It’s an interesting role for Jailoshini whose real self is so far removed from Melissa’s character. “It certainly extended me as an actress and made me dig deep, which is great because I would hate to be stereotyped.”

She loved working with writer and director Bianca Isaac for the first time, was “charmed” to work with Indian actress Lillete Dubey (who plays her mother) and was thrilled to be reunited with her “old” friend Leeanda Reddy, who plays one of her sisters.

“Working together was great fun and we are all so proud that the film was entirely made in and around Durban, with the family home set in Kloof. From the beaches to

OTHER MOVIES AND SERIES: The Indian Detective, Karol, The Eastern Bride, Strike Back 2.

LIFESTYLE: I go to gym, eat rye bread and drink green tea, but I’ll binge on chocolates.

BAD HABIT: Road rage.

ENDEARING QUALITY: I’m a softie, I feel sorry for the whole world.

OTHER TALENTS: Stand-up comedian, voice-over artist, voice coach, scriptwriter.

the city, it really showcases Durban and its people.”

Another movie in which Jailoshini plays a lead role is Keeping Up With The Kandasamys which was released in 2016 to become South Africa’s highest grossing movie worldwide.

She reprises her role as Jennifer Kandasamy in the sequel Kandasamys: The Wedding due for release in

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April this year, which Jailoshini promises will be “bigger and better” than the first movie.

The shy young Chatsworth girl who only discovered her love for drama in high school is not only an acclaimed film and TV actress, but also an accomplished comedian and an award-winning stage actress, whose one-woman play At The Edge is legendary.

Until 10 years ago she was also a full-time drama teacher.

“I majored in Education, English and Drama at the University of Durban Westville and although I wanted to act, my family didn’t think it was a real job.”

“When I walked into the campus drama department, I knew I was home. I lived and breathed theatre, but I decided teaching was my safety net.”

She kept both jobs for several years, and still managed to work as an M-Net continuity TV presenter.

“I’d finish school on a Friday afternoon, fly to Joburg

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profile* LEFT: Jailoshini Naidoo is an accomplished film, stage and TV actress, and a sought-after comedian. and work all weekend and then fly back on the red-eye on a Monday morning in time to get to school,” she laughs.

The woman with the loveable Aunty Rumba alter ego thanks her role as the “colourful, coloured hobbo” Natasha in Themi Venturas’s production of Jimbo at the Playhouse as being a turning point in her career.

“It got me an interview with SABC’s Eastern Mosaic where

having the audience right there and the immediacy of their reaction that feeds my soul,” she says. “TV and film are a lot of hurry-up-and-wait – you need the patience of a saint.

“A lot of people want to be actors because they think it’s glamorous and they’ll be famous. It’s bloody hard work and fame should have nothing to do with it. It’s a crazy life and if you don’t have the passion,

TV and film are a lot of hurry-up-and-wait – you need the patience of a saint I then worked as an anchor presenter for ten years travelling all over the country and the world. It also introduced me to Durban producer Steven Stead, who I subsequently did a lot of work with and who is now one of my closest friends.”

While she has tried every performing genre with great success, it is still the stage that truly captures her heart.

“I love them all, but it’s the smell and feel of a theatre,

you’ll never have the longevity.”

Jailoshini has the passion in spades and the energy to match.

“Everything I do is on fast forward and I always feel like I am rushing to get somewhere or do something.” Which is why she loves nothing more on a rare night off than putting her jarmies on and watching TV. “Having time out with myself or my closest friends – where I can just be me – is the most delicious and special thing.”

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Durban Girls’ College

141 Years of Academic Excellence Durban Girls’ College applauds the Class of 2018 on their outstanding IEB results. We recognise the hard work and dedication of our teachers, without whom these results would not have been possible. The Class of 2018 has truly demonstrated their academic excellence. Now it is time for these remarkable young women to go out and enrich our society. Durban Girls’ College wishes them well as they embark on their onward journey.

100% Pass Rate, 100% Bachelor Pass, 226 Distinctions 3 in IEB List of Outstanding Achievers nationally 77% of all symbols attained are A’s and B’s 25 placements in the top 1% nationally for individual subjects

Cenelle Gounden 7 Distinctions IEB Outstanding Achiever

Antonia Andrea Grindrod Plumbley 8 Distinctions 8 Distinctions IEB Outstanding Achiever IEB Outstanding Achiever

Tayla Daykin 7 Distinctions

Humairaa Khalid 8 Distinctions

Isabella Laura Hitchings Jackson 7 Distinctions 7 Distinctions

Caitlyn Kiara Rhea Le Grange Padayachee Valjee 7 Distinctions 7 Distinctions 7 Distinctions

Over the past 141 years, Durban Girls’ College has produced independent and confident young women who have gone on to excel in many different fields. Contact our Marketing Department to discover how your daughter can become the next College Girl.

Inspiring Independence. Establishing Significance

+27 (31) 268 7200 www.dgc.co.za

February Open Days

Please book online www.dgc.co.za

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LOOKING BEYOND MATRIC She is a disrupter, a maverick, an innovator and entrepreneur. She is Odette Francesconi, the Head of Institute at NewBridge, an independent educational support and career development platform helping young people to take charge of their future, writes Shirley le Guern

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hen we were raised, children were to be seen and not heard.

Back then, there was a very different narrative. A degree or qualification was enough to ensure a job and a career. But the world is changing and the skills needed for the future are not provided by our traditional educational system. Youth unemployment is already high and we tend to blame the millennials for that.

“Sadly, there’s a massive gap between the way in which parents and these young people view the world. We have to change that. Millennials are amazing young people.

post-school, and post-school and the world of work, is her calling.

Her elegance and eloquence speak of time spent in corporate boardrooms. She has all the stats at her fingertips – 60% of first year students drop out in year one, youth unemployment is hovering at around 40% in South Africa right now, and 34% of young graduates are jobless. In addition, 85% of jobs in 2030 do not yet exist today.

She has been called everything from a disrupter and a maverick to an innovator and entrepreneur. But, most of all, she is a mother and an educator.

Although she graduated with a law degree from the University of Pretoria, she moved

She has all the stats at her fingertips – 60% of first year students drop out in year one, youth unemployment is hovering at around 40% in South Africa right now, and 34% of young graduates are jobless They just engage differently. They challenge traditions. In many ways, they are way ahead of us. They are interesting, well read and they feel fundamentally much more deeply about important world issues.”

