FREECopy!
Hoedspruit
BOEREMARK
Next Market on 3 Feb 2018 @ BOSVELD CENTRE 2.2KM out of town on R40
Vol 16 Issue 05, 12 January 2018, Kruger2Canyon News, Shop 12, Kamogelo Centre, Hoedspruit. Tel 015 793 2617 email: heidi.lee@mweb.co.za
Classical Hoedspruit!
Visitors to the Hoed were greeted with comical looking signs along the R40 as the Hoedspruit mascot found its way onto the traffic signs this festive season. Grazing warthogs can pose a serious threat to unsuspecting motorists, as they are well camouflaged and they do tend to dart unexpectedly across the road in search of greener pastures!
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Wildlife Thatch & Building Projects
126 Eland Str, Hoedspruit | chris@wildlifethatch.co.za
Please visit our Facebook page & rate our services! www.facebook.com/wildlifethatch
@wildlifethatch
Office hours: 015 793 0793 After hours: 083 573 5920 / 0833079258 Kruger2Canyon
Office: 015 793 1530
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12 January 2018 Kruger2Canyon
LOCAL’S LEKKER
A brighter future for challenged children and their families Veronica Nel HOEDSPRUIT - Tuesday night’s info session with Hannes Viljoen of Brain Child Fund was a massive step towards an amazing future for the children in our little town of Hoedspruit. Hannes literally flew in from Philadelphia USA, landed, got in a car and drove to Hoedspruit to share his story with a group of 32 parents, teachers, therapists and doctors who were fascinated by his humble yet compelling stories and testimonials. Information shared gave hope to families with children who have neurological challenges of any kind and degree, from mild learning and reading difficulties, ADHD and dyslexia to epilepsy, autism, OCD, Down syndrome to severe cases of cerebral palsy and other brain injury. Hannes , a South African farmer and businessman, and his wife, Jana, have 4 children. Three of their children have special needs – an autistic son, a Down syndrome son and a daughter who suffered a paediatric stroke and
was told she would never walk or talk. Hannes and Jana found Family Hope Center (FHC) in USA and through their program have seen astounding results with their children. The Viljoens moved to USA for that very reason and are passionate about helping other South African special needs families get their children to FHC. FHC will be in South Africa 9, 10 and 11 February to present a course that provides simple yet astoundingly effective tools to help parents understand their child’s brain, find the root of the problem and then treat the problem successfully. The course is not only for parents – it has been accredited with 24 medical profession CPD points to afford therapists and doctors the opportunity to expand their knowledge to help their patients. The Viljoens established Brain Child Fund (BCF) to provide a support network for special needs families to help them not only survive but thrive as a family. They teach families how to raise necessary funds for the FHC program for their children and have had mind-blowing testimonies. The most moving part of last night’s info session was afterwards when the therapists and interested parents gathered in a circle to discuss a start to their plan of action going forward. The passion of local therapists and professionals to help our children was almost tangible! What a winning team for our
Hannes Viljoen, sharing his journey with three special needs children, with the Hoedspruit community
children to have parents and therapists on the same page and working towards the same goal. FHC empowers parents to continue the work that the therapists start during therapy sessions at home, and so escalate the progress of the children. And when parents, teachers and therapists are working on the root of the problem instead of the symptoms, we can set our children up for success! A fundraising initiative to assist families and therapists who would like to join the FHC program is underway under the Moov To Move banner, please contact Heidi at 0828071100 or Nina at 0787789014 to get involved if you wish to make a difference or if you need financial assistance for the FHC program.
‘We will move heaven and earth to assist anyone who would like to attend this program, and we invite people to come forward to assist us,’ says Moov To Move co-founder Nina van Eeden. If you missed last night’s info session or would like more info from a local family who has been on the FHC and BCF programs and are seeing results, contact Ryan and Veronica Nel at 0725300369 or visit their blog at www.matthewmanuelnel.wordpress.com Check out FHC website for more info: www.familyhopecenter.com and check out BCF website for more info: www.brainchildfund. org and follow their facebook page for live and recorded facebook videos covering various aspects of special needs parenting.
