Neighbourhood DBN - 12 August 2018 by Your Neighbourhood

Neighbourhood 12 AUGUST 2018

PROPERTY & LIFESTYLE

Lesotho adventures

This landlocked kingdom offers great holiday adventures and unparalleled beauty all year round, page 2

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Lesotho

This kingdom is heaven-sent for the adventurous among us, whose holidays are only true holidays if they’re living partially on the edge

WORDS: ANNE SCHAUFFER IMAGES: SHUTTERSTOCK & GOOGLE MAPS *Map not to scale

I’ve travelled quite extensively in Africa, and there’s something about Lesotho which I haven’t found elsewhere. I suspect it’s the sense of peace, because there’s so little development, and so much nature – it’s a wonderful country. PAM KLEIN, HOLIDAYMAKER

esotho calls itself the Kingdom in the Sky. Surrounded entirely by South Africa, it’s the only country to boast that all of its 30,555km lies at altitudes over 1,300m above sea-level. On the flipside, it’s sometimes known as the Switzerland of Africa, because of its often snowcapped Maluti mountains. Lesotho is a patchwork of rivers and mountain ranges which beckon those for whom adrenaline is their tipple of choice. The landscapes are breathtaking, the terrain often challenging, and the opportunities for exploring endless.

Adventure

To really explore Lesotho, consider one of three 4×4 routes: the 400km Lesotho trail from Himeville (KwaZulu-Natal) to Fouriesburg (Free State) which crosses Sani Pass and much of Lesotho; the Tlaeeng Pass, the highest road pass in southern Africa; and the Quthing Valley route. The legendary Motul Roof of Africa annual event held in December for bikers and 4x4 vehicles, is ranked the world’s toughest enduro. If you’re into abseiling and rock climbing, you’ll want to tackle the 206m Maletsunyane Falls, which holds the Guinness Book of Records’ PUBLISHED BY TIMES MEDIA PROPERTY PUBLISHING 1st Floor, Block H, Sable Square cnr Bosmansdam and Ratanga Roads Milnerton, Cape Town

title as the world’s highest commercial abseil. This is also mountain-biker territory. A typical tour covers about 200km at high altitude, requiring a decent degree of physical fitness. Martin Fitchet, a passionate motor biker, says, “I’ve been biking in Lesotho for 10 years, still do, and still find it magical. It’s one of the few remaining wildernesses in sub-Saharan Africa, and the back roads are still rough and open up the less-travelled areas. It’s a biker’s paradise, with numerous roadside shebeens with friendly locals. Beer – the local favourite is Maluti – and fuel are cheap!”

Nature

Lesotho is one large, magnificent natural environment, and there’s an extensive network of hiking trails. The Sehlabathebe National Park in the Drakensberg escarpment is the national nature reserve of some 6,500ha at an average elevation of 2,400m. The park is crisscrossed with clear rivers, and it’s ideal for hiking, bird-watching, and photography. The Liphofung Nature Reserve is the smallest Lesotho Highlands Development Authority reserve at about 4ha. It’s deemed significant in Lesotho’s history, and travellers can enjoy the scenery while quad biking, pony trekking to the rock-art sites,

or bird watching. The Tse’hlanyane National Park is located deep in the Maluti mountains’ front range. The park protects over 5,600ha of rugged mountain terrain, including one of the very few indigenous woodlands. The Bokong Nature Reserve is one of Africa’s highest nature reserves. The principal highlight is the Lepaqoa Waterfall, which freezes in winter to form a column of ice. The reserve is also a haven for hikers, with a camp and network of trails and walks, and two overnight huts. Sonya Keyser, holidaymaker, says, “Ian Worrall from St Bernard’s Peak Mountain Lodge offers expertly guided, great-value horse trails into Lesotho. It’s a must for those with riding experience, a sense of adventure, a yearning for wide open spaces and the path not often travelled.”

Leisure and pleasure Afriski is one of only two ski resorts in Southern Africa, it’s located 3,222m above sea-level in the Maluti mountains, near the northern border of Lesotho and South Africa. The resort operates during the winter months (June to August), accommodates about 250 people and offers a 1km ski slope, beginners’ slope, and two ski lifts.

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Horse riding and pony trekking is the second most-used mode of transport in Lesotho, and the ponies know their way around. Staying in Basotho villages provides an opportunity to experience the traditional lifestyle. Fly-fishing is a favourite pastime, with many unspoilt rivers and uncharted waters. Take a trip to the legendary Sani Top, located at the Lesotho border post at the top of torturous Sani Pass. Malealea is considered one of Lesotho’s top one-stop destinations, with overnight pony treks, hiking, mountain biking, and village walks, and you can also overnight in Basotho villages en route. Angela Buckland, visitor, says, “The horse ride was a truly amazing memory. The region where we rode was totally unspoilt, and it often felt biblical and timeless.”