Odette Francesconi is head of NewBridge – a next generation campus – which is an independent educational support and career development platform. NewBridge will launch its first campus at Durban High School this year in Durban and then roll out regionally and nationally. She says she has been privileged to stay connected with young people through her career journey, and bridging this gap between school and

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into education after settling in uMhlanga shortly after marrying her husband, Stefano, of 28 years.

“I knew I had to work with young people in training and development, inspiring, shifting, changing, moulding – whatever that meant. I joined Varsity College in 1991.

My life’s work, alongside being a wife and mother to my three children Tamara (24), Ciara (22) and Dante (18) and five fur-kids, has been working with parents and students between the ages of 17 and 21 for over 30 years. Every year, I watched this world change,” Odette observes.

She also grew with her family which is

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affectionately known as the FranClan.

“We are a typical Italian/South African family and our home is really loud, lively and crazy most of the time. Tamara, Ciara and Dante all went to Crawford and the girls then went on to graduate with an IIE Bachelor of Corporate Communications. Dante has just completed his matric. Tamara is currently travelling the world modelling, while Ciara is doing a post grad in Cape Town, and Dante is off to the USA this year to take up a

BELOW: Odette Francesconi, the Head of Institute at NewBridge.

scholarship to study there,” she shares.

The FranClan is also the name of the Italian tile and prosecco import company that her husband started after retiring from a 35-year career. In fact, both are creating second careers.

Odette was part of the Varsity College success story since its inception. She joined business partner, Craig Duff, when Varsity College had just 17 students, and worked from a single room at the St John Ambulance premises in Walnut Road. She then went on to become the principal at the Durban campus and then the region, before

being appointed managing director.

Alongside this, she was also a divisional director and a group executive of the JSE-listed ADvTECH Group which bought Varsity College in 1996.

“The Varsity College Concept proved to be so popular that, over a 25-year period, we grew it into a household name with eight campuses nationally and around 20 000 students. We very quickly outgrew our original campus in Walnut Road and spent a number of years obtaining permission to develop purpose-built campuses firstly at Glenwood Old Boys Club in Durban North and then at Westville Country Club in Westville,” she recalls.

During the same period they built campuses in Sandton, Pretoria and Pietermaritzburg. Varsity College is today the largest and most highly accredited private higher education institution in the country.

This meant she had to travel a great deal. “But I was always very fortunate to be able to come home to my family and KZN on the weekends. I was able to raise my children in the much slower pace of Durban and, being home enjoying the weather and beach and downtime each weekend felt like a mini holiday. I was often asked how, as a mother of three, I managed the travelling and demanding career. Simply put, I had great support networks in my wonderfully supportive husband and partner, super au pairs and, with our children’s amazing other mother and my greatest helper, Rebecca, I got to come home each weekend to our gorgeous city which made the travelling more manageable,” she remembers.

But, in 2015, when she turned 50, she realised it was time for a change.

“I was ready to hand over the reins, step away from the corporate environment and consider getting back to what I loved the most which was working with young people,” she explains.

She has again partnered with Craig Duff to create what she describes as “an exciting and disruptive new education platform in NewBridge”. They see this as another remarkable challenge as well as an opportunity to help young people achieve their dreams.

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community*

BELOVED LONG RUNS Dean Wight runs a lot and now he’s turning that passion into making a positive difference in the lives of people around him, writes Debbie Reynolds

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pictures: francois anderson

unning 15 to 32km every Saturday and completing 27 Comrades is no small feat. Raising over R100 000 for charity is huge. Dean has done all that and more and this year he’s going for a personal best to raise R350 000 for the Hillcrest Aids Centre Trust (HACT).

When he completes his 28th Comrades on June 9, Dean hopes to have achieved this record target, collecting another medal as Comrades Marathon Top Charity fundraiser.

Shepstone and even Winterton. “So, the runs would alternate starting and ending at these various clubs throughout the year with the club coming on board with refreshments,” said Dean.

“I started off with about 80 runners and now we average about 250 every Saturday. By far my most popular event is the Comrades in Three Days where we run the whole Comrades route in three days to give entrants a feel for the ultimate human race.

“This is usually held a few months before Comrades and the runs attract up to 600 runners a day. There’s such

RIGHT: Dean with his wife Des at the Spirit of Comrades 2018 awards.

His story goes back several decades when his neighbour “Uncle Tony” invited him along for a run. The 11-year-old boy was hooked and started running marathons when he was just 16.

In the early 2000s he moved to Queensburgh with his “lovely wife Des” and joined Queensburgh Harriers Athletic Club where he soon became chairman, or as he was fondly known “Our Beloved Chairman”.

It was here that he came up with the idea of setting up long training runs to help people achieve their dream of running a marathon.

“They were unorganised, organised runs from between 15 to 32km,” laughs Dean. “We’d run to Pinetown and Hillcrest and I’d get up really early on run days and hide refreshments in the bushes along the way.”

When he had to resign as chairman because of a move to Kloof, Dean created a group he called Beloved Long Runs in 2016. “It started really small with a Facebook page which gave runners a race calendar and all the necessary information on the runs, which were then starting out from coffee shops, petrol garages and the like all over the greater Durban area.”

In 2017 he was approached to partner with various running clubs in Durban and outer areas such as Pietermaritzurg, Port

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a great community spirit with the clubs on the route helping out with refreshment tables.”

It’s this community spirit that encouraged Dean to reach out to the people around him. “I’ve always loved helping runners achieve their goals but being able to help charities through running is equally rewarding,” says Dean.

His first attempt was raising a very worthy R40 000 for the Ingane Yami children’s home in Dassenhoek in 2016, followed by donations to Durban North charity Project Loo, and then the Hillcrest Aids Centre Trust.

Previously relying on donations from the generous running community, taking on the Comrades fundraising challenge for the first time in 2017 for HACT was a humbling experience.

I set myself a target of R10 000, but then I decided to be more ambitious and go for R100 000, which I figured I could get if 1 000 people each gave me R100. I posted my story and pledged my goal on my social media and the official Comrades website page.

“I then got a call from long-lost childhood friend, Estelle Morck, who said that if I was serious about reaching my goal, she would match it with R100 000 from her company, Jubane Petroleum.

Dean’s final total for 2018 was a whopping R327 000, winning him a Spirit of Comrades medal and the kickstart he needed to take the challenge on again this year, with a goal of R350 000.

At the time of our interview he was sitting at R219 000 and climbing.

“Like you’ll find me running every Saturday come hell or high water, I am singularly focused on hitting my Comrades fundraising goal again this year.”

