July 2019 - Lowveld

GET 

LOWVELD 

IT 

Warrior 

princess 

Zodwa Tshabalala 

on slowing down 

Hand 

crafted 

The rise of 

Mhoba rum 

bronzed 

The art of bringing 

emotion to life 

Tick-Tock 

The timelessness 

of watchmaking 

win! 

A soft & snug 

winter spoil 

HIP & 

HAPPENING! 

Road tripping to trendy local food spots 

SHOPPING, PEOPLE AND LIFESTYLE IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD 

JULY 2019

TBWA\ Hunt \ Lascaris \ Durban \81858\L 

TBWA\ Hunt \ Lascaris \ Durban \81858\R 

For your nearest TOPS at SPAR store, phone our share call number: 0860 31 3141 or visit www.topsatspar.co.za

GET IT 

Editorial 

Phone 013-754-1600 

Lowveld Media 

12 Stinkhout Crescent, Mbombela 

Facebook Get It Lowveld 

Instagram Get It Lowveld 

Website lowveld.getitonline.co.za 

Editor 

Mellissa Bushby 

mellissa@getitlowveld.co.za 084-319-2101 

Contributing Writers 

Alita Steenkamp 083-695-5308 

Liezel Lüneburg 083-287-2225 

Linda Botha 082-494-8005 

Mia Louw 073-389-9761 

Photographers 

Belinda Erasmus 082-567-0596 

Mia Louw 073-389-9761 

Tanya Erasmus 083-778-7725 

Layout 

Geraldine Reyneke • Andile Mthethwa 

Subeditors 

Jess Steyn • May Nel • Matthew Booth 

Sales 

Jenni Semmens 

jenni@getitlowveld.co.za 082-342-8208 

GET IT NATIONAL 

National Group Editor 

Kym Argo 

kyma@caxton.co.za 

Facebook and Instagram: 

Get It National Magazines 

National Sales Manager 

Shirley Frattaroli 

shirleyf@caxton.co.za 083-633-6100 

Distribution 

Get It Lowveld is distributed free of charge, 

for a full list of where to find a copy, phone 

Monya Burger on 083-555-4992 

Published by CTP Limited 

Competition rules 

The judges’ decision is final. Prizes cannot be 

transferred or redeemed for cash. Competitions 

are not open to the sponsors or Caxton 

employees or their families. Get It Magazine 

reserves the right to publish the names of 

winners, who will be contacted telephonically 

and need to collect their prizes from Caxton 

Northern branch within 10 days or they will be 

forfeited. Prizewinners names are published on 

our Facebook page monthly. 

contents 

Why don’t you... 

04 Decorate a chicken canvas, attend a cooking 

workshop or listen to Jeremy Loops 

05 Have a lazy reading day 

WISH LIST 

08 Our July must-haves! 

Social 

10 Tshepiso Phosa on the future 

12 Doppio Zero hits the Lowveld 

13 Delicious international cuisine 

people 

14 Zodwa Tshabalala talks about juggling 

business and family 

18 The timeless art of watchmaking 

20 For the love of books 

BEAUTY & FASHION 

22 Indulge in winter make-up 

health 

24 A hotline to help 

FOOD & DRINK 

28 Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum! 

30 Victorian-era romance in Lydenburg 

Art 

32 Brilliance in bronze 

34 Add a dash of flair 

community 

36 It’s Madiba Month 

TRAVEL 

44 Brewing in the clouds 

Win 

48 An ultra-luxurious winter spoil 

JULY 2019 

July 2019 Get It Lowveld 03

A hot date! 

Pencil these events into your July diary right now! 

Book club 

Love. Laughs. And a little drama! 

If you have a date for our diary, email the info at least a month in advance to jess@lowvelder.co.za 

6 

It’s time for the annual Halls Race 

at The Farm Stall at Halls outside 

Mbombela. There is a 3km fun run as well 

as a 10km and 21km race. To register, visit 

www.entrytime.com or do so at the venue 

from 4pm to 6pm on July 5 and from 

05:30am on race day. There will be medals 

for all finishers as well as a cash prize and 

fantastic spot prizes. Refreshments and 

food stalls will be on offer. For more info, 

contact Karlien on 083-335-3846. 

11 

Jeremy Loops? Yes, please! 

This well-known muso is on his 

Golden Waves Tour and will enthral the 

Lowveld with a show at The Barnyard, 

Casterbridge outside White River. 

Tickets cost R200 and are available at 

www.jeremyloops.howler.co.za. 

Doors open at 7pm. 

13 

We’re so excited about Crowning 

Miss Ehlanzeni! Hosted at the 

Mbombela Civic Theatre from 5pm, 

tickets for this glamorous affair cost R150 

and can be bought via Computicket. 

13 

Join us for the Takealot Jock 

Classic. This one-day, three-stage 

road challenge is an event on the cycling 

calendar you don’t want to miss. It takes 

place on the traditional route between 

Mbombela, White River and Sabie, starting 

and ending at Mbombela Stadium. Enter 

online via www.asgevents.co.za. Late 

entries will be available at registration 

on the Friday from 12pm to 8pm at 

the stadium. The race starts at 6:30am. 

Enquiries: 076-830-5578. 

18 

What are you doing for your 

67 minutes on Nelson Mandela 

International Day? Join us for Secret 

Sunset Madiba celebrations. The theme is 

African Warriors. It is held at the Soccer Ball 

in the Nelspruit Reserve from 4:30pm to 

6pm. Tickets are available through Quicket 

at R100 per person. Wine and coffee are 

available afterwards. For more info, contact 

072-530-9795. 

19 

It’s time to get creative for 

charity with the annual Chicken 

Challenge. You’re invited to transform 

handcrafted chicken canvasses into a 

unique piece of art. These canvasses are 

available at Mopani Pharmacy, Crossing 

Centre in Mbombela and online, www. 

chickenchallenge.co.za. Your artwork will be 

professionally auctioned and all proceeds 

go to Hands at Work in Africa. 

20 

The Seedling Vegan Kitchen in 

Schoemanskloof offers various 

cooking workshops to help those who 

are simply curious about plant-based 

eating habits, as well as those who would 

like to transition from being omnivores 

or vegetarians to following a vegan 

lifestyle. Kitchen Reset 2 covers working 

with fermented products, preparation 

of legumes, making fluffy meringue and 

mousses, and thickeners and emulsifiers. 

Enquiries: 083-229-3751 or 072-261-3519. 

28 

Looking for something pawesome 

to do? Then the Yor-K9 Bark in the 

Park Fun Day is just for you. Starting 

at 8am, this family event offers a 

morning of fun. There will be a trail 

run and dog walk, “Not a Flea” Market, 

a photo booth, obstacle course, and 

many more fun activities. There are 

great prizes up for grabs so let’s get 

those tails wagging. Hosted at York 

XC Course, Engelhard Park, Sabie, 

this event is in aid of Sabie-Mast “Mass 

Animal Sterilisation Trust”. Enquiries: 

sabiemast@gmail.com. 

When Lucy’s affair with her married boss turns sour and 

she’s retrenched, she moves to a quiet village where no 

one knows her history. She’s the incomer, as the locals 

call newbies, until another arrives. Alice, also young and 

single, moves into the house next door. She’s a little 

strange and Lucy doesn’t trust, or even like, her much. 

Even less so when Alice suggests starting a book club, 

her way of getting in with Lucy’s friends. And Lucy’s right 

not to trust her. Alice has moved into the village for just 

one reason. Revenge! Once you’ve started CJ Cooper’s 

The Book Club, you won’t put it down! Little Brown, R325. 

Every year Sarah writes a love-filled birthday letter 

to Izzy, her now seven-year-old daughter. And 

when she falls pregnant with her second child, she 

promises Izzy that when the new baby arrives, life 

will not change, it’ll only get better. But then, when 

five months pregnant, Sarah collapses and her 

future, and that of her pregnancy, is in the hands 

of her husband and sister, who don’t agree about 

what treatment options the doctors offer, and 

that’s when family fights begin. Sinéad Moriarty’s 

tales are always heart-warming (and sometimes 

heartbreaking). Seven Letters is both - and thoughtprovoking, 

too. Penguin, R290. 

