The Hills Estate_April 2021

THE | ESTATE NEWS

“This little guy was just chilling and was not bothered by me and my friend walking.”

-Elaine De Villiers Thank you for this beautiful photo

THE

ECHO I S S UE 2 | A P R IL 2 0 2 1

ESTATE NEWS | THE

2 | ISSUE 2 | 2021

P u b l i sh e r K-S t udio (P t y ) Ltd o n behalf of T he H i l l s E sta te A d ve rti si n g S al es Tobia to bia@ k-st udio. co . za

CO N TEN TS ISSUE 2 | APRIL 2021 JUNE 2018

Xigera Safari L

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Okavango Delta, Bots

Ed i to r Tobia von Zwiet r i n g Copy w ri te r / p ro o f r eader C hantel Venter De si g n & La you t K-S t udio (P t y ) Ltd e tobia@ k-st udio . co . za O O5D t 082 962 F825 f Kreat iefS t ud i o

05 IMPORTANT CONTACTS 08 FROM THE ESTATE MANAGER 11 SECURITY UPDATE WHEN PLANNING YOUR Roasted14 Butt ernut &

Red Onion

Roasted Butternut & Red W I T H Z A ’ A T A R 15 WATER-WISE GARDEN

USE ROSES AS BEE MAGNETS FOR YOUR VEGGIE GARDEN

AH W I T&HT Z AI ’NAI TS AAURC E& T A H I N I 20 22 25 31

Disclaimer: This e-Magazine is produced especially for residents/owners of The Hills Estate to provide updates and useful information. It is produced by K-Studio on behalf of The Hills Estate HOA. Although every effort is taken to ensure accuracy of content, The Hills Estate HOA and/or the Publisher, cannot be held liable for any inaccurate information, and may not agree with all opinions expressed in this publication.

34 38 48 50 51

SMALLS/ CLASSIFIEDS

FROM THE GYM MANAGER STRESS SOLUTIONS

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS THE newest, mos *1 large butternut (about 1 kg), seeds discarded medium-size red onions, pee Be one of the 1st to*2 experience this ex XIGERA SAFARI LODGE *45 ml (3 TBSP) extra virgin oliv E-CLASSSEDAN DAZZLES WITH *Salt and freshly ground black p Xigera Safari Lodge is nestled beneath an im MAJOR FACELIFT *15 - 20 ml (3 - 4 tsp) za’atar sp leadwood trees. All 12 air-conditioned suites ha thyme, cumin, coriander, sumac HOME SELLER MISTAKES PART 2 therocket, chance *A bunch of wild rinsed *80 ml (1/3 cup) whole almond ROASTED BUTTERNUT & RED ONION ml/2 TBSP roasted pine nuts) GO ALL OUT THIS MOTHER’S DAY *A handful of fresh parsley or co chopped

HOW TO CREATE THE ULTIMATE PYJAMA LOUNGE

TAHINI SAUCE *60 ml (1/4 cup) tahini (sesame *30 ml (2 TBSP) freshly squeeze *60 ml (1/4 cup) water *1 small clove garlic, finely grat *Salt and freshly ground black p METHOD

THE | ESTATE NEWS

important ESTATE MANAGER Murray Retief 066 474 0494 | MurrayR@trafalgar.co.za

OFFICE ASSISTANT

Maryke Botes 012 941 3703 Marykeb@trafalgar.co.za

SECURITY MANAGER Oppies Opperman 076 821 7567 / oppiesopperman@omegasol. com

Contacts

OPERATIONAL MANAGER

Ayanda Gwiliza 066 474 0495 ayandag@trafalgar.co.za

ARCHITECTURAL COMPLIANCE INSPECTOR Clarice Botes clarice@studious.co.za

MAIN GATE 082 826 3761 GATE COMMANDER (GARSFONTEIN) 082 826 3761 LEVY ENQUIRIES Clarice Heyneke 011 214 5200 clariceh@trafalgar.co.za NETCARE Pretoria East Hospital 012 422 2300 (Antivenom) GYM MANAGER Tanya Dannhauser tanya@resiliencestudio.co.za 079 974 2210 CARLITA’S RESTAURANT 062 808 0015 carlitasrestaurant@gmail.com 2021 | I SSUE 2| 5

ESTATE NEWS | THE

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THE | ESTATE NEWS

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ESTATE NEWS | THE

from the

Estate Manager’s Desk Warm greetings once again to all of our residents from the HOA office. In recent weeks we have seen the return of the dreaded loadshedding which is something that has almost become a way of living for most of us by now (and it doesn’t look as if this will be changing anytime soon).

Harnessing the power of the sun is therefore fast becoming an alternative source of energy in South Africa with its abundance of sunshine and The Hills is no exception. We are seeing more and more property owners who are opting for solar installations at 8 | ISSUE 2 | 2021

their premises which is something that we encourage as a contribution towards the more sustainable consumption of electricity and as it allows our residents to enjoy an uninterrupted power supply at their homes. We do, however, need to ensure compliance with proper installation standards to prevent damage to the electrical network and related equipment as well as the possible risk of injury to the persons performing regular maintenance on the grid (this unfortunately happened in the estate previously when a prepaid meter was replaced and the solar installation did not “island” but continued to feed back energy into the grid even when the electricity supply was switched off).

THE | ESTATE NEWS

The following photo-voltaic solar installations have both been approved for use at our estate: 1. Solar systems that provide electricity to the internal house electrical network (a socalled stand-alone system).

2. Solar systems that are connected to the electricity distribution network of The Hills (a grid-tied system).

As far as the tariffs are concerned, the import consumption of all solar installations will be measured according to ESKOM’s Homeflex Time-of-Use tariff and in the case of electricity export to the HOA grid, the ESKOM Megaflex Time-of-Use tariff will apply. The connection is managed on a monthly nett energy basis which simply means that export kWh may not exceed the import kWh. There also seems to be some uncertainty among our residents as to the process they need to follow in getting approval for such an installation which is quite simple. Approval of all new and existing solar installations can be applied for from Reticulated Network Management (RNM), the estate’s electrical service provider.

The approval process entails the following: • Completion and submission of the applicable application and commissioning forms together with the relevant supporting

documentation which includes a Certificate of Compliance signed off by a registered electrical engineer (the installation must comply with the relevant requirements as stipulated by SANS10142).

• An on-site inspection will be undertaken by RNM to inspect the installation and to ensure such compliance.

• The issuing of formal approval of the installation to the owner.

You are most welcome to contact either RNM or the HOA office should you require any information or assistance with regards to this process and we will then provide you with the necessary guidance.

We hope that this sheds some light on how approval for your solar installations is to be obtained and the reasoning behind the implementation of these requirements in the first place but if not, please remember that we are just a phone call away.

With the turning of the season just around the corner, we would like to wish you all a wonderfully pleasant autumn.

Best wishes!

Murray Retief 2021 | I SSUE 2| 9

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THE | ESTATE NEWS

This year is moving swiftly, I can’t believe we are at the start of April and planning special operations for the Easter holiday. We are experiencing colder days now and soon we will see the arrival of a new season.

As mentioned before, access control remains our priority and we are experiencing many challenges, especially because we still have owners and tenants that are not registered on “My Estate Life”.

The “Click-on” system will be switched off soon and those who aren’t registered will experience great difficulty giving access to visitors or service providers. Remember these two systems were never designed to work with each other, therefore we encourage residents to register if they have not yet to avoid frustration in the near future.

We have a few other concerns we wish to address and ask that you will give them your full attention. This is such a beautiful Estate, please adhere to the Estate rules.

• DOGS BARKING. We know Dogs bark naturally, but the constant barking or whining of a dog can be very disturbing or annoying for your neighbours. This problem often occurs when you are out of the house so you may not realise that there is a problem, if you are aware that your dogs are a nuisance please find a solution, perhaps get a pet safe anti bark collar or let your dog stay at trusted Kennels nearby.

We have received numerous complaints regarding this issue and ask your cooperation.