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 You can donate to Dean’s cause at: http://bit.ly/DeanWight

ABOVE: Dean Wight running his 27th Comrades last year.

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profile*

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hen I used to drive into the office on my Richmond Farm there would just be me,” says Trevor. “Now there’s around 60 people all in laboratory coats looking super professional.

It surprises me every time.”

So how did a surfer boy from the KZN South Coast end up creating Esse, a probiotic organic skincare range that is now the third largest salon brand in Sweden?

First, he completed a master’s degree in organic chemistry under his mentor Professor Siegfried Drewes, who inspired his passion for the medicinal properties of African plants. Then he started researching various plants – initially the African Sausage tree – and his thoughts turned to the cosmetics industry.

“I realised much of the business was not very clean, with many products full of petro chemicals and nasty preservatives,” he explains. “For me the opportunity was to create a brand that was organic and far more ethical.”

In 2002 he started out with three moisturisers. “I was so pedantic about preservatives that initially these had to be refrigerated,” but over the next few years improved and increased his product offering, selling to health stores before tailoring Esse specifically for the spa and salon market.

LEFT: Trevor Steyn has turned wild African plants into a global salon skincare range.

WILD ABOUT ESSE He created a revolutionary skincare range which is sold in 40 countries around the world, but Trevor Steyn remains deeply grounded in his KZN roots, writes Debbie Reynolds

“Everything is made on the farm in Richmond with plant products coming from all over Africa,” says Trevor. “We support a lot of rural women’s co-operatives that harvest wild plants for us.”

Esse is also certified organic, vegan, fair trade and cruelty free, and in 2015 became the first company in the world to launch a live probiotic skincare product, a serum which has “one billion live microbes per ml”.

“Live microbes are commonly used for gut health, but they are just as beneficial for your skin,” says Trevor. “In 28-day tests the Esse probiotics serum has proven to improve skin firmness by at least 16%.”

Another first for Esse was opening its concept store in Ballito in November last year.

“With design by SA’s most awarded green architect Richard Stretton, we hope to roll the concept stores out around the world, probably going for Stockholm next,” says Trevor.

“I say you don’t really know someone until you’ve seen their house, well this is Esse’s first house and the face of our brand, so we’re very excited. “We also have some exciting new products launching, including foundation and sunscreen, and we’ve got some more world firsts on the cards – if someone doesn’t beat us to it!”

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*advertorial

INFLATION Linda Stonier, Stone Wealth Management’s CEO and Head of Advice, shares her thoughts on inflation, the investor’s true nemeses

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here’s a lot of financial discomfort being felt right now with the rand’s current weakness, poor returns from equity markets, and the political/economic road ahead strewn with potholes. These circumstances mean that all eyes are currently on inflation – one of the biggest threats faced by investors, especially regarding retirement planning.

Inflation cannot be ignored, which is why Stone Wealth Management takes inflation seriously, especially when carrying out our client’s cash flow projections. To give clients complete peace of mind, financial plans should build inflation and downside risk into the calculations.

In terms of retirement cash flow projections, will it make a difference if inflation is projected at 5% or 7%? What’s 2%? Actually, a mere 2% difference in projected inflation can mean the difference between you receiving R21 500 a month or R16 250 a month. The bottom line: a 2% difference in the inflation rate can result in a 25% reduction in income!

Average inflation rate vs personal inflation In South Africa, inflation is generally measured as an average of all the consumers in the country. But are your expenses that of the average

South African? If your expenditure is more skewed towards components in the basket with very high inflation rates – healthcare, luxury items and imported goods – will you not experience a much

in cash flow projections, to ensure that the financial plan accurately reflects each client’s personal expenditure.

The way forward If you don’t already have control of your finances, make

Inflation is as violent as a mugger, as frightening as an armed robber and as deadly as a hit man - Ronald Reagan higher personal inflation rate than the country’s average?

How will this affect future income projections? This is why our team may escalate certain expenses (for example medical aid) at a higher rate

it your goal today to take control so that you don’t face hardship in the years ahead.

The first step in controlling your inflation is to put a financial plan in place and stick to it.

There is a plethora of funds

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to invest in, but it’s no use investing in funds with arbitrary and uncorrelated benchmarks that are not aligned to your specific needs. Your capital must be invested in solutions that are specifically engineered to produce your required real (after inflation) return at the lowest possible investment risk.

Once you have a good financial plan in place, ignore the noise out there and remain focused on the plan and your goals.

W www.facebook.com /

stonewealthmanagement  www.stonewealthmanagement.co.za BELOW: Meet the directors, from left: Lisa Praschma and Linda Stonier.

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wellness*

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WORKING YOUR WAY TO WELLNESS We all know that good nutrition and regular exercise are vital for a healthy lifestyle, but there’s much more to it than that. Debbie Reynolds looks at how overall wellness is the way to go in 2019

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he World Health Organization defines wellness as an active process of becoming aware and making choices towards a healthy and fulfilling life. “Wellness is more than being free from illness, it is a dynamic process of change and growth ... a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”

The experts agree that wellness consists of several parts, including physical, emotional, intellectual, social, financial and spiritual health. You may be able to tick a few of these components, but if you’re missing the rest, you’ll likely find yourself needing medical help somewhere down the line.

Counselling psychologist Simon Brittz explains it like this: “If you’re a boat with four anchors – consisting of exercise, sleep, work and play – your boat will stay firm in a calm sea and you could probably manage with only two of your anchors. But when the sea gets rough you’ll need all four anchors to keep the boat on an even keel.”

Influential businesswoman and motivational speaker Margaret Hirsch is a walking, talking example of how wellness can shape your life. She talks about eight facets – health, exercise, your partner, your family, your job, finances, material goods, spiritual life and charity.

“There is truth in the fact that you are what you eat,”

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says the 68-year-old who has never been off sick a day in her life. “I am a vegetarian and I don’t drink alcohol or fizzy drinks, although I haven’t managed to give up icecream yet. Exercise is also vital as it increases mobility as you get older and helps to relieve stress.”

Personal trainer and gym owner Selwyn Rautenbach says exercise is key to holistic wellness, empowerment and unlocking your full potential. “The trick to getting off the sedentary couch is to find exercise you enjoy and which fits into your lifestyle,” he says. “I advocate integrating strength and conditioning

LEFT: Influential businesswoman Margaret Hirsch “paying it forward” by teaching Anna Mhlanga how to make a living from baking. training in the gym with active outdoor exercise, be it swimming, cycling, running or playing a sport.”

