18 MARCH 2018
Neighbourhood PROPERTY & LIFESTYLE
Pinetown East Coast Radio host Bongani Mtolo tells us why he chose to settle down in this welcoming suburb, page 2
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SUBURB FOCUS: PINETOWN
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BUSINESS Q&A
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KID’S ROOM MAKEOVER
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PROPERTY NEWS
18 MARCH 2018
Neighbourhood
Suburb focus
Pinetown Host of the Afternoon Drive on East Coast Radio, Bongani Mtolo, tells us about his neighbourhood WORDS: ANNE SCHAUFFER IMAGES: SUPPLIED, STEPHEN PILBROUGH, PHILIP WILSON & GOOGLE MAPS
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inetown is situated close to key freeways allowing for easy access to all parts of eThekwini. This is why Bongani Mtolo chose to live in this suburb. He works in Umhlanga and plays in Durban, but makes a few other stops in between during his work week.
People choose Pinetown because it’s self-sufficient and has its own CBD – industrial, commercial and retail employment is integral to the suburb and spills over into neighbouring zones like Westmead and New Germany. The suburb is also known for its motor dealerships.
*Map not to scale
There’s also a wide range of houses, with everything from entry-level homes all the way up to larger homes in established areas.
Home sweet home
Six months ago, Bongani began hosting ECR’s Afternoon Drive from 3pm–6pm, working with Margaret Westerhof, aka Mags, and Gareth Jenkinson, aka G-dog. He also owns an events and catering company, Nandi Concepts, with his wife Zama handling the catering arm.
His three-bedroom townhouse with a garden in a secure estate in Pinetown is perfect for the family’s lifestyle, as Bongani travels a lot. “I’m a club DJ as well and I need easy access to King Shaka International Airport. I was in Cape Town for The Sun Met and I was back there for a few more events and the Veuve Clicquot Masters Polo.” Bongani has two sons, four-year-old Khwezi and nine-year-old Lwazi, and he wanted a home where his family would be safe and secure when he wasn’t around. “My home is close to great schools – the children’s school, St Benedict School, is 10 minutes from the house – and the home is also close to the freeway, so I can
avoid traffic. I also own a house in Pietermaritzburg, which is currently occupied by tenants, so I chose Pinetown because I had easy access to Pietermaritzburg as well.” Bongani is also studying marketing through the IMM Graduate School. “I’m doing that so I can run my brand and business better,” he says. When asked about his favourite spot in the house, he shrugs. “Probably my man cave. I have all my CDs in there. I go there when I want to relax on my own.”
Neighbourhood gems Pinetown has several historically significant areas which are well known internationally. The Rainbow Restaurant, one of the most popular jazz clubs in the country, first opened its doors for trade in Stanfield Lane in Pinetown in 1981. It was the first establishment of its kind in KwaZuluNatal to resist segregation and the laws around liquor licences. It was a great success story on many levels and the club still welcomes jazz lovers from around the country and beyond. At the other end of the spectrum, beyond the Westmead industrial parks, a visit to Mariannhill Monastery (1882) – incorporating St Mary’s Hospital – is a fascinating architectural, historical and spiritual journey. Once the biggest Trappist monastery in the world, it’s still home to a large community and is considered a valuable tourist attraction. The monthly Baroque 2000 concerts held in the church are well attended by classical music fans. It’s worth popping into the tea garden too.
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18 MARCH 2018
Neighbourhood
PROPERTY NEWS
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With my lifestyle, Pinetown ticks all the boxes for convenience. From our home, I can hop on a freeway north, west or east, and it’s an easy, uncongested ride to my destination. BONGANI MTOLO
WANDER: • Paradise Valley Nature Reserve • Japanese Gardens in Sarnia • Palmiet Nature Reserve, Westville
Perfect Sunday Bongani enjoys running in his neighbourhood and has the Comrades Marathon in his sights. “One of my favourite Sunday activities is driving down to the beach and going for a run while my boys ride their bikes. Then later, we go to Eyadini Lounge, a popular shisanyama in Umlazi.” Bongani says. “If it’s just me and my wife, we enjoy going to Oscars or Stretta Cafe, but if we have the kids with us, then we choose Pallet Jacks because it has a great kids’ play area and we can just relax.” Although Bongani loves running, he also enjoys other outdoor activities, such as cycling and hiking. “The Japanese Gardens in Sarnia are a great spot for the family – they also have good hiking trails.”
