Lowveld - Aug 2020

GET
LOWVELD
IT
Loving life
Tribute ‘Birdie’
Mboweni
Local poet
learns to fly
&
Chic
comfortable
Celebrate
GIRL
POWER!
WIN!
A MEAL
AT TOPOLINO’S
IN HAZYVIEW
SHOPPING, PEOPLE AND LIFESTYLE IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD
AUGUST 2020

GET IT
Editorial
Phone 013-754-1600
Lowveld Media
12 Stinkhout Crescent, Mbombela
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Website getitmagazine.co.za/lowveld/
Editor
Mellissa Bushby
mellissa@getitlowveld.co.za 084-319-2101
Layout
Geraldine Reyneke
Subeditors
Jess Steyn • May Nel
Sales
Yulandi Jansma 081-458-6034
yulandi@getitlowveld.co.za
GET IT NATIONAL
National Group Editor and
National Sales
Kym Argo
kyma@caxton.co.za 082-785-9230
Facebook and Instagram:
Get It National Magazines
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
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The judges’ decision is final. Prizes cannot be
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reserves the right to publish the names of
winners, who will be contacted telephonically
and need to collect their prizes from Caxton
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forfeited. Prizewinners names are published on
our Facebook page monthly.
CONTENTS
WHY DON’T YOU...
02 Curl up and tune in... or do a virtual workout
06 Keep boredom at bay with a book a day
WISH LIST
08 Spend time with the family, enjoy scrummy tapas
or become an influencer
PEOPLE
10 Tribute “Birdie” Mboweni on her passion for people
14 Celebrating Lowveld women
BEAUTY & FASHION
22 Va-va-zoom!
24 Comfort + glam = fab home wear
HEALTH
26 The power of purple
FOOD & DRINK
30 Red wine and slow food
34 Five-ingredient dinner ideas
40 Compli-mince to the chef
ART & DECOR
42 Making your home office a stylish, workable space
GARDENING
44 Peas, posies and the August garden
COMMUNITY
48 Navigating poetic shores
TRAVEL
54 A blooming marvellous Namakwa retreat
WIN
56 A delicious meal to the value of R600 at Topolino’s in Hazyview!
AUGUST 2020
COVER LOOK
Tribute “Birdie” Mboweni
Photographed by Katlego Mokubyane
August 20 Get It Lowveld 01

A hot date!
Yoga. A wine course. Or some
jolly good shows on the
small screen. All your
options for August
02 Get It Lowveld August 20

Curl up and tune in to Showmax
In the mood for crime? Comedy? Drama? Look no further than our picks of
the best shows and movies this month.
We’re kicking off with a local film directed by Oliver Hermanus. In
The Endless River, a young waitress welcomes her husband home to the
small South African town of Riviersonderend after his jail sentence. When the
family of a foreigner living on a nearby farm is murdered, the waitress and the
grieving widower begin gravitating towards each other. Trapped in a cycle of
violence and bloodshed, the two form an unlikely bond seeking to transcend
their mutual anger, pain and loneliness.
When Detective Felicity Dill is killed in a car bombing, her sister, Allegra Dill, an
investigator working for a senator, returns home to San Bonifacio to find the
killer. In the process of her investigation, she uncovers a web of corruption in
the small Texas town. Briarpatch (S1) is an artistic, interesting mystery crime
series based on the Ross Thomas novel of the same name.
Vida (S3) returns with the two Mexican-American sisters, Emma and Lyn, who
couldn’t be more different or distanced from each other. Circumstances force
them to return to their old neighbourhood, where they are confronted by
the past and shocking truth about their mother’s identity.
In the Reckoning (S1) the murder of a teenager and the hunt for a serial
killer in a suburban town sets two fathers on a course of mutual destruction
that will reverberate through their quiet community. Explore the darkest
corners of the male psyche through the eyes of two fathers, one of whom is
a serial killer.
It’s time, once again, to wreak some hilarious havoc on the spacetime
continuum as Future Man (S3) debuts its final season to wrap things up. Josh
Futturman, a janitor by day and a gamer by night, is recruited by mysterious
visitors to travel through time to prevent the extinction of humanity.
Hard-hitting cop show Bosch (S6) is back. The run of shows sees Harry
playing a key role in trying to save his city after a medical physicist is executed
and the deadly radioactive material he had with him goes missing. Finding
himself at the centre of a complex murder case, a messy federal investigation,
and an impending catastrophic threat to Los Angeles, Bosch must act as
domestic terrorists threaten the fate of Los Angeles.
The hit mockumentary What We Do In The Shadows (S2) is a look into the
daily (or rather, nightly) lives of three vampires who’ve lived together in New
York for more than 100 years - plenty of time to get on each other’s nerves.
With the Whisperer War upon them, the collective communities must come
together and possibly sacrifice all they have to find a way to silence the
Whisperers once and for all. Otherwise Alpha will ensure they face a certain
doom... The Walking Dead (S10) is the definitive zombie show, having won
77 awards globally.
I May Destroy You is a British comedy-drama television series set in London
where gratification is only an app away. Arabella is a carefree, self-assured
Londoner with a group of great friends, a boyfriend in Italy and a burgeoning
writing career. But when her drink is spiked with a date-rape drug, she must
question and rebuild every element of her life.
August 20 Get It Lowveld 03