Call: 0766324004 or e-mail: pierre@ecologic.co.za
12 January 2018 Kruger2Canyon
NEWS & VIEWS
New beginnings, fresh ideas
MPU top achiever
Heidi Lee Smith
HOEDSPRUIT – The love of the bush and the lure of the Hoedspruit Mountains finally got the better of Monika Coleman, who originally grew up here and after studying Textile Design in Pretoria, lived in the Marico Bushveld for thirty years. Monika established her brand Savannah in 1995 as a knitwear brand and over the past twenty years it has developed into a unique textile, home ware and lifestyle label. Since relocating to Hoedspruit, Monika has established two outlets, where she is passionately following her love for design and hand printed
textiles. Both shops double as workshops and functional studios where you will find a group of creative people at work producing stunning goods. All Savannah WilDesign textiles are hand printed on 100% natural fabrics. Monika’s designs are exclusive, original and innovative and her lifestyle ware explores the fashion of contemporary, international and traditional African design and motifs. Savannah’s products showcase South African design and craftsmanship, and exemplify international quality and standards. A key ingredient to Monika’s success is her skills development programme through which she actively supports
women’s empowerment and in the short time since Savannah WilDesign opened in Hoedspruit, six staff have been empowered in skills that vary from sewing to screen printing and beading.
16 year old Thalentha Taivin Ngobeni from Acorn to Oaks achieved no less than 3 100% marks in his Matric exams.
Lucky Rapitsi ACORNHOEK - On January 5, 2017 the Department of Education in Mpumalanga announced the Province’s Grade 12 class of 2017 National Senior Certificate (NCS) top achiever, who is only 16 years old. Thalentha Taivin Ngobeni, from Acorn to Oaks Comprehensive High School in Acornhoek, made the Province proud after being declared the overall best learner in the 2017 grade 12 National Senior Certificate. Thalentha would wake up at 02h00 every day to study, and through his hard work he managed to obtain 100% for Maths, 100% for Accounting, 100% for Physics, 87% for his home language Xitsonga, 87% for English, 91% for Life Orientation and 95% for Life Sciences. Waking up every day long before sunrise in order to study has paid off for the young learner, as the Department of Education in Mpumalanga has awarded him a full bursary from provincial gov-
ernment, as well as a brand new car. The 16 year old was further given 10 000 Rand by Standard Bank, 20 000 Rand by Sasol, travelling bags and a tablet by Old Mutual, and a brand new laptop from Vodacom. ‘Thalentha has made not only the school but the whole of the Mpumalanga Province proud, he is a shining example to others. If you put your mind to achieving your dreams anything is possible. Acorn-Oaks is proud of having produced one of the best matric learners in the country. It didn’t come as a surprise when the results were announced since he has been achieving these results throughout the year in his tests and exams. Hard work, committed teachers, supportive parents and commitment on his side finally paid out. He has put the school on the map and we are now encouraged to continue producing the best,’ stated a proud Mr Raveti Ramabubuda, School Principal. Wishing you every success!
Raptor’s View
R 2 850 000
Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate
R 1 500 000
Stunning 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home located in a sought after area in the second phase of Raptors View. Spacious open plan living area, comprising kitchen, dining area and lounge with an architecturally designed feature wall. Leading off from the kitchen, is a scullery with pantry cupboard and outside courtyard with washing line, staff room, toilet and shower. En-suite main bedroom is spacious and light with built in cupboards, sliding doors with mesh screens onto the patio deck. The home has just been re-thatched. Michelle Severin 083 469 3821 Web ref: 1056475
Delaine Muller 072 117 1133
9549 m² vacant stand within Big4 wildlife estate of which the western boundary is the Mbezi River. The stand is well situated, not too far from the main entrance gate. Moditlo Wildlife Estate is situated 14 km from Hoedspruit and only 45 minutes from the Orpen gate into Kruger. The reserve extends over 3200ha of pristine bushveld which is traversed by two seasonal rivers providing lush riverine vegetation including beautiful trees such as weeping boerboon, jackalberry and ana trees. The Reserve has an extensive game stockholding. Jason Jones 083 267 4794 Web ref: 1065141
This magnificent property comes with all the bells and whistles and cannot be overlooked. Four double en-suite bedrooms, all rooms air-conditioned, fully equipped kitchen and lockable storage facilities. Lounge with fire place, fully fitted bar and dining area. TV/family room with home theatre. Well-equipped gym and steam room as well as an additional games room. This unique private lodge is set against a backdrop of lush bushveld overlooking the foothills of the Waterberg Mountains in Mabula Reserve, and includes traverse over 12000ha Big 5 reserve. Mike Dodds 082 906 7004 Web ref: 1044364
Moditlo Wildlife Estate
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R 488 000
Lovely home in a great location, allowing you to watch the plains game roam the estate. This home comprises of 2 bedrooms, a loft; which can easily be converted into a 3rd bedroom and an open plan kitchen/dining and living room which allows plenty of light throughout the house. Walking out onto the paved patio is your swimming pool and braai area. With property prices increasing on a daily basis in the estate, consider this a bargain!