He says if you have children, it’s beneficial to the whole family to create a lifestyle that everyone can enjoy. “Take your kids fishing, surfing, hiking, climbing or skating. If you tend to be a loner, you can find a group or club where you’re enjoying exercise, but also being social. It could be anything from a running club or scuba diving to beach volleyball or touch rugby.

“The better you feel and look, the more confident you will be. Small changes can achieve big results.”

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wellness* SOME STRATEGIES TO ADOPT TO MAINTAIN GOOD MENTAL HEALTH ARE: • Good sleep is vital, it has such a huge impact on your overall health.

• Eat healthy food in order to support a healthy lifestyle.

• Get active and stay active.

Exercise is a powerful tool against stress, depression and anxiety.

• Consult health care professionals for support when appropriate.

• Take medication where indicated.

• Develop tools to help you self-regulate your thoughts and your emotions, such as yoga, meditation, deep breathing or going for a mindful walk.

• Have a support system of family and friends who you can talk to and who can recognise when you need help.

The biggest excuse he regularly hears is, “I don’t have time”.

“You’re so right, we don’t have time and life is short, which is exactly why you should find the time to enhance your health and increase your longevity.”

When it comes to happiness Margaret says your partner and family play a big role. “In the old days if you made your bed you had to lie in it, today it’s OK to change the duvet,” she says. “One of my biggest challenges is convincing women they are better off on their own than with an abusive husband/ partner. You have to choose to be around people who build you up and applaud your success no matter what you try.”

With regards to family, you should only work with those prepared to work with you. “My brother was an alcoholic and I tried everything. The day I let go of him, his life got better and so did mine,” she says.

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Having a job you love is very important, it’s such a big part of your life. “I sell irons, toasters and kettles for a living, but my passion is helping entrepreneurs make a success of their businesses,” says Margaret.

Also crucial to a healthy lifestyle is financial wellness. “Clear financial goals are non-negotiable,” says financial planner Neil Evans. “There are only two things we can do with money – spend it or save it. Unfortunately, too many South Africans choose to spend it without thinking about their future.

“Only 6% of people in the formal sector retire independently,” says Neil, so his top tip is this: the earlier you start saving the quicker the miracle of compound interest kicks in.

Clinical psychologist Francois de Marigny says good mental health is essential to overall wellness, with

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DR SUSAN

SAYS...

ABOVE: Exercise should be about fun and finding your own groove … whatever it may be. Here producer David Gouldie, aka Eugene, enjoys his 80s-style aerobics class.

BELOW LEFT: Clinical psychologist Francois de Marigny.

research clearly showing that emotional and mental issues manifest in the body.

“We now know that childhood emotional trauma affects our whole lives and how safe and meaningful attachments early in life set us up to have a meaningful and satisfying adulthood.”

He says good mental health is not necessarily about being happy. “It is found in a sense of contentment with your life, in which you can have fun and laugh and where you can cope with stress and be resilient in adversity. It is important to cultivate a work/life balance in order to build and maintain a healthy relationship and have a sense of meaning and purpose.”

He says mental health is an invisible and often unspoken about aspect of overall health. “Yet in every neighbourhood in every strata of society there is a story of the person who seemed fine and then suddenly commits suicide.

“Poor mental health affects our ability to function socially, as partners in relationships and as parents; our performance at work and our physical health, and can range from severe mental illness to the all too common depression, anxiety and every day stress.”

He says often in relationships and families, one person’s poor mental health can have a negative impact on the whole structure, especially children who can learn bad mental health patterns from their parents.

Finally, on the question of spiritual wellness, the experts agree with Margaret that it doesn’t matter who you pray to or what you believe in as long as you follow the premise: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

And pay it forward. “There is always someone worse off than you no matter how little you have,” says Margaret. “By helping others, you ultimately help yourself.”

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A breast augmentation is nothing to be afraid of, and can do wonders to boost your confidence

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reast augmentation is one of the most common operations performed by plastic surgeons, and while people like Pamela Anderson may have given the operation a bad rap, an augmentation can be an extremely rewarding operation for many people.

The procedure may be performed for a variety of reasons – mothers wanting a reshape after breastfeeding or after massive weight loss, young women looking to correct congenital abnormalities with asymmetrical breasts, or a cancer patient undergoing reconstruction after having a partial or complete mastectomy.

The press recently highlighted a cancer associated with breast implants called anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), which has caused many patients who already have breast implants or those considering an augmentation to be anxious. This, however, is a cancer of the immune system and is not breast cancer. It is also very rare and treatable. Current literature estimates a risk of one in 30 000, and less than 400 cases have been reported worldwide.

It usually presents eight to 10 years after an augmentation with swelling, pain and asymmetry. Investigations such as a biopsy of the capsule can confirm the lymphoma and the recommended treatment is removal of the implant and surrounding capsule. If you become aware of any of these symptoms, it’s advisable to consult your plastic surgeon as soon as possible.

Because ALCL is more commonly associated with textured implants, most surgeons have now moved away from using textured implants and in my practice I am using silk textured implants.

A breast augmentation is still a safe operation which I love performing, as I get immense satisfaction and enjoyment from seeing the final result of a happy patient – a patient whose life has been transformed as a result.

Dr Susan Johnson is a plastic and reconstructive surgeon and practices at Gateway Private Hospital. Her address is Suite 512, Gateway Private Hospital.  031 492 1248

on trend*

LIVING CORAL With wellness on everyone’s minds at the beginning of the year, pink Himalayan salt is a new trend worth considering

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antone announced their colour of 2019 as Living Coral – “An animating and life-affirming coral hue with a golden undertone that energises and enlivens with a softer edge.”

Taking this colour forecast and looking into some wellness trends for 2019, we find ourselves with the pefect “Living Coral” of health.

Pink Himalayan salt is a type of rock salt that comes from salt mines in the Punjab region of Pakistan, near the foothills of the Himalayas. Dating back to earth’s creation, Himalayan

salt is believed to be composed of dried remnants of the original, primal sea. The salt from these mines has experienced tremendous pressure over millions of years and is said to be more than 99% pure. Pink Himalayan salt is chemically similar to table salt as it contains up to 98% sodium chloride, with the remainder of the salt being made up of 84 minerals and trace elements including potassium, magnesium and calcium, which give the salt its light pink colour.

Pink Himalayan salt is used in various ways to provide you with amazing health benefits.