Culture, crafts and heritage There’s a great focus on preservation of Lesotho’s cultural history, and it’s rich in relics of its prehistoric past. One of Lesotho’s most important rock art sites is located on a hillside underneath a rock shelter facing the Liphiring River, and you’ll find dinosaur footprints preserved in sandstone in Leribe, Subeng and Quthing and other areas. The Thaba Bosiu cultural village is a famous historical site where the founder of the Basotho nation King Moshoeshoe I successfully defeated his enemies. The Kome Crafts and Information Office features locally-made crafts, pony trekking, and a guide can take you to the Ha Kome Cave village. Morija Cultural Archives preserves Lesotho’s culture and history and promotes Sesotho arts and culture.

PROPERTY NEWS

DID YOU KNOW? • Lesotho is home to the largest, most ambitious civil-engineering project in the whole of Africa, the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP). • Lesotho’s currency is the maloti, one equals one South African rand. • Visas are available online. • The use of a local guide is strongly encouraged for challenging hikes or rides. • Lesotho can experience four seasons in a day and often does.

DO: MALEALEA

• • • • • • • •

Hiking Fly fishing Motor biking Mountain biking Abseiling and rock climbing Four-wheel drive trails San art Pony trekking or horse riding

SLEEP: • Homestay accommodation in rural areas • Malealea Lodge • Semonkong Lodge • Oxbow Lodge • Maseru Sun • Lesotho Sun • Maliba Lodge • Sani Pub and Chalets SANI MOUNTAIN LODGE AT THE TOP OF THE SANI PASS

BUSHMAN ROCK ART IN HA KHOTSO

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My business neighbourhood A leading aesthetic clinic in Joburg, Lightsculpt has opened its doors in Umhlanga WORDS: TIVANIA MOODLEY IMAGE: SUPPLIED

on-invasive aesthetic beauty treatments are rising in popularity for obvious reasons. It’s considerably cheaper, less risky and is almost as effective as surgical treatments. Together with his two partners, Allan White invested in the latest technological equipment and treatments to establish Lightsculpt, a business that is now the proud sponsor of Miss South Africa 2018. Q: How did your business start? A: We realised that the aesthetics realm had a much-needed demand for a healthy, holistic, value-formoney approach to cosmetic surgery and that is how Lightsculpt was born. The first Lightsculpt opened in Bedfordview in 2011 and we opened in Umhlanga Ridge in May this year. We wanted to offer treatments to men and women who wanted to look and feel good.

Q: Why did you choose this area to set up shop? A: A fter being inundated with queries about our products and services, we opened a branch in the Medstone Medical Suites in Umhlanga Ridge. We started out in Gauteng with two branches – first in Bedfordview and then in Rosebank, but we wanted to expand to KwaZulu-Natal. Umhlanga was the logical next step, as the area is a business hub with a medical centre that is fit for the business and has the client base required. Q: How did you find your premises? A: It took us two years to find the perfect location. Finding our home in the Medstone Medical Suites is perfect and supports our medical ethos. Q: Why are they ideally suited to your business? A: T he medical suite is well positioned and accessible within Umhlanga Ridge, which is ideal for our customers due to its accessibility from the highway and neighbouring towns. Q: Who are your neighbours? A: A pharmacy, coffee shop and nail salon. It’s a great place to visit to get an overall aesthetic experience. Q: What are the shop rental/ sales prices like in this area? A: We would say that prices are fair for the type of industry we are in, especially when placed in a medical building. It is an

up-and-coming area, so we are seeing an increase in popularity. Q: How many people visit your store each day? A: We can see anywhere up to 50 patients a day at our practice for various treatments including IV infusions, anti-ageing injections and skin-care treatments. Q: Do you have any expansion plans? A: Lightsculpt is a growing brand and we are proud of our heritage. Being a technology-based company, we’re fortunate to have experienced healthy growth and envisage future growth in all the major cities in South Africa. Q: Do you operate online as well? A: We’ve just established an online offering on our website that is able to accommodate our customers’ product needs without the hassle. Q: What’s your most popular item? A: Our product offering is tailored to our customers’ needs. The most popular treatments are the wrinkle reduction, slimming treatments, pigmentation and skin-lightening treatments, and the permanent hair removal for men.