Bela Bela
Web ref: 1012873
R 8 500 000
Pop in to one of these ‘Proudly South African’ stores for some creative soul refreshment. You will find them either at Kamogelo Tourism Centre or at 24 degrees South at the old Silk Farm.
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12 January 2018 Kruger2Canyon
LOCAL’S LEKKER
Cala La Pasta as always Ukhuthula moves to town
Lucky Rapitsi HOEDSPRUIT - The famous little Italian restaurant in Hoedspruit, Cala la Pasta has new owners. The authentic restaurant was originally started and owned by Luca Properzi and Erika Taverna, who have now ventured into the tourism industry with their new lodge in Balule, Elephant Lodge. Freddie and Brenda De Vries from Gauteng are the proud new owners of the well-loved restaurant. From hospitality to logistic and back to hospitality industry, Freddie has always had a love for food while of-
Lucky Rapitsi
fering the best service. On August 4, 2017, Freddie and Brenda were on holiday celebrating their tenth wedding anniversary when the idea of owning a restaurant popped up - first as a joke, which later became a reality. Freddie explains that ‘we were at a B&B in KZN when my wife said she would love to own a B&B someday, and I told her that you need a cash cow to do something like that’. ‘We then went onto the internet and searched for businesses for sale, and the first thing that came up was this restaurant in Hoedspruit,’ he explained. ‘My wife laughed
about it until I said seriously, what do you think about this?’ Two weeks later the joke became a reality and Freddie and Brenda moved to Hoedspruit to follow their new found dream. Freddie underwent extensive training by Luca to ensure that the Italian flavour is still as good, and nothing has changed on the menu, but their opening time has changed from 08h00 in the morning till 22h00 Monday to Saturday. Freddie concluded by saying: ‘to Luca Properzi and Erika Taverna of Elephant Lodge “Grazie tante”, you have made our dream come true’.
HOEDSPRUIT – The quirky arts and crafts shop Ukhuthula has moved into the Kamogelo Tourism Centre next to Cala La Pasta. Ukhuthula was original located on the R527 next to iNyoka Gallery and Kinyoka Reptile Park. Beside the selection of beautiful handcrafted art pieces, both decorative and functional, Ukhuthula has also developed a range of home decor in their workshop. They produce unusual furniture, such as coffee tables made out of steel and wood or mosaic work, lamps and also decorative security panels for windows. Shop owner Hanny Ruecker who is originally from Germany, told Kruger2Canyon that she opened her shop two
years ago and she has always loved the art and beauty of Africa. Hanny said ‘I am fascinated by what people can do with their hands and this is why we have wonderful products made by Africans and we need to support them for their magnificent handmade work’.
From humble beginnings
Heidi Lee Smith UTHA – Billy Sibuyi has tirelessly worked to build his tourism business into what it is today. Billy started out as a tour guide and soon bought his own game viewer. Today he owns four vehicles and specialises in Panorama, Manyeleti and Kruger Park trips. The newest addition to Billy’s portfolio is his brand new tented camp. The rustic Mazingitana Camp is positioned on six hectares of bush near to the Sabi Sands, Gowrie Gate and conveniently situated near to Manyeleti Game Reserve. All the tents are fully equipped and have ensuite bathrooms and come at a very affordable entry level rate. Billy is expecting his first overseas guests next week, and is positive that his camp will be a success with his compliment of hospitable staff.
For more info contact Hoedspruit-info 015 793 2617
NEWS & VIEWS
12 January 2018 Kruger2Canyon
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Southern Cross School congratulates their Grade 12’s Lucky Rapitsi
Eric Gardiner
Cameron Blair
Nina van Eeden 078 778 9014 | Dina de Waal 083 327 0325 info@moov2move.co.za
HOEDSPRUIT - The Independent Examinations Board (IEB) has reported a 98.76% matric pass rate for 2017. This is up fractionally from 98.67% in 2016. On 2 January 2018 Southern Cross School congratulated their Grade12 class of 2017 on their excellent matric result. Southern Cross School is particularly proud of two young learners for producing the top academic result in the 2017 final IEB examinations. The two young learners showed that hard works pays off at the end of the day. Cameron Blair achieved an 84% average, boasting six distinctions and one “B”. Cameron scored 86% for Mathematics, 86% for Physical Science, 86% for Visual Arts, 84% for Life Science, 83% for Afrikaans, 88% for Life Orientation and 78% for English (Home Language). Cameron is off to the University of Cape Town to start a BSc degree and he intends to specialise in ornithology. Eric Gardiner also excelled, achieving an 81% average, and can be very proud of his equally impressive results with
94% for Engineering Graphics and Design, 83% for Afrikaans, 81% for Visual Arts, 89% for Life Orientation, 77% for English (Home Language), 74% for Mathematics and 70% for Physical Science. ‘Southern Cross School congratulates these two young men on their outstanding performances and wish them great success as they go on to tackle their tertiary studies,’ said Headmaster Ant de Boer. ‘On the whole, the Class of 2017 performed to expectation or above’, he added. He also made the point that the school was particularly pleased with how well their Preliminary Examinations predicted the outcome of the final examinations across all subjects. Twenty one subject distinctions were achieved from the twenty members of the class. This was also a pleasing outcome according to the Headmaster. Ant de Boer said: ‘We congratulate those Grade 12s who achieved their potential and we wish them everything of the best as they embark on their lives beyond high school. We are proud of them and their accomplishments.’
