Searching for fashion that’s out of this world? KZN’s biggest fashion event is right around the corner and Gateway has everything you need!
Over the last 15 years or so, we’ve all grown accustomed to load shedding and the impact this has had on our lives. Yes, we’ve secretly hoped that Eskom would miraculously “turn the corner” and find a way to keep the lights on, but, in the
meantime we’ve simply just accepted our time in the dark and done not too much to rectify the problem. Until 2023. This year seems to have escalated our drive to sort out the problem ourselves, and all around us solar panels are becoming the new roof tiles,
while inverters are taking up valuable space in our garages. And in gardens JoJo tanks are the new “water supply” for when the taps run dry.
But, thanks to a few good men with a vision for the future, the North Coast is fast becoming the place to live.
Where living off the grid free from everyday inconveniences is the norm. Where a healthy country lifestyle combined with the freedom of open spaces is where you want your family to grow up and appreciate. Where sustainability is second nature. Where your neighbouring communities are like-minded people sharing the same values. Where security is important. Turn to page 8 to read more about how Ballito and beyond is making the dream a reality.
This is the best time of year to get your mind into gear and to fall in love with exercise.
Page 32 shares some tips on getting kitted out for running, walking or cycling. And if you’re older, we look at global trends to help you age healthily and have a good quality of life. See page 24.
Feel inspired by Sarah Kelly’s botanical prints or by Mandy Pearson’s Bhambayi Project that’s making a difference in the lives of many “voiceless” children. And if it’s comfort food you’re after, Ant Ellis tempts us with his favourite and easy-to-make Spaghetti Bolognese – now that’s what winter is all about. Enjoy!
Until next time, happy reading and stay safe.
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CONTRIBUTORS
Gareth Bailey, Darrel Bristow-Bovey, Lee Currie, Desiree Dales, Ant Ellis, Nelfrie Kemp, Linda Mzamane, Mandy Pearson, Dawn Rouse, Anne Schauffer, Jess Smit, Maggie Wittstock, Kerryn Wuth
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* 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
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On a chilly winter’s morning there are few things that beat the irresistible fragrance of coffee followed by the first sip – so coffee lovers will tell you. Coffee culture has certainly advanced exponentially in KZN where our choice of beans and ground coffee along with more sophisticated coffee brewing equipment has made it easy to make impressively good coffee at home. At the popular Prestondale Market in uMhlanga you’ll find Laura Hayes-Foley, founder of Artisana Micro Roastery, surrounded by enthusiastic coffee lovers.
Laura has sourced an eclectic range of beans from all over the world – Burundi, Columbia, Tanzania and more. “I enjoy single origins as you then get a true sense of the flavour profile of that particular bean. Blending coffee gives a balanced flavour profile,” explains Laura. “The Artisana Specialty Blend is very popular and also my own favourite.” As well as a large personal customer base, Laura sells her products to coffee shops and mobile coffee carts. “I visit these businesses or they come to my roaster and try out the different combination of blends until they find one they like. I then keep a note of the blend for further orders.”
What’s next? “I am currently supplying B&Bs and various companies and working on expanding this side of my business. Drinking good coffee at work, on holiday, or at home surely makes for a better day!”
FOR MORE INFO: WhatsApp/cellphone: 082 926 8302; artisanacoffeeza@gmail.com; Artisana on W
In a powerful display of compassion and solidarity, a staggering donation of R321 000 was presented by the uMhlanga Hindu Society to the renowned humanitarian organisation, Gift of the Givers. The generous contribution aims to support and aid the ongoing relief efforts in earthquake-devastated regions of Turkey and Syria. The heartfelt donation reflects the collective efforts of individuals and communities who refuse to turn a blind eye to the plight of those affected by natural disasters.
Since inception, the uMhlanga Hindu Society has been instrumental in outreach and fundraising initiatives towards community upliftment and disaster relief. Most recently this was demonstrated through community support given during the recent Durban floods, riots and the pandemic. The Society has not only serviced their own community, but extended compassion and support to those in surrounding areas, and opened their temple doors to storage and movement of donations during these trying times.
The R321 000 donation was presented to Gift of the Givers serving as a testament to the power of collective action and generosity within the Hindu society. Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, the Founder and Chairman of Gift of the Givers, expressed his heartfelt gratitude in receiving the donation.
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Your investment in a villa at Azuri Mauritius will qualify your family for Permanent Residency in the safest country in Africa.
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Radisson Blu Hotel Nautical Club Spa & Gym Shops
Restaurants & Bar
Close to schools
Tennis & Padel
Beach Lifestyle
Golf Course
Montessori School
Estate Security Property Services
In keeping with this year’s “My home, My way” theme, discover the transformative power of colour in redefining your living spaces at the East Coast Radio House + Garden Show. This year Plascon will be inspiring visitors with their “2 Palettes, 2 Rooms” concept. The two rooms will see talented Durban-based designers drawing inspiration from Plascon’s Colour Forecast theme for 2023 –“Bringing It Home” – to create spaces that will inspire from walls, to decor to furniture. Drawing from nature’s own colour story, the palettes that will be on display exhibit soothing hues, rich pigments, and monochrome combinations for a fresh graphic appeal.
FOR MORE INFO: Head over to the show from July 1-9 at the Durban Exhibition Centre. Visit www.housegardenshow.co.za or follow @housegardenshow on W
The increased demand for sustainable and energyefficient solutions has driven developers to heed the call of investors and home buyers to include alternative and off-the-grid capabilities in their developments. This is in the wake of the rising costs of electricity, water shortages, and a conscious awareness of the impact our carbon footprint has on the environment.
According to Murray Collins, Director of Collins Residential, there is an upswing in people looking to live in secure estates that are eco-conscious and put the environment first. By incorporating biodiversity into developments, developers fulfil the homeowner’s desire to live in communities that have green spaces and whose environmental footprint is low. However, often trees and other natural elements are removed and replaced with bricks and mortar.
“Our mandate as a company is to create ecosystems that benefit homeowners by enhancing wellness while protecting the environment. We are creating biodiversity where both fauna and flora abound within a residential environment while also keeping our carbon footprint low through energy-efficient solutions for homeowners to run their homes on a day-to-day basis,” says Murray.
According to Murray, with all their developments on the North Coast of KwaZulu-Natal, they only develop on land that has been previously degraded or disturbed, overused or over-farmed. “If we cannot enhance or improve the land, we won’t build on it. Seaton Estate is a great example of this. We spent many years rehabilitating the land by planting trees, removing invasive species, and allowing the grass to grow naturally before we introduced Seaton to the market. This rehabilitation process started with insects, owls and other mammals returning to the area with the objective of returning the land to its former glory before it was sugar cane farms,” Collins explains.
Seaton Estate’s rehabilitation programme will see more than 10 000 trees being planted. This reduces the carbon footprint of the development, and when combined with the environmentally-
friendly building materials, the inclusion of low voltage appliances and solar geysers in the architectural guidelines, the Estate will be well on its way to becoming carbonneutral. It has also taken steps to reduce its reliance on the national electricity grid with sustainable options for both power and water being offered to residents.
Zululami Luxury Coastal Estate has also been developed with the environment and sustainability as a focus with picturesque wetlands as well as rare and indigenous coastal forests as the backdrop to residents’ everyday lifestyle. A micro-grid within Zululami allows homeowners to feed excess power, generated through solar, back into the Zululami micro-grid. This is then used within the estate thus reducing the draw from the national grid.
Nestled in the rolling hills of Sheffield Beach, Lalela Estate prioritises sustainability for a greener future, and already enjoys over
50% of green spaces. Each freestanding home is retrofitted with a rainwater harvesting tank, a gas geyser, and a gas hob. Both 2- and 3-bedroom units are inverterready for emergency back-up electricity.
Murray adds, “We’ve taken major steps to reduce Lalela’s reliance on the national electricity grid by offering both sustainable power and water options to our residents, thus creating low-impact and ultimately carbon-neutral communities. To enhance the biodiversity of the estate, about 50-hectares of land will be rehabilitated through the reintroduction of indigenous plants and soil amelioration techniques. Our wetlands and natural biomes are teeming with plants, animals, and birds. When we speak of sustainability, it’s more than the trees and plants, it’s a culture of putting the environment first in the creation of communities and the improvement of the environment.”
THE SPOTLIGHT’S ON THE GREATER BALLITO REGION, AND QUITE RIGHTLY SO. AS ONE OF THE COUNTRY’S FASTEST GROWTH NODES IN TERMS OF PERCENTAGE, THEY’RE CLEARLY GETTING A GREAT DEAL RIGHT. THE RIDGE CHATS TO KEY PERSONALITIES ABOUT YESTERDAY, TODAY AND TOMORROW
Everyone’s upbeat and positive, but equally, they’re realistic. The property market along the North Coast – Ballito and beyond – is one of the top growth nodes in the country, but no one’s pretending it isn’t impacted by the local and international macro events – from waning municipal service delivery, civil unrest, floods, and socio-economic disparities to globally rising interest rates and warring countries. Yet, still, amongst it all, a number of committed doers have stood up, rolled up their sleeves, and focused on creating and sustaining this “pocket of excellence” today and into the future.
“Sixty-five families move each month to the North Coast,” says Stefan Botha, CEO of Rainmaker Marketing. They aren’t all semigraters, but the figures are interesting: “The Western Cape makes up 35 percent of people semigrating (that is, people moving from one city to another within SA). They’ve seen quite a big rise over the past few years, whereas KZN’s challenges have seen us remain pretty static at about 13 percent of that market share. But despite that, I believe that pockets of excellence in KZN way exceed other areas of the country because there is this legacy of managed, secure precincts which was created historically.” Stef’s referring largely to the quality of town planning around areas like Gateway, uMhlanga Town
Centre, Sibaya Coastal Precinct and Izinga.