When new mother of twins Lauren is woken in the 

middle of the night, she hears unusual noises from the 

bed alongside hers in the maternity ward. In that halfawake, 

half-asleep state new mums find themselves 

in, she thinks there’s a new arrival in the ward... another 

mother, apparently also with a set of twins. Drifting 

in and out of sleep she’s not sure what’s a dream and 

what’s not but she’s convinced someone is trying 

to steal her children, and she locks herself and her 

babies in the bathroom until the police arrive. The 

next morning, DS Joanna Harper picks up the list of 

overnight incidents that have been reported, and sees 

the report of an attempted abduction, but it’s been 

flagged as a false alarm. She’s told there’s no case, but 

Harper feels something’s not right, so visits the hospital 

anyway. She discovers no - one believes Lauren... but Lauren, and soon Harper, are 

convinced the twins are in real danger. Little Darlings by Melanie Golding is a haunting, 

unputdownable read. Scary stuff! HarperCollins, R305. 

04 Get It Lowveld July 2019 

RM-VA027727N


Wish list 

Gorgeous lashes, wine and furniture 

We're chair-ing you on! 

The bespoke Phoenix chair is custommade 

with a beautifully upholstered 

quality finish, handprinted cotton canvas 

fabric and oak legs. Perfect as a signature 

piece in the home or as a bold statement 

around the dining room table, the Phoenix 

delights with visual interest by offering 

a classic yet trendy edge to any colour 

or decor scheme. 

Available in tribal, 

branch and dragonfly, 

these bespoke chairs 

are made to order. 

R3 500 from 

www.lovemilo.com. 

Lovely lashes 

MUD’s Water Resistant Mascara guarantees an ultra-smooth 

application, with pigment-rich, lengthening properties that ensure 

ultimate control for individual use no matter whether you are looking 

for the ultimate in glam evening make-up or more understated 

daytime eyes. The squeezable tube is perfect for heavy-duty 

professional use as well as subtle everyday wear. Available at MUD 

Studio, i’langa Mall. 

Perfect for the patio 

Lavender "Avignon Early Blue" is small and bushy with deep blue blooms and 

the strong fragrance of English lavender. Keep flowering plants in a warm, sheltered 

spot on the patio during winter and it will continue flowering into spring. Use the 

edible flowers in cooking or baking, and to flavour sugar. Cut off the dead blooms 

to encourage new flowers. In summer it can be planted out into the garden or into 

outdoor containers. It is perfectly suited to our Lowveld climate, being able to tolerate 

heat better than stoechas varieties. 

Glenelly has released the 2013 

vintages of its flagship Lady 

May Cabernet Sauvignon and 

its Estate Reserve signature red 

blend. The Lady May 2013 is a 

deeply-coloured, intense wine, 

with notes of cassis, blackberry, 

spicy plum and dark cherry, 

elegantly complex with a classic, 

bold structure. Distinct minerality 

and underlying fruitiness refine 

it, making this a fresh, subtle 

and stylish wine, with a long, 

layered finish. Available for 

around R520 at specialist wine 

merchants. The Estate Reserve 

signature red is a blend of 47% 

Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 15% Syrah, 11% Cabernet Franc 

and 4% Petit Verdot and is the first vintage to have a Cabernet Franc 

component, which adds longevity and freshness. Elegance and power 

are the fundamentals here, with bold notes of cranberry, blackberries 

and blackcurrant chased by hints of spicy plum and the suggestion of 

cedar and florals. Available for around R245 at selected bottle stores. 

Light up your life 

A stunning range of 

brassware has been added 

to boutique homeware 

store Love Milo’s unique 

range of eco-friendly 

products, all with a nod 

towards inspiration from 

nature. The brass collection 

is handmade and includes 

tumblers, spoons, trays and 

candles, all of which add 

a rich warmth and charm to any house. Metal accents in the home have 

been trending for a while, and seems set to stay. This stunning brass soya 

candle retails at R250, and is available from www.lovemilo.com. 

KR283527NG

RM-MP325027N

Nolwazi Ngomane and Menzi Mkhonza 

FUEL FOR 

THOUGHT 

Eulander Nanni, Brenda Archdeacon and Vulani Baloyi 

Tshepiso Phosa and Timothy Maurice Webster 

With the assistance of Leadership 2020 and Timothy 

Maurice Webster, Tshepiso Phosa recently launched her 

book, Fuelling Futures: From Influence to Impact. Tshepiso, 

who is the daughter of politicians Mathews and Pinky 

Phosa, held her own at the launch. “I hope that this book 

will inspire others to be real with themselves. Remember, 

the people you surround yourself with will make and break 

you,” she said. Every chapter also has space for the reader 

to jot down their own experiences. 

Pinky Phosa speaks at the launch 

Jenna Clifford, Arnold Sibuyi and Nomfundo Nhlapo 

Lizanne van der Merwe 

and Chantelle Swanepoel 

The book showcases the challenges 

that Tshepiso Phosa has faced thus far 


RM-SA210927R 

RM-SA210918R

PRINGLE LOGO new 9/14/07 12:07 PM Page 1 

C M Y CM MY CY CMY K 

Nathan and Nicola Greeff 

Faith and Anton Swanevelder and Mark Taylor 

f 

abulous 

ood 

air 

Whether you were in the mood for marvellous 

Mexican or scrumptious South African, this year’s 

International Food Fair had you covered. This 

annual event hosted by Church Unlimited in 

Mbombela showcased more than 30 stalls with 

food from all around the world and got the whole 

Lowveld community together. 

VIVA 

ITALIA! 

The fabulous Doppio Zero has finally come to Mbombela! 

The opening was at its i’langa Mall venue, and was a grand 

evening of fun and frivolity, with loads of yummy food and 

drinks to entice the locals. 

Geoffrey McGregor and Natasha Coret 

Joke and Danie de Koning 

Owners Miki Milovanovic, Ivan Walsh and Paul Christie 

RM-N179227N 

Ané Strydom and Jaco Fourie 

Henrique Bettencourt and Nadia Colmao 

JP and Elsjé Erasmus 

Petra Bohmer 

12 Get It Lowveld July 2019

B Fire 

URNING 

RIGHT 

Ntombizodwa Tshabalala and husband, Sibusiso, have recently 

taken over the reins at eBundu Lodge outside Mbombela. 

We visit Zodwa to talk about her childhood years and the 

couple’s new enterprise. 


Text: Liezel Lüneburg. Photographer: Tanya Erasmus. Make-up: Jené Smit, MUD Nelspruit 

Carletonville is a West Rand 

mining town just north of the 

richest gold-mining belt in the 

world. It is also the home of 

Isidingo, but there is more to the 

area than precious metal and one of South 

Africa’s most popular soapies: the seemingly 

rough-edged mining community also shaped 

the strikingly beautiful Ntombizodwa, a 

petite jewel of a woman known as Zodwa. 

She remembers her childhood as being 

carefree and safe. “We played from early 

morning to late afternoon, got dirty and I 

never thought of being girly and cute. Life 

was an ongoing party!” 

Even after attending all-Afrikaans Hoërskool 

Bekker in Magaliesburg, she only realised 

later on that racism and apartheid formed a 

part of South Africa’s ugly past. She excelled 

in sport, receiving national colours in netball 

and provincial colours in hockey, and 

cannot remember coaches or teammates 

discriminating on the grounds of race. 

One thing she did notice during her high 

school years was the huge divide between 

the different social classes. Zodwa grew up in 

a middle-class family and during her earlier 

childhood she thought of the Ntshongwana 

household as wealthy. They did, after all, have 

everything they needed to live comfortably. 

“I suddenly realised that the world is much 

bigger than I thought possible,” she says. “This 

taught me one thing: money does not define 

a person’s character.” 

Sibusiso and Zodwa Tshabalala 


Over the weekends and holidays she stayed 

with her grandparents in Carletonville, where 

her mother, Granny Modisane, also lived. 

They were four girls under one roof - Zodwa, 

her sister and their two cousins. “There is 

an interesting story behind our names,” 

‘I want both a 

family and a career. 

There is no need for 

women to choose 

between the two’ 

she smiles. “The eldest of the four is named 

Ntombizanele, which means ‘one girl is 

enough”. When the second girl arrived they 

called her Ntombizikhona, meaning ‘we have 

girls’. I was the third girl and by that time they 

realised that ‘it is only girls’.’’ But that was not 

the end of it. Zodwa’s sister and the fourth 

and last daughter is called Ntombizandile, 

meaning “the girls have expanded.” 

Gran Mathapelo Ntshongwana was a 

stay-at-home mom and watched over the girls 

like a hawk. Zodwa describes her as having an “honorary doctor’s degree in the school of life” 

and she played a significant part in shaping the four girls living under her wing into women of 

stature. 