Wedding Trends 2019 It’s no surprise that Himalayan rock salt is trending in all facets, so why not incorporate it into your wedding design! This pastel-hued wellness phenomenon is perfect for any millennial bride, especially those having a tropical or summer wedding in 2019. From welcome drinks in Himalayan sea salt shot glasses to candle holders and table signage, there are a variety of ways to incorporate this trend into your wedding.

Pair with copper elements and lots of florals and your guests will be head over heels.

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Himalayan Salt Lamps and Candle Holders These decorative lights or candle holders are carved out of pink Himalayan salt, providing a softly glowing, natural source of fresh, clean air.

They have an incredible power to remove dust, pollen, cigarette smoke, pet dander, mould and mildew from the air. Purify the air through hygroscopy: water molecules are attracted from the surrounding environment, which are absorbed – with any foreign particles they may be carrying – into the salt crystal. As the lamp warms up from the heat produced by the lightbulb inside, that same water then evaporates back into the air and the trapped particles of dust, pollen, smoke, and so on remain locked in the salt.

The result? Cleansed, deodorised air which reduces allergies and asthma.

When the Himalayan salt lamp heats up and begins its hygroscopic cycling of airborne particles, it also changes the charge of the molecules which are released. Our homes are filled with positively charged ions which are not good for our health. As a Himalayan pink salt lamp absorbs water and particles from the air, it also absorbs positive ions. When the heated salt releases cleansed water vapour back into the air, it also expels negative ions, which results in increased energy levels, better breathing, enhanced sleep, neutralised electro-magnetic radiation, improved concentration, mood and immune system.

Available from Add To Your Health, Flanders Mall, Mount Edgecombe, from R350 to R520

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The cure for anything is salt water – sweat, tears or the sea

Himalayan Pink Salt Block Heard of the wonders of the Himalayan Pink Salt Block? Not only do these colourful prehistoric crystals make healthier, tastier and more interesting meals, they are also totally intriguing and beautiful.

Cooking on a pink salt block will add just a hint of its very interesting salt flavour to your food while naturally imparting the incredible health benefits of Himalayan pink salt.

Due to the low porosity and moisture retention of the salt, a naturally antimicrobial environment is created, thus making the blocks perfect to use as a preparation and cooking board.

To prevent cracking of the surface, salt blocks must be heated slowly. However, as it has extreme temperature resistance, it is excellent for high-heat cooking. Heat spreads and holds evenly throughout the

Bath Salts

entire block instead of radiating out from the middle and cooling down towards the edges. This means that food prepared on the block will cook at the same pace regardless of where it is placed.

The salt blocks can be used for both hot and cold dishes, and raw foods like sashimi will actually begin to cure the longer it rests on the salt block.

Available from Woolworths, R349,99

Face Masks

Dr Teal’s Pink Himalayan Mineral Soak combines pure Epsom salts with mineral rich pink Himalayan salt to revitalise tired, aching muscles and help replenish your body’s minerals. Uplifting bergamot and sweet orange essential oils soothe the senses and help provide relief from stress. Soak sore muscles away! Available from Dis-Chem, R120

Bring the spa home with the Freeman Rejuvenating Cucumber & Pink Salt Clay Mask – you can exfoliate, detox, and clear your skin. Available in tubes and sachets.

Available from Dis-Chem, R99,95 and R29,95

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fashion*

COMFY, UNIQUE & TIMELESS An alternative kids apparel label owned and run by Thea Cogill and Reese Baglione, Flynn Jaxon is designed with quality and comfort in mind story katrine anker-nilssen pictures tink photography

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lynn Jaxon is all about stylish garments in a neutral colour palette,” explains Reese, adding that they are a proudly South African brand. “All of our designs are created in-house and the entire range is manufactured locally. We source our fabric from SA suppliers, cotton-rich fabrics that feel amazing and are built to last and withstand the wear and tear expected for children’s clothing.”

An online brand covering sizes newborn to eight, FJ brings in new colours and styles every season while retaining a few key basics. “We design ranges that are timeless and transseasonal,” says Reese. “Our matching FJ MAMMAs and recently launched FJ LADs ranges have also been well-received, and we are excited to bring you more adult styles soon.”

In addition to clothing, FJ also offer accessories such as bandana bibs, slouchy beanies and headbands – as well as swimwear and an exclusive, locally-made genuine leather footwear range for kids.

“Our signature style would have to be the romper, which is available in a range of colours and two styles – cropped and full-length – as well as a matching adult romper for our FJ MAMMAs, which has been a best-seller for the past year since its launch,” says Reese, adding that the bandana bibs are without doubt the most popular accessory. “They are one-size-fits-all with two size settings, great value for money.

They are also incredibly soft, lined for extra absorbency and drape beautifully.”

Extrovert Reese Baglione is a serial planner who loves a good list and a set of highlighters. With her husband, highschool sweetheart Alessandro, she has three-year-old Max Luca and one-year-old Lola Mae. “I grew up in the Upper Highway area and obtained my BSc in Dietetics at UKZN PMB in 2012. Completing my community service in Eshowe before returning to Gillitts, I worked in government practice until Max was born in July 2015.”

Thea Cogill, who thrives on challenges and thinking out of

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ABOVE LEFT: Lola wears the Luna cropped romper (R250/R260).

ABOVE RIGHT: Matching white Stripe T-shirt Dress (R225 and R395).

LEFT: Left to right: Riley wears a green stripe Finley romper (R250/R260) and Zoey knot headband (R69); Knox wears a FJ Baseball Tee (R185) and mustard Avery shorties (R150); Sambulo wears a Dakota Original romper (R250/R260) accessorised with a Theo bandana bib (R89).

OPPOSITE: Thea and Knox rocking the FJ signature black rompers.

Black adult romper (R465) and Bobby cropped romper (R250/ R260) with white FJ Kicks (R485).

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fashion*

TOP: FJ owners Thea (left) and Reese (right) in their office.

ABOVE: Left: Harper and Rosie knot headbands (R69 each), grey frilled baby vest (R160), Sienna bandana bib (R89), and Hulu shorties (R150).

Right: Hudson full-length romper (R250/R260), Taylor and Hulu bandana bibs (R89 each), and white FJ Kicks (R485).

RIGHT: Reese and Nozi working together on a new range.

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BELOW LEFT: Lola wears the Rosey full-length romper (R250/R260), Sienna bandana bib (R89), and Zoey knot headband (R69).

Little Riley wears the Evie cropped romper (R250/R260) and Rosie knot headband (R69).