Please be reminded of the rules and regulations in the MOI: Domestic animal contemplated to be a continual nuisance. ( 8.1.28 ) First report: Written notice Second report: R1000-00 Third report: R2000-00 Any further reports Removal with cost We have received complaints of children and young adults gathering on the Estate and making excessive noise, these complaints are mainly coming from the Oval • REVVING OF VEHICLES is also a problem and we ask that you consider your neighbour when leaving or approaching your home.

• LOUD MUSIC A certain level of noise is an inescapable part of Estate living and residents accept that they will regularly be subjected to numerous noise sources of various levels. However, there is a point where noise can reach an unacceptable level, we take it very seriously when we receive noise complaints especially when noise becomes unnecessarily intrusive and impacts on our right to enjoy the ordinary comfort and convenience of our homes.

According to the Estate rules and regulations stipulated in the MOI excessive noise disturbance can be fined.

First Report R500-00 Second Report R2000-00 2021 | I SSUE 2| 11

ESTATE NEWS | THE

Repeated Transgression R5000-00 Noise disturbance is a bylaw transgression and the S A Police will be called to assist if needed • GENERATORS The HOA agrees that residents may install and use generators on their properties with the following Conditions: 1. Only generators with change-over switches are allowed and not embedded generators other than solar installations.

2. The application form as attached to this letter must be completed for all generator installations.

3. A generator may be installed that will create no more noise than a pool pump (a pool pump,although not really quiet, is something that most people can relate to). A general purpose residential pool pump noise level is 55 to 60 dbs. This noise level is measured at a distance of 7m from the pool pump. 60 Decibels will be the upper limit of what will be allowed. A certificate of compliance containing installed generator’s dB readings issued by a certified generator installer must be handed in to HOA. 4. No portable generators are permitted unless these are of the silent type and adhere to these rules and dB reading certificate for the generator is handed in to HOA. 5. Any electrical alteration to an existing distribution board for generator installation must be inspected by RNM. Cost for electrical connection for each inspection at a premises will be R485.51. Attached inspection request form must be completed and forwarded together with POP. 6. All generators installed must be concealed and not visible from the common property.

7. A homeowner must supply a proposal as to how the generator will be soundproofed and give a commitment that the proposed noise level will be adhered to.

8. All generators installed must be correctly installed by a qualified installer who must 1 2 | ISSUE 2 | 2021

issue a Supplement certificate of compliance to existing certificate of compliance to certify that it has been installed correctly.

9. Exhaust emissions must not affect neighbours or common property.

10. The operating hours permitted is 06h00 to 22h00.

11. Manual operation will be possible but if installed on automatic changeover then a timer must be installed to prevent inconveniencing neighbours outside of operating hours.

12. Be aware of the dangers regarding the installation of a generator where there is already a solar photo-voltaic system installed or a backup / inverter / off-grid system installed and ensure that all equipment is installed and isolated correctly.

13. Should HOA receive complaints that any owner does not comply with above rules and regulations a fine of R5000.00 will be imposed on the perpetrator each time the generator is started.

• CONTRACTORS Exceeding specified working hours on the Estate without permission will be fined R500-00 per individual Per incident (3.2.1.2) 07H00 to 17H00 Monday till Friday and Saturdays from 08H00 to 13H00.

• SPEEDING Remains a big concern. The streets within The Hills Game Reserve and Lifestyle Estate are for the use of all residents of the Estate, their visitors, contractors and emergency vehicles and all motorists will be expected to comply with all Road Traffic Act legislation and respect pedestrian and wildlife right of way.

Speed limit of 30 KM/H to be maintained at all times It remains the owners and or tenant’s responsibility to inform guests/ visitors of speed requirements Security apprehended one man who used his biometric profile and opened the turnstile for domestic workers to enter the Estate. Owners need to inform gardeners and domestics that their profile is loaded on the system. The system is very advanced in detecting multiple entries. All entrance and exit gates have cameras including all turnstiles.

No access infringement will be tolerated. Owners remain responsible for their visitors, gardener/ domestic, and service providers.

The last request from our side is the cancelation of gardeners, domestic workers when they no longer work at your stand. The same with contractors registered to do maintenance at a completed stand.

We found that owners or tenants do not cancel and then these people enter the Estate freely.

Our Security team remains committed to the Estate’s residents and service providers. Please safe the below numbers for emergencies: Site Manager: 0768217567 Regional Manager: Tertius Goedhals 082 871 0726 Control room Arcadia: 012 654 9690 Control room The Hills: 082 826 3761 Control room: 012 996 1610 Stay Safe and keep your distance,

Oppies

Officer Arthur Makena is nominated for the officer of the month. Officer Makena did on-the-job training to help in the control room. All the duties performed by the control room officer including online intelligence, camera analytics, and fence monitoring. Thank you for your commitment to helping the Estate and our security team during an emergency.

2021 | I SSUE 2| 13

ESTATE NEWS GARDENING | THE | THE

When planning your water-wise garden.

Credit: article written by Plantland

Plantland says the main objective is to create a space that is both attractive yet thrives with minimal water. You can achieve this by planting mainly indigenous plants, although a few water-wise exotics work, too. It is also important to identify which plants are waterwise plants.

Plantland compiled a guide to help you identify water-efficient plants for you to make an informed decision when planning and creating your water-wise garden.

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THE | GARDENING

Choosing the right grass for your rainfall –In our summer-rainfall areas, kikuyu is your best choice. Cynodon dactylon (quick grass, kweek) is indigenous to South Africa and is known to be Small or needle-like leaves: The smaller the drought resistant. surface area of the leaf, the less water is lost through evaporation.

Deep soakings of water – this encourages roots to Examples: rosemary, origanum, thyme utilise moisture deep in the ground. It’s essential that you irrigate your lawn less frequently but Reduced number of leaves/closing leaves: deeply for this reason. If you don’t water deeply, Some plants dispense their leaves or have leaves the roots will be concentrated closer to the soil that fold closed when water-stressed to reduce surface and they’ll dry out faster. the surface area exposed to direct sunlight.

Examples: Karee, acacias.

Feed organically for long-term results – Organic fertilisers require less water to break down. They Grey foliage: The colour grey reflects the sun’s also lessen the chance of burning. rays away from the plant to keep it cooler, which then reduces water loss through the leaves.

Mow often – Grass is weakened when it grows Examples: Lavender, artemesias. too long between mowing’s.

Some of the Characteristics Plantland identified are:

Hairy leaves: Hairs on leaves slow down air movement past the stomata, therefore reducing water loss. Examples: Silver tree (Leucadendron argenteum), lamb’s ear, beach salvia (Salviaa Africana-lutea).

Succulents with fleshy leaves: Water is stored in these fleshy leaves to be used by the plant when required. Examples: Crassulas, aloes, echeverias, vygies.

Waxy leaves: A waxy characteristic prevents moisture loss. Examples: Euonymus, kalanchoe, Indian hawthorn

Another way you can achieve a water wise garden, is with mulching. Mulch is a layer of material that is placed on the surface around plants to enrich and insulate the soil. Why would mulching help save water usage in the garden?

Plantland’s answer was simple; Mulching Helps soil retain moisture, which encourages good root growth and this means less-frequent watering is required. By using mulch it lowers the soil temperature, meaning less surface evaporation by the sun.

Apart from a water-wise garden, you can also have a water-wise lawn, by just changing some factors of treating your lawn, says Plantland.

Plantland suggests the following hints for cutting back water usages for your lawn: Harvesting rainwater through your lawn– Shape the lawn area to have a slight hollow in the centre.

This ensures minimum use of frequent watering.

Plan a simple shape – Reduce the area covered by the lawn by opting for a simple shape (e.g. a square or rectangle) and avoiding a curvy shape.

Avoid using lawns on steep slopes, along fences, and for narrow walkways, as these are difficult to maintain.

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GARDENING | THE

What plants can be classified as water wise and how do you get a beautiful water wise garden?