Zodwa remembers her grandfather, Mlauli, with fondness and as the only male role model 

who significantly influenced her earlier life. “My grandfather was big on education and the 

most valuable things he taught us was to be inquisitive and to always do proper research,” 

she says. “He never gave an answer willingly and many times he made me pick up a dictionary 

to search for the meaning of a difficult word. You can image that this did not sit well with a 

young girl, but today I am grateful.” Grandpa Mlauli also shaped Zodwa’s relationship with 

money and taught her treasured lessons in the management of finances. 

He worked as a nurse at the Leslie Williams Private Hospital and Zodwa describes him as a 

modern-day male Florence Nightingale, toiling ceaselessly at lessening the suffering of the ill. 

He sadly passed away in 2004 and died 

as he lived: on his last day at the hospital 

before retiring. 

After matriculating, Zodwa, inspired by 

her mother, who only received her nursing 

qualification in her 40s, enrolled for a 

degree in sport management at the 

University of Johannesburg (UJ). She met 

Sibusiso, who studied accounting, at UJ 

and both were later on admitted to the 

Masters in Business Administration 

programme. 

Zodwa worked at Discovery Health for 

nine years and during this time she was 

mentored by Themba Baloyi, founder 

and executive director of Discovery Insure. Themba taught her valuable lessons, 

but his teachings did not come easy: many times he threw her into the deep end 

and she had to either sink or swim. She remembers how he would send her to 

executive meetings in his place where she had to stand her ground and say her 

say, on many occasions the only woman in the room. The most valuable lesson 

she learnt from him was to really own her space and speak her mind, no matter 

how intimidating the surroundings. 

Zodwa’s experience at Discovery and her MBA came in handy when she and 

Sibusiso recently took over the reins at eBundu, one of the Lowveld’s most 

notable landmarks. The property is situated on a high point on the R40 between 

Mbombela and White River and there is no better place to soak up the natural 

beauty of the area. 

While she handles the marketing and human relations as the CMO, Sibusiso 

acts as CEO. He has more than a decade’s experience in corporate banking and 

specialises in relationship management, franchising and business development. 

Zodwa describes him as “financially astute with a high level of emotional 

intelligence”. 

“My husband has a clear vision of leading the business into uncharted territory 

and we are quite excited about the future.” She smilingly adds, “And he knows full 

well that I am right there ready and capable of holding him accountable!” 

They have two beautiful sons, Sibusiso Junior (9) and Musawenkosi (6), with a 

little girl on the way. On the question of how she keeps up with motherhood and 

managing a new business, Zodwa answers with conviction: “I want both a family 

and a career. There is no need for women to choose between the two and it is 

possible to keep all the balls in the air without neglecting one. Every woman has 

a fire burning inside herself, and that fire should not be put out.” 

Indeed, Zodwa’s fire burns bright, and in its light shines a remarkable woman 

who has much to offer. 

On eBundu’s premises, there is a 

beautiful chapel 

A WINTER BEDTIME STORY 

This winter, we’ve created a tale of intrigue, 

introspection and inspiring combinations. 

Visit us and get enfolded in cosy comfort. 

eBundu’s restuarant deck 


5 Weir Street Riverside Park, Nelspruit 

n.debruin@Weylandtshome.co.za | (010) 900 4551 

RM-WE151327N

The timeless art of 

watchmaking 

While trends may come and go, true art will stand the test of time. It is this unwavering 

respect for expertly crafted timepieces that drives Gerrit van Vuuren to provide a 

service of excellence. 

Gerrit and Dawn van Vuuren 

Nelspruit Watchmakers celebrates its 40th year in existence this 

year. Originally opened by Gideon and Bettie Booysen in 1979, 

the keys to the store were handed over to Gerrit five years ago 

when the couple decided to retire. “It was a daunting task to 

take over the business that had been run so well for so many years. I had 

big shoes to fill,” he says. 

But the shared passion for watches has seen the business go from 

strength to strength and today, with his wife, Dawn, the business is run 

with pride. “We are privileged in that we don’t see what we do as a job, 

but a passion,” she smiles. 

“We don’t give up, and go to great lengths to find the right parts 

for the clocks or watches we repair. It’s always a wonderful sense of 

achievement when we can get a timepiece working again.” 

She tells of a customer who brought in a watch that his father had 

bought with his first pay cheque. “We were able to service it to get it 

working and keeping time again. We then replaced the glass and he 

chose a new strap and walked out with a watch that looked brand new, 

despite being older than he was.” 

Although Gerrit has always held an appreciation for watches, it was 

while working as a goldsmith in Johannesburg that his passion was 

ignited. “I worked for a jeweller who sold watches on the far upper end 

of the price range. I became fascinated with the craftmanship that goes 

into making those kinds of watches and started looking at them in a 

totally different way. Now I appreciate more what is inside than that 

which is on the outside.” 

Dawn quips that Gerrit at one stage owned nearly 50, ranging from 

vintage wind-ups to automatics. “Just as I would choose an outfit to wear 

each morning, he would choose a watch!” 

The Van Vuurens have witnessed changing trends in watches, but 

note that timeless classics are always in fashion. “When we took over I 

questioned how much demand there would be for watches considering 

how many people use their cellphones to check the time. But it was 

surprising how many younger people have a passion for them. It’s a 

status symbol and I don’t think it’s something that will disappear. While 

the world is moving towards electronic watches, there will always be 

people who appreciate craftmanship and want a statement timepiece,” 

says Gerrit. 

Dawn adds that there is always a demand for watches, with all the 

numbers that children need to learn to tell the time. 

So what makes time stand still for the couple? “Getting in the real 

Text: Lindi Botha. Photographer: Belinda Erasmus 

Tools of the trade 

McCoy in a sea of fake counterfeit watches. 

Now that is a thrill!” says Dawn. “How many 

people can say they had a real Rolex in their 

hands? It keeps you on your toes because you 

The joys of having a 

business that has been 

open for so many years 

is that many customers 

become like family 

understand its value.” 

Gerrit adds, “Working on a Rolex is special 

because the craftmanship is beautiful. The 

Swiss still make watches like it is an art. There 

is so much detail in the mechanism and each 

part has a number so you can look up where 

and when it was made. It’s the inside that 

makes a watch expensive, not necessarily 

the name.” 

Despite an increase in popularity of 

electronic watches, he says wind-ups and 

automatic watches that wind themselves up 

through movement of the wrist will always 

stay in fashion due to their uniqueness. 

“This is true craftmanship and it requires 

a special skill to make and repair them. To 

service newer watches is not a challenge 

and there are not many people who can still 

work on the older ones. We managed to retain 

staff in the workshop who have been working 

in the store since it opened. That kind of 

knowledge is so rare and I was able to learn a 

lot from them.” 

Dawn, however, notes that fixing clocks takes 

time and money, which few people are willing 

to spend, rather opting to buy a new, cheaper 

one and using the old antiques as ornaments. 

“To go through the mechanical mechanism on 

a clock to make sure everything is in working 

order and keeping time is time-consuming. 

Spares are also scarce and often only get 

imported twice a year. 

“But there are those who are more 

sentimental about clocks handed down 

through the generations and will spend the 

money to have a functional one and not just 

an ornament. Then there are those who are 

fanatical about clocks - collecting ones that 

will fill an entire room! They will often pop in to 

see if we have something interesting for them.” 

She says the joys of having a business that 

has been open for so many years is that many 

customers become like family. 

“That is where the success of any business 

lies - when the same customer comes back 

again and again. Then you will stand the test 

of time.” 

GET IN TOUCH 

Nelspruit Watchmakers 

on 013-752-6539 



APPETITE 

FOR WORDS 

Makhubele, and I go to schools all over Mpumalanga to distribute books,” 

says Bobo. 

“We do not only give out books, but also read to the kids and help them 

to establish book clubs.” 

January is their busiest month and they make a point of visiting a school 

a week to encourage children to begin the academic year with a taste for 

learning through reading. 

Furthermore, she runs BookHive Mobile, a mobile bookshop that helps 

new and self-publishing authors to enter the market. “We host launches 

and interviews for these writers and sell their books.” 

Bobo dreams of expanding the BookHive project to include a mobile 

library servicing the rural areas surrounding Mbombela. Although we 

have only just met her, we know that this dream will be realised before 

long. She is, after all, a driven go-getter blessed with a passion for 

learning, education and the upliftment of poorer communities. 