“KZN was way ahead of its time when it came to public and private sector collaboration. That’s why such value was created between uMhlanga and the North Coast.” Stef believes a significant percentage of that 13 percent of KZN semigraters are choosing the North Coast, but add to that, of course, those within the province who’re moving north.
This is gated-estate country benefitting from easily accessed and well managed retail, commercial and tourism precincts, where you really can choose your lifestyle and price point, while being guaranteed security and – particularly with the newer estates – a host of sustainability features.
Stef had some interesting stats regarding the difference in value of properties inside estates versus outside: “Ballito largely comprises ‘older’ estates – currently the average value of property within estates is 40 percent higher than out. If you look at Salt Rock – all new estates like Zululami, Elaleni, Dunkirk –that figure rockets to 219 percent. It’s not saying property outside of estates is not good, it’s just that there’s a substantial premium being placed by those preferring to be inside them.”
And who’s moving there? “There’s been a massive shift in the LSM in the recent three years. Across Salt Rock and Ballito, 43 percent of buyers are between
36 and 49 years old,” he says. “An influx of younger families with children, driven hugely by quality schools like Umhlali Primary School – government school, huge waiting list – complemented by great private schools like Curro and Ashton.” He adds, “And developers are being a lot more creative to create different price points.”»
So, what’s happening in Ballito that’s making the difference? A few things. The North Coast has property developers of substance, experience and expertise who are – as Stef says – bullish about the province. “Visionaries if you like, such as Murray Collins of the Collins Group, who has a plan mapped out for the North Coast. Then a number of out-of-town developers like the Balwins of Ballito Hills. They’re doing things at scale, and that makes a significant difference.” Ballito may be the land of high-profile residential property, but it’s the focus on infrastructure, cleanliness, maintenance and more which is increasingly giving Ballito a reputation as that bubble of excellence.
The Collins Group talked about the extension of their role into infrastructure: “With the development of Seaton, our development obligation is to tar the P228 commonly known as the Flag Farm Animal Farm Road – everyone with young children knows that old gravel road. In addition, we’re constructing a whole new
interchange off the N2, so after the turnoffs to Ballito, Shaka’s Rock and Salt Rock, will come the new Seaton interchange,” says Collins’ Geoff Perkins.
“What development brings is not only new places for families to live, but upgrades in infrastructure, including new pumphouses and sanitation. This year we’ve made a massive investment in
terms of phase one of the interchange and the tarring of the P228. These are public spaces, areas which unlock an entire new suburb – it’s not just for Collins developments. It unlocks all of the area around it too. We are essentially futureproofing the area – planning and putting in infrastructure for what we believe the future is going to look like here.”
A significant factor in driving investment in Ballito’s commercial and tourism precincts is the work done by the Ballito UIP (Urban Improvement Precinct Non Profit Company) which is a formal collaboration with KwaDukuza Municipality. The purpose of the UIP is to consistently deliver highly sought-after precincts by ensuring the experience of Ballito’s public areas are of a very high standard which includes safety, landscaping and general aesthetics.
Brian Wright, who leads the UIP management team rightly says, »
“Historically, the notion of property value has been dictated by location, but increasingly it is about how these locations are managed today and into the future, that instils investor confidence.” The UIP deploys a 24/7 security team, together with landscaping, cleaning and general maintenance teams seven days a week who start at 6am with road sweeping, litter picking and spotless beaches –accredited professional water quality testing is conducted on behalf of the UIP on a bi-weekly basis with the results communicated by the UIP to property owners, businesses and stakeholders –available for free by subscribing to the service on www.ballitouip.co.za. Ballito is determined to retain their Blue Flag status. Landscaping and pothole repairs are constants, but for those who live, work
and play in Ballito, the UIP’s piloting of the North Coast’s first back-up power solution for traffic signals on March 23 was a game changer for commuters, pedestrians, businesses and visitors. Since then, an additional three traffic signals have been fitted with back-up power at key intersections – the restored sense of calm is palpable: “The success and learnings of this pilot project will be shared with neighbouring precincts,” says Ballito UIP precinct manager Thierry Leclezio. “As part of our commitment to position Ballito as a sought-after precinct and enhance investment attractiveness of the North Coast, collaboration with municipalities is key in establishing the North Coast growth trajectory, building investor confidence, while maintaining and improving the quality of life for all.”
Sustainability, independence, being partially or fully off the grid – these are integral to the ethos of many developers – long before Eskom imploded, but now, more important than ever. New developments integrate them – not only high-end estates – and older ones are working on retrofits. It’s not simply about mitigating the effects of dwindling
service delivery, but about a lifestyle which celebrates and preserves the environment.
Take Fairview Estates, 65 percent sold out of this secure, smallholding estate of 97 two- up to 20-hectare sites, 10 minutes inland of Ballito – so, country living, but nearly in town. They’ve also installed the best-in-class electric fence powered by solar. Sales manager and Fairview Estates’ resident, Justine Langford says, “We premise on encouraging a self-sustainable lifestyle, where you have space and a very relaxed pet policy – for everything from chickens and horses to dairy cows. Some grow vegetables, others have installed beehives, some grow macadamia nuts (we have a co-op, so aside from assisting new farmers with skills etc, they benefit from economies of scale). A core value is artisanal living – organic veggies, harvesting local honey, having a workshop, getting back to nature.”
Sustainability is a certain goal, so Fairview has a borehole which supplies all water, independent septic tanks instead of a central sewer, ability to sell solar back into the grid, and plans for a central solar park to supply the estate. Their architectural guidelines, too, are based around incorporating the best use of natural elements to reduce energy consumption in the homes. »
Mike Graham is developer of Springvale Country Estate on the P228: “This is a family estate, developed by our family, with your family in mind. At the end of the day, we are developing an estate we would want to live in.” Covering a total of 58 hectares, Springvale Country Estate is made up of Springvale Farm and Springvale Village. Inspired by modern farm-style living, Springvale Farm offers homeowners larger plots averaging 2 600m² from R1,7-million; a spacious area to grow a veggie garden, a farm-style lifestyle with lay chickens, ducks and up to four dogs and two cats. A limited number of Acre Stands have just been launched from R3,5-million.
Springvale Village offers community inspired living with smaller plots averaging between 550m² and 650m² from R800 000 offering homeowners an affordable entry into secure, estate, country living. There will be 93 large farm plots and another 83 homes in Springvale Village. With less than 200 homes in total, homeowners can expect to be part of a close-knit
community. Currently three homeowners have moved in, eight homes are under construction with 15 plans under review. Residential naturally goes hand in hand with commercial. Cobus Oelofse heads up the Ilembe Chamber of Commerce, and he’s considered a game changer in the landscape. He, too, is straightforward and realistic about the challenges, stressing that “it’s key to have a positive approach in terms of how we respond to those challenges.” He points to the 2022 Ilembe Business Confidence Index, which showed that public sector indicators remain collectively the biggest constraint to business: “Service delivery and infrastructure provision (41%), Regulations and compliance (31%), and Property rates and taxes (28%), were selected by all the
business respondents as primary business constraints.”
But, he balances that with this: “The Chamber, and its private sector partners, remain passionately committed to unlocking the growth of our premier lifestyle destination. There have been huge successes worth celebrating, that is private/public sector collaborations, some driven by the private sector or individual businesses, some by local government, and others by the community. Ensuring economic growth that can be shared by all is however not a battle to be won – it is a battle to be fought. It is a long-term effort, with all the partners approaching it as such. *
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Iapproached the counter, chocolate in hand. My mom had given me 20c to buy a treat. To a nine-year-old in 1981, this was a huge treat. An old man was carefully counting out his coins to pay for his half loaf of bread, the lines on his dark face and hands etched by the harshness of his life. The shopkeeper looked up, saw me approaching, and ignoring this umkulu, beckoned me forward. I was shocked and stood resolutely behind the man. The shopkeeper – giving me undeserved and unwarranted power – planted in me a deep passion to fight for all to be treated with equal honour. A few days’ later I wrote a poem about Top Deck – and questioned why the white should always be above the brown?
At school I took every opportunity to connect with youth from disadvantaged communities, and in Grades 9 and 10 I would meet up with some guys from KwaNdengezi at the Pinetown Library (one of the only places we could meet then due to apartheid) to discuss the future of our country. Hearing their struggle continued to water that seed inside me.
I held various leadership positions over the years at school, and always enjoyed academics, especially maths. After school I went to Australia on Rotary Exchange for a year, then did a BComm at Maritzburg University where I served on the first nonracial res committee.
A last-minute change from doing Business Finance Honours to heading up a small business development programme for IPT once again brought me in line with my life’s passion. I have many stories to tell as a young white woman travelling by myself into various townships during the unsettling time leading up to the first democratic elections, but this was not about courage. My wiring has always tuned in to what I believe is right – not to that which is safe.
In 1995 I was given a scholarship to study a Masters (MPhil) in Economics of Developing Countries at Cambridge in the UK. After my studies I joined an international management consulting firm and worked around Europe for two years before returning to South Africa with my
husband in 1999. I joined BoE Corporate, then a merger with Nedcor meant a move to Joburg, but being pregnant I decided to leave and consult in the IT and financial services space – at that time a space quite
rare to women.
My second daughter was very ill for her first two years, so I decided to have a break from consulting and started studying theology. In February 2007, Sizakele, my
housekeeper, told me how flash floods had ravaged a community called Bhambayi and brought me Lillian Mokoatle’s number, a phenomenal community leader in the area. The Bhambayi Project was born and over the years Lillian and I have shared many deep discussions, laughs and tears.
For the first 10 years, the Bhambayi Project was focused on building relationships, with leadership combining the two communities. Together we looked to transform the lives of orphans and vulnerable children, but our goal was that everyone’s lives would be transformed. We were aware that most people in Durban North – wonderful and generous though they were – had racial bias without even
realising it. Each orphan was linked with a sponsor who would journey with them. From the beginning we emphasised a focus on transformative relationships, rather than handouts.