Plantland suggests to visit one of their 4 branches, where they have lovely water wise displays of exactly how you can mix different plants and hardware to create a fantasy water wise garden.

Plantland has a great variety of water wise plants available. Most of your grass-like groundcover plants are water wise for example your carex series as well as the liriope’s, then gazania, Agapanthus and vygies are also considered water wise.

A quick summary of water wise gardening according to Plantland Garden Centre: When is the best time to water?

As a general rule, early to mid-morning is the best time to water the garden, as it allows plants sufficient water to get through the heat of the day. Factors such as the temperature, soil and time of day will influence this. And thus the best test is always the finger test – feel the soil to a 1 6 | ISSUE 2 | 2021

depth of a few centimetres. Sometimes the soil surface looks dry, but it may still be moist enough further down. You can also use recycled bath and washing water on lawns and gardens.

Mulch to retain moisture: A thick layer of mulch over all bare soil and around plants (including trees) will retain soil moisture.

Apply mulch while soil is moist (for example, after heavy rain or watering). Cover beds and borders with a rich organic mulch, at least 10cm thick.

Size of the lawn: Reduce the size of your lawn – replace it with hardy ground covers or hard landscaping (brick paving, cobbles, pavers or gravel chips).

Alternatively, Let the lawn look after itself.

In times of drought mow your lawn with the mover blades set high, or do not mow it at all. The more grass left on the lawn, the longer it will take to turn yellow. The grass will quickly go green again after the first rains.

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2021 | I SSUE 2| 19

Smalls

ESTATE NEWS | THE

Would you like to know if you may add your product to this classifieds list?

Contact tobia@k-studio.co.za *terms and conditions apply

FOOD • Samosas, springrolls, chutney & pickles sold to order. Contact Devaksha Maharaj WhatsApp 081 517 9589 or email devaksha.maharaj@ gmail.com, stand number is 482.

• Indian home cooked meals freshly prepared daily. Contact Shenaaz on 0828779750.

• I am selling raw honey at R80 a bottle or Honey and Rusks at R140 Contact Gladiola 0721915097 Free delivery for the hills residents and R80 courier anywhere else in Gauteng

GARDENING/ LANDSCAPE • R40 per 30kg bag of Manure. Delivery on Saturdays. Boost your garden, grass and veggies with our Manure. Contact 0794964525 to order.

• Landscape Design Student passionate about nature and plants, I am able to assist with landscape layout of gardens, give insightful and easy development ideas to existing gardens. I can assist in growing your Vegetable and herbs together with commin indoor and outdoor plants.

Contact Jan on kstudioleads@gmail.com for your landscape design needs, garden maintenance, consultation and ideas on keeping your garden healthy and beautiful throughout the year.

EDUCATION / LEARNING • Mandarin Classes: 0723805066.

Contact

Lin

Ye

on

CLEANING SERVICES • Are you tired of your dirty windows? Then let us sparkle your windows. LNC is an expert in 2 0 | ISSUE 2 | 2021

professional high-rise window cleaning services, catering for all types of properties.Contact NS Malepe 072 651 19471 / makua.malepe@gmail. com.

• Weekly pool cleaning at a monthly cost of R600 - ALL chemicals included. Contact 083 278 8720.

AUPAIR • I am a Psycology Honours student with experience in helping children with homework, tests and examination. Available Weekdays from 13:00 - 17:00, non-smoker, a valid drivers license and own transport. Contact Mienke 081 553 9406 • Micaela is an excellent Au pair, currently looking after kids within The Hills Estate. She picks up the kids, helps with homework and takes them to extra murals, games etc. She’s very patient & great with kids. Contact her on 082 333 5431 or Contact Chuma on 0763937989 for reference.

PET FOOD • Vets approved dog and cat food and Bravecto treatment for ticks and fleas delivered to your door in the estate at no extra cost. Please whatsapp Leré (0829749978) for price enquiries and orders. Delivery will take place on Fridays.

DOMESTIC / GARDENER • Lettie Mtimkhulu is looking for work on Mon, Wed, Fri. She is a hard worker and very neat . Has an experience in house keeping. Contact Lettie 0795390482. Contact Sandra 0764069178 / 0614528539 for a reference.

THE | ESTATE NEWS

2021 | I SSUE 2| 21

ESTATE NEWS | THE

Illustration by Koren Shadmi

from the

Gym Manager HOW TO MAKE WORKING OUT WORK FOR YOU COMMIT Making a commitment to yourself to add exercise to your life is the first step.You have to schedule your workout just as you would any other appointment in your life. Your body will thank you for it one day.

Don’t quit, stick to your appointment. Once you start cancelling your workouts, it becomes habit. Same goes the other way, it you are consistent, that will become your habit.

BRING A BUDDY Training with a friend means you will have someone keeping you accountable, someone to give you that boost on days where you might need a little more motivation and someone to give you that push to go a bit further, heavier, harder. Plus, a little friendly competition never hurt anyone.

GET IN TUNE Create a workout playlist with your favorite tracks to make your workout even more enjoyable.

FIND THE RIGHT EXERCISE FOR YOU Some love to run, others get sick just thinking of it.

Some prefer gentler Yoga while others max it out on the bench. I say, try it all! You might just surprise yourself. Come and chat with myself or any of the Discovery Vitality & Momentum Wellness Day – instructors for guidance, the options are endless.

17 April at the Gym. 2 2 | ISSUE 2 | 2021

THE | ESTATE NEWS

Nex t Yoga P o p - u p : 30 Ap ri l , don’t mi ss o u t

A d d itio n a l R e b o u n d & Pila te s C la s s e s fr o m A pr il

If you are not yet on our Broadcast list, please send me a WhatsApp to 079 974 2210 and I will add you.

“Be good to your body and your body will be good to you” Warm Regards, Tanya 2021 | I SSUE 2| 23

GLAUCOMA The silent thief of sight One of the leading causes of blindness world wide Glaucoma damages your eye’s optic nerve.

This happens when fluid builds up in the front part of your eye. That extra fluid increases the pressure in your eye, damaging the optic nerve.

For any enquiries and to make an appointment, contact us today T: 012-809-6027 / C:078-456-1943 E: info@drmcniemandt.co.za W: www.drmcniemandt.co.za Unit 9, Intercare Hazeldean, Silver Lakes 2 4 | ISSUE 2 | 2021

STRESS

Solutions

By Bridget Edwards

Every human and non-human animal experiences stress as a basic functional or survival requirement and instinct. It’s a natural and normal part of life, and can’t be avoided. Stress expert Bridget Edwards shares the typical effects of and responses to daily stressors, and offers some of her top tips for combatting the widespread challenge in daily life.

WHAT IS STRESS? Essentially, stress is the body’s way of responding to any kind of demand that exceeds one’s (perceived) ability to cope. This could be either detrimental or beneficial, depending on the circumstance and our perception of the situation.

It’s perhaps surprising to note that not all stress is negative. Positive stress - known as eustress - is when our stress motivates and inspires us to make appropriate changes. Stress can be a catalyst for change, a teacher, a character builder, and an opportunity for reflection and re-evaluation.

Continual, excessive or chronic stress, however, should be regarded as an early warning signal, with appropriate and swift stress management being of vital importance. Stress can really interfere with - and even wreak havoc in our lives, whether at home, at work, in our relationships, or in our health and wellbeing.

We often erroneously think that complex problems require equally complex solutions or interventions. The reason we make this mistake is because our stress, worry, anxiety and fears often feel overwhelming, so we perceive the problem to be highly complex. Ironically, our problems often require simple solutions. This is why engaging an independent and objective third party like a coach, mentor or therapist can be helpful for assessing the situation quickly, cutting to the chase, and helping us draw our own (sane) conclusions.

WHAT CAN CAUSE STRESS? For most people, the stress response is triggered multiple times a day, and often below our awareness. Everyone responds to stress in his or her own unique way, which can make it difficult to detect. What’s more, what stresses you today may not affect you tomorrow.