Text: Liezel Lüneburg. Photographer: Tanya Erasmus 

A visit to Bobo Lukhele’s Mbombela home is an inspiration. She loves 

journalism and reading, and her life’s mission is to place books in as many 

homes as possible. 

While spending 

time with 

Bobo, it quickly 

becomes evident 

that she loves all 

things red. This is 

not surprising - it is 

a warm and positive 

colour representing 

willpower and courage. Red is also associated 

with passion, strength and determination. 

Five minutes spent in Bobo’s presence is 

more than enough time to confirm that she 

possesses all of these traits and many more. 

Bobo attended St Mark’s School in 

Mbabane, Swaziland. “I spent holidays at my 

granny’s house in Ekupheleni next to the 

Swaziland border and later on in Mbombela 

with my mother,” she tells. “My childhood was 

filled with stuff to read and I remember how 

‘We do not only give out 

books, but also read to 

the kids and help them to 

establish book clubs’ 

I would page through the newspaper as a 

preschooler and make up stories by looking 

at the pictures.” 

From an early age Bobo had a passion for 

words and information and after finishing 

school she studied for a BA in communication 

at the Mafikeng campus of the North-West 

University. In her second year she was, 

unsurprisingly, appointed as editor of the 

student newspaper. 


After graduation Bobo was determined to make her mark in 

the world of journalism. She joined renowned Mbombela-based 

journalist Justin Arenstein’s team at African Eye News Service, the 

first rural social justice wire service in South Africa. 

Within a year she saw another opportunity and relocated 

to Johannesburg where she worked as a siSwati television 

newsreader for the SABC. But, as they say, once a Lowvelder, 

always a Lowvelder - Mbombela called and this time she came 

home as a radio journalist, still with the SABC. 

A go-getter like Bobo doesn’t linger in one place and before 

long she got a promotion. “I have been the news editor for 

SABC Mpumalanga since 2011. We cover stories in the province, 

Mozambique and Swaziland,” she says. “Isaac Masemola, my boss 

and one of my mentors, blessed me by believing in my abilities 

and gave me a chance to prove myself. I will be forever grateful 

to him.” 

The 2019 national election was one of the highlights of 

Bobo’s career, as she was the elections coordinator for the SABC 

Mpumalanga news office. According to her, the team slept very 

little for days on end and the excitement mounted as the results 

started coming in. Journalists were not deterred by fatigue, but 

rather energised by the collective anticipation surrounding the 

elections. The greatest challenge was to cover all of the numerous 

registered parties, even the smaller ones. 

Bobo does not only have a passion for media and journalism. 

She is also a person who both believes in and lives the age-old 

concept of ubuntu - Bobo seems to be forever looking for ways 

to benefit those around her, especially the less fortunate. And she 

does this with tremendous amounts of energy. The BookHive is 

but one such project. 

In 2014 Bobo and her friend, Mpumi Mbethe, started a book 

club called The BookHive. Bookworms meet at different venues 

once a month to socialise and discuss all things literary. They also 

present and attend book launches. 

The project grew and today The BookHive is a registered 

non-profit organisation aimed at encouraging disadvantaged 

children and young people to read. “My charity partner, Vuyelwa 

Bobo Lukhele 

She reads nearly everything and her 

bookcases are filled with a wide variety of 

genres and authors. Robin Sharma, Danielle 

Steele, Paulo Coelho and local writer Sihle 

Khumalo are four of her favourite writers. 

Bobo has a special love of inspirational books 

and some of her favourites include: 

The 5am Club - Robin Sharma 

The Pilgrimage - Paulo Coelho 

The Breakthrough Experience - John Demartini 

Mind Power into the 21st Century - John Kehoe 

The Art of Hustling - DJ Sbu 

The Subtle Art of not Giving a F*ck - Mark Manson 

The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born - Ayi Kwei Armah 

The Untethered Soul - Michael A. Singer 

From Cape to Cairo - Sihle Khumalo 

The Hlomu series - Dudu Busani Dube 

GET IN TOUCH 

Bobo can be contacted at bobo.lukhele@gmail.com 


Text: Lindi Botha. Photographer: Matthys Ferreira 

GET THAT 

WINTER GLOW! 

This season is the time to be more daring with your make-up regimen, adding deeper 

plums and fiery reds. These tips will get you the perfect look and ensure your skin 

radiates a warmth of its own. 

First things first, it’s 

important to remember 

that your skin needs 

a different routine in 

the winter. Jené Smit, 

make-up artist at MUD 

Nelspruit, says no amount 

of make-up can cover up 

dry skin. “Make sure you keep yours in good 

condition throughout the colder season as 

flawless skin is a huge contributing factor 

when it comes to your make-up regimen 

and application as a whole.” 

Combating dry skin in winter and 

retaining your natural moisture starts with 

washing your face with lukewarm water. 

Avoid hot water as this will rob the skin of 

moisture. On this subject, make sure you 

are still getting in enough liquids as the 

skin needs hydration from the inside too. 

Exfoliation is crucial during winter, followed 

by a good night-time moisturiser. 

Getting the right look for our winter glow 

models Lorraine Mudarikwa and Larisa 

Pretorius, starts with a lightweight, creamy 

gel primer. Jené says this works well with 

both liquid and cream foundations to 

create a flawless, long-lasting finish. 

“If you have an oily T panel, both 

foundation types can be used, but a thin 

layer of power is needed to finish off. If 

you have dry skin, MUD’s foundations are 

ideal because they are silicone based which 

ensures a subtle glow. On drier skins the 

primer will also prevent the foundation 

from cracking or caking.” 

For Lorraine, Jené chose a deep plum 

eyeshadow applied to the crease of the eye 

and the outside corner to give her a warm, 

smouldering look. The inside corner and 

below the brow are lightened to make the 

eyes pop and appear larger. 


“During winter, eyeshadows remain warm, 

but feminine. This season is the perfect time to 

go for colours like deep purples and auburn, 

combined with some beauty classics like 

smokey eyes, liquid eyeliner, velvety lips and 

outdoorsy blush. 

“I highlighted Lorraine’s eyes with MUD’s 

volume-plumping mascara for that striking first 

impression. Her darker skin tone means that 

she can indulge in lipsticks in shades of deep 

plums, berries and warm maroons at any time 

of the day. As a rule of thumb, stick to classic or 

dark reds without any coral or pink undertones 

in the winter. It’s also important not to shy 

away from blushing up those cheeks. This 

ensures a warm feel that goes along beautifully 

with a darker winter wardrobe.” 

For Larisa’s look, Jené used burgundy tones 

to warm up her face and keep up with the 

mood of the season. “Winter is a good time to 

experiment with luscious tones during 

day and night. 

“The eyes need to look alluring so it is 

important to keep blending when applying 

eyeshadow. Hard lines spoil the look and 

each layer of eyeshadow must be blended 

with the next to form a soft transition and a 

natural look. 

“Embracing bold lip colours can be a bit of 

a tricky prospect if you aren’t used to it, but 

it’s one of the quickest ways to transform your 

look. A dark lipstick looks especially stunning 

on Larisa with her light complexion.” 

Jené notes that when deciding on a colour 

palette for your make-up, it is important to 

remember to choose a focal point - either the 

‘Winter is a good 

time to experiment 

with luscious tones 

during day and night’ 

eyes or the lips - and apply colour accordingly. 

“Heavy eyeshadow and bright lips will look 

over the top so choose one or the other. 

“If you struggle with dry lips during winter 

months, just apply some moisturiser a few 

minutes before applying lipstick and you 

should be good to go.” 

Lastly, to add to your winter glow, don’t 

forget the bronzer. Although less bronzer is 

required than in the summer months, Jené 

says it still has a part to play in winter. “A bit of 

MUD’s sunshine bronzer on the cheekbones 

will keep you blushing right through your 

glitzy day and evening events.” 

GET IN TOUCH 

060-868-3872 

Larisa Pretorius 

Lorraine Mudarikwa 


Text and photography: Mia Louw 

Anton Swanevelder 

Originally from the small mining 

town of Fochville, Anton and his 

family moved from Cape Town 

to Mbombela two and a half 

years ago. Although his business partner 

and MyLifeline CEO, Herman, is based 

in Worcester, the idea for their start-up 

was written and created right here in the 

Lowveld. 

Anton studied at the Tshwane University 

of Technology and graduated in 1997. 

“It’s really funny, because people didn’t 

even know what information technology 

was back then,” he laughs. 