Netflix... for a great night in
The crime comedy-drama Good Girls (S3) revolves around three
mothers who upend their seemingly cosy lives and descend
into the world of crime to pay their family bills. Now they return
to face the consequences of last season’s high jinks. The show is
dark, a little outlandish - and in its best episodes, it’s gripping!
The world as we know it has ended in The Rain (S3)... When
a virus carried by rainfall wipes out almost all humans in
Scandinavia, Danish siblings Simone and Rasmus take shelter in
a bunker. Six years later, they emerge to search for their father, a
scientist who left them in the bunker but never returned. Along
the way they join a group of young survivors and together set
out on a danger-filled quest through an abandoned Scandinavia,
searching for any sign of life.
After an excruciatingly long wait, the fantasy comedy drama
Lucifer is back for season five. Throughout the series, Lucifer and
his allies take on a wide array of supernatural threats – but they’ll
be facing perhaps their most unique challenge yet this season.
Good news Lucifans... the show has officially been renewed for
season six!
In Secret Origins, the scene is set in Madrid 2019 where a
serial killer is spreading chaos. Anonymous people with no
apparent connection are being murdered while imitating the
first appearances of the most famous superheroes. It is up to
two detectives to put together the pieces of a game with which
they’re completely unfamiliar.
Vegan made easy
Whether you’re thinking about taking the plant-based plunge or just
want a refresher on why being vegan is amazing for your body, we’ve
got you covered. Join plant-based nutrition leader and creator of
The Seed Blog Tammy Fry for a virtual workshop. Get the low-down
on vegan hacks, bust those all-too-common myths, learn how to meal
plan for a family, get some recipes and much more. August 8 at 10am.
Tickets are R50 and will be available via Quicket.co.za
Release your inner superhero
Grab your sidekicks and capes for the Wonder Woman Justice League
virtual run. Whether you’re a single runner suffering from cabin fever
and creaky legs or a family wanting to put some loving distance
between one other, this fun-filled day of physically distanced running
/ walking will take place in your neighbourhood... all while giving
back to those who need it most, especially children! With distances
of 2.5km, 5km, 7.5km and 10km, there’s something for every hero, big
or small. It’s all happening on August 9, tickets from R190 a person,
which include a Wonder Woman medal, T-shirt and button badge.
Details: justiceleagueseries.co.za or on Facebook - Justice League Series.
Stuck inside. Bored out of your mind. Desperate for things to do. You need
The Self-Isolation Activity Book. Written by Ian Doors, a man who
says he’s spent all his time alone in his apartments long before you all
started, it’s filled with quick and easy activities... games, mental exercises,
colouring-in, handy hints and kitchen / pantry food and drink tips...
everything you need to survive your time inside. Orion, R240.
04 Get It Lowveld August 20

Record breaking concert...
and you’re invited!
Who said you can’t have a great deal of fun watching a live
stream concert at home? No standing in long queues, eight feet
tall people blocking your view, getting pushed from all sides,
using signals to communicate or being so far away you can
barely see the artist on stage. Not for us. Instead, we’ll be getting
a front row seat for a COVID Secret Session live stream concert
by local legendary rock band, Prime Circle. Not only will they
produce a world-class show but they aim to set a record
globally for the most tickets sold for a live stream rock concert!
It’s on August 8 at 7pm. We’ll be there... join us! Bonus: Ten per
cent of the money raised will be in aid of charity. Get your ticket
for R120 from Computicket.com or head over to their Facebook
page @PrimeCircle to keep updated.
Time
to wine down
Wine lovers... this is your chance to
sip, sniff and swirl your way through an
edutaining Local is Lekker wine course by
the Tops at Spar Wine Show. Wine educator
Cathy Marston will take you on a humorous,
interactive journey that’s more like a wine club
than a wine course! Think interesting wine
theories, practical tips and guided wine
tastings. Four online Zoom sessions (each
with its own theme) of an hour will
take place over two weeks. R295.
Details: wineshow.co.za/
courses/
Try a virtual workout... we’ve found exercise classes made for your living room
Fortunately, there are tons of top-notch ways to
work out at home. To help you get going, we’ve
rounded up the best online exercise classes you
can do right from your living room, whether
you’re craving a serious muscle burn or fun and
a fast sweat. After all, a little self-care and stress
relief are exactly what we need in these anxietyinducing
times.
• Join yoga and meditation pro Chelsey Mcluckie
on the mat for a group Yoga Zoom class twice
a week. She’ll show you how to calm your mind,
balance your body and breathe properly, all
through mindful movements. Her classes are
suitable for everyone, regardless of age and
fitness levels. R70 a drop-in, R110 a week. Details:
chelseymcluckieyoga.co.za/online-yoga-classes/
• Think you have to be an uber-fit celebrity, athlete
or dancer to even consider a Pilates class? The
truth is, you don’t need any previous exercise
experience. So, we’re opting for an online class
with the instructors from My Pilates. They offer
various levels you can choose from... think a
refreshing mind-body workout which emphasises
proper breathing, correct spinal and pelvic
alignment as well as a focused concentration on
smooth flowing movement. Classes are from R349
a month. Details: mypilates.co.za
• If you’re serious about burning the calories from
last night’s banana bread, then you should join a
Zoom class with the trainers from Thrive. Choose
between a 45-minute move, power or flow class
targeting four main areas with each workout -
upper and lower body, cardio and core. No need
for any fitness equipment, you can just jump right
in for R50 a session! Details: thrivefitness.co.za
August 20 Get It Lowveld 05