There are an infinite number of factors that can contribute to stress. Stressors may be emotional, mental or physical. Even a change in one’s environment at home or work can be stress-inducing. Positive events such as a job promotion, getting married or buying a house can be stressful too.

Although stress is usually seen as being caused by external factors, it can also be internal and

WELLNESS | THE

self-generated. Examples of this include excessive worry, pessimism, negative self-talk, perfectionism, rigid thinking, unrealistic expectations and a lack of flexibility, to name a few...

Secondly, in preparation to either fight to protect ourselves (either physically or verbally) or flee from a dangerous situation, our digestive system immediately shuts down, which in turn impairs and compromises the immune system. The digestive process requires enormous energy to break down food, and during times of stress this energy is reserved exclusively for the fight or flight response. This is precisely why stressed people often suffer from digestive problems and frequent malaise.

HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO STRESS?

TYPICAL STRESS RESPONSES The body’s stress (survival) response is controlled by the amygdala, a tiny set of neurons in the brain located at the end of the hippocampus, deep within the temporal lobe. The function of the amygdala is to protect the body from any threat picked up by our senses, emotions and thoughts – be it big, small, real or perceived.

Instantaneously, the body is flooded with stress chemicals (adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol), and goes into fight or flight mode. This sets other simultaneous actions in motion within the brain and body – all of which are designed to protect us.

Firstly, we quite simply ‘lose it’. Yes, the brain ‘flips a switch’ from the logical, rational and linear frontal lobe (control centre) to the animalic (primal) hindbrain, where we act instinctively. This phenomenon is known as the ‘amygdala hijack’ - a phrase coined by Emotional Intelligence (Bantam Books, 1995) author Daniel Goleman.

As a result, we not only react irrationally, but destructively too. This is when we suddenly catch ourselves ‘in the heat of the moment’ - doing or saying something inappropriate, embarrassing or regrettable. We then ask ourselves, “What was I thinking?” Well, you weren’t really thinking – the amygdala hijack caused your brain to ‘flip a switch’ to the hindbrain, which acts purely on survival instinct, not thought. Only the forebrain thinks.

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The typical stress warning signs are usually a combination of cognitive, emotional, physical and behavioural symptoms. Selfawareness and self-understanding are key components of successfully managing stress.

American Psychologist Connie Lillas uses a driving analogy to describe the three most common ways people respond when they’re overwhelmed by stress: • Foot on the gas – An angry, agitated or ‘fight’ stress response. You’re heated, keyed up, overly emotional and unable to sit still.

• Foot on the brake – A withdrawn, depressed or ‘flight’ stress response. You shut down, pull away, space out and show very little energy or emotion.

• Foot on both – A tense or ‘freeze’ stress response. You become frozen under pressure and can’t do anything.

THE | ESTATE NEWS

5 EXERCISES TO TRY IN STRESSFUL SITUATIONS Tapping - Tapping on the middle of your chest is said to stimulate energies that may help boost the immune system and reduce stress. This is known as the ‘thymus tap’ in Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT).

Nasal breathing - While breathing through the mouth signals panic, breathing through the nose is more relaxing. Breathe in and out through your nose a few times to calm your body and mind.

EFFECTS OF STRESS Since stress triggers the ‘fight’ response, it directly influences our ability to manage anger, especially road rage. It also has a detrimental impact on other mental health challenges, including anxiety, panic attacks, depression, fears and phobias. Together with unresolved trauma, it can influence and exacerbate addictive behavioural tendencies and compulsive disorders too.

Individuals with compulsive disorders such as alcoholism, gambling, overeating or smoking often increase negative behaviour or undergo a relapse after they have been through a stressful period. Anger resulting from stressful situations also plays a part in some addictive disorders.

Those who don’t express anger outwardly often turn it inward. When this occurs, it may lead to depression. To relieve the discomfort they feel because they have not expressed their anger, these individuals may also begin to overeat or engage in other addictive behaviours. The addictive behaviour then increases the anxiety and stress, perpetuating a vicious circle.

What’s more, the effects of stress on our physical health – while less immediately discernable – can have devastating consequences. Medical practitioners worldwide confirm that 95% of all illness and disease is stress-related.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Bridget Edwards is a stress consultant therapist and author of Stress Gone!

How to Identify and Reduce Stress Easily (Bridget Edwards, 2014). Take her stress quiz and download her free e-course at www.Bridget-Edwards.com.

Hoku point - To locate the Hoku point, gently open and stretch all five fingers. This will expose a flap of skin between your thumb and index finger. The hoku point is found on the central mound between the thumb and index finger, just above the skin flap. Use the thumb of the opposite hand to gently massage, press or squeeze this area. You may notice a tenderness, so be gentle. Hold or massage this point for 30 seconds while breathing slowly and deeply in and out the nose. Switch hands, and repeat a few times until you feel relaxed. Note: do not try this one if you’re pregnant.

Walk away - Walking away from a potentially acrimonious stressful situation asserts selfcontrol, and is empowering. It also gives you time to clear your head and gather yourself together. You can resume discussions when you feel calm and have a solution in mind.

Pericardium 8 point - Firmly press and rub the thumb of one hand into the centre of your palm on the other. Hold this pose for a few minutes while breathing deeply in and out a couple of times. Repeat by swopping hands.

SA’s leading health retailer, Wellness Warehouse offers everything you need to live life well under one roof. Visit one of their 37 stores (and growing) nationwide or shop online to stock up on quality health supplements, organic and natural beauty products, real foods, eco home products and natural baby care, all offered with personal service and a 360° approach to health.

www.wellnesswarehouse.com 2021 | I SSUE 2| 27

WWW.HARRY-ERASMUS.COM

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THE | LIFESTYLE

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DECOR | THE

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INTEmIOm AmCHITECTUmE

INTEmIOm mEmIGN

INTEmIOm mECOm

THE | DECOR

How to create the ultimate PYJAMA LOUNGE Pyjama lounges are so versatile.

Not only can they provide a space where mom can escape to with a great book, but it is also the ideal area for the family to get together and watch a movie.

The space can also be used to let the kids do their own thing while the grownups are hosting a dinner party, or where your kids can host sleepovers while you keep a watchful eye on them.

Because pyjama lounges are so versatile, it is important to design and decorate them with flexibility in mind. Let us take a look at some design and décor elements that could help you to create everyone’s favourite room in the house.

New or existing It is a good idea to make the most of an existing room in the house by filling it with a generously proportioned couch as your starting point.

Starting from scratch affords you the opportunity to consider enough electrical points and good natural light, and your architect can be briefed to this end.

Lighting As the space will mainly be used at night, it is more important to consider what it might look like after dark. Accent lighting with a warm tone will

enhance the overall ambience. Think indirect cove lighting as well as oversized low hanging pendants. Lastly a good quality floor standing reading light will make life easier.

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DECOR | THE

Wall plugs

Window dressing

Remember that your pyjama lounge is a place where several devices will be used.

Make sure there are enough wall plugs for charging phones and tablets, for your big screen TV and decoders, and don’t forget the PlayStation. Ample provision of easily accessible wall plugs will make life easier, especially when it is time to tidy up.

Part of the fun of watching a movie, is the all-immersive experience of losing track of time. To recreate this in your pyjama lounge, it is a good idea to use block out curtains or blinds. A room flooded with natural light, will be great during the day and will certainly make all reading activities easier. Introducing high level windows is a great way to achieve this goal.

Furniture Once you have decided on where your TV stand will go, the next step is the correct positioning of your sofa. Take unobstructed sightlines into consideration and provide the most comfortable couch you can afford, both in size and finish. Choose furniture pieces that can be used for more than one purpose. Side tables with tray tops are also great for serving drinks. Low ottomans used as either seats or footrests are another great idea.

Colour and décor Make sure your colour scheme of the room blends in, but still has a fun and relaxing twist to it. A great way to add family photos, is to commission a photographer to produce stylized photos that can double up as art pieces.