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12 January 2018 Kruger2Canyon
NEWS & VIEWS
PROMO STATION
12 January 2018 Kruger2Canyon
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The upside down tree HOEDSPRUIT – A recent visit by Kruger2Canyon to the Glencoe baobab revealed that the tree is flourishing and is currently blooming. The tree has been damaged in recent years by some of the storms that have lashed Hoedspruit and baobab fans did have concerns about the wellbeing of the tree. According to Wikipedia, the
baobab which can be found just off the Essex Road towards Glencoe ‘is the stoutest and second largest baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) in South Africa, and possibly the stoutest tree in the world.’ The tree divides into several trunks close to the ground. The main trunk had lowered into the ground a long time ago. In November 2009 the tree split
HOEDSPRUIT BUSINESS DIRECTORY Advertise in Kruger2Canyon to get a FREE listing on our Business Directory ACCOMMODATION Fleur de Lys guest farm 079 505 3665 Marula Camp/ Tshukudu Safaris 015 001 7084 BUSINESS / SHOPS / SERVICES ABC Information Technologies 015 793 0851 ABC Information Technologies 079 875 8888 Agri Box 082 888 0520 Barefoot Dance Academy 083 785 5354 Blackbird Business Services 082 552 6594 Boek & Pen 015 793 0859 Bureu de Change 015 793 1368 Crocodile Printers 087 802 8307 Deltec Solar 015 793 2448 Darkie Design Interiors 079 503 0151 Ecologic Degreaser 089 525 9210 Fruitful Living 015 793 3703 Gabriella’s Décor & Events Hire 074 140 6069 Goddin&Godding (24’ SOUTH) 072 467 3310 Hancolodi 079 432 3505 Hangupz (24’ SOUTH) 082 440 8514 Hi-Q Hoedspruit 015 793 1580 Hobby Box 015 793 0043 Howzit (24’ SOUTH) 082 304 9131 Hoedspruit Paws 078 431 3161 Hoeds Wildlife Est Pharmacy 015 793 1427 InterAfrica Money Exchange 015 793 1368 Joburg Online 015 793 0093 Khaki Fever 015 793 0943 Kill-a-Bug 083 258 5537 Kruger2Canyon News 015 793 2617 Lodge Locums 082 855 0032 Maruleng Municipality 015 793 2409 Mediation & Training 083 253 3675 Moov to Move / Nina 078 778 9014 Organic Virgo (Seedlings) 060 475 3645 PicknPay Hoedspruit 015 793 0482 Round Da Bend (24’ SOUTH) 078 431 3161 Rustique Interiors 082 385 1297 Simply Sewing 072 210 7411 SPAR Hoedspruit 015 793 2305 Tops @ SPAR 015 793 2069 Top 2 Bottom Cleaning 073 722 7913 Valencia Fabrics / Nelspruit 013 752 7005 Vehicle License Department 015 793 0838 Woodenways Luxury Furniture 013 590 5018 CONSTRUCTION & INDUSTRIAL BUCO 015 793 0560 Coastal Hire 015 793 0971 Drain Surgeon 015 793 1484 DU Paint & Tool 015 793 0225 FA Construction 076 341 7536 Hoedspruit Tool & Tile 015 793 0195 Hoffmans Thatching 015 793 1530 LED Electrical and Pumps 083 501 8979 Midrand Aircon Hoedspruit 015 793 3337 Pool & Spa specialists 015 793 0166 Talisman 015 793 0560 Trellidor 013 752 4022 Wildlife Thatch 015 793 0792 SCHOOLS & EDUCATION Drakensig Laerskool 015 793 3756 Drakensig Pre-primer 015 793 2401 Perspective Training College 082 787 4471 Hoedspruit Christian School 015 793 2067 Lowveld Academy 015 793 3750 Mariepskop Laerskool 079 529 6071 Mariepskop Pre-primer 082 880 7069 Southern Cross Schools 015 793 0590