BELOW RIGHT: Hannah wears the latest FJ Long Sleeve Cozzie with complimentary gold headband (R230/R240), while Knox wears the striped Boys Swimming Trunks (R185/R195).

the box, matriculated at Kloof High School in 2000 before spending a year in Colorado. “It was the most incredible experience and it just solidified my love of travel and photography,” says Thea, who did a degree in Applied Value and Policy Studies at Stellenbosch – along with a photography night course. Back in Durban she spent two years learning and cultivating her skill with Kim Thunder before starting Tink Photography. “I have been working as a commercial and lifestyle photographer for 13 years now, and I love it,” she smiles.

Seeing a gap in the market, Thea started Flynn Jaxon in March 2016 – together with her sister-in-law in Johannesburg. When she relocated to Durban with one-year-old son Lennox Fallon later that year, her sister-in-law left the business. “Realising I couldn’t do it alone, I was grateful when Reese agreed to come on board,” says Thea. “She has just catapulted the brand to the next level with her passion, creativity and great eye for detail.”

Initially the idea was for Reese to help Thea out, but it quickly turned into FJ setting up a base at Reese’s home. “We soon realised how well we worked together and how perfectly our personalities complemented each other within the business,” says Reese.

In January 2017 the girls decided to partner and push FJ to where it is today. “Thea offers an incredible creative insight and oversees our campaigns, and of course all the photography. I have always covered all the behind-the-scenes admin, customer service and planning – and now also design and production,” says Reese. Then there is Nozipho Msweli of course, the talented seamstress who has been with FJ since Thea and Reese partnered. After completing her sewing training at Embocraft, Nozi has fitted perfectly into the team and is an incredible asset to the business – responsible for manufacturing a large portion of the range.

Currently working on a few transitional pieces for the cooler weather approaching, the FJ girls are also finishing off the next collection. “Essentially FJ has been in its teething phase for the past few years, especially with our families growing and all the challenges and limitations that that brings,” explains Reese. But the brand has grown beautifully in spite of this. “If 2018 is anything to go by, we are convinced that 2019 is going to elevate our brand to the next level.”  www.flynnjaxon.co.za

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decor*

Staff canteen with large outdoor area offers various seating options for groups or individuals. This space is utilised all day with a coffee and smoothie bar for staff, and is large enough for a company gathering. Reception waiting area and boardroom coffee station and bar.

INSPIRED TO WORK

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Out with stuffy, traditional, staid offices, and give us something fresh and innovative. That was the brief … and that’s exactly what FMI got

fter completing FMI’s original office in uMhlanga in 2014, this dynamic life insurance company approached Dwell Interior Architects to design their

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new 2 000m² Durban head office in Ocean Dunes, Sibaya to suit their growing needs.

The brief was to create an open plan working environment in which their many staff could easily collaborate – be it in the

open plan desking areas, smaller breakaway meeting areas, or to gather for larger company functions. A more formal boardroom and various video conference meeting rooms was also required.

Aesthetically they wanted something

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»

The open plan desking is planned around a central, easily accessible core of informal meeting rooms and collaborative areas with various meeting rooms. The reception and front of house area is separate to the open plan area but is on the same floor plate. A mezzanine level was created to accommodate the large boardroom as well as additional meeting areas. Informal meeting lounge areas are visible throughout the open plan space. Collaboration booths create slightly more private meeting areas within the open plan space. Acoustics were considered and resulted in full upholstery application. Four custom oversized sliding doors run along the edge of the central meeting core to temporarily close off informal meeting spaces and hot desk areas as required, or can slide away to allow the spaces to totally open up. The doors have the added functionality of writable central panels to facilitate teamwork.

ABOUT THE DESIGNERS Dwell Interior Architects is a Durban-based design firm specialising in corporate, retail, and high-end residential interior architecture, design, and decor – with a focus on creating contemporary environments with an emphasis on bespoke detailing.

With a trusted and talented core of interior designers, clients can expect a holistic design service where all projects receive dedicated attention from the principals, Kelly Andriés and Lauren Horsfall. www.dwellinteriors.co.za

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decor* Large hot desk/collaborative work areas for satellite staff which double up as meeting tables for larger groups.  Custom painted graphics by Resoborg highlight many of the walls. The full height wire mesh screens with plants serve the dual function of carrying power for the workstations down from the ceiling to avoid using traditional power poles.

Boardroom with custom made table. A built-in bench runs the full length of the boardroom and is intended to seat overflow people in larger meetings.

fresh and innovative for their flagship space that reflects FMI’s people-centric culture and business philosophy, and were open to Dwell’s suggestions of a modern industrial feel.

Dwell was responsible for the complete design – from ceilings, lighting, specialist finishes, bespoke cabinetry, workstations, furniture, and decor – as well as the budgeting, preparation of detailed working drawings for tender purposes, and site inspections to ensure the requisite quality was maintained throughout the construction period.

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weekend escapes*

TIME TO GET AWAY You’ve survived the festive season, but now it’s time to start planning a weekend escape up the North Coast – without breaking the bank, writes Lorna King

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urbanites are truly spoilt for choice when looking for a weekend away, and with the number of game reserves and bush and wildlife activities offered up the North Coast, it’s good to know affordable, yet good accommodation is available.

Set on KZN’s Elephant Coast, the threestar Anew Hotel Hluhluwe & Safaris is

ideally situated close to Hluhluwe Game Reserve on the one side, and the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, a world heritage site, on the other.

Boasting more than 80 rooms, two fourbed self-catering rondavels and a five-star self-catering lodge which is great for families, the standard accommodation at Anew is clean, spacious and basic – just what you’d expect on a bush experience.

A beautiful swimming pool with bar area is the perfect place for relaxing as you listen to the sounds of gushing water competing with the chattering of birdlife 56

A beautiful swimming pool with bar area is the perfect place for relaxing as you listen to the sounds of gushing water competing with the chattering of birdlife coming from the bird sanctuary on the hotel grounds. Alternatively, if you just want to curl up with a good book, a comfortable lounge area is ideal.

The restaurant offers buffet-style food, and every night when the drums beat you know it’s time for traditional Zulu dancing at the beautiful boma – a spectacle not to be missed. But be prepared – you might find yourself shaking a leg and causing a dust storm as you stomp away on the ground.

There’s more than enough to pack into a weekend in and around Hluhluwe. A game

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drive to nearby Hluhluwe Game Reserve is a must, and our trusty, knowledgeable guide made the adventure all the more enjoyable for us.