The pyjama lounge should be a reflection of your family’s personality, don’t be afraid to show it.

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Kitchen corner Convenience will be high on your priority list as you recline with your favourite book. Consider adding a small kitchen corner, complete with a coffee machine, bar fridge and snack storage. This will limit trips to the kitchen downstairs. Keep it simple and stylish so that it fits in with the rest of the décor or hide everything inside a cupboard so that it is out of sight when not in use.

Snuggles and cuddles Make space for things like books, blankets and even a fireplace if your space allows for it. Do not forget about a spot for your four-legged family members. Snuggles and cuddles are part of family life and a pyjama lounge gives you the luxury to create a safe and comfortable space for your family.

THE | DECOR

If you require assistance with your interiors the design team at Copperkite Design would love to guide you on your journey to create the ultimate haven for rest and relaxation.

Contact Copperkite Design at hello@copperkitedesign.com or on 010 786 2083.

Follow #copperkitedesign on social media for inspiration.

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ESTATE TR AVEL NEWS | THE | THE

Xigera Safari Lodge

a love-letter to the magic of the African Bush

S

ituated in Botswana’s unspoilt wilderness on the western side of the Moremi Game Reserve, Xigera (“Kee-jera”) is a boutique safari lodge whose inspired hospitality and design reinvent what it means to experience the African bush. Heralding a new design direction for Red Carnation Hotels, Xigera is the first purposebuilt safari lodge developed by the Tollman family, renowned South African born hoteliers. Guided by their deep love of the Delta and its wildlife, Xigera will offer just 24 guests an extraordinary opportunity to explore the richness of this UNESCO World Heritage Site to the tune of their own individual imagining.

artisans from Botswana, South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Mali and Eswatini, including Andile Dyalvane, Peter Mabeo, Cheick Diallo, Dokter and Misses, Dylan Lewis, Porky Hefer, Ardmore Ceramics and others.

Touching the earth lightly, the lodge’s 12 individually designed air-conditioned suites, including one twobedroom family suite, extend over two islands.

Architect Anton de Kock designed the buildings in complete synergy with their surroundings, using torched timber cladding and softly undulating rooves inspired by the wingspan of the region’s rare Pel’s Fishing Owl. The lodge’s interiors have been conceptualised by Toni Tollman and Philip Fourie, who collaborated with Southern Guild gallery in a groundbreaking project that spanned over two years. They commissioned work from more than 80 artists and

Every object and surface that guests encounter will be a celebration of African craftsmanship, featuring bespoke items made exclusively for the property.

Surprising touches will be everywhere, from woven jacquard bedspreads and handblown glassware, to wooden seats carved on site by Cape Town sculptor Adam Birch and Porky Hefer’s famed human-sized nests to lounge in. Standout features include an outdoor pavilion with an extraordinary bronze lily sculpture and a boma with a difference centred around a monumental firepit sculpture by Cape Town blacksmith Conrad Hicks.

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THE | THE ESTATE | TRAVEL NEWS XIGERA ...THERE’S NOTHING QUITE LIKE IT

X

igera Safari Lodge will offer guests a truly restorative experience, where nature provides both the setting and the therapy, taking guests on a journey of wellness in the heart of the African bush. The tranquil spa, overlooking expansive floodplains, will offer treatments and therapies by Tata Harper, exclusively in Africa. Those seeking an even closer encounter with nature can experience a life-changing sleep-out under the stars in a three-story steel baobab tree located 1km from the camp.

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Xigera Safari Lodge,

ESTATE NEWS | THE

Okavango Delta, Botswana

THE newest, most extravagant kid on the block!

Be one of the 1st to experience this exclusive new Lodge, which only opened in late 2020.

Xigera Safari Lodge is nestled beneath an impressive canopy of ancient jackalberry, mangosteen and leadwood trees. All 12 air-conditioned suites have been carefully sited to give endless floodplain views and the chance to watch passing wildlife.

SPEND 2 NIGHTS AT THIS INCREDIBLE LODGE Valid: until 17 Dec 2021

from pps R47,265 What's included: Return flights from Johannesburg to Maun, including airline levy Return airport lodge transfers 2 nights accommodation at the 5-star Xigera Safari Lodge in a suite Breakfast, lunch, dinner & all non-alcoholic & alcoholic beverages daily All activities, including game drives, boating, seasonal catch-and-release fishing, mekoro excursions, walking, scheduled yoga classes, use of the gym, pool & library; and in-suite Wi-Fi! Contact us at any of our Joburg or Pretoria stores: Bedford (011) 607 9460 Clearwater (011) 675 7597 Cresta (011) 380 3700 3 6 |East ISSUE 2 |(011) 2021 Rand Mall 345 1860 Rosebank (011) 778 1100

Brooklyn (012) 346 8439 Centurion (012) 643 5340 Menlyn (012) 368 1202 Jo'burg Online (010) 880 0754

info@pentravel.co.za

087 095 0555

DECOR | THE

THE | ESTATE NEWS

Our brand new equestrian training facility & stable yard is perfectly situated in Tiegerpoort, Pretoria East.

We aim to provide a safe, tranquil and friendly environment for our fellow horse fanatics!

Our dedicated staff and passionate instructors work around the clock to ensure our horses remain healthy and happy, our facilities are well maintained and our riders are reaching their goals, improving their skills and most importantly enjoying the sport!

30 years experience in the equine industry!

EQUASA Registered Book your FREE 15-minute demo lesson today!

Ages 2 - 92

Stabling available

Greener grass on this side

Contact us Debbie Erleigh 083 447 2524 info@peasusstables.co.za www.pegasusstables.co.za Follow us on social media

66 Leribisi Road Tiegerpoort Pretoria-East

Disciplines Dressage Showjumping Equitation Eventing Le Trec Outrides Happy hackers Pony play Ages 2-4

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ESTATE NEWS | THE

E-CLASS SEDAN DAZZLES WITH MAJOR FACELIFT Pretoria. With over 14 million units delivered since 1946, the E-Class is the bestselling model series in the history of Mercedes-Benz, with many regarding it as the ‘heart of the brand’. Now it’s raising the bar even further: the latest iteration of the E-Class Sedan, which arrives in South Africa this month, sets new benchmarks with an even more dynamic design, sporty aura and raised levels of interior comfort.

The E-Class Sedan is produced in the state-of-theart Mercedes-Benz Sindelfingen plant, and comes off the same line as the Mercedes-Benz CLS and the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-door Coupé. South African motorists will be able to choose from two models at the time of launch: the E200 and E220d derivatives.

Johannes Fritz, Co-CEO of Mercedes-Benz South Africa and Executive Director for Mercedes-Benz Cars, says customers of the E-Class are among the most loyal fans of the Mercedes star: Eight out of ten customers of the E-Class Sedan remain loyal to Mercedes-Benz when buying their next vehicle.

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“The tenth generation of the E-Class set styling trends in 2016 with its clean, yet emotionally appealing design and an exclusive, high-quality interior. Together with the wealth of innovation in areas like driving assistance systems, it proved extremely successful, with more than 1.2 million customers around the world buying a currentgeneration E-Class Sedan,” said Fritz. “Our latest extensive facelift builds on that platform to deliver the most advanced E-Class Sedan yet.”

THE | ESTATE NEWS

The facelifted front end, with increased chrome content, shows the new E-Class means business, with two chrome louvres and vertical high-gloss black struts providing a sporty and elegant appearance.

The designers also updated the Sedan’s rear end with a new bumper, split tail lamps and a new boot lid.

Inside, there’s even more comfort in the interior, including a new steering wheel with touch controls, large display screens as standard (2 x 10.25 inches), and the latest generation of the MBUX (MercedesBenz User Experience) multimedia system. MBUX incudes the now-familiar ‘Hey Mercedes’ voice control and augmented reality that displays additional information, such as house numbers, in the video image of the surroundings.