In 2011, a year after my third daughter was born, I was asked to lead St Margaret’s Church, and in 2017 to support Kevin Robertson in leading St Martin’s Church. At the end of 2019 the Bhambayi Project was growing significantly, and I decided to leave full-time church work and focus my energies on Bhambayi fulltime. God’s timing with Covid starting two months later.
How the Bhambayi Project operates has always been more important to us than what we do. We developed the term “eye2eye” for our relationship focus that is inherent in everything we do. People often view poverty as merely lack, but it is even more about feeling less than and having no voice. Eye2eye means we are all equals and we give to each other in different ways, not necessarily material, but just as valuable. In our We Have A Dream poem which I wrote many years ago, one verse explains the eye2eye giving approach: We have a dream of honour, where no one is seen as less than. Where there is no giver or receiver. But all give and receive »
ABOVE: Mandy Pearson with a group of learners hard at work – and having fun.and are blessed. This message has spread through our Mandela Day campaigns since 2020 which have been adopted by over 20 schools and many organisations and businesses – where the focus is not so much on doing something for 67 minutes, but reflecting through thought-provoking videos on a different way of being in the world – a way that gives dignity rather than dependency. This has grown to workshops and story-telling evenings in various spaces around our H.O.P.E. Building Model, which encapsulates a way of giving we believe is crucial to building the future of our country.
Today we have over 237 children involved in our daily programmes, as well as their guardians and many unemployed school leavers. Our focus is not just to enable our children to thrive, but to be agents of change in the world. During the 2022 KZN floods, when hope was at an all-time low, Andrew Sutton and Sandy B volunteered to help the Bhambayi flood victims. This led to a song being written for our children to give a message of hope to KZN. Three months later Woza Join Us was released by the Bhambayi Project, written by Andrew Sutton and involving a collaboration of South African artists – including Skye Wanda, Thee Legacy
and Kyle Deutsch – together with some of our orphans and vulnerable children. The message of the song is that it doesn’t matter how little you have or how young you are, you can ignite hope, you can change the world for good.
The song opened doors on TV and radio, and less than a month later when we were faced with a horrendous child rape case, we were able to be a voice for the voiceless. Since then we’ve had a number of rape cases of young girls and boys under 10 years old and are appalled that so many violent rapists are being let out on R1 500 bail. The implications on the children and their families are massive, to say nothing of future victims. We will continue to fight for justice, not only for the children in Bhambayi, but across South Africa.
Recently I was showing a visitor around the Bhambayi Project. Inside our play therapy room were three children sprawled on the floor, laughing together. One was a little boy of six who we’d found on the streets a few weeks earlier, and who’d never been in school due to neglect. Now attending school, there were two of our Grade 3 children teaching this little boy the alphabet – and having a ball!
In our hall we found four boys hunched around a table. One of them we had connected with the day before, and again he had never been to school a day in his life. This was just one of the 37 children we’ve come across this year who have never been to school. Again, the other boys had been teaching him the alphabet.
I felt pretty choked up as Sma, our social worker, told our visitor: “You see, this is the Bhambayi Project in action! It’s all about eye2eye. You don’t receive and receive, you receive so you can give to others. We are all on the same level. We teach each of our children to play their part in changing the world for good!”
For me, that story captures the Bhambayi Project’s mission of re-storying the lives of orphans and vulnerable children through eye2eye relationships and empowerment, enabling them to be agents of change in the world.
Lives still being re-storied, re-storying other lives. Now therein lies the power to change South Africa for good. And perhaps that one experience in a corner cafe in 1981 was part of that process, as my life began to be re-storied, enabling me to restory the lives of others.
I believe that eye2eye empowerment –giving dignity to the materially poor and enabling them to be agents of change in the world – can change the trajectory of our nation. This is not about charity. It is a model that goes beyond education and social grants to enable psycho-social and economic thriving in the richness of diverse community. It is a necessity. *
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death and disability in South Africa, accounting for around 25% of all deaths in the country. The prevalence of CVD is rising rapidly in South Africa due to changes in lifestyle, aging population, and high levels of hypertension and diabetes.
The risk of death and disability from CVD is higher in certain populations, including those with diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and a family history of CVD.
Early detection and screening are vital in effective management. Current advances in technology and medical expertise have made early detection and treatment possible.
Quality cardiac care depends on efficient and accurate diagnosis, where the accuracy of superior imaging can
provide a clear picture of a patient’s condition, enabling precise, personalised care decisions.
Our imaging technology can help deliver life-changing clinical insights to patients and cardiology care teams by providing exceptional quality in diagnostic imaging, analysis, reporting and insights across imaging modalities.
The coronary calcium score is used to refine the individual’s risk of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) after looking at clinical and laboratory markers. This is particularly useful for those at intermediate risk of CAD (ie, 5-20% risk of a coronary event in the next 10 years). The coronary calcium score will guide the medical practitioner as to how aggressively to treat the risk factors for CAD.
The coronary calcium score will also help rationalise the use of statins (cholesterol lowering drugs) avoiding
unnecessary use and side effects.
Scoring is simple, quick (about 15 minutes in total) and painless. The radiation dose to the individual is minimal and no contrast is required (no injection). The preparation is uncomplicated and one should avoid elevating ones heart rate prior to the procedure (avoid caffeine or strenuous physical activity just before the examination). Occasionally you may be prescribed a medication to lower your heart rate before the scan is performed. The cost of the examination is reasonable and is usually reimbursed by most medical aids. One should speak to one’s referring doctor for more detail on this.
As any artist will tell you, true success takes a deep level of commitment and time to get there. Botanical artist Sarah Kelly is, however, only 32, and while she joyfully acknowledges her success, believes it was consistency and hard work that got her from there to here: “I love every moment of what I do, but as a full-time artist, it’s work not play.”
Sarah grew up on a farm in the KZN Midlands: “I was always doing something creative, and knew from the get-go I’d be an artist. My mom and dad were fully supportive.” Sarah dreamt of doing a Fine Arts Degree, but saw graphic design as the wiser choice: “We all did that then – chose a degree in the creative field that could be used as a foundation. I’m so glad I did, as it’s benefitted me in the long run.”
Sarah loved the degree, loathed the career, and quickly realised it was not for her. To rekindle her mojo, she enrolled for an Honours Degree in Ceramics at UKZN’s acclaimed fine arts department: “I loved the tactile nature of working in clay, and it spurred me to begin painting again.” Then one evening, living then in Pietermaritzburg, she walked through Art in the Park: “I watched the artists selling their work, and thought ‘I can do that’.” And she did.
Sarah began painting little A4 watercolour botanicals, “Slowly but surely developing my own technique.” She took her watercolours into a gallery, the owner loved them, took them all, and within a week they all sold. That was the beginning.
Sarah then decided to scale them up a
SARAH KELLY’S GLORIOUSLY DETAILED, LARGELY WATERCOLOUR BOTANICALS ON OVERSIZED CANVASES ARE PAINTED IN HER HOME STUDIO AT HER CHOSEN FOREST-MEETS-SEA ESTATE AT SHEFFIELD BEACH ON THE NORTH COAST.
INSPIRATION FOR HER ARTWORK IS EVERYWHERE AROUND HER – AND THEN THERE’S HER HAPPY PLACE, THE BEACH, WRITES ANNE SCHAUFFER
bit, and gradually moved on to bigger and bigger pieces. Simultaneously, she started her social media campaign, created her first website, and began working alongside interior designers. She was soon working on numerous local and international projects with her mom and other influential interior designers such as Sue Bond, Lisa Walters, Michele Throssell, Mario Rodriguez, as well as Tamasa Gallery.
Sarah’s commissioned project at Amber Glades residential estate in Howick is particularly memorable: “Thirty-two canvases each measuring 4m high by
3m wide. I had the canvases made in Kloof, and a truck collected them one by one to bring to the farm.” She worked in a massive farm shed of her dad’s, because it was the only space in which the artworks would fit. She produced one every two weeks, allowed it to dry, wrapped it up, and trucked it there. It took three men to hang each artwork: “They were destined for the estate’s six hallways. I painted the background in the same colour as the walls, so the botanicals felt like they were floating. Eight or so months in, I completed the project in time for the launch.” It’s »
a powerful, beautiful display of botanical art, complete with a catalogue of the plants and their stories.
Having studied graphic design, worked with decorators, and spent time as an intern at the fabric house, Hertex, Sarah had always loved the idea of fabric design. She’d almost studied it, she says, and had produced a portfolio. Hertex saw her fabric designs, and asked her to collaborate with two other artists on a range called African Illustrators Collection. It was a great success, and Sarah’s graphic design skills were put to full use. Covid struck, and that started her on another artistic journey –her original ink artwork printed on exquisite silk scarves, hems rolled and hand stitched. They’re beautifully presented in stylish boxes with ribbons – everyone’s dream gift!
Today, Sarah generally works predominantly on a large scale: “You can be so expressive. My watercolour technique is different, I layer my colours, so my style is quite painterly – it looks like gauche.” Generally botanical painting
has a clinical accuracy, to which Sarah laughs: “I don’t measure leaves. I don’t do it scientifically.” Which is possibly why her work has something truly special, different about it – a certain energy. Whatever it is, she has a devoted clientele – and one that is growing. Her first solo exhibition last year was a series of contemporary Euphorbia, so very well received.