For sale
HOSPITALS NEARBY: • Life The Crompton Hospital • St Mary’s Hospital, Mariannhill • Life Westville Hospital
SCHOOLS NEARBY: • • • • • • •
Benjamin Pine Primary School John Wesley Primary School Pinetown Boys’ High School Pinetown Girls’ High School Highway College St Benedict School The Browns’ School
For rent
Median asking price:
Median asking price:
R1,15m
R10,000
Monthly bond repayments
For a typical property (three-bedroom house)
For a typical property (three-bedroom house)
For a typical property in this area
R949,500
R635,000
R1,38m
In a complex
For an apartment
For a house
You’ll pay
R11,289
R7,200
R5,335
R10,500
In a complex
For an apartment
For a house
per month
Property Type:
16%
Property Type:
apartment
Based on
20% complex
64% house
33%
apartment
R1,15m
28%
median asking price
over a period of 20 years at 10,25% prime
complex
39% house
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PROPERTY NEWS
18 MARCH 2018
Neighbourhood
My business A neighbourhood Nurturing Nannies in Kloof offers a nanny service along with a weekly and daily playgroup WORDS: TIVANIA MOODLEY
IMAGE: SUPPLIED
ny working parent will attest to the benefit of having a nanny who is well equipped to provide the nurturing and stimulation children need for their early development. Nicole Muscat recognised the demand for this service and opened Nurturing Nannies, a concept that was already established in Joburg. She tells us more about the business. Q: How did your business start? A: I wanted the flexibility of having free time to do “mom stuff”, as I have two daughters, and discovered the awesome concept of Nurturing Nannies, which is so useful for working parents. So I decided to bring the concept to Durban. Q: Why did you choose this area to set up shop? A: I chose this part of Kloof for its convenience. The Robyndale Centre is central, with easy access to the freeway, and has retail stores where parents can do their shopping while nannies and kids are in classes. Q: How did you find your premises? A: A friend of mine put me in touch with the lady who was looking to fill the premises. Q: Why are the premises ideally suited to your business? A: The space is perfect as we have the use of the outdoor area for play. It also has sufficient parking and security. Q: Who are your neighbours? A: A coffee shop, a kids’
hairdresser and a yoga studio that offers kids’ classes. Q: What are the shop rental/ sales prices like in this area? A: Very reasonable for the area. Q: How many people visit your business each day? A: At the moment we have a group of 20 nannies and little ones who join us for classes on a weekly basis. Q: Do you have any expansion plans? A: I would love to expand into Umhlanga and Durban North. My clients also seem to like the idea of groups being set up within their estates for the convenience of nannies being able to walk to class, so pop-up classes are planned for the future. Q: Do you operate online as well? A: We have an active Facebook page (facebook.com/ nurturingnanniessouthafrica) and a website that provides class and enrolment information. Q: What’s your most popular service? A: Our 75-minute combined stimulation class which runs on par with the school calendar.