MyLifeline offers wearable safety devices 

which transform the traditional panic 

button as we know it. “We basically have 

two devices, a watch and what we call a 

pendant. The pendant can be worn around 

your neck or on your belt and it is more 

waterproof than the watch,” Anton explains 

while lifting up his wrist, sporting the black 

timepiece. 

“They both have a single function - they 

have a button on them that you can press; 

it makes a beep sound and within about a 

minute the control room will phone you on 

the device,” Anton adds. The panic button, 

A Hotline 

to help 

Chief technology officer, Anton Swanevelder 

and his business partner, Herman Bester, 

entered the 2018 Santam Safety Ideas 

programme as a way to create traction for 

their start-up, MyLifeline. Their wearable 

panic buttons competed against more 

than 100 financial, insurance and safety 

technology innovations and took the prize as 

overall winner. 

which has a battery life of up to three days, 

works independently from a cellphone and 

wherever a cellular connection is available. 

“The control room will receive a notification 

on their dashboard, know exactly where you 

are and they will receive all your medical 

information and emergency contacts,” he 

elaborates. Your five emergency contacts will 

also receive an SMS with your GPS location. 

‘We basically have 

two devices, a watch 

and what we call 

a pendant’ 

The control room will call the device to 

establish the nature of the panic. If nobody 

answers, MyLifeline will proceed to connect 

with the emergency contacts and services. 

The idea for MyLifeLine came from Herman, 

who runs a security company in Worcester 

- the location of their main control rooms. 

“Herman’s cat was missing and he was 

unbelievably sad about the situation,” Anton 

says compassionately. “He spoke to people 

in hardware- and GPS-related fields and they 

said he might be able to find something that 

you could attach to your animal to help track 

them.” The idea started to roll from there; 

Herman was looking for someone to create 

the technology and Anton came on board. 

“Initially we provided the first portable 

panic button in South Africa, but since we 

have launched people have jumped on the 

idea,” Anton admits earnestly. There are a 

few companies doing similar products, but 

Anton says they are not the same as theirs. 

“Ours is waterproof, it has better battery life 

and we made sure that our device is ICASA 

(Independent Communications Authority of 

South Africa) certified.” 

He also says there are similar apps on the 

market, but they don’t work as efficiently. 

“If you are in a panic, you are not going to 

have the time to open your phone, find your 

app and do whatever else you need to do to 

eventually send a message.” 

“What gives us the edge is that we are the 

only software or technology provider that 

allows any control room in South Africa to 

plug in with us for free - they can adopt the 

technology and give better support,” Anton 

explains. With their control rooms situated 

in Worcester, they can phone and dispatch 

emergency services, but they believe it 

would be ideal for local security companies 

to get involved - “they will be able to send 

their emergency personnel much quicker.” 

Other interesting features are the antiremoval 

notification for when the watch 

is removed from your wrist, as well as the 

geographic fencing option. “We can place 

Alzheimer’s and dementia patients in what is 

called a geofence. We draw a 50-metre radius 

around your GPS point and if you move out 

of that area, an alarm is triggered to inform 

us,” Anton elaborates, but he reassures 

customers that they don’t have the ability to 

“Big Brother” them. “We have very strict POPI 

(Protection of Personal Information) Act and 

GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) 

protocols in our system; we only access that 

information in a panic situation,” he adds. 

In the following year they are also looking 

at technology which will notify MyLifeline 

when there is a fall action - a sudden abrupt 

movement like tumbling off your mountain 

bike. “If you are unconscious, there isn’t 

anything yet which will pick that up, but we 

are trying to reinvent ourselves. There are 

technologies that can track your heart rate 

and there will be algorithms that we could 

apply to that,” Anton shares enthusiastically. 

Their biggest market at the moment is 

older clients and large companies which 

want to secure their staff. “Both of the 

devices are mini cellphones - you can 

receive calls directly on them - so the watch 

isn’t the prettiest thing in the world. That 

is one complaint that we get from older 

women, who are our biggest market,” Anton 

concedes. “They often need to make the 

choice of whether they want to be safe or 

look stylish,” he laughs. 

When they entered the Santam Safety Ideas 

programme, they already had customers 

and a working product. “We only really 

Anton Swanevelder and Herman Bester 

started selling in September last year, but 

we are making huge progress - we have a 

30% growth rate per month,” he exclaims. 

The programme offered them massive 

exposure to investors and a broad market. 

“Santam took us through a six-month 

period of ramping up your business skills. 

They taught us about finances, corporate 

governance and marketing - everything 

that is required to start a business.” 

MyLifeline competed against astounding 

ideas and technologies, like medical 

responder apps and safety solutions for 

solar theft. “I know it sounds like a cliché, 

but I am sad that everyone can’t win; many 

people had great ideas and they all need a 

boost,” Anton shares. 

They are also interested in developing 

small businesses in the future. “We are 

passionate about start-ups and if we 

are ever in a position to do the same as 

Santam, we would love to help other 

businesses get off the ground,” he 

smiles. “There are only that many jobs 

available. The only way we can kill the 

unemployment in South Africa is with 

entrepreneurship.” 

GET IN TOUCH 

Anton Swanevelder on 082-777-4388 



ADVERTORIAL 

A taste of 

WILD 

AFRICA 

ATOWA, a brand-new 

restaurant featuring a unique 

dining experience, recently 

opened its doors at Greenway 

Woods Resort. 

General Manager Wayne Blake and owner Chris Welthagen 

Greenway Woods is situated just outside 

White River on the R40 towards Hazyview 

and borders the White River Country Estate. 

For many years now it has been a premium 

tourist destination for those who wish to 

explore the Kruger National Park and the 

many exquisite scenes this part of the 

country has to offer. The resort is also close 

to White River Country Club and lovers of 

golf can play 18 holes at the acclaimed 

championship parkland golf course on the 

banks of the White River. 

The resort does not only offer a tranquil 

setting from which to discover all the 

Lowveld has to offer, but also a unique 

dining experience. Many locals would 

remember the resort’s The Injabula 

Restaurant, which served delicious 

boma-type meals in a traditional African 

setting. The Injabula exists no more, but in 

its place new hotel owner, Chris Welthagen 

and general manager, Wayne Blake have 

opened ATOWA, featuring a wholly different 

flavour. And it may as well be one of a very 

small group of South African eateries 

serving this exclusive kind of menu. 

ATOWA stands for “A Taste Of Wild Africa”, 

and that is exactly what the menu offers - a 

variety of food which is only to be found on 

this continent. The selection of traditional 

African dishes varies subject to availability 

and patrons can expect roosterkoek with 

home-made jam and butter, pap and sheba 

sauce, skilpaadjies and an interesting medley 

of organic game meats. 

The experience is based on a similar concept 

first developed in Nairobi, Kenya, but with 

one difference. Although the Kenyan 

restaurant has for many years, since its 

opening in the ‘80s, served a wide variety of 

venison such as zebra, hartebeest and kudu, 

new strict hunting laws have narrowed the 

menu down to camel, ostrich and crocodile. 

At present there are no such laws in South 

Africa and ATOWA serves whatever venison is 

available, such as bush pig, wildebeest, kudu, 

impala and more. Gourmands can also taste 

crocodile as an entrée, which many people 

would find strange, but apparently it tastes 

like chicken. Well, that remains to be seen, or 

should we say tasted... 

They do not only cater for lovers of venison, 

but also for those who prefer more “tamed” 

meats and vegetable dishes. Delicious 

picanha of rump, chicken wings and pork 

spare ribs are included on the menu and a 

wide variety of salads and other veggie side 

dishes are also available. 

The pieces of meat are roasted over coals 

espetada-style and carved at the table, where 

everything is served by well-trained 

waiters. Sauces to go with the carvings 

include chimichurri, toum, sweet mustard, 

berry BBQ and peri-peri. 

The whole experience is concluded with 

yummy traditional South African desserts. 

Think milk tart, sago pudding, malva 

pudding draped in Amarula custard and 

fresh fruit salad. 

And the best part: eat as much as you like! 

The food is but one part of the experience 

and the atmosphere at ATOWA adds hugely 

to the success of the venture. 

Patrons are welcomed by braziers at the 

doorway and upon entering the lapashaped 

enclosure are swept away into a real 

African experience. We are, after all, more 

accustomed to the usual eateries and ATOWA 

is quite magical. 

The soft lighting within the restaurant is 

placed strategically to highlight the African 

ambience and lanterns on the tables add to 

the romance. 

One would think that an open enclosure 

would let in the winter chill, but nothing 

could be further from the truth. The tables 

are all placed under the thatched roof and 

comfortably heated by infrared heaters. 