Living at Elaleni is in so many ways, the polar opposite of farm life. There’s the glorious tropical vegetation which provides so much inspiration for Sarah’s work, but also the beach: “I’m more of a beach person. I adore farm life, but I’ll choose this over that for relaxation. I’m an active person, can’t keep still, have to be busy, and the sea offers so many opportunities for that.” Sarah runs, every day, and walking on the beach is her escape: “It’s to clear my head space. I’m a big thinker, and I overanalyse everything,” she grins. Not everything – her work is just perfect.*
FOR MORE INFO
www.sarahkellyart.com; W @sarahkellyart
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IN LESS THAN THREE HOURS DRIVE FROM DURBAN, ENJOY CRISP DAYS, NIGHTS LINGERING IN FRONT OF A FIREPLACE, AND THE BEST COMFORT FOOD. THIS IS WINTER AT ITS VERY BEST
Take a break to a winter wonderland at Gooderson Drakensberg Gardens Hotel, nestled in the picturesque Southern Drakensberg. Enjoy crisp mountain air, crackling fires and endless activities like zip-lining, abseiling, hiking and horse riding, plus there’s the popular 18-hole golf course. Unwind in cosy comfort, indulge in delicious meals and soak in stunning views. Book now for an unforgettable winter holiday.
FOR MORE INFO
031 337 4222; drak@goodersons.co.za
Perfectly positioned in the foothills of the Northern Drakensberg within the Amphitheatre World Heritage Site, the Cavern Resort & Spa is a place of captivating beauty – surrounded by majestic mountains, lush indigenous forests and clear mountain streams. The resort offers all sorts of activities, including daily guided hikes, fishing, horse trails and pony rides. The pool area is the perfect place to relax in the winter sun with a book, cup of tea or an ice-cold beer. For some pampering, enjoy spa treatments by qualified therapists while overlooking the ancient fern forest – it’s the ideal spot to unwind and restore in peaceful surroundings.
FOR MORE INFO
036 438 6270 or 083 701 5724; W www.cavern.co.za
Let’s face it, we’re all getting older. But this natural phenomenon has been frowned upon across mainstream media for decades, and those (especially women) who allowed its evidence to rear its head were behind the curve, on the outside of the forever young club.
With medical advances and an increased awareness of health and well-being, more people around the world are living longer. While South Africa is generally a young nation with the majority of the country under 40 years, Statistics South Africa indicates that the over 60 demographic increased by 33,8% in 2022. The larger the older population, the higher the risk of a chronic disease burden on the health system unless early interventions are found to keep this demographic healthy – mentally and physically.
When the unthinkable happened and the whole world shut down, confining us to our homes in 2020, 78-year-old wine merchant Olga Hafner was living alone in her home. While reading through a copy of a UK magazine, she came across an article about a web-based platform called Goldster. “I was looking for some kind of exercise to do to keep me occupied during lockdown, and stumbled across the article,” remembers Olga. “I found Goldster so helpful, it improved my mobility and kept my mind and body active,” she says.
With over 400 real-time video based activities that focus on cognitive, physical and emotional well-being, Goldster took the UK by storm in 2019. And with Olga’s persistence, South Africa became the first country outside the UK to offer the platform earlier this year. Positively redefining the term old-age, Goldster is the new frontier in healthy ageing. Its name is derived from the term “golden oldies” mashed up with a twist on the word “youngster”.
Designed by an international team of experts, every activity on the platform is backed by science and research for
the specific purpose of helping the three areas proven to promote healthy ageing: cognitive, physical and emotional. The Goldster philosophy is that prevention is better than cure, and their goal is to make non-pharmacological healthcare for healthy ageing and dementia accessible to everyone.
“The simple things that make you healthy should be easy, accessible and affordable, and you should be able to do them at home. They don’t all require medication, a pill or an operation,” says Mark Carter, Co-founder and MD at Goldster. “The evidence that is emerging in healthy ageing shows that positive social connections and a sense of
purpose are vital for health in ageing. We have built Goldster as a social platform and our members get great outcomes using our live activities, as they offer a dimension which videos or apps just can’t provide,” adds Mark.
For Olga, keeping active in this way has alleviated a lot of fear. “We all fear getting older and especially developing dementia and being immobile. I now fear less and have gained so much confidence.”
The platform offers everything from yoga, Pilates, painting, book club (hosted by the world’s biggest authors), cognitive training, emotional classes, classes for better sleep, to menopause coaching and dementia prevention. And you can talk to the presenter live in real-time.
“People have come off waiting lists for operations and are getting 50-60 minutes more sleep every night,” asserts Mark. “The body really isn’t ageing until we’re in our 90s. So ageing isn’t the issue – it’s how we live our lifestyles and the choices we make that makes 90 the new 50,” says Mark.
Professor Brent Tipping, a member of the South African Geriatric Society and the head of the Division of Geriatric Medicine at the University of the Witwatersrand, agrees. “Many healthcare practitioners write off their (the elderly’s) complaints and put them down to age. It is an entrenched treatment behaviour that a lot of symptoms and disabilities are put down to age, when it’s actually disease. It’s our job to manage disease,” he says.
Artificial Intelligence is finding its niche in healthcare. Johns Hopkins medicine is currently developing AI technologies for healthy ageing. “Many older adults accumulate health problems and have functional and cognitive declines that impact their ability to stay in their own homes and enjoy meaningful social interactions,” says Dr Jeremy Walston, Professor of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. “This new enterprise is attempting to disrupt
these problems in ways that will lengthen the years that people have to enjoy independent, highly functional lives, free of cognitive impairment,” he adds.
An example of this technology in action is in data collection. Data from sensors that monitor steps and gait (such as Fitbits and Apple watches) could be used to develop devices that predict and prevent falls, and algorithms monitoring facial expression and speech could spot signs of early dementia to help people receive early intervention or treatment. *
To learn more about Goldster visit www.goldster.co.uk
Experts agree on these main elements to healthy ageing.
¥ Get moving. Any exercise you enjoy will do, be it gardening, walking your dog or playing with grandchildren.
¥ Eat well. Fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, a little bit of red meat and little to no processed food. Generally what you cook for yourself will be healthier than anything processed or readymade.
¥ Maintain social connections. Isolation and loneliness are some of the biggest causes of a health decline in older adults.
¥ Go for regular check-ups (at least twice a year) and stick to one healthcare provider to maintain your health over time.
¥ Sleep well. Practise good sleep hygiene by sleeping at the same time every night, avoiding screen time before bed and making sure your bed linen and pillows offer good neck and back support.
The perfect gift for the man who travels frequently and wants to look the part. Bovine leather holdall in black, R4 500, Ted Baker.
Well-known influencer Shan Fourie shared her thoughts on last-minute Father’s Day gifts for her lucky husband Justin. But, dads are worth spoiling all year round, not just on Father’s Day, so here are some timeless ideas to inspire you.
Ray Ban Justin sunglasses, R2 580 – who could resist, as Shan’s hubby’s name is Justin, Sunglass Hut.
For sporty dads who enjoy the outdoors, this Made with Dry Move Active T-shirt in black or white, R249, will be the perfect fit, H&M.
Whether it be for a special occasion, business meeting or family outing, all dads secretly like to look good, smell good and enjoy a little pampering. To add the finishing touches to their day or night out, spoil your special man with Acqua di Parma men’s fragrance, R3 000; Acqua Fico di Amalfi Eau de Toilette, R3 000; or Blu Mediterraneo fragrance, R3 000. If it’s a little pampering dad’s after, try these products from The Grey: Scrub, R1 400; Face wash, R1 400; Moisturiser, R1 870; Deodorant, R685; and Exfoliating toning pads, R2 390, Skins Cosmetics.
Zanav light tan men’s shoes, R1 999, Steve Madden.
Keep dad well stocked with his favourite Nespresso coffee capsules. Choose from either Favourites Mild, 100 capsules for R1 045, or Favourites Intense, 100 capsules for R1050, Nespresso.
Banish the winter blues in an olive green padded anorak, R2 499 by New Now teamed with a charcoal zip-up crew-neck sweater, R1 499 and washed jeans in a variety of colours, R799 a pair, Mango.
ALL ITEMS AVAILABLE FROM GATEWAY STORES. VIEW A FULL LIST OF STORES ON WWW.GATEWAYWORLD.CO.ZA
ENABLING HOME OWNERSHIP WITH DEDICATION AND PASSION IS WHAT LEA WIMBLE AND HER YOUNG TEAM OF CONVEYANCING SPECIALISTS IS ALL ABOUT
Leadership and business ownership found dynamic conveyancing attorney, Lea Wimble – but it’s not what she had planned for her life. It’s something she has taken on with gratitude and she believes her career is a “gift”. As Lea and her team help clients through the process of transferring property ownership, she says: “I regard my skills
as a ‘tool’ and ask myself how can I use this tool to help others? Every quarter, as a business, we look at how we can make life better for our clients, staff, community, and the city in which the business is based.”
To this end, an empathetic, caring ethos permeates Wimble Attorneys’ practice. “We approach clients with the perspective of ‘How can we help?’ For every client, this represents something different.”
Buying and selling property is not always a joyous occasion. “Clients can be emotionally stressed if they’re selling a long-time family home, or because of a death, divorce, or financial strain. We meet our clients where they are at and provide a very personal service.”
Most of Wimble Attorneys’ clients are in the greater eThekwini and KwaDukuza areas, but the company assists clients all over the country. The head office is based on the uMhlanga Ridge and a new branch has recently opened in Ballito as a convenient service to clients further north.
As a small team, all staff are easily accessible and deal with all clients. Lines of communication are open and direct. “Conveyancing involves a lot of paperwork and most of what we do is over the phone, email and WhatsApp because it’s convenient and quick. South African legislation still requires physical signatures, so we do get to meet our clients, often feeling like old friends by the time we do!”
Choosing a Conveyancing Attorney
Lea says choosing a conveyancer is like choosing a school for your child. As a mother of three, Lea’s familiar with how these decisions are made. Conveyancers’ fees are regulated, based on the value of the property transaction, so that is not usually the main criterion.
“There are excellent conveyancing attorneys in our area. “We are colleagues as well as competitors and I can safely say that the level of service is outstanding –
efficient, qualified and dedicated. Clients are spoilt for choice,” she says.