SEE FOR YOURSELF: Nurturing Nannies 062 478 2674 nurturingnannies.co.za
18823
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18 MARCH 2018
Neighbourhood
PROPERTY NEWS
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Revolutionising retirement WORDS: CANDICE BOTHA
IMAGE: SUPPLIED
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he newly launched Zimbali Lakes Resort has announced a R3bn joint venture between Kuwait’s IFA Hotels and Resorts (IFA) and one of the country’s leading retirement brands, Evergreen Lifestyles (Amdec Group’s retirement lifestyle business), to bring an unsurpassed retirement offering to the estate. Evergreen Lifestyle Zimbali Lakes will include sectional title apartments, to be sold on a life rights basis. It’s geared to the retirement market’s demand for secure retirement living for over-55s and will provide a dedicated on-site Healthcare Centre, assisted living facilities, frail care and a variety of luxury lifestyle amenities as well as access to the resort’s wide range of amenities, including a new 18-hole championship design golf course, a 30ha lake, sporting facilities and routes to accommodate mountain bikers, runners or retirees who enjoy a leisurely stroll. Phil de Sylva, senior vice president operations, IFA Hotels and Resorts, said, “We’re delighted to have partnered with a brand that shares our vision, which is to revolutionise retirement living. More significantly, this agreement means that we now have the necessary capital to ensure that all facilities within
WE BET
Evergreen Lifestyle Zimbali Lakes will be 100% complete before the first resident moves in.” With a key focus on increasing retirement opportunities nationally, Amdec recently confirmed a R675m deal with the JSE-listed PSG Group, which will see the Evergreen Lifestyle brand expand to 3,000 homes over the next three years, with 750 of these at Zimbali Lakes. “Evergreen has always positioned itself as a creator of great lifestyle experiences, instead of being just a developer. Every Evergreen village is different, and our core focus is to create retirement opportunities in safe, idyllic settings, situated in popular suburbs close to amenities, hospitals and sports and leisure facilities. Zimbali ticks all of these boxes and we’re therefore thrilled to be merging our brands to create Evergreen Lifestyle Zimbali Lakes,” said James Wilson, CEO, Amdec Group. De Sylva added, “This is a major coup for the overall Zimbali Lakes Resort development, as we’ve now concluded over R650m in land sales, enabling us to commence construction in early 2018, with the first transfers expected to take place by the end of 2018 and occupations earmarked for the end of 2019.”
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R3bn Evergreen Lifestyle Village planned for Zimbali Lakes Resort
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PROPERTY NEWS
18 MARCH 2018
Neighbourhood
MORE ONLINE: yourneighbourhood.co.za/advice/design-and-decor
Kid’s room makeover Breathing new life into a child’s room is a fun project that’s easy to do on a budget WORDS: ANNE SCHAUFFER
IMAGE: ISTOCK
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our child’s age is a good guide to what will work best in their room. Each child has different tastes, habits, likes and dislikes, so you need to incorporate those into their space. Involve them in decisions such as colours, characters from books or TV and sporting heroes. We chat with Michele Metior of M&M Design about what to keep in mind when giving the little one’s room a makeover.
Trends
Michele says that just as with everything, children’s rooms also go through trends, largely in colours, types of wood or even the style and brand of furniture. “But a child’s room is for the child, so take care it’s about him or her before fashion. Each room’s dimensions are different, so are each child’s needs, so marry the two carefully. Look at the room holistically before shopping piecemeal.”
Budget
Working on a budget isn’t difficult, it just requires more DIY. Comparing prices online and in stores can also uncover some differences.
Paint is relatively inexpensive, so changing the colour of walls and furniture offers a dramatic facelift. Scouring second-hand stores and Facebook community sales groups for items which others no longer want, can lead to some great bargains. You could choose to keep the room’s shell simple and monochromatic, then add colour with bright framed posters, quotes, comic strips, wallpaper squares, a bold inexpensive carpet and a bed throw. The options are endless and the inspiration is everywhere.
Decorate for the future?
If you want the room’s decor to last through a few phases of the child’s development, make sure that the high-ticket items are neutral. Michele suggests practical furnishings and furniture. “You can find multifunctional pieces, which last from baby to adult: for example, a changing unit for a baby which can be dismantled and reassembled as a desk unit.”
Storage
“The more practical the flooring, the better. Timber and vinyl are clean surfaces and can be spruced up with a washable rug,” says Michele.
Walls and floors
For young children, Michele suggests easily identifiable storage spaces. “That way, they learn fast how, and where, to pack and unpack their own toys.” You can also choose storage spaces which will hold a little one’s toys today and a teen’s sporting goods in the future. “Baskets are great for that and so are shelves,” says Michele.
For walls, look at using washable paint, painting a wall with blackboard paint for play, using wallpaper on a feature wall, creating a mural or making your own design – something simple, like stripes or plain walls with stars, all you need is masking tape or stencils.
“Coat hooks are really handy – and there’s a wide range, from differentsized wooden ‘dots’ (in plywood or colour) to more industrial-looking ones (which are great when used with metal lockers) – and their functionality can move to school bags, uniforms and sports bags.”
Know thy neighbour(hood)
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Artists impression
Artists impression
Artists impression
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