SEE FOR YOURSELF: Lightsculpt 087 943 2585 lightsculpt.co.za

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Retiring inland What makes South Africa’s interior a popular retiree destination? WORDS: ANNE SCHAUFFER

IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK

or many retirees, living longer has to be balanced against diminishing retirement funds – sell the family home and financially downsize. Dr Andrew Golding, chief executive, Pam Golding Property group, comments, “With people experiencing ever-increasing longevity and remaining active well into their senior years, there’s been an ongoing shortage of suitable, affordablypriced retirement accommodation across all sectors of the market.” Chris Cilliers, chief executive and principal, Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty Winelands, says, “The current retirement market is the baby-boomer generation, very different from their traditional, conservative predecessors. Conventional retirement does not cater to their needs.”

there. In addition, Durban and King Shaka International Airport are only an hour away.” He believes Midlands’ retirees come primarily from Gauteng,

Stellenbosch and the city. It also remains a lifestyle-orientated location, with abundant property options catering to all budgets.”

“When it comes to locations like the Cape Winelands, many people essentially select regions similar to favourite vacation spots,” says Richard Gray, CEO, Harcourts South Africa.

Belinda Driemeyer, area principal, Pam Golding Properties Pietermaritzburg and Midlands, notes the advantage of proximity to the airport, not only for those with families overseas. “It’s also popular with those from Europe – the surrounds are similar to what they’re used to, but the weather’s far nicer!”

On the flipside, he feels that generally, retirees move inland to provinces like Gauteng to be closer to family.

Far enough, but near enough

Affordability has been a key driver for Midlands retirees, but it goes beyond that. “The Midlands is popular because retirees are getting a relaxed lifestyle in a country environment, but still have access to amenities and leisure activities,” says Golding.

“The Cape Winelands has become an increasingly popular retirement destination because it offers a tranquil country lifestyle in scenic surrounds, yet is less than an hour’s drive from Cape Town and close to numerous popular attractions. This has led to a spike in development in this sector, with most of the new properties being more lifestyle estates than traditional retirement homes,” says Cilliers.

Shaun du Bois, principal, Just Property Pietermaritzburg, believes, “Excellent medical facilities are also a drawcard

Gray adds, “Take Paarl – it’s central, nestled in the mountains and only a stone’s throw from

Proximity, accessibility, affordability

ANXIOUS WORLD

Retirement components within gated estates

“Young couples moving to CBD hubs like Joburg often move away from their families to pursue careers. When their parents retire, there’s usually a great desire to be closer to their children and grandchildren,” he says.

Golding explains, “There’s a trend of retirees moving away from traditional retirement homes, opting for more flexible, active living within an existing residential community – for example, a retirement component or village within an established residential development or security estate which offers an array of benefits, leisure amenities, as well as on-site medical facilities or easy access to hospitals and clinics.” There’s something to be said for the normality or community aspect of multigenerational living. Driemeyer says a number of the gated estates in the Midlands have plans for retirement components: Intaba Ridge, Pietermaritzburg, Garlington in Hilton, and – now sold out – retiree units in St John’s Village, Howick.

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to ex�erience a spectacular lifest�le, ROB ROY - the Rolls Royce of retirement living!

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ROB ROY LUXURY RETIREMENT BOTHA’S HILL

10 years ago, The ROB ROY Hotel was transformed into the finest retirement lifestyle village in South Africa. Further apartments are being built to meet the increasing demand for first class, yet affordable, retirement properties. ROB ROY consists of houses, apartments and a Care Centre situated in magnificently landscaped gardens within a highly secure estate. Enjoy the ROB ROY lifestyle, share a sundowner in the MacGregor Bar or take a casual stroll to the Community Centre and enjoy a glass of wine on the deck to watch the sunsets over the Valley of a Thousand Hills. Retirement is the time to live life to the full and to enjoy every moment!

LUXURIOUS LIFESTYLE

A range of facilities, including: • Heated swimming pool and gym • Community Centre • Card room and Snooker lounge • Libraries • Lounges and in-house Pub • Cinema / auditorium • Restaurant and room service • Walking paths • Shop and hairdresser • Hobby workshops • Laundry facilities • Private transport for shopping • Post boxes • Newspaper delivery • Car wash facilities • Bowling Green • Assisted living

ESTABLISHED CARE CENTRE 24 HOUR SECURITY

ROB ROY offers state of the art security for peace of mind.

The established 24 HOUR CARE CENTRE has been running for nearly 10 years. It is conveniently situated in the main building with full wheelchair access to all facilities.

You are invited to our Spring Show Day on Sunday 2nd September from 10.00 to 3.00 pm. We have a 5% Special Spring offer on all resales. Tea/Coffee and scones will be served. ROB ROY offers a choice of houses or luxury apartments. All units have their own ﬁtted kitchens and some have private balconies with superb views. Prices range from R750 000 to R2 400 000 and the following is what we have on offer currently:

3564

• 2 bedroom north facing unit in new Inverness block • 1 bedroom apartment with balcony • Lovely bright studio apartment • Spacious 2 bedroom unit for rental • Freestanding cottage with guest suite and sun lounge

2018/08/07 1:36 PM

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