Lea says estate agents are a good source for recommendations. Your agent would have worked with most of the conveyancing firms in your area. They would also be familiar with your situation and the details surrounding your transaction. Find a few options and then choose a firm that best suits your needs.
• If you are in a hurry for the transfer to go through, find a firm that will deliver in record-breaking time.
• If your transfer is complicated, then
choose a practice which specialises in the technical aspects of the law.
• If the transfer is emotionally-laden, find a more caring, empathetic firm that will take time to explain the process and assist you every step of the way.
• If you expect contentious issues, attorneys who specialise in the cut and thrust of litigation will be a good option.
“In conclusion, the best conveyancing attorney for you depends on your situation. I would say that our practice tends to focus on an individual approach with a great emphasis on communication,” says Lea.
Wimble Attorneys dared to act on an audaciously big dream and worked towards gifting someone their own home. “We saved little by little on each transaction until we had enough to purchase a home for a lady who works as a domestic worker in the Highway area.
“It’s been a life-changing experience for her (and us) and she has enthusiastically embraced the concept of home ownership as a generational wealth-creator. The property has been transferred into her name with no strings attached. She is currently renting out rooms in the property which has created a second income stream for her and her family.
“The level of need in our city often feels overwhelming, but by looking at what you have in your hand to help just one person, we can all make a di erence and build a better world,” says Lea who has a strong faith and positive outlook.
Meeting on a trampoline isn’t the most common of Aha! moments for a couple, but for Wayne and Tarryn Hendra, that’s what happened. Of course, if you grew up in Durban, it’ll make perfect sense – back then everyone hung out at the uMhlanga Rocks Hotel, swam in the pool, played in the games arcade, and, well, jumped on the trampoline: “We were always best friends,” grins Wayne, “I was even the mobile DJ for Tarryn’s sixteenth birthday.”
Wayne’s parents founded, owned and ran Hendra Estates, but he was entrenched in the IT world, working for corporates such as Bidvest. Tarryn and Wayne progressed from trampolining to juggling work, marriage and children, and settled in the area in which they’d grown up.
Growing up in a “real estate family”, it’s almost inevitable that at least one child joins the firm. Contrary to expectation, that was Wayne, who not only brought a fresh, youthful perspective to the 25-year-old estate agency – the oldest brand in the region – but found himself becoming enamoured with property and people. Matching people to homes: “Tarryn and I had both worked in the corporate world, so we found ourselves ‘taking the good stuff’ we had learnt there, and introduced it to Hendra. We’re both ‘systems’ kind of people, where structure and blueprints streamline
business and create an efficient working environment which works for everyone.” Today, it’s a tight-knit, boutique-sized and focused agency, where everyone works together for the greater good.
Tarryn’s career path was quite different from Wayne’s, but their paths converged in unexpected ways. She’d qualified in interior design at the then Durban Tech, spent a few years steeped in the fabric world of Upholstery & General, then another 10 as a homeware buyer for the Mr Price Group, before venturing out on her own: “I’d always
Tarryn rolled up her sleeves. Hendra would get a sole mandate on a property, and she’d declutter the space – this was particularly useful for holiday homes, where clients lived elsewhere in the country.
Tarryn opened Calla&Taia Interior Design & Renovate, and her comfort zone just kept on expanding. She moved between residential and corporate, reinventing spaces, moving from construction to project management, new builds to old, design and decor, and even designing customised furniture for clients. Tarryn also has the wonderful ability to reuse and recycle, and she’s always focused on sustainability, no matter how big or small the project.
For Hendra, Tarryn’s creative input set them apart – it was a wonderful add-on service which the real estate agency could offer clients.
been fascinated by structures, and it was time to get involved in that aspect of interiors. Nothing excites me more than breaking down walls and turning cramped spaces into inviting open plan ones.”
This is where her work path connected with Wayne’s: “It began gradually,” he says. “But quite often, Hendra would sell a property to a client, who then wanted to renovate – have a fresh interior or a host of other services. At one point, we sold a series of beach apartments, and Tarryn renovated three of them.” From construction to project management,
Wayne and Tarryn have two young daughters, Calla and Taia, so trampolining gave way to juggling. Property is their passion, only from different perspectives, but between the two of them, they have it covered floor to ceiling, garden to garage – and beyond. Wayne at Hendra Estates, and Tarryn at Calla&Taia Interior Design & Renovate. “In a nutshell,” grins Tarryn, “we both love making people happy. That’s where our joy comes from!” *
FOR MORE INFO
Tarryn: hello@callaandtaia.com; www.callaandtaia.com
Wayne: 031 562 8899, 083 955 4708; wayne@hendra.co.za; www.hendra.co.za
Tarryn also has the wonderful ability to reuse and recycle, and she’s always focused on sustainabilityLEFT: Wayne and Tarryn Hendra –homes are their business.
YOU KNOW WHY YOU SHOULD BE EXERCISING, BUT HERE’S THE THING: IF YOU GET OUT THERE AND LET YOUR LEGS DO THE TALKING, YOU’LL HEAR A SURPRISINGLY DIFFERENT, VERY PERSUASIVE VOICE TO HELP YOU KEEP GOING, WRITES ANNE SCHAUFFER
It’s too hot, it’s too cold, I’m too busy, I’m too tired – the Maybe Tomorrow List is as deep as it is long. You do have the time. All those excuses will fall away when you fall in love with your kind of exercise. Let’s go!
WITH A GROUP OR A FRIEND
Dane Forman is BESET, one of three friends who years back began highly successful, fun educational walks through Durban. It was about getting out there and investigating your own city. It morphed into BESETRun. “We started that because as friends, from an exercise point of view, we were always cancelling on each other. We thought let’s use the BESET platform to springboard the run initiative, and marry accountability with reputational pressure – we have to show up because people are looking at our social media, wanting to join us. The premise was get out there, into the streets, on to the promenade, fresh ocean air, feel good, kick the week off with a bang,” says Dane. And their motto is: ‘It’s not a race, it’s a vibe’.
“Our runs vary from five to 50 or 60km, depending on weather, and every few weeks we do a 10km loop through the city. For us, running has literally changed the whole culture and fabric of how we live our lives – and the people with whom we interact. It’s a community element almost larger than it is an exercise one.”
The physiological – and psychological – benefits of exercise are well known, in particular being outdoors, connected to the environment. For Dr Kirsten Van
Heerden, sports psychologist with Newton Sports Agency, it’s more even than the changes effected in your body: “Being part of a community can be important. Really encourage at least one other person to do your chosen exercise with you – the friendships/relationships you build are equally beneficial.”
THE SENSE OF MASTERY
Kirsten says, “It’s kind of obvious, but you must do what you enjoy. Find an exercise you like, whether it’s walking, running, cycling or swimming.” She talks about that ‘sense of mastery over your own body’. “Let’s say you begin by swimming four lengths, then getting to five or six, you can see your progress, and it gives you confidence and a sense of mastery. You start to think, ‘Hey, I can do this’. You have more control over your body. It’s motivating.”
“When you get going, it’s often not fun,” says Justin Hand. He’s been in the sports industry for most of his career, is a running specialist, and trains athletes. “Those first three to four weeks are hard – you’re not in good shape, unfit, and you start doubting yourself.” He stresses, “Don’t obsess –Monday to Sunday is too much. Small bits consistently. The biggest hurdle is getting over that first one.”
Kirsten believes in goal setting: “Initially, you may not be motivated. But you need it to become something you do often, like shopping or going to work. It’s not an
add on – so schedule it in. Choose small process goals, like a walk round the block. Have a sense of what you want to achieve this session or this week. When you look back, it’ll be better than last week.”
“Make your exercise a lifestyle,” says Justin. It’s the cheapest, easiest alternative to any meds. From anxiety to obesity – all those health issues that are part of life –start exercising regularly, and you start feeling better about yourself.” Justin is not talking theory: “That enjoyment around running began to affect my entire lifestyle. I became more conscious about what I was eating, how much I was drinking – I didn’t want it to spoil tomorrow’s run with mates. So much so, I have no problem drinking less at rugby, and going home earlier …”
get kitted out items: jess smit
Hoka One One Torrent 2
A big plus about running is its portability. Whether you go on holiday, overseas, or stay at home, you can run. No excuses. Running isn’t for everyone, but talk to those who are in love with it, it’s an integral part of who they are – it’s linked to their mental health.
Trail running is very different to road running, and as Kirsten said, “Find your exercise.” You may prefer the predictability of road running, and being in the urban environment. Others prefer a more natural environment, where trails present constant physical challenges and heaps of surprises. Perhaps you’ll progress to that, or opt for it when you have more time on the weekends. It’s irrelevant, it’s whatever makes you feel good physically, and feel great about yourself. Speed, too, is not the issue – just get out there and go.
Comfortable, supportive shoes are critical –either for road or trail running. A professional running store will have experts to analyse your foot and even your gait when you run. It’s worth every cent.
You’ll also need a lightweight jacket or/and a technical layer, light enough to tie round your waist. And if you’re running in the dark, make sure your kit has reflective panels or strips, or that you make these part of your essential kit. »
New Balance Women’s Accelerate Run Long
Sleeve: Fastdrying technology pulls moisture away from your body, keeping you dry and comfortable as you pick up the pace. Sportsmanswarehouse. co.za, R599,90
and grip every step of the way.