Braziers in the open-roofed part further fend 

off the cold and blankets are also provided if 

needed. 

It is strange to think that we live in Africa, but 

are only exposed to a distinctive atmosphere 

when we specifically seek it out. ATOWA is 

the ideal place to experience the unique 

continent we all love so much and everyone 

should try it at least once. We would not be 

surprised if patrons return time and again. It 

comes highly recommended! 

GET IN TOUCH 

ATOWA is open for dinner from Monday 

to Saturday, 6pm to 10pm. Call Greenway 

Woods Resort on 013-751-1094 to reserve a 

table. Corporate and other functions are also 

catered for on the premises.

YO-HO-HO! 

Since Robert Greaves started 

making rum in 2013, he 

has journeyed deeper into 

the world of this diverse 

spirit, and discovered that 

vastly different cultures 

surrounding its consumption 

make for a robust market 

that could soon topple gin 

off its throne. 


A 

stagnating magnesite mine led mechanical engineer, Robert Greaves down a winding 

road in search of a better means to generate an income from his small stretch of land 

in Malalane. “Planting sugar cane was an obvious choice, but I’m no good at farming,” 

Robert muses. “I inherited a strong entrepreneurial nature from my dad, so I started 

scratching my head as to what else I could do.” 

This was swirling around in his thoughts while on holiday in Mauritius - a country known for 

turning its sugar cane into rum. Sitting in a bar, facing a wall with over 120 rums on display, 

Robert was intrigued by the variety and started peppering the barman with questions. 

“Eventually he got quite annoyed and turned to me to ask where I was from. When I said 

South Africa, he laughed and said, ‘You won’t know anything about rum. All you know is how 

to grow grapes and make wine’. But what he didn’t know was that I live in a valley with more 

sugar cane than the whole of Mauritius - with no rum in sight!” 

This was all the spark needed to ignite Robert’s industrial spirit. Upon returning he went 

straight to his sugar fields to cut some cane, which he then put through his vice grip in the 

farm’s workshop to press the juice out. “It took a gruelling two days to get 30 litres of juice, 

which I then fermented and put through a still that I quickly put together. A few weeks later 

I had the most revolting rum,” laughs Robert. “But I kept trying and it got better and I kept 

building bigger stills and ramping up production.” 

Today Mhoba Rum boasts 10 different kinds of rum, ranging from white, light spirits to 

Text: Lindi Botha. Photographer: Odette Hartzenberg 

darker rums aged in French oak barrels or in glass casks with 

American white oak staves. 

It is a complete farm to bottle operation, where the sugar cane 

is grown, fermented, distilled and bottled on the same premises. 

Even the labels are engraved on site. “This is a real authentic, oldschool 

craft product where everything is done in-house. I strive to 

make as natural a rum as possible.” 

Robert points out that the market varies significantly from the 

rum-and-coke market to those who can be compared to cognac 

drinkers, who enjoy a robust, barrel-aged rum without any mixes. 

“This spirit falls into two categories. One is a more mass-produced 

rum made from molasses, which is mostly drank with mixes or in 

cocktails. 

“The other is more of a craft rum made from sugar cane itself, 

called rhum agricole. Since we produce the latter, we took our 

name from the Zulu word for sugar, mhoba,” explains Robert. 

The whole process has been quite an education and since starting 

out, Robert has shifted the direction he wants the business to take. 

“I’ve learnt there is a difference between what the connoisseur 

wants to drink compared to your average Joe. Initially I wanted 

to produce smooth, easy drinking rum, but with exposure to the 

rum nerds in Europe I’ve started moving more towards the robust, 

bolder kinds. 

“They want what is referred to as a ‘funky’ rum - a strong-smelling 

spirit, which is how it used to be produced before the big liquor 

brands came and toned it down. We have started exporting to 

Europe as a result.” 

Robert reveals that due to the vast differences in tastes, marketing 

has been his greatest challenge. “There have been shifts in demand 

locally and the craft rum scene is starting to expand, but we are still 

quite uneducated locally and the range of what the average guy 

drinks is small compared to international markets. 

“But just like gin has had its revival, rum is on the up. It is reported 

that it will outsell gin in the UK this year. There’s just such a broad 

range and there is so much more you can do with it compared 

to gin. Rum festivals are popping up all over South Africa and 

consumption is certainly increasing.” 

Robert is also in the process of setting up a tasting room on his 

farm, that borders the N4 en route to Malalane. 

GET IN TOUCH 

Contact Robert Greaves on 082-430-9501 or robert@mhoba.com 

Robert Greaves 


VICTORIAN-ERA 

ROMANCE 

Take time to have a cup of tea at the gorgeous Rambling Rose Tea Garden in Lydenburg. 

In the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives, we often forget to live in the moment, 

sit back and enjoy the beauty of our surroundings. Here, you will surely get the 

chance to step out and put your feet up, if only for a little while. 


Text: Alita Steenkamp. Photographer: Stefan de Villiers 

The beautiful garden, roses blooming almost 

year-round, the magnificent old-fashioned water 

features, gazebo and angel figurines all take you 

back to a long-forgotten era. A time when ladies 

enjoyed a cup of tea in delicate porcelain cups, 

while eating slices of delicious cake and sharing 

local gossip with their friends. Rambling Rose is 

on the same premise as De Ark Guesthouse, which 

offers a selection of self-catering or B&B accommodation. 

This beautiful old building in Kantoor Street is one of the oldest 

in Lydenburg that is still standing. It has been restored to its former 

glory by Francis le Roux. Francis came to this town in 2002 and 

immediately fell in love with the old building, at that stage rather in 

disrepair, and decided to buy and restore it. 

It has a rich history and was the first parsonage of the Dutch 

Reformed Church, built in 1856. In 1893, it was converted into 

a double-storey building when the dominee’s wife had to 

accommodate the confirmands who had to stay over in the 

parsonage for catechism. 

After a year’s sourcing for period furniture, buckets of paint and 

days and weeks of hard work, the premises was ready for opening. “I 

found the inspiration for the name of the tea garden under a teacup, 

and not inside, among the tea leaves,” Francis jokingly says. “One 

day, when I decided to start a tea garden, I was drinking tea. When 

I turned the cup over, the name of the set was printed on the back 

and there and then I found the perfect name. 

“From the very start I wanted this to be a Victorian tea garden, as 

the house was built in that era and all the rooms in the guest house 

are also done in a period style. In the tea garden we use beautiful old 

cups to add to the splendour and elegance of the experience.” 

Rambling Rose Tea Garden is open six days of the week and only 

closes on a Sunday. Not only do they serve the finest tea, aromatic 

brewed coffee or refreshing home-made iced tea in the garden 

or beautiful tea room, but also a variety of light meals and sweet 

delicacies. 

On chilly mornings, when the weather doesn’t allow a glorious 

day in the garden, the crackling fireplace is the ideal place to be. An 

added bonus to this charming venue is the fact that it is open from 

7am, as the kitchen is ready to prepare breakfast for the guests. It 

closes at 4pm. 

Francis is very hands-on. She not only knows how to make her 

patrons feel perfectly at home, but also has many entrepreneurial 

skills. The Napoleon Theatre on the second floor of the old 

parsonage hosts musicians and actors for shows during the year, 

and movie evenings with popcorn and a glass of soda are a popular 

pastime with the people of Lydenburg. 

The guest house also has a small pub inside, The Fickle Fox Bar, 

where guests can enjoy a glass or two before dinner. For many 

citizens of Pretoria and Johannesburg, De Ark Guesthouse is a lovely 

weekend breakaway, especially when there is a show or two on at 

the theatre. 

Over the past decade or so, with hard work and dedication, Francis 

has made a huge success of this enterprise. The secret? She says the 

people who cross her threshold are the biggest joy of her work. 

“I love to meet new faces and I am energised by other people’s 

zest for life. Everyone who you meet has his or her own story. To see 

how others appreciate the atmosphere here and enjoy the food and 

drinks that we serve has keep me going.” 

GET IN TOUCH 

Contact 013-235-1125 or visit 

www.dearkguesthouse.co.za 

Francis le Roux 


Brilliance 

in bronze 

Chris Röhm’s ability to capture the 

essence of people in his sculptures 

- where one can feel the emotion 

and almost hear the laughter of 

the subjects - has garnered him an 

international reputation and brought in 

commissions from all over the world. 

But for this White River artist, home is 

where his heart is, providing the joy 

that sustains him and his art. 