From game drives to whale watching, scuba diving, bird watching, hiking, visiting the Zulu Croc Repile Park, or taking in an educational tour at the Dumazulu Traditional Village, you’ll be hard pressed to find time for an afternoon snooze.

If it’s good old-fashioned comfort and family-friendly service you’re after that won’t break the bank, then Anew Hotel Hluhluwe & Safaris ticks all the boxes.  035 562 4000  anewhotels.com/hotels/hluhluwe-safaris

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weekend escapes*

LOVE THE WILD

A wildlife experience that’s special in every way, writes Doody Adams

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rom the moment you arrive at Thanda Safari Private Game Reserve you are made to feel special. The word Thanda – meaning love in isiZulu – strings this entire wildlife experience together by offering every visitor a unique and memorable experience to create a bank of memories to treasure forever.

Three accommodation options are available in this private 14 000-hectare game reserve: a private villa, nine luxury villas, and a luxury tented camp.

The tented camp – our homeaway-from-home for a special 20-year wedding anniversary celebration – is luxurious

RIGHT: An ideal romantic setting to celebrate that special occasion. and private with an outside deck offering expansive views over the reserve. An outside shower and an en suite bathroom, complemented with the most enormous and comfortable bed with crisp linen, make for the perfect setting. Each morning the sides of the tent are zipped open, and as soon as the sun sets the tent is zipped up for the night.

The chatter of birds wake you gently as the sun rises, just in time for the early morning game drive. The stay includes two game drives a day with a qualified and entertaining ranger who will not only spot the game, but inform and educate you on more than the big five – there’s the local community and their upliftment as a

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ABOVE: The sides of the tent are open during the day for you to enjoy the expansive views of the reserve.

LEFT: Enjoy a dip in the communal pool or sit around the fire pit in the evening.

FAR LEFT: The individual tents are completely private with your own viewing deck. result of this successful reserve.

A pride of lions enjoying the last light and a herd of elephants on their way down to a drinking hole were just a few of our incredible sightings.

Whether you indulge in a massage at the main lodge, prefer a lazy afternoon around the pool, a peaceful setting from a viewing deck over a watering hole, a sundowner on a game drive or sitting around a roaring fire with only the sounds of the wild to fill your ears, this place is truly special.  032 586 0149 ďƒź www.thandasafari.co.za

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motoring*

AS GOOD AS IT GETS If you’re serious about your car, and have the bucks for loads of sexy options, then the latest Touareg is worth taking home, says Gavin Foster

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s it a car? That it is. A proper SUV with fourwheel-drive? Yep. And four-wheel-steering … and a heads-up display … and a lane monitoring system that fiddles with the steering to help keep distracted drivers on track … and infrared

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sensors to detect and alert you to pedestrians and livestock ahead at night … and front and rear-mounted radar to warn you of fast-moving traffic coming up from behind and …. You get the idea.

And apart from all the electronic and mechanical

gimmickry, the Volkswagen Touareg 3.0 TDI – whether in Luxury or Executive guise – is at heart a really classy car with a three-litre V6 diesel engine that makes it a pretty serious performance missile in its own right. The important numbers are 7,5 seconds for

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the 0-100km/h sprint and 235km/h for top speed, but we’re not going to go into all of that now. We’re just touching on the other stuff that’s packed into the VW wagon.

Both versions of the new third-generation Touareg launched late last year cost

Infrared night-vision detects warm-blooded animals and people in your path

around R1-million, so the big wagon doesn’t really fit into the original Volkswagen pattern of being a car for the masses. Then again, it shares much of its platform with such automotive icons as the Porsche Cayenne and Audi Q7/ Q8, and it incorporates many

of the design features of the VW Group’s considerably more upmarket Bentley Bentayga and Lamborghini Urus SUVs. As is now usual for German manufacturers, the cars come pretty well equipped to start with, but include lists of sexy options that can easily deplete your wallet by a further couple of hundred grand even when you’ve bought the flagship

model. These include VW’s Suspension Package with air suspension, electronically reacting shock absorbers, and rear-wheel steering that comes standard in the Executive but costs R51 950 as an option in the Luxury version.

Then there’s the Dynaudio Sound System (R16 650), Ambient Light Package for R-Line (R7 900), Cargo Package

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(R6 850) and Innovation Cockpit (R74 900). You need to keep your wits about you when buying because the price-list – and the demo fleet – is littered with options that are included in comprehensive packages that aren’t standard. The Executive version delivered to us for evaluation was loaded to the gunwales with extras, including the Advanced Safety Package that adds the aforementioned infrared night-vision feature that detects warm-blooded animals and people in your path then lights up on a monitor and triggers an audible alarm when you’re 100m or so away from them. The advanced heads-updisplay included in the R59 150 (for both models) safety package is also useful, projecting as it does current speed, speed limits and other info on to the windscreen.

Most of this technology has been available for years in premium brand cars, but things like the four-wheel steering and infrared detection are relatively uncommon, and the VW, when enough money is thrown at the options list, is about as good as it gets – at any price.

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property*

THE OUTLOOK IN 2019 Gareth Bailey considers the property market in the year ahead

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fter a challenging 2018, what can we expect from the property market in 2019? With the Monetary Policy Committee’s announcement on January 17 that the repo rate would remain unchanged, the outlook for 2019 is starting off on a fairly positive note. Property prices grew by just under 4% nationally last year and the outlook for 2019 is much the same. According to the FNB house price index, average house prices are still up

GARETH BAILEY

Pam Golding Properties, North Durban area.

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90% on the pre-boom prices of January 2001. However, the year ahead is likely to be characterised by a number of highly significant events which could have a substantial impact on the performance of our local property market.

In addition to the interest rate remaining stable, there have been several other short-term, positive developments. Although still low, economic growth is expected to be at least double the dismal 0,7% recorded in 2018. We have recently had two petrol price cuts totalling R3 a litre, and there is another reduction on the cards. Lastly, we have enjoyed renewed rand strengthening which has helped to dampen inflationary pressure along with pressure to continue the rate hiking cycle in the near term. The forecast for mild interest rate hikes has now been pushed out to late 2019 or possibly early 2020.

As a result, economic and residential property activity seems to be rebounding, albeit modestly, as savvy buyers capitalise on sound buying opportunities. The “sweet spot” in our North Coast property belt seems to be between the R3,5-million and R6-million

price range where we are seeing more buyers than a couple of months ago. Nationally, the hottest property markets include our North Coast property belt (spanning uMhlanga, Sibaya, Ballito and beyond), Hyde Park

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and Pretoria.