Men’s: Tackle uneven terrain in comfort in these superb trail shoes. The sticky rubber outsole offers superior traction and grip every step of the way. Durbanrunner.co.za, R2 399
ASICS Gel Nimbus 25
Asics have a shoe for every type of road runner. The Gel Nimbus 25 is perfect for everyday training, with premium cushioning making for a softer and smoother run. Poobienaidoos.co.za, R3 050
Durban Ramblers Hiking Club: Started in 1932, this club offers guided hikes and walking trips – for everyone from beginners to seasoned hikers – in some of the most beautiful areas of our province. Durbanramblers.co.za
Beloved Long Runs: An informal running group that partners with athletic clubs across KwaZulu-Natal to host events and build the running community. Belovedlongruns.co.za
East Coast Cycling Club: Whether you’re a road cyclist or mountain biker, a racing snake or a weekend warrior, this social cycling club has a riding group for you. Eccc.co.za
Versus Llama Performance
Active Socks: These socks will quickly become your favourites – and not just because of their trendy patterns! They’re made from a moisture-wicking material with arch support and an anti-blister finish, giving them the thumbs up from power walkers. versussocks.com, R159
Chiropractor Dr Carmen Hawker says, “When my patients come in for a checkup, they’re always so surprised that the ‘prescription’ I give them is walking. This simple activity we’ve all been doing since age one, is one of the most underrated, under-estimated activities for our health. A sedentary lifestyle is not recommended. I tell patients not to be discouraged if they can’t run five kilometres – running isn’t for everyone, but walking is.”
Walking has so many advantages, not least of all; choosing your own pace and distance. Starting out, stop to smell the roses – even if it’s a route you drive daily, you’ll start to notice so much you’ve never ‘seen’ before. Some prefer to walk straight out the front door and head out into suburbia; others prefer the ‘scenery’ of the beachfront or a trail. Wherever you are, gradually step up your pace, so you up your heart rate. All the other benefits of strengthening bones and toning muscles will happen naturally. The general rule of thumb from a cardiologist is to work towards 30 minutes four to five times a week.
Don’t be hard on yourself. For the first few weeks, just step out there with a friend, and relax. This is no marathon – relax your shoulders, stretch up, and step out. Very soon, you’re going to know without a shadow of doubt, that when you return home after the walk, you’ll feel better than before you set out. That knowledge is in itself motivating.
This is no fashion parade, although once you get hooked on the high, you’ll probably care.
Your socks and footwear will depend on whether you’re walking on a flat, hard surface or doing a trail on uneven terrain – or both. Very often one is during the week, the other over the weekend. The right shoes are crucial – don’t do cheap. Go to a specialist walking/running/hiking shop, and get them to advise on the right footwear – you might need two different shoe types for different terrain.
Heading into winter you’ll need a few layers, and there are excellent socalled ‘technical’ layers which are light, but warm. You’re also likely to need a windbreaker or jacket, but a lightweight, thin one, because you’re going to take it off pretty soon and you don’t want something bulky to carry.
Ladies Journey 7/8 Hiking Tights: Whether you’re hitting the promenade or a hiking trail, a pair of durable tights is essential. This stretchy version features a high-rise elasticated waistband and handy side pockets, while an inner sweat gusset reduces pesky chafe. Firstascent.co.za, R749
Men’s TS Dri-tech Run Jacket: A lightweight jacket stashed in your backpack is helpful to fend off the elements. This wind- and waterresistant jacket is made from hardy ripstop fabric and has a zipped back pocket and adjustable hood. bash.com, R349,95
Different types of cycles will encourage different styles of cycling, but for a beginner it’s a good idea not to overspend, and to ease into cycling. Ideally, get yourself measured so you purchase a bike that suits your height – you can still buy a secondhand bike, but one which doesn’t put a strain on any part of your body. Do include a water bottle holder (and for beginners, a tyre pump).
Cyclists love their kit, and there’s no doubt, having the right gear certainly enhances the experience. Riding that cruiser or mountain bike on the promenade is a real joy, and for beginners on SA roads, it’s the safer option. Once you’ve built up courage and stamina, try a few different routes – and include a few inclines to get your heart rate up – so you don’t get bored with the same scenery.
There are so many designated mountain bike trails throughout KZN – and indeed, SA – and there’s little more enjoyable than riding in our brilliant countryside with a group of friends.
Clearly, you’ll need a good helmet that fits you comfortably. And during winter it gets surprisingly chilly at speed; a lightweight beanie is a must, as are thin, flexible cycling gloves – those thin glove inners too, can work well.
Sitting on a bike for any length of time can get uncomfortable, so buy yourself a pair of winter cycling tights – they’re stretchy, have padding in the crotch, and (either rain or sweat) they dry fast.
You’ll need a lightweight jacket – choose one with a few handy and discreet pockets to hold your cellphone, a snack, and items like lip ice/sunscreen. *
SCOTT Brick Red Essential Gel
Short Finger Gloves: An essential in every cyclist’s saddle bag, these easy-on, easy-off gloves have a velcro wrist tab closure and get top marks for breathability. Cyclelab.com, R799,99
Funky Pants Cycling Shorts: Brighten up your cycling gear with shorts in the coolest of prints. With an ergonomic seat pad for maximum comfort, you’ll reach the finish line before you know it. Funkypants. co.za, from R840
Bell Tracker Helmet: This all-purpose performer has a removable visor, quick-adjust fasteners and a sturdy polycarbonate shell. Solomonscycles.co.za, R799,90
Ladies Strike Cycling Jersey: Combining performance and style, the lightweight Quik-Wik fabric is designed to keep you dry on long rides, while reflective details ensure visibility in low-light conditions. Firstascent.co.za, R999
Whether you are a professional athlete or a recreational sports enthusiast, understanding what, when and how much food to eat will remarkably enhance your training outcomes, performance gains and result in more effective recovery – all contributing towards a fitter, stronger, leaner and healthier you.
In practice we observe that people tend to embark on incredibly routine and regimented weekly training programmes, engaging in the same exercise sessions on the same days of the week. In stark contrast, however, we note that their eating habits tend to be erratic and haphazard, with not too much prioritising of food choices or planning meals ahead of time. An exercise regime should be complemented with an equally structured eating regime.
Here are a few food facts for exercise enthusiasts to consider.
BASELINE: What are your daily eating habits like? Are you considered and mindful with your food preferences and combinations of foods? Your choices should focus on unprocessed foods, opting for as close to real foods as possible. Combinations of foods must be correctly balanced in order to provide a sustained blood glucose release and to avoid energy slumps.
TIMING: It helps to consider whether you should be eating before, during or after training. Plan your meal and snack times strategically to coincide with these stages. Balancing your food intake relative to your exercise schedule will help to provide sufficient fuel during training and ensure you are maximising your nutrition to speed up your recovery.
FUEL: If you are not in a fat adapted (ketogenic) state, then your body will default to burning glucose as a fuel substrate. This is the most efficient way to generate energy. Therefore, if you are eating carbohydrates, your body will be relying on this during exercise, so give it enough and do not skip your carbs. If you want to follow a ketogenic approach to
your eating, then you have to eat enough dietary fat to train your body to burn fat in preference to carbohydrates. It is not enough to simply cut out carbohydrates. Decide which side of the fence you are on and understand how to maximise your fuel usage.
SUPPLEMENTS: Supplements are not the “magic fuel” to enhance your performance. Remember that processed sports supplements contain harmful chemical additives and there is nothing in a sports drink, shake, gel or bar that you cannot get from real food. During long bouts of exercise your muscles need four things – fluid, fuel, electrolytes and protein. Sports supplements may provide a convenient way to tick all of these boxes in a ready to use form, but with a little prep you can achieve the same, if
not better, results with healthy everyday foods. The trick is to find foods you enjoy, can tolerate, are easy to carry, and won’t melt (or freeze). Understand how much you need to ingest on an hourly basis and plan accordingly. Dried fruit, fresh fruit, sandwiches, biltong, boiled eggs and potatoes can all work well when paired with water.
Considering your nutrition and having a planned approach to your food intake will give you the edge in achieving your exercise and sporting goals. *
Contact Kerryn Wuth on kerrynnutritioninnovated. co.za; www.nutritioninnovated.co.za
I know we don’t have the coldest winter, but I use the drop in temperature to get straight into closed shoes. Why? Because it will protect your feet from drying out and reduces the “stress” on your skin caused by aircon, dry heat or humidity. Closed shoes will also speed up healing cracked skin and even prevent cracked heels.
I’m forever grateful for sneakers being fashionable, especially as we are spoilt for choice depending on the occasion. And if sneakers are not your style, any other closed shoe will do.
Which foot cream is best? The effectiveness of the cream will depend on how often it’s applied. I find it best to apply cream to the entire foot – top and underneath – after a shower or bath, and to put on socks for about 30 to 60 minutes. After that the cream would have been absorbed and the socks can be removed. Alternatively, I’ll apply cream before I head off on a run or gym session, which at least allows me to get some cream on my feet. The choice of cream will depend on each person’s skin, but my advice is to buy foot specific cream from a reputable brand.
Callouses are hard skin that have developed in areas where there is an increase in pressure or friction. Sandals, slip-ons and being barefoot can often lead to callouses forming due to more pressure on feet that are not well supported. Closed shoes offer more support, thus putting less stress on your skin – and might be the answer to soft feet in spring.
Everyone deserves a break – even your nails need a break from nail polish, gels and all other cosmetic nail applications. Rest your nails for a few months between May and September, but still treating them with cuticle oils and topical nail treatments. The colour of your nails and nailbeds are a very good indication of your health. Discoloured nails? This is a red flag
WE ALL KNOW THAT SUMMER BODIES ARE MADE IN WINTER – AND LIKEWISE, BEAUTIFUL SUMMER FEET ARE NURTURED IN WINTER, SAYS NELFRIE KEMP, WHO SHARES HER PROFESSIONAL ADVICE
for treatment – so don’t just hide them under nail polish.
Long nails in closed shoes can cause discomfort and ingrown nails. Thickened nails are usually a cause of trauma or damage to the nailbed and can cause discomfort.
The first line of treatment for painful feet is to address your shoes. Most closed shoes are more supportive and complement the normal walking pattern. Wearing the correct shoes in winter can aid in resolving foot discomfort, resulting in you having comfortable feet when you start wearing your summer sandals.
Cinderella’s slipper changed her life, but yours might ruin your feet. Slippers might feel soft and comforting, but offer very little support to your feet. Limit the times
you wear them to when you’re curled up on the couch. They’re not intended for wearing the entire day around the house or standing for hours in the kitchen.