Taking what is lifeless and stationary 

and transforming it into movement 

and emotion comes naturally, 

although not easily, to Chris. 

“Creating is always daunting at first - looking 

at a piece of clay, not knowing where to start 

or how it will end. But it’s a wonderful process 

and it’s quite thrilling to stand back and see 

what has emerged.” 

Although he has always harboured a 

creative spirit and a talent for working with 

his hands, it was by chance that Chris started 

sculpting. “After my gap year I returned from 

Europe and approached Michael Canadas 

at The Loop Art Foundry at Casterbridge in 

White River for a job. I quickly developed a 

real love of the whole process of sculpting 

and casting and started working on my 

own pieces.” 

He says playing with clay has always been 

a fascination because of the physical nature 

of it. “I get so much satisfaction from sitting 

and figuring something out. When you look 

again the process has taken over and you 

don’t even know how you got to a certain 

point - it’s like going into a trance. Somehow 

‘And when you look 

again the process 

has taken over, and 

you don’t even know 

how you got to a 

certain point’ 

that piece of clay in front of you becomes 

something else.” 

As a central theme to his work, his family 

is the inspiration behind his art. “Life is so 

short, I want nothing more than to be able to 

wake up in the morning and spend my time 

earning an income around my family, which 

in turn will allow them to do the things that 

they love. I don’t watch rugby or play golf - 

the best way for me to spend my downtime 

is at home, crafting things with my son, 

Ethan, or going for a drive in the Kruger with 

them. That is what brings me joy.” 

This is evident in his work as animals and 

children emerge from most pieces of clay. 

One of his most poignant pieces, titled “Say 

goodbye, butterfly”, came to him in a dream. 

“I always keep a notebook next to my bed 

as I’ll often wake up in the middle of the 

night with a vision of something that needs 

to be sculpted. I quickly scribble it down and 

get to work the next morning. 

“One evening I saw a whole pile of rhino 

horns and I was leading my daughter, Alex, 

Text: Lindi Botha. Photographer: Belinda Erasmus 

whom I often call my butterfly, to show her what would 

happen if we did nothing about rhino poaching. It’s 

about our generation taking the next generation to say 

goodbye to something as precious as rhinos, because 

there would be none left if we did nothing. And if we 

are not careful rhinos will not be the only animal we are 

saying goodbye to.” 

In tackling such emotive issues, Chris explains that while 

everyone acts on their emotions - either by complaining 

around a braai or on social media - his outlet is sculpting. 

“When the rhino poaching issue exploded I needed to 

do something to find an outlet for the frustration I was 

feeling, so rhino horn and elephant tusks have shown up 

in a lot of my work.” 

But joy and laughter feature equally in his portfolio and 

it is the recent work commissioned by an elated father 

that truly shows Chris’ talent for transferring emotion to 

bronze. A little girl standing in the rain, arms outstretched 

and face turned up to catch the droplets on her tongue, 

was an image invoking so much joy in a proud father, it 

had to be preserved. The result is a bronze statue that 

now stands under a water feature in the family’s garden, 

bringing a smile every time you see her jubilant face. 

Chris notes that capturing someone’s essence in bronze 

is challenging. “You always doubt your ability when you 

start, but it’s important just to get started.” 

Perseverance and taking pride in whatever project 

taken on in life are principles that were instilled in him 

by his father, and he in turn strives to nurture this same 

conviction in his children. “If you are going to start 

something, finish it and make sure you do it properly.” 

Although his full-time work in the construction trade 

is a different form of creativity, the sculpting allows him 

to connect with people and create what will become 

heirloom pieces. “The greatest satisfaction is bringing a 

client’s vision to life. Seeing that smile on someone’s face 

is all I need,” Chris modestly admits. 

GET IN TOUCH 

Chris Röhm on 082-417-2258 

Chris Röhm 



• Industrial pine cut to the following sizes: 

Two pieces of 700mmx70mmx20mm 

Two pieces of 400mmx70mmx20mm 

• A hardboard base of 700mmx440mm (you 

can opt for a thicker base to make the tray 

more functional, since the hardboard will not 

be able to carry much weight) 

• 1m Sisal rope, cut in half for the handles 

• Wallpaper or self-adhesive vinyl of 

700mmx440mm to decorate the base 

• Wallpaper glue, if you are using the 

wallpaper 

• PVA paint if you are using the wallpaper 

• Nail or staple gun 

• Semi-clout nails for backboard attachment 

• Wood glue 

• 12mm drill 

• Gel stain in antique oak colour or the paint 

of your choice. 

ADD A DASH 

OF FLAIR 

Keep 

A 

coffee table tray is a great 

way to add structure to your 

table ornaments and create 

a theme by grouping your 

favourite items together. The purpose of 

the tray can, however, be modified and if 

you prefer a more functional one to serve 

teatime goodies, simply add a more sturdy 

backboard that can carry the weight of cups 

and saucers. Personalise the look to fit in 

with your decor by either painting it in your 

chosen colour or applying a wood stain to 

the pine. 

YOU WILL NEED 

All of the planks can be bought and cut at 

BUCO. Just bring along your saw list with 

the measurements. 


your coffee 

table organised and 

stylish by adding a 

gorgeous tray. 

Text: Lindi Botha. Photographer: Matthys Ferreira 

HOW TO 

1 Cut the wood to size. 

2 If you are staining it, take a wet rag and 

apply a few drops of the gel stain. Wipe onto 

the pine planks. For a darker stain, wait for 

the wood to dry and then add another layer. 

If you are painting it, apply the paint and 

allow to dry. 

3 Once the planks are dry, assemble them 

to form a frame using the wood glue. Once 

the glue is dry, use the nail or staple gun to 

secure the frame together. 

4 If you are using wallpaper, paint the 

backboard with a base coat of paint to 

prevent the wood from absorbing the 

wallpaper glue. 

5 Attach the backboard to the frame with 

the nail or staple gun. 

6 Measure evenly spaced locations on the 

frame where the handles need to be and 

mark them with a pencil. Drill holes. 

7 Cut the wallpaper or self adhesive vinyl 

to the correct size and stick it onto the 

backboard. 

8 Thread the rope through the holes and tie 

a knot at each end to secure the handles. 

GET IN TOUCH 

BUCO has collaborated with Get It to feature 

a creative project each month. If you require 

any assistance with your projects or need a 

bit of inspiration, visit Celia Swart at BUCO’s 

decor section. 

BUCO GETIT 27NN

W 

Get it PROMOTION 

#TRACCares! 

MADIBA 

MONTH 

July is Madiba Month. We celebrate the life and birthday of former 

president Nelson Mandela. While July 18 is Nelson Mandela International Day, 

we as South Africans embrace the opportunity to celebrate his life and good 

works for the entire month. This gives everyone the chance to heed the 

call to action and make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate, 

from abused animals to orphaned children and the homeless. 

Our TRAC giveaway this month features a colouring-in competition, 

and suits any age, young and old. The lucky winner will receive a 

yummy bottle of Fat Bastard Chenin Blanc 2018! 

Send your entries to competitions@getitlowveld.co.za 

to reach us before July 25. 

Good luck! 

So get out there and make a difference! And remember, 

TRAC is your helpline when travelling on the N4 Tollroad. #TRACCares! 

South Africa: 0800 87 22 64 or 082 881 4444 or Mozambique: +258 84 34 34 346

GET IT DIRECTORY 


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Monday to Friday 08:00 - 16:30 

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Due to unforeseen circumstances our Let’s stay guide, 

originally scheduled for release with the July edition 

of Get It Lowveld, is being postponed. 

Our apologies for any inconvenience caused! 

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Text and photography: Mia Louw 

BREWING IN 

THE CLOUDS 

Plan a weekend drive from Mbombela to Mashishing and leisurely cruise up the Long Tom Pass. 

Take in the picturesque scenery of the Panorama Route - if the mist allows it - and lean into turns 

winding through the emerald hills. As you reach an altitude of 2 070 metres, turn left into Hops 

Hollow for comfort food and handcrafted beer. 

A 

s you stop at Hops Hollow 

Country House, you are 

kindly greeted by Abby, 

Kaptein and Kaiser - 

two Border collies 

and a Weimaraner - 

or, the “welcoming 

committee”, as 

Heidi Mckechnie 

puts it. She 

has been managing the dog-friendly guest 

house, restaurant and “highest brewery in 

Africa” for just over two years now, and it 

seems to come as second nature. 

The first thing Heidi does when guests 

arrive, is take them for a beer tasting; while 

also sharing Hops Hollow’s history inbetween 

each of the six delightful tasters. 