EMERGENCY – HELP LINES After Hours Emergency Doctors 084 770 1741 Air Force Base Hoedspruit 015 799 2911 Ambulance AFB 015 799 2065 Ambulance Hoedspruit 015 793 1581 Ambulance Tintswalo 101 77 Farm watch/ Plaaswag 072 310 0032 Fire Brigade AFB 015 799 2172 Fire Brigade Maruleng 015 793 0536 Hoedspruit Medical Rescue 072 170 0864 Hospital AFB 015 799 2065 Hospital Tintswalo 013 795 5000 Police Hoedspruit 015 799 4000 Protrack 015 793 2585 MEDICAL & VETERINARY SERVICES Counselling Ronelle Joubert 082 787 4471 DR Van Eeden (Dentist) 015 793 1876 DR Werner Muller (Dentist) 015 793 1894 Hlokomela 072 698 6538 Hoedspruit Clinic 015 793 2342 Hoeds Wildlife Est Pharmacy 015 793 1427 J Coetzee (Clinical Psychologist) 015 781 0012 Marlie Landman (Eye Clinic) 082 803 0369 Med Centre (Dentists) 015 793 0845 Med Centre Emergency No 079 102 919*2 Optometrist (M. Landman) 082 803 0369 ProVet Veterinary Hospital 015 793 0797 REAL ESTATE & PROPERTY Century 21 015 793 1534 Fine & Country 083 377 6622 Pam Golding 015 793 2712 Wildfig Apartments 083 977 9678 RESTAURANTS & CATERING Anne’s Cotton Club Café 079 286 5600 Desperate Housewives 015 793 0820 Silverwings Spur 015 793 0559 Sleepers Railway Restaurant 015 793 1014 Three Bridges 079 912 9416 SPA’S & SALONS African Summer Spa 015 793 1895 Africology Spa 076 339 1035 Godding& Godding Spa 082 808 9203 Hooked on Hair 015 793 0475 StylistiX Hair &Beauty 015 793 2944 TOURISM & THINGS TO DO 24 Deg. South / Old Silk Farm 072 467 3310 Amurala Lapa 015 781 7766 Ashtons Kruger Shuttle 015 793 2617 Blyde Canyon Adventure 015 795 5961 Cheetah Paw 079 563 4463 Daktari Wildlife Orphanage 082 656 2969 Eastgate Airport 015 793 3681 Garden of Eden 079 505 3665 Godding&Godding 082 808 9203 Hoedspruit-info 015 793 2167 Hds Endangered Species Centre 015 793 1633 Imbizo Gallery 087 808 2826 Khamai Reptile Park 087 806 2093 Moholoholo Rehab Centre 082 907 5984 Roots of Rythms 083 785 5354 Sun Catchers (Hot Air Ballooning) 087 806 2079 Sky-Way Trails 013 737 8374 VEHICLES. SPARES & REPAIRS Cronje Vervoer 079 695 5444 Deltec Batteries Hoedspruit 015 793 2448 Hi-Q Tyres 082 804 2502 Laeveld Trekkers 087 806 5616 Motor bike hire (24’ SOUTH) 082 859 0966
in two parts, opening up an enormous hollow. The diameter of the tree before the split was 15.9 m with a circumference of 47m.The height is approximately 17m, and the spread of crown is 37.05m. The dates ‘1893’ and ‘1896’ are carved on the tree’s stem. Radiocarbon dating performed in 2013 suggested an age of 1,835 years.
Maths/Science Tutor If you enjoy tutoring high school maths and science and are available weekday mornings to shape a small group of young minds and instil a love of learning please send a message to Karen Tilney 0826890942. If you have retired and have a passion for education, we would love to chat to you. Please send private message to cell number.
The first Big School day for Southern Cross Grade 1’s
It was smiles all round from the Southern Cross Schools Grade 1 Class of 2018! Full of energy, with many stories to tell; they are certainly ready to tackle this exciting year. Back row standing: Ethan Swiglaar, Ebenezer Mongwe, Ethan Sussens, Joshua Wright, Regan van der Merwe, Taigen Wearne, Jesse Poultney, Ricardo Viegas, Joshua Strauss, Jake Swemmer, Mornae Kleynhans, Dylan Peel, Ntoto Nxumalo, Aaron Erasmus. Front Nsuku Sambo, Kara Bradford, Haylee Savage, Nkateko Mosenohi, Kate Tarentaal, Kate Falkner, Mackenzie Kingon, Luke Lombard, Janco Moller and Charlie Scaife.