If you suffer from discoloured, thickened or painful nails, corns and callouses or foot discomfort, it’s best to consult with a podiatrist. And remember, there’s no time like winter to get those feet ready for summer. *
FOR MORE INFO
Nelfrie Kemp: www.nelfriekemp.co.za; @nelfriekemp W @nelfriekemp
The local fashion scene is buzzing with the launch of cool new ladieswear label Victoria Reece Designs. Founded by Hillcrest moms Jackie Healey and Megan Hall, the brand is fast becoming the go-to for well-constructed everyday essentials with fresh appeal.
At the heart of the collection is a laidback line of dresses, skirts, blouses and joggers – all proudly made in South Africa. Versatile by design, the flattering looks can easily be styled with heels for date night or
pared back with sandals for the office. Inspired by their mutual love of fashion, Meg and Jax are bringing their signature style to the brand. The pair met in the school corridors of Winston Park Primary
when their eldest children – Victoria and Reece, after whom the brand is named –were in the same class.
With Meg’s background in sales and marketing, and Jackie’s in supply chain and logistics, the passion project soon took shape and is delivering on their dream of becoming the brand of choice for women wanting to effortlessly update their wardrobe. “I love a good spreadsheet,” laughs Jackie, “while Meg drives the design side.”
Whether brainstorming ideas, fine-tuning patterns or drying 20m rolls of fabric on one of their driveways, the journey has been incredibly rewarding for the pair –buoyed as it has been by countless cups of
coffee, endless road trips to source fabrics, incredible support from the community and, most importantly, plenty of laughs!
While they deliver nationwide, the functional designs are perfect for our KZN climate and can be worn year-round.
“Layering is key – simply throw on a denim jacket with one of our maxi skirts, slip on a pair of tights with our long-sleeve smock dress or pull on a chunky jersey with our best-selling joggers,” says Meg.
What sets VRD apart – aside from their timeless designs, subtle detailing and unique prints – are small production runs, which means you’re far less likely to spot someone in the Woolies queue wearing the same outfit as you.
What’s next for Victoria Reece Designs?
A brand new retail website has just gone live, perfect for those customers who prefer to get their shopping fix online, and a stunning new autumn/winter collection of shift dresses, long-sleeve blouses and wrap skirts will be launching soon, too. Fastest fingers first! *
FOR MORE INFO
www.victoriareece.co.za; W victoriareecedesigns
YES, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR DUDES TO COOK GOOD FOOD THAT EVERYONE LOVES, WITHOUT FEELING THE HEAT AND PRESSURE OFTEN ASSOCIATED WITH TOP-NOTCH FOOD, SAYS ANT ELLIS
Alright, dude food is a thing. While it sounds terribly exclusionary in 2023, it’s defined as food for those with a big appetite for generous, heavy, meaty, greasy dishes – known to over-satiate, stretch the waistband, and, occasionally deliver the good ol’ meat sweats –
which can lead directly to remorse and cheese-fuelled hallucinations. I don’t need to tell you that eating food like this any more than “now-and-then” can be dangerously unhealthy – and while a Quadruple Bypass Burger™ or Coronary Dog™ is fun at the time, especially washed down with a few brews, I can’t recommend it with a clear conscience, let alone artery.
But let’s move on to my version of dude food, which is simply top-notch food that I believe dudes of all ages and persuasions can and should cook, all by themselves, and way beyond the braai. I’m talking almost fool-proof recipes with accessible, everyday ingredients that will please themselves, the ladies, the kiddos, the mother-in-law, and even the harshest of
critics; their friends.
I have two extremely smart and talented brothers I often ask to test my recipes, and I absolutely love hearing their feedback which most often includes the ego-feeding words “delicious” and “easy”. So John and Chris, this one’s for you. Girlfriends, wives, daughters and mothers, prepare to be amazed! Because while this is rock ’n roll, easy and comforting food for dudes, by dudes, it’s also family-friendly, quick night-off stuff for you, too.
The time for can’t or won’t cook is over, amigos. Grab an apron, crank some music, and let’s go. Follow these two easy recipes and claim your place in the family tree as the legendary trailblazer who liberated future generations from the shackles of stereotypical male inadequacy in the kitchen. Or something.
• 1 cup mashed ripe bananas
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 2 1/4 cups instant oats
• 2 tablespoons honey
Preheat oven to 180°C. Spray a shallow baking tray with cooking spray. In a large mixing bowl mix bananas and peanut butter, stir until fully combined and uniform in colour. Add oats and honey, stir until evenly mixed. Pour mixture into baking tray and spread evenly, smoothing the surface. Bake for 13-15 minutes or until the top looks set and cooked. Let cool fully before removing from the tray and cutting into squares.
Remember two things: a) do all your prep first; and b) clean as you go. Both game-changers!
• 2 tablespoons good olive oil
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped
• 500g lean beef mince
• 1 glass red wine (don’t bother with the good stuff, plonk is great)
• 1 level teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 tablespoons tomato purée
• 2x400g tins of chopped, peeled tomatoes
• 1 good sized handful fresh basil, chopped
• salt and pepper to taste
• dried spaghetti
• grated Parmesan or Pecorino cheese
Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add onions, cook until lightly golden, 2-3 minutes max, stirring often.
Add garlic and cook another minute. Add mince and cook
while stirring often until no pink shows at all in the meat (8-10 minutes). Add red wine and stir, let the booze burn off – about a minute – then add oregano and tomato purée, and mix with the meat. Add tinned tomatoes and basil, stir and turn the heat up until boiling. Season generously with salt and pepper, then reduce heat to low, and cook for at least 20 minutes (longer for deeper flavour). Adjust seasoning by adding a bit of salt and pepper at a time, stirring and tasting, repeat until it’s the greatest. During the sauce cooking time, cook spaghetti according to the pack instructions in heavily salted water, and drain just before serving. Serve with either the sauce mixed through the spaghetti, or with the sauce on top. Finish with lashings of cheese, fresh basil leaves and cracked black pepper with a side of crusty bread.
Until next time: There’ll be more in this series that will help you knuckleheads become more self-assured in the kitchen. If I was a gambling man, I’d put R50 on your ulterior motive of getting into the good graces of the fairer sex. Talk to me at ant@rockthekitchen.co.za *
ABOVE: Durban lover of good food, wine and company, Ant Ellis.
There’s something about returning to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe after 28 years. It’s like time has stood still. The people couldn’t have been friendlier and the mood more jovial as we left the airport building past the group of dancers celebrating our arrival to their corner of Zimbabwe.
Under the Africa Albida Tourism umbrella, we were staying at the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge – just one of three accommodation options alongside the Victoria Falls Safari Club and Victoria Falls Safari Suites which forms the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge Estate.
The view from our room was straight out of an African travel brochure, offering an uninterrupted peek at a wilderness landscape stretching as far as the eye could see. Elephant – and plenty of them – kudu, buffalo, bush pigs, and even monkeys frequented the waterhole in an attempt to quench their thirst under the heat of the sun. The ensuite room was clean and comfortable, the walk-in shower very spacious, air-con was an absolute pleasure, and with a private veranda, we were always on the lookout for animals wandering by.
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the MaKuwa-Kuwa Restaurant offers an à la carte dinner menu highlighting local produce prepared and presented following global trends. And with a front-row seat
overlooking the waterhole, there was no better place to take in the beauty of our surrounds, especially at night listening to the call of animals in the wild.
No trip to Victoria Falls would be complete without a visit to one of the
(and a little wet), but it was well worth the experience.
Our last night was a double treat. To unwind at the end of the day we went on a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River separating Zimbabwe and Zambia, chugging along sipping cocktails, nibbling on snacks – including crocodile – and admiring a family of hippo playing in the water.
Seven Natural Wonders of the world –and for good reason. The sheer natural power and beauty of the mighty Zambezi River left us speechless and awe-struck
Then back at the Lodge we spent the evening enjoying a true African feast of entertainment and food. Catering for everyone from young children to grandparents, the boma dinner and drum show united nationalities from around the world under one thatch roof as we tried our hand at drumming. What fun – and certainly an evening not to be missed.
Of course, the main reason for this trip was to experience the recently completed
The view from our veranda offered a peek at a wilderness landscape stretching as far as the eye could see
Victoria Falls Safari Spa. Set away from the accommodation you couldn’t ask for a more tranquil, relaxing setting. Facials, massages, manicure and pedicure stations, private relaxation rooms, and even a cafe serving healthy dishes and an outdoor swimming pool – this is bliss at its best. If you’re able to, a wellness weekend is first prize, if not, then make this your first stop to destress from city life before doing all the tourist attractions.
What an amazing three days. To sum up, here are my top reasons to visit Victoria Falls Safari Lodge – unbelievable sunsets, peace and tranquillity, being up close with the wild, chilling in the relaxing spa, good food, being pampered by friendly staff. A truly unforgettable African experience. *
FOR MORE INFO
Victoria-falls-safari-lodge.com; W VictoriaFallsSafari Lodge
THE MUCH-ANTICIPATED REVEAL OF THE ALL-NEW GRAND VITARA WHICH LAUNCHED IN APRIL HAS GOT EVERYONE TALKING THANKS TO THE STUNNING DESIGN, COMPETITIVE PRICING AND FIT IN THIS EVER-COMPETING SUV MARKET
Twenty-five years after the Suzuki Grand Vitara was first introduced, we now welcome the launch of a muchanticipated Hybrid derivative. And to celebrate the launch, the CMH Suzuki team recently spent some time at the Suzuki SA factory to undergo training on the Grand Vitara. Here’s what they have to say about Suzuki’s exciting new offering.