They have a German ale called the Digger’s 

Draught and the Blacksmith’s Brew, a Belgian 

white beer with hints of ginger, naartjie and 

coriander. There are also English ales: the 

Old Bull Bitter with a fuller taste; and the 

Mac’s Porter, which - due to the dark roasted 

barley - has a slight coffee aftertaste, but is 

lighter than a stout. 

The brewery was built in 2001 and the 

current owners, Willie and Magdaleen Botha, 

bought the business in 2008, taking over 

from Theo de Beer, brewer and owner of 

Anvil Ale in Dullstroom. “Willie and his son’s 

background is in chemical engineering, 

and that’s how we got to the next beer... 

the Tapper’s Brew,” Heidi continues with the 

history lesson as we slowly sip on their only 

lager, loosely based on a Bohemian Pilsner 

style. The logo presents a man tapping alloys 


Heidi Mckechnie 

in front of a scorching furnace. “This is Willie’s beer,” she adds. 

“The next one is little Willie’s beer, but Willie Jr is double the size of his dad,” she carries on 

with a smile as warm as the fireplace behind us. “This is our latest beer, Leila on the Lash”. 

They had a competition on their Facebook page to decide on a name for this red Irish ale 

(with rooibos and honey) and “Leila on the Lash” won two years ago. “It is slang for an Irish 

party girl,” Heidi laughs. 

Their brew is low in alcohol (4%), they use their own crystal-clear spring water to produce 

it and there are no preservatives in it, therefore it doesn’t travel well or have a long shelf life. 

You have to pay Hops Hollow a visit to experience it for yourself. They do, however, provide 

kegs for functions and weddings and often have a beer tent at the Farmhouse Market at 

Glen Cullen Estate in Middelburg. 

The brewmaster, Colin Ntshangase, has been at Hops Hollow for almost six years now. 

“I studied food technology in Durban,” Colin explains while standing in the cool brewery 

- visible through glass from the bar and pub. When he finished his studies, he learnt 

most of what he knows at a small brewery in Durban and at the Old Main Brewery in 

Pietermaritzburg. When his girlfriend moved to Mpumalanga, he followed and soon 

noticed Hops Hollow. “I saw this place and they needed someone with my skills,” he adds, 

smiling broadly. 

“It’s been great and I love making beer,” Colin shares, as he takes us through the 21-day 

process. “When I first started - even when it was only a stepping stone with the big guys - I 

absolutely fell in love.” When asked whether he would ever tire of beer, Colin simply grabs 

his belly, jiggles it, shakes his head and laughs, like the jolly Santa of brewing. Although he 

adores all of his creations, the Old Bull Bitter is his favourite. 

When it comes to the food, Heidi is in charge. Before Hops Hollow, she had a restaurant 

at the White River Country Club. Their most 

popular dish is the lamb curry, which is 

often sold out. “I almost can’t keep up with 

the demand,” she admits. “And we are very 

lucky. We have locals and visitors from 

afar supporting the business. People from 

Hazyview, White River and Mbombela will 

drive through to come eat here.” 

You have to pay 

Hops Hollow a 

visit to experience 

it for yourself 

Heidi sees their secluded location as a 

positive factor and definitely not a deterrent. 

“We are high up and it is always cooler 

here, much colder than Mbombela,” she 

explains while seated in the cigar lounge, 


which boasts a vintage cast iron fireplace. 

“There are also fireplaces in our new rooms 

and whether we have electricity or not, it is 

always lovely up here,” she adds. “Especially 

in the evenings.” 

Hops Hollow can accommodate 31 

overnight guests and have recently added 

the finishing touches to three outdoor en 

suites. They also cater for intimate weddings 

and conferences. “The last wedding we did 

was for 40 people, which is a comfortable 

number,” Heidi explains. “And we have a 40th 

birthday party coming up soon.” 

Visitors can go for a walk on the 62-hectare 

property and will most likely spot an eland 

or two. “We are surrounded by nature 

reserves and there is a herd of 280 eland in 

the mountains. They come up right to our 

doorstep,” she explains, while showing what’s 

left of her veggie patch. 

Heidi describes the country house as a 

“really lekker place”. It feels a bit like taking 

a step back in time, with their farmhouse 

accommodation, hearty country cuisine, fires 

roaring in every corner and the Beatles and 

bands alike booming in the pub. “Look, we 

realise we are in the middle of nowhere,” she 

adds. “Therefore, when people come here 

they need to be served the best coffee, food 

and beer.” Guests often only come through 

for the day, but end up staying overnight as 

well. “It is the type of spot where you and 

your friends can really get stuck and enjoy 

yourself.” 

GET IN TOUCH 

Hops Hollow Country House on 

013-235-8910 or visit 

www.hopshollow.co.za 

PLACES TO VISIT 

Long Tom Pass 

The misty and mysterious Long Tom Pass is a must-see when visiting this area. 

Scenic roads meander through stunning mountain ranges, each with its own 

fascinating history. Originally the route taken by the pioneering transport drivers 

moving goods from Mozambique to Lydenburg. One of the areas the road winds 

through is known as The Devil’s Knuckles, a treacherous stretch where many wagons 

tumbled to their doom. The pass gets its name from the Long Tom cannons used in 

the Anglo-Boer War. Four of the 155mm cannon guns were purchased by the Boers 

and nicknamed “The Frenchmen”. The British had other ideas and called them “The 

Long Toms”, and that is the name which stuck and is still used today. 

Lone Creek Falls 

One of the most sought-after and well-known destinations in the area is the 

Lone Creek Falls. You will find the falls after a short walk through magnificent 

indigenous forest, about 9km from the Old Sabie Road and approximately 200m 

from the parking area, easily accessible for nature enthusiasts, hikers and waterfall 

hunters of all ages. The waterfall is breathtakingly beautiful, and plunges 70m 

down into the creek. There are picnic facilities nearby for those who want to 

stop and soak up the surroundings. Lone Creek Falls have been declared a 

national monument. 

The Long Tom Toboggan 

The longest of its kind in Africa, the Long Tom Toboggan covers an astounding 

1,7 kilometres. With speeds of up to 45km an hour, this is a breathtaking ride through 

stunning forested and mountainous scenery. The ride itself is an exhilarating rush 

down the mountainside, twisting and turning on the bends of the track and leaving 

you breathless or terrified, or both! Surrounded by the pretty wildflowers as you 

plummet through the grassland in warm Lowveld sunshine, this is one experience 

not to be missed. The toboggan is built on a rail above ground, doing no 

harm to the fragile ecosystem surrounding it. 

Horseshoe Falls 

You’ll find the beautiful Horshoe Falls approximately 4km off the Old Lydenburg Road, 

along the Sabie River. The trail to the cascading falls is a short walk through beautiful 

scenery, filled with magnificent bird, plant and wildlife. The aptly named falls - 

circular in form and shaped like a horseshoe - are a rather unique and unusual sight, 

and while not as high as Lone Creek, they are every bit as breathtaking. A picnic can 

be enjoyed after a refreshing swim in the pools; or a walk through the tranquil and 

picturesque countryside. As is the case with Lone Creek, Horseshoe Falls are 

also a national monument. 

Colin Ntshangase 


Spoil 

July 

Fine bedding for 

winter cocooning 

Fancy a new set of linen or a 

warm knitted throw? We’re giving 

a reader a R1 000 Volpes voucher to 

spend on linen of their choice. 

Simply visit Facebook 

(Get It National Magazines), 

like our VOLPES WIN post and 

you’ll be in the draw. 

Comp ends July 23. Good luck 

(and stay warm)! 

There’s nothing like the colder months to make your bed a cosy haven. Add loads of layers... think throws 

in faux fur or velvet, blankets in flannel or knit or (oh... winter bliss) the ever-popular Sherpa. You can add 

a quilt too... no longer just for granny’s room, they’re making a huge comeback - and the reversible quilts 

with coordinating prints are fab - ring the changes, depending on your mood. Slipping between crisp cotton 

sheets is always wonderful, but if you really suffer from the cold, consider brushed cotton sheets - the fabric is 

brushed to create a nap that traps in air to hold in the heat, making them wonderfully soft and warm. Volpes, 

our local linen specialist, has an exceptional (and jolly well-priced) range... well worth visiting before 

Jack Frost arrives with a vengeance. Details: volpes.co.za. 


RM-BD324527N

GENUINE 

LEATHER 

UPPERS

July 2019 - Lowveld

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