The new E-Class features Urban Guard, which offers all-round surveillance of the parked vehicle. • Active Blind Spot Assist, which lowers the risk of a collision with other road users, like passing cyclists.

This includes functions like warnings for collision It also monitors the blind spot when at standstill, damage warning, tow-away protection and ant-theft. and can warn the driver of approaching vehicles, motorcycles or bicycles when opening the door.

Next generation driving assistance systems

• Parking Package with 360° camera: Side View gives the Parking package a new function that The new E-Class has the latest generation of keeps an eye on the entire side of the vehicle.

Mercedes-Benz driving assistance systems. Active The extended side view makes it easier to Distance Assist DISTRONIC, with route-based manoeuvre alongside nearby, parallel obstacles speed adjustment, recognises and responds to such as kerbs and garage walls. tailbacks and slow-moving traffic even before the driver becomes aware of them. When a traffic jam ENERGIZING comfort control is detected (and if the driver does not choose a ENERGIZING seat kinetics is another new feature different response), DISTRONIC reduces the speed in the E-Class. It supports beneficial changes in to around 100 km/h as a precaution. seated posture by means of minute movements of the seat cushion and backrest when on a journey.

Other innovations include: ENERGIZING comfort control networks various comfort systems in the vehicle, and uses musical and • Active Tailback Assist, which can substantially lighting moods plus a number of massage modes for assist the driver with lane-keeping and maintaining a wide range of feel-good programmes. The aim is a safe distance at speeds up to around 60 km/h, for passengers to feel well and relaxed even during with a high degree of availability. demanding or monotonous journeys.

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JOHANNESBURG

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ASTON MARTIN UNVEILS DBX:

AN SUV WITH THE SOUL OF A SPORTS CAR

THE | MOTORING

this model through our expertise, but also by garnering invaluable experience and knowledge from external counsel, including our Female Advisory Board. This is a real landmark for this great British brand and I promise that DBX will reward all who experience it in their everyday lives.”

Set to be built in Aston Martin’s purpose-built manufacturing facility in St Athan, Wales, the foundation of DBX is a new dedicated SUV platform, something rarely seen across the sector. More than ever before, this clean sheet of paper has allowed all departments within Aston Martin to innovate and push the boundaries of what British design and engineering can create, resulting in a truly remarkable product.

• Aston Martin launches fourth car of transformational Second Century Plan.

• First SUV for 106-year-old luxury British marque.

• Delivers broadest design brief of any Aston Martin in history.

Utilising bonded aluminium, a construction • Broad range of capability from sportscar method Aston Martin has refined through the dynamics to off-road versatility. development of its sports cars, the body structure is both very light and incredibly stiff, assisting in 20 November 2019, Beijing, China: A bold the delivery of an overall kerbweight of 2,245kg. new chapter and a landmark moment in Aston Right from its genesis, it was designed to allow Martin’s illustrious 106-year history, Aston Martin maximum room in the cabin, putting a premium has today unveiled its first SUV and a model that on refinement and class leading spaciousness will propel the brand to new heights worldwide. for both front and rear occupants. Meanwhile, the That model, is DBX. exceptional stiffness inherent in the design of the new platform has also enabled DBX to achieve The culmination of an extensive development exceptional dynamics both on and off-road. programme that began with physical testing in Wales last year and virtual development Adaptive triple volume air suspension has been stretching back to 2015, DBX signals a new era combined with the latest 48v electric anti-roll in Aston Martin’s pursuit to deliver exceptional control system (eARC) and electronic adaptive performance, style and usability in a segment dampers to provide the new SUV with a huge previously unexplored by the world-famous breadth of ability. With its capacity to raise the manufacturer. Bringing both the versatility and ride height by 45mm or lower it by 50mm the indulgence expected of a luxury SUV with sports air suspension gives any driver the confidence car levels of dynamic performance, DBX sets a to tackle a wide range of terrain. While this of bold new standard in this sector. course provides benefits while on the move, the system can be further programmed to aid with Aston Martin Lagonda President & Group CEO, ingress, egress and loading requirements, aiding Dr. Andy Palmer said: “I can’t emphasise enough on a practical level. how incredibly exciting and significant DBX is for Aston Martin. Through its development The adaptive triple chamber air springs enable alone, this beautiful SUV has already taken the variable spring stiffness, giving both luxurious company into new territories and in inspiring comfort and dynamic prowess. Extraordinarily directions. DBX also marks a key moment in the the eARC – capable of 1,400Nm of anti-roll force delivery of the third and final phase of our Second per axle – can limit DBX’s body roll for handling Century Plan, not only representing the promised that is much more akin to that of a sports car than expansion of our portfolio but also signaling the an SUV. This sophisticated system of adaptive start of production at Aston Martin’s second air suspension, dampers and eARC allows for manufacturing plant. We have both delivered maximum ride comfort when transporting 2021 | I SSUE 2| 41

that offers 64 different colours in two zones. DBX’s exterior works as hard as the interior at bringing the elegance of Aston Martin’s sports cars into the world of the SUV. From the signature ‘DB’ grille at the front, through the sculptured sides and design feature line, to the tailgate with a flip that draws inspiration from Vantage, this is an Aston Martin from first glance to detailed inspection. Beautiful details like the hidden side glass seals on the frameless doors and glass B-pillar finishers add an elegant sleekness and confidence to the stance. Cutaway sills also assist in narrowing the stepover required to enter the sumptuous cabin, while reducing the risk of ruining a fine dress or suit on arrival to a dinner engagement.

Aerodynamics were an important consideration within the design process and this included the novel experience for the team of running computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tests with a DBX towing a trailer with a DB6 on it. At the car’s front, the daytime running lights (DRLs) have an integrated aerodynamic duct, which channels air through the front wheel arches and along the side, helping to reduce both drag and lift while also cooling the brakes. Air flows cleanly over the roof, through the rear wing, over the rear window and on to the rear flip. This unique approach and design detail allows the rear screen to selfclear on the move. Aerodynamic design has also played a key part in passenger comfort because as one of only a few companies using computational aeroacoustics technology, Aston Martin’s engineers have been able to keep cabin noise to a minimum at speed.

Aston Martin is incredibly proud that DBX, an SUV intended to expand the sales reach of the brand worldwide, will be built in Britain at the new manufacturing plant in St Athan, Wales. With its all-wheel drive system, DBX is a car that will allow the company to increase its presence in markets where perhaps the weather or terrain is less than conducive to rear-wheel drive sports cars.

The clear emphasis on a spacious and luxurious cabin – whether seated in the front or back – will also allow Aston Martin to better reach customers who prefer to be driven rather than drive.

Further adding to the desirability of DBX, the first 500 owners of this landmark model will benefit from an exclusive ‘1913 Package’. Fitted with a unique fender badge, sill plaques and an inspection plaque detailing its limited build-run, 4 2 | ISSUE 2 | 2021

each of these first examples will be personally endorsed and inspected by Andy Palmer. In addition, each customer will also receive a unique build-book signed by both Aston Martin’s CEO and Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman and an invitation to a regionally hosted Waldorf Astoria celebration cocktail party, hosted by a member of the Aston Martin Lagonda executive team.

Dr Andy Palmer said: “DBX is a car that will give many people their first experience of Aston Martin ownership. As such it needed to be true to the core values established in our sports cars, while also providing the lifestyle versatility expected of a luxury SUV. To have produced such a beautiful, hand built, yet technologically advanced car is a proud moment for Aston Martin.”

Recommended Retail Price from £158,000* in the UK, €193,500 in Germany and $189,900 in USA. DBX is on sale now, with first deliveries scheduled to begin Q2 2020. *Includes 3 year’s servicing

For more info and high res images click on the link: https://media.astonmartin.com/astonmartin-unveils-dbx-an-suv-with-the-soul-of-asports-car/ Media Contact Aston Martin PR and Marketing Manager: Colleen Vilela +27 (0)11 301 7000 or colleen@daytona.co.za Aston Martin PR and Marketing Assistant Tyron Barbe +27 (0)11 301 7000 or tyron@daytona.co.za

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THE | ESTATE NEWS

Photo taken by Cecile Overbreek Cecile Overbreek took this photo in the nature reserve...