Beautiful lines, compact with a lot of interior room. The Grand Vitara provides a very quiet, soft and smooth ride. The GL derivative is well designed to a particular standard with 7” Infotainment System, Keyless Entry, Mag Wheels and much more. The GLX model has added features like panoramic sunroof, 360 camera and
9” Infotainment System. Last but not least, the GLX Hybrid AllGrip is phenomenal on and off road with Hill Descent Control, and selective 4x4 terrain application.
The entire Grand Vitara range will definitely be a force to be reckoned with in the SUV market, especially with all of its safety features providing you with peace of mind motoring! – Christo Saidt, Sales Manager
Beautiful interior, lovely stitching on seats and comfortable road level noise – driving it on both tar and cement roads was very quiet. The entry level model has many wonderful features – almost as many as the GLX model. The GLX range has a panoramic sunroof, 360 Camera and 9” Display Screen, proving that decadence and safety can indeed combine. Above all else, when I drove the Grand Vitara, I felt safe. –
Shane Sewkumar, Sales Executive
Experiencing the Grand Vitara on an advance driving course with its AllGrip on the gravel roads and crossing small rivers and bridges, was exciting. The car handles well, and I particularly enjoyed its light steering wheel. The all-new Grand Vitara is stylish, elegant and makes for the perfect compact SUV. Available in manual and automatic transmission, it has a 1,5l engine capacity with a 76kW power output. Experience the benefits for yourself! –
The design of the Grand Vitara ticks all the boxes. It’s spacious, elegant, stylish, packed with impressive features, economical and great value for money. Most importantly, it’s backed by Suzuki’s phenomenal 5-year/200 000km warranty, however, the real winner is the promotional six-year/90 000km service plan available until June 30. –
Shaeem Haniff, Sales ExecutiveIt’s absolutely beautiful! It’s spacious and comfortable with ample leg room –even for those destined to be NBA players. The design has also been very well thought out, with every single feature you can think of in the GLX AllGrip Hybrid. When it comes to 4x4 technology I was bowled over. I own a 4x4 and have done extensive 4x4 training and have driven the most hectic and hardcore 4x4 trails from KZN to the Eastern Cape – but thanks to this all-wheel drive, the handle and grip was phenomenal – even the rocks you’re driving over can
barely be felt.
What impressed me the most was the Hill Descent Control. It’s completely effortless. All you need to do when you’re on a 90° decline is hit the brakes once and leave everything to the Grand Vitara. The car actually does its own braking so seamlessly and so intelligently. – Hanson Naidoo, Sales Executive *
The elegant SUV has landed @ CMH Suzuki uMhlanga with all the models available for viewing and test drives at 6 Sunset Crescent, uMhlanga Ridge; 087 250 2375.
We have had some serious challenges to overcome over the past few years. Besides its significant health implications, Covid interrupted logistics which led to supply side constraints which, in turn, drove up inflation. Fresh on the heels of Covid, Russia invaded Ukraine which, together with a weakening currency, has further stoked inflation. This has resulted in an aggressive global interest rate hiking cycle as governments try to dampen demand to get inflation under control.
The upshot for landlords has been higher financing costs where investors have geared their properties. Coupled with weakening rental demand, this has put profitability under pressure over the last few years. Whereas landlords may have become accustomed to 7% to 10% annual increases in popular areas pre-Covid, they have had to accept flat rental rates or small increases to maintain quality, consistent tenants over the past few years.
The good news is that, according to the latest PayProp Rental Index, the rental market has finally returned to its pre-
pandemic level of growth over the last quarter of 2022 and this trend has continued into 2023 with average national growth of 3,9%, 4,6% and 4% respectively for January, February and March.
On the one hand, while rising prices and more expensive debt is putting continued pressure on tenant affordability, the rising interest rates are also pricing many would-be purchasers out of the market, which is increasing the demand for rental properties.
National rental growth has now accelerated for six consecutive quarters from
first quarter of this year and an average rental of R8 801 versus R8 632 in the last quarter.
Western Cape has the highest average rent in South Africa at R9 872 up from R9 737 last quarter. However, average rental growth is the same as KwaZulu-Natal’s 5% year-onyear. The highest performing province has been the Northern Cape with rental growth of 10,2% over the past year.
From an arrears point-of-
view, the picture nationally is slightly negative with the percentage of tenants in arrears rising from 18,1% to 18,3% compared to the previous quarter. This statistic is still well below pandemic levels and in line with the percentages recorded throughout 2022. While the proportion of tenants in arrears also rose slightly in KwaZulu-Natal, it was by less than 0,1%.
Tenant affordability is still seen as one of the biggest challenges for the residential sector this year. If tenants are continuously squeezed by inflation and the rising cost of servicing their debts, then they will not be able to tolerate increases in rent, and may need to consider moving to cheaper properties, as has already been reported in some provinces, according to the PayProp report.
The past quarter’s results uncover a mixed picture.
0,4% in the second quarter of 2021, to 2,6% in 2022 and this trend has continued upward to 4,2% in 2023. KwaZulu-Natal is one of the top three most expensive provinces in SA with an above-average 5% yearon-year rental growth in the
THE GOOD NEWS IS THE RENTAL MARKET HAS RETURNED
The good news is that the rental market has finally returned to its prepandemic level
Tenant risk is up overall, but some metrics have improved despite weakening economic conditions. One measure of tenant credit health is National Loan Register (NLR) accounts, which monitors short-term loans from micro-lenders with very high interest rates and which are seen as bad debt. Surprisingly the biggest rise in NLR accounts has been in the R60 000 to R80 000 income bracket which suggests that even higher earners are feeling the pinch.
From a debt-to-income point of view, which measures the amount that tenants spend on servicing debt, the national ratio has dropped slightly from 46% in the first quarter of 2022 to 44,5% in the first quarter of 2023. Meanwhile, the rent-to-income ratio – which measures the percentage of income that tenants spend on rent – has increased slightly from 28,3% to 28,8%.
Overall, while it is great to see that rental growth has returned to pre-pandemic levels, macroeconomic factors still plague tenants and landlords need to think carefully before aggressively increasing rentals. The conventional wisdom that it is generally better to have a quality, consistent tenant than to prioritise rental growth still applies, as this can help prevent lost rental income
Umhlanga - R7.750 million
6 BEDROOMS 6.5 BATHROOMS I 3 GARAGES
Beautifully appointed home with 2 cottages and exceptional sea views. This extra-large corner stand in Herrwood Park is great for an extended family or run as a guest house.
La Lucia - R2.875 million
2 BEDROOMS 12 BATHROOMS I l GARAGES I PARKING BAYS l
Stunning top floor apartment with 2 beds, 2 baths, undercover balconies, garage and parking bay. Enjoy top security, children's park and close proximity to amenities in llala Ridge Estate
Durban North - R6.995 million
4 BEDROOMS 12.S BATHROOMS 14 GARAGES
Stunning 628 m2 home on 2000 m2 land with covered veranda, pool and spacious living areas. Ideal for luxurious entertaining in a tranquil neighbourhood.
La Lucia -
Travel opens your eyes to new things.
“Look at this!” I yelled to my partner, waving the packet excitedly. “It’s two-minute noodles!”
“So?”
“So how do they manage to make the noodles so fast? We only have three-minute noodles!”
“Our noodles are two-minute too. Those noodles are just like our noodles.”
We were in Singapore for a month, renting an apartment in Chinatown near the Sri Mariamman Temple. Normally I avoid grocery shopping, but this was an adventure. Everything seemed new and exciting. I kept snatching mysterious products.
“What are these?” I cried in wonder.
“That’s fusilli pasta,” my partner patiently explained.
“Amazing! And what’s this?”
“Beetroot.”
“So red!”
“I’m starting to think you don’t do enough
grocery shopping at home,” she said.
But I wouldn’t let her dampen my enthusiasm. This was a journey of discovery! Just that morning I had tried a slice of durian. Have you ever eaten durian? It’s officially a fruit, but it’s really more like a weapon of mass terror. It smells like whale blubber that has been marinated in sorrow and fermented inside a corpse – and they eat it for breakfast.
Locals claim it doesn’t taste as bad it smells, so I took a bite. A laughing crowd gathered to watch me cry and retch. I didn’t mind – this was an adventure. That’s why I insisted on grocery shopping: who knew what further marvels I might encounter?
I told her I was taking home a packet of two-minute noodles to astonish our friends. “We think we in the west know everything, but it just goes to show,” I said, tapping the packet of noodles meaningfully. “We need to open our minds to alternative ways of doing things.”
I saw her roll her eyes. It made me sad that she wasn’t making use of this experience to open her mind.
It was a good month in South-East Asia, but we left on a late-night flight and we hadn’t had dinner. Everyone always says how smoothly things work in Singapore, but I’ll tell you this. They may know how to engineer a miraculous packet of noodles, but they are not infallible, because we queued at the boarding gate and we queued and we queued. There was some problem with the aircraft so they wouldn’t let us board. Late night turned to early morning and we were still there.
“I’m hungry,” said my partner. She never says she’s hungry until she does, and when she does it is wise to feed her fast.
“How long do you take with the noodles at home?” my partner asked me.
“Three minutes,” I confirmed. “Ninety seconds, then stir, then ninety seconds.”
“Don’t you read the instructions?”
What a silly question. Of course I read the instructions. Well, I read them once, back in the 90s when I was a student. You don’t have to read the instruction manual every time you use something. What kind of a fool does she think I am?
I made a bowl out of her hands and opened my souvenir packet and poured out the dried noodles. I tore open the little flavouring sachet and sprinkled it over the noodles like sugar over cereal.
“I can’t eat this,” she said.
“If they eat durian for breakfast round here,” I said, “you can eat that.”
This is why I am proud to be South African, I thought as I watched her crunching through the dry noodle cereal. Asians might have invented the twominute noodle, but when push comes to shove and a boer has to make a plan, we can get it down to no minutes at all. *
A laughing crowd gathered to watch me cry and retch. I didn’t mind – this was an adventure