These areas have recorded strong growth in activity in December 2018 when compared with December 2017, with KZN’s North Coast belt and Pretoria having particularly surprised on the upside in the development space over the past three to six months.

According to Dr Golding of Pam Golding Properties, “KZN is well priced and well positioned from a commuting perspective and therefore still experiencing semigration. Gauteng is showing good activity largely because it remains the financial hub of the country and attracts the upwardly-mobile, career-minded home buyer, while Pretoria and surrounds are active as people invest in precincts such as the

UMHLANGA 031 561 5300 Menlyn Maine, which offers attractive and convenient, lifestyle living.”

Property remains popular despite weak economic conditions due to it still being recognised as the basic cornerstone of wealth creation, while on the higher-end, purchasers continue to invest their cash in the lifestyle benefits of coastal areas.

However, positive sentiment is tempered by general price sensitivity among buyers with many adopting a wait-andsee approach in the lead-up to the budget announcement and elections expected to take place in May 2019.

If the economic and political environment leans in a favourable direction,

we will hopefully retain our investment grade rating which will positively impact our local property market. However, disappointments may see ratings downgraded which would impact confidence, weaken the rand and increase the risk of deterioration in our economy and hence our property market.

The current market presents a unique opportunity for savvy investors to secure long-term investments at good value in the most appealing and scenically beautiful locations such as those found along our burgeoning North Coast and the Cape’s Atlantic Seaboard.

From an international perspective, the US’s approach to raising interest rates more

Economic and residential property activity seems to be rebounding, albeit modestly, as savvy buyers capitalise on sound buying opportunities gradually is fuelling investors’ appetite for emerging market assets, including South Africa which is a favoured world emerging market.

Some may argue that property has lost its lustre over the past few years, but, against the muted backdrop of most other asset classes, it is performing resiliently and those who have a slightly longer-term view will no doubt capitalise on this limited opportunity to invest in premium coastal property off a lower base.

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JOINT

Umhlanga / R16.950 million

Ref# 1ND1398693

Bedrooms 4 / Bathrooms 4 / Parkings 3 / This home is the epitome of elegance, luxury and high-end lifestyle. Patio boasts a Jacuzzi and extensive sea views.

Trevor Leonard 082 463 7103

Umdloti / R12.9 million

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Bedrooms 3 / Bathrooms 4 / Parkings 4 / An exquisitely designed state of the art, contemporary home with panoramic sea views from virtually every room.

Mandy Radmore 073 587 3815

Umdloti / R6.5 million

Ref# 1ND1414215

Bedrooms 3 / Bathrooms 3 / Parkings 3 / Exceptionally spacious penthouse style living. Scenic ocean views create a magical outlook.

Nico Swart 082 4460008

La Lucia / R10.995 million

Ref# 1ND1399778

Bedrooms 6 / Bathrooms 6 / Parkings 4 / Verandah / Largest penthouse in La Palma Estate. Stunning 180 degree sea views make this unit simply amazing.

Phillip Reynolds 082 780 9813

last word*

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o how was your Christmas break?

Anything new and exciting? In case you’re interested, the most thrilling thing that happened to me was that I had a chance to be Lawrence of Arabia.

Well, sort of. I got to ride a camel. OK, it was only for 250m at Warner Beach, and there was a bloke strolling along ahead of the beast holding a lead, but at least I didn’t accidentally shoot my camel in the back of the head while charging into battle like T.E. Lawrence did in 1917.

As is my wont, once I got home I asked my friend Mr

CAMEL CONTEST

Who would have thought that camels would be competing for R75-million prize money in a beauty contest, laughs Gavin Foster illustration jeremy nell Google to tell me a little about the camel, surely the stupidest, ugliest, most disagreeable mammal on the face of the planet. I soon came up with a website where an Emirati animal psychologist, Ali Al Ameri, was quoted as saying that camels, usually pretty docile creatures, are more intelligent than horses, and have looooong memories. “The horse is a very forgiving animal even when people are bad to them,” he told a Middle East publication, The National, in an interview. “Camels, however, are not. They’re smarter than

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horses. Camels think a lot more and they remember everything.

If you hurt a camel he will never forget you and he’ll do his best to get you. And eventually, if he can, he will kill you!”

Scary stuff, hey? A quick check on Google soon confirmed that Mr Al Ameri certainly wasn’t spinning a yarn, so we’ll leave it at that and move quickly on to something less painful – the camel’s legendary ugliness.

This is where things get really interesting. I discovered that at the same time I was entertaining Warner Beach on my camel, a month-long annual festival

involving perhaps 30 000 of the animals and up to 100 000 spectators was taking place in an annual shindig in Dubai.

There are all sorts of competitions involving camels, and one of the main attractions is a beauty contest. And beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder.

“The winner must have a long neck and legs, delicate ears, a shapely hump, a large head, thick eyelashes and a sleek dark coat,” explained Mr Al Shamsi, one of the judges. The animal’s walk, its lips, its nose, its size and its skin tone and colour all play a role in determining

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the perceived beauty of these even-toed ungulates, and the prize money and prestige earned by emerging victorious in any of the numerous classes are huge.

At the festival there are food stalls, souvenir shops, and a planetarium demonstrating how the Bedouin have for thousands of years used the stars to navigate the deserts on camels. You’ll also find veterinary surgeons. Lots of ’em. Their role, apart from the obvious animal welfare issues, is to frustrate cheats, of which there’ll always be plenty when there’s R75-million in prize money up for grabs. Last year 12 camels were disqualified from the beauty competition when the judges established that they’d benefitted from the services of crooked plastic surgeons. “They use Botox for the lips, the nose, the upper lips, the lower lips and even the jaw,” Ali al-Mazrouei, the son of an Emirati camel breeder, told The National. “It makes the head more inflated, so when the camel comes it’s like, ‘Oh, look at how big that head is.

It has big lips, a big nose’.”

Camel populations worldwide are shrinking. In the Middle East they’re not considered as useful as they once were, in Australia there are so many roaming the outback that the government wants to start culling them, and the Wild Bactrian Camels of Northern China and Southern Mongolia are – after more than a million years – now critically endangered. At least the American military isn’t gunning for them. President George W. Bush said in response to the 9/11 atrocity, “When I take action, I’m not going to fire a $2-million missile at a $10 empty tent and hit a camel in the butt. It’s going to be decisive.”

Indeed. That was 18 short years ago.

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