SHARING IS

Caring

To all keen photographers out there… why not forward your contributions for placement in the e-magazine?

We live in such a beautiful Estate, let’s share with one another what life offers in such abundance. We eagerly await your contributions! Feel free to include a caption, who knows you might just see your photo on the Cover of our next issue.

Beautiful Photo of Garsfontein Entrance

by Sekgabi Masobe

P.s You don’t have to be a professional to take part submit your photo to tobia@k-studio.co.za

Herold snake found with a late afternoon walk Cecile Overbreek

2021 | I SSUE 2| 45

ESTATE NEWS | THE

TENNIS COACHING FOR ALL AGES AND LEVELS NOW IN THE HILLS ESTATE

MAKE YOUR BOOKING TODAY

4 6 | ISSUE 2 | 2021

matchpointtennis9@yahoo.com 082 945 0104

THE | ESTATE NEWS

Try locally produced

SALMON TROUT Carlita’s Deli now stocks tasty and fresh, locally produced Salmon Trout from Dunkeld Smokery, Dullstroom. Try all the products with our exclusive Carlita’s Catch hamper for only R420.

The hamper includes:

Y R ONL

R420

A L L FO

• • • • • • •

100g Ready-to-Eat Smoked Salmon Trout Ribbons Raw Salmon Trout Fillet Portions Ready-to-Eat Cured Salmon Trout Fillets Plain Smoked Salmon Trout Fillet Pepper Smoked Salmon Trout Fillet Pre-made Trout Pie Pre-made Duck & Cherry Pie

Here are some great ideas that you can try with our products:

Salmon Trout bagel with cream cheese and fresh greens

Smoked Salmon Trout salad with rocket, nectarines and avocado

Smoked Salmon Trout with cottage cheese and chives canapés

Grilled Salmon Trout and avocado wraps

Available from our deli at The Hills Game Reserve, 906 Royal Albatross Road, Garsfontein, or we can deliver! To order, call us on 062 808 0015 or visit www.carlitasrestaurant.com

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LIFESTYLE | THE

Home Seller Mistakes

To avoid when Choosing a real estate agent -Part 2 Written by Xavier De Buck Luxury Homes in Johannesburg

When it’s time to sell your property, how do you go about choosing a real estate agent?

Mistake 1: Choosing a Real Estate Estate Agent Who Offers The Lowest Commission Mistake 2: Choosing a Real Estate Agent Who Gives You The Highest Listing Price Now that you’ve decided to go on the market with your (overpriced) property, odds are quite high that you will eventually sell your home at a price below the going market price. One can truly not emphasize enough the importance of starting one’s marketing process with the correct asking price!

The first 3-to-4 weeks of marketing are crucial and if the asking price is too high, unfortunately, potential home buyers will simply not even consider your listing.

Never mind taking the time to go view it! And, to 4 8 | ISSUE 2 | 2021

be honest, why would they? The property is out of their price range anyway! Or worse, a lot of real estate agents might even use your overpriced property to bounce their educated home buyers off to more correctly priced properties. “Now that we’ve seen what $500,000 gets you here, wait until I show you the next home which is marketed at exactly the same price. You’ll be blown away by the high finishes and many extra features!”

Is that how you want agents and buyers to do when they’re viewing your home? I didn’t think so either!

Regardless how you look at it, the end result will be that the overpriced property will sit on the market for a much longer time. And it will eventually sell at a much lower price than would have been achieved if only it was priced correctly from the start!

Now, let’s assume there’s actually this one buyer who decides to put in an offer! Another unfortunate risk you’ll run with selling an overpriced property is that the banks will have trouble finding value during their appraisal; thereby limiting the finance amount for the buyer. And, unless there is a bigger deposit to make up the difference, the deal is likely to fall through.

All this effort, time, stress and living in hope, just to see it all go to waste! Being a home seller, you only

have one chance to make a first impression! And, sure, while one might be tempted to be choosing the real estate agent who suggested marketing your property at a higher price, please make sure to ask for proof of how that price was determined by means of a Comparable Market Analysis.

Check with the agent what is currently on the market with similar features as your property.

Having a look at the recent sales of similar homes in your area will give you, as the homeowner, a more realistic expectation regarding the likely sale price of your property.

Plus, it will immediately set the agent straight regarding the listing price he put forward.

Mistake 3: Choosing a Real Estate Agent Who Sold The Most Properties I admit that this one might be somewhat counterintuitive!

One might be tempted to use the total number of properties sold as the sole measuring stick in choosing a real estate agent. While the agent who only manages to sell a couple of properties last year, might not be your direct choice, the agent selling 50 properties in a given year should not immediately be the first choice either.

“Why?” you ask. Bear with me: per Mistake 2 above, we now realize that the real estate agent who gives the highest listing price is probably going to get a lot of the listings. Yet, it will become very evident that those overpriced properties aren’t selling (no kidding!) and will likely remain on the agent’s books for longer periods of time. In other words, the number of properties that agent eventually sells versus renting the properties that he still has on the books will be quite low.

In real estate terms, they refer to it as the salesto-listing ratio. Who do you think to be the better agent: the real estate agent who sells 13 out of 15 listings or the agent who sells 20 out of 50 listings?!

Do yourself a favor and don’t go looking for the real estate agent who sold the most properties!

Rather have a look at how well the agent priced the property, how he suggested going about the marketing strategy, how his reactions were when you attempted to reduce his commission (ie test his negotiation skills) and of course, how his overall presentation and communication report was.

These skills will be very important when it comes to buyer negotiations! Is the real estate agent’s overall service equivalent to the high sales figures?

Mistake 4: Choosing a Real Estate Agent Because He’s Family Selling your house is very serious business. Most real estate agents will agree that there’s no one sales contract the same!

Every client has his/her specific requirements, needs, wants & wishes and all of this needs to be properly documented by both buyer and seller agents. Therefore, it is very important that not only during negotiation but also at the time of closing, that legally, everything is correctly worded.

You might be uncle Jack or cousin Marie’s favorite, but when it’s time to dive into some intense negotiation sessions, and subsequent legal paperwork, if things were not to work out with the buyer(s), it might be tough to split the personal from the business angle of the property sale!

Will you or your relative be able to look past whatever may have gone wrong during the home selling process if the experience wasn’t the greatest? By all means, I’m not claiming you should never be choosing a real estate agent just because they’re family!

But one’s decision to choose the relative should perhaps not be automatically assumed! Whoever will eventually be marketing your home should be going through a fair interview process together with other interested agents, all vying for the listing agent job!

Let the best (wo)man win!

Mistake 5: Choosing To Interview Only One Real Estate Agent It might be highly recommended to interview real estate agents from different agencies, as each agency will have its own strengths in marketing and servicing. The respective agents will have their own tools and skills to bring to the table when proposing their marketing plan of your property.

If you only interview one agent, you would be not exposed to any of that.

As in a lot of other businesses, the 80/20 rule applies in real estate. (If anything, it’s skewed even more dramatic as numbers of near 90/10 in certain real estate markets are more common). In other words, the remaining 80-90% of agents will do whatever it takes to gain those relatively few remaining listings; even if it means exaggerating ‘a bit’ when it comes to the listing price. As a nonreal estate agent, this might hard to comprehend 2021 | I SSUE 49 but believe me, it’s extremely frustrating to see2|that

ESTATE NEWS | THE

happening right before your eyes by the competing agents! A lot of the time, the home sellers will have no idea what exactly is taking place there!

Mistake 7: Choosing a Real Estate Agent Who’s Working Part-Time

Let’s put it in context:

Why do you think there’s such a high turnover of real estate agents?

Say you’re only interviewing one real estate agent to list your property, you should then know that there’s an 80-90% probability that you will get one of the latter ones! To get the listing mandate, these agents will tell you whatever you want to hear in order to get your business. Is that the type of risk you want to run by interviewing just one real estate agent?

Mistake 6: Choosing a Real Estate Agent Without Checking His References

Any 3rd party might look at their local real estate agent and believe he’s got a cushy life, driving around town all day with these buyers, doing a couple of seller presentations and signing the big sales contracts.

Selling real estate really can’t be that difficult, now can it?

Well, the question needs to be asked whether the real estate agent is doing this part-time or is fullIt always amazes me to see how little research home time involved in the real estate business. Let’s be sellers do prior to choosing a real estate agent. A lot serious: how could a part-time real estate agent of times, it seems that people spend way more time possibly be flexible enough doing all these buyer reading up on the latest reviews before buying that viewings? And if he’s doing it part-time, how long will newest UHD TV than actually researching the real it take before clients get a response back to their inquiries? Or worse, how quickly will the agent be estate agent’s history, before hiring him! able to show those clients the property? What will And yet, the financial impact is easily 100 times be the timing of the marketing of the property? After bigger and will impact you for the next 20 years! When hours? Weekends? choosing a real estate agent, besides looking at his listings, have you ever Googled his details, and tried Finally, where do you as the home seller fit into this finding him on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter? And schedule? did the social activity on those platforms coincide with the professionalism and service you expected? Overall, the work that is involved in managing the listing, marketing it, giving it the much-needed Every real estate agent should be able to provide exposure, writing offers, and finally, selling it & you, as the home seller, with a list of references. bringing it to a successful close, demands the Obviously, the trick will be to bypass the ones that attention of a full-time real estate agent!

Closing thoughts were hand selected and made it on that list!

Why not ask the real estate agent details of the You did perhaps not realize how many mistakes a current listings he’s working on and ask him whether home seller can make when choosing a real estate agent, and how easily it can sometimes be to be you can call or email a few of those clients? making them!

You will very quickly find out how these recent clients rate the real estate agent’s professionalism and If there’s one thing I would like you to take away services throughout the property selling process. from this article, it definitely should be to avoid THE Another somewhat sneaky way to find out how an biggest home seller mistake of overpricing your agent behaves when he’s not around his sellers is to property. go ‘mystery shopping’.

As you may slip through the cracks with the other Call him at his office, or stop by one of his showhouses home seller mistakes when choosing a real estate or even have someone call for you, and enquire agent and not necessarily experience a professional about a certain property where sensitive questions home selling service, in the end, at the right price, at get asked (eg “What’s the lowest offer the owners least your property will be sold! will take for this home?“). Will the agent divulge Please apply the above information to avoid home crucial information he should not have revealed? seller mistakes when choosing a real estate agent!

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Who knows, it might result in, not only in saving you thousands, but also avoid unnecessary emotional drama!

Roasted Butternut & Red Onion

Roasted & Red Onion W I T H ZButternut A’ATAR AH W I T&HT Z AI ’NAI TS AAURC E& T A H I N I S A U C E Serves 4

INGREDIENTS *1 large butternut (about 1 kg), peeled and sliced 1 cm thick, seeds discarded *2 medium-size red onions, peeled and quartered *45 ml (3 TBSP) extra virgin olive oil *Salt and freshly ground black pepper *15 - 20 ml (3 - 4 tsp) za’atar spice (or a blend of oregano, thyme, cumin, coriander, sumac, sesame seeds and salt) *A bunch of wild rocket, rinsed *80 ml (1/3 cup) whole almonds, toasted and chopped (or 30 ml/2 TBSP roasted pine nuts) *A handful of fresh parsley or coriander leaves, roughly chopped TAHINI SAUCE *60 ml (1/4 cup) tahini (sesame paste) *30 ml (2 TBSP) freshly squeezed lemon juice *60 ml (1/4 cup) water *1 small clove garlic, finely grated *Salt and freshly ground black pepper

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THE | ESTATE NEWS

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METHOD 1. Preheat the oven to 220 °C. 2. Arrange the cut butternut and onions in a large roasting or baking tray, preferably in a single layer.

3. Drizzle with oil on both sides and season with salt and pepper.

4. Roast until tender and starting to brown (about 25 minutes).

5. Remove from the oven, sprinkle with za’atar, and return to the oven for 5 – 7 minutes more, taking care not to burn the sesame seeds in the spice mix.

6. Remove from the oven and leave to cool.

7. For the sauce, place the tahini, lemon juice, water and garlic in a jar and season generously. Shake well until smooth and creamy.

8. To serve, arrange the rocket on a serving platter, then top with the roasted vegetables, nuts, parsley/coriander and a 2019/12/03 21:50:38 generous drizzle of tahini sauce. Enjoy at room temperature.

Excerpted from Cape Mediterranean by Ilse van der Merwe, published by Penguin Random House and available for R360 at leading bookstores.

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ls l e M Sp O n M Dow de i W s p O U W

Go all out this

Mother’s Day

Much like Valentine’s Day and other “commercial” days of the year, Mother’s Day is often something we attack with a robot-like approach. A Sunday lunch with mom, a gift of flowers, a hamper of wonderful bath products or silk pajamas.

And of course she’ll love these gifts and she adores having all of her loved ones over for a meal. But every now and again it is time to shake things up and surprise mom with something different. So go the extra mile and plan something memorable for your mom, mamma, moekie, moo - because she deserves the best!

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Here are ideas to trigger your creativity…

1. A treatment for two Book a treatment for the two of you. It doesn’t matter whether it is a mani or a pedi or both, a full body massage or mud bath – make sure it is something your mom will love and that the two of you can spend time together in the process. Use the time to bond and catch up on what’s going on in her life. And yes, this applies to men too.

2. Mom’s night out Moms are different. While one mom would love a night out at the theatre, another would prefer to paint the town red. You know her, so plan an evening out for just the two of you.

Ideas: • A 7-course meal at a fancy restaurant • Classy cocktails • A ballet or theatre show • Dinner and a movie Make it a surprise and ask her to dress up and be ready at a specific time.

THE | LIFESTYLE

3. “Save her time” Simple things in life are often worth more.

Remember the Dial Direct ad where the son does his mother’s chores to save her time?

So why not save your mom time by doing one or more of her chores like cleaning the house, doing the laundry, making dinner etc. Her list of daily to dos is endless so you’ll have plenty of things to choose from.

4. Take her on a mini break Have you and your mother ever gone away together alone? There is always a first for everything. It doesn’t need to be an entire weekend away, and it need not be far or cost you an arm and a leg. Scoot her off to Ingaadi Spa for 24-hours of spoils, or book a quaint B&B in Dullstroom or Parys.

5. Make her something from the heart Everyone has a talent. Maybe you are great with crafts, words, art or music. Whatever your talent set aside some time over the coming days to create your mother something from the heart.

Make her a painting or write her a song. She’ll adore it.

Download this beautiful Mother’s day Card & print it at home

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ESTATE NEWS | THE

LOST Pets

There are several steps you can take to keep your pets safe and reduce the likelihood that they’ll become lost or stolen.

Your pet should wear a collar and ID tag at all times. Include an up-to-date phone number where you can be reached. ID tags are available at Pet shops & veterinary clinics.

Have your pet microchipped. Microchips are an implanted form of identification equipped to access your contact information when scanned at a veterinary clinic or shelter.

Spay/neuter your pet. Studies have shown that sterilized animals are less likely to roam.

PLEASE COMPLETE THE PET APPLICATION FORM

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Keep them safe when you’re out and about. Animals love the outdoors but it is our responsibility to protect them. Always leash your animals when outside. Keep them close to home and away from traffic, unfamiliar animals and those who may not concern themselves with your pet’s best interests.

Leave them comfortable at home. Never leave your dog leashed outside a store or unattended in the car, even if it’s locked or the windows are

THE | ESTATE NEWS

Go out, find your own path.

The new GLA. Move ahead with the character of a G-Class and the attitude of an A-Class.

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