Book club
A book a day keeps boredom
at bay. Add a glass of wine and
you’re in for a happy August.
In a tiny Italian village, life in the 1950s is a daily
pageant of small human dramas. There are
lippy signoras and earthy farmworkers. There’s
a coffin-maker, a silkworm farmer and those
who catch frogs for the town’s local delicacy -
frog risotto. Then there’s Pistola, a teenage boy
in love with his second cousin, Teresa, a girl
who’s sadly, destined to marry the village thug.
Don’t you already know Loves and Miracles of
Pistola is going to be a magnificent read? Even
more so, when you discover that to escape
his heartache, young Pistola accepts the offer
of a lifetime... to travel to South Africa to work
on the trains. In lively Johannesburg, he and a
group of compatriots are trained as stewards
and taught to speak English - and Afrikaans. It’s
not all work, mind you. The Italians set up home
in Hillbrow and go partying in Sophiatown
with the likes of Miriam Makeba. When Pistola
falls for the spunky Malikah, a political activist,
the apartheid police watch every breath of
their passionate, illicit relationship. It’s written
by the wonderful Hilary Prendini Toffoli, who
lives in Cape Town and is known for her social
satire and investigative features. Just brilliant!
Penguin, R280.
So many of our favourite authors this month. Book Club’s going to
be great. Jeffery Deaver (love!) has just released his latest thriller, The
Goodbye Man. After witnessing a shocking suicide while pursuing two
armed fugitives in the wilderness, Colter Shaw’s investigations lead him
to go undercover in the Foundation - a cult that promises to transform
people’s lives. It’s a cult led by a charismatic leader who commands
terrifying loyalty from his followers, a cult that may have only one way to
escape - with your life. Harper Collins, R408.
From the outside, the house in Lakeview Terrace looks perfect. And the
Bigelows seem like the perfect family. The respected surgeon father. The
glamorous, devoted mother. Two beautiful children. A perfect family
in a perfect house, living their perfect lives. But perfect surfaces can
hide dark undercurrents and behind closed doors lies a very different
story. Teenager Zane and his younger sister, Britt, are terrorised by
their violent father and dysfunctional mother. Too afraid to speak out,
Zane does his best to protect his sister and counts the days until they
can finally be free. Until the night when their father’s temper takes
a horrifying turn for the worse, the perfect façade is exposed for the
lie it is, and Zane and Britt manage to escape. With the help of their
aunt, they rebuild their lives, creating new families and putting their
past behind them. But can a past like that really be put aside? Under
Currents, by Nora Roberts, is a great winter read, perfect for a Sunday
on the sofa in front of a fire. Little Brown Book Group, R239.
06 Get It Lowveld August 20

Do you remember how your heart just swelled when you read The
Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry?. Well, it’s time for an encore. Joyce
Rachel’s Miss Benson’s Beetle is a story about a tiny insect, an exciting
adventure and a deep, unexpected friendship. It’s the story of Margery
Benson, whose life ended the day her father walked out of his study and
never came back. Forty years later, abandoning a dull job, she advertises
for an assistant, someone who will join her on an expedition to the other
side of the world to search for a beetle that may, or may not, exist. Enid
Pretty is not who she had in mind. But together they will find themselves
drawn into an adventure that exceeds all Margery’s expectations,
eventually finding new life at the top of a red mountain. Penguin, R310.
Isn’t it irritating when you watch a
series and someone says ‘the book
was sooo much better’. Well, trust us
when we tell you that when it comes
to Little Fires Everywhere, the book
is, indeed, so, so, so much better. This
magnificently written story revolves
around two families - a free-spirited,
enigmatic artist and single mum, and
a journalist who, with her husband
and four children, lives the perfect
life, where everything is strictly under
control. How these women influence
their own and each other’s children,
and how Celeste Ng captures the
angst of being an adolescent,
makes for a powerful, thoughtful
read and a book that’s completely
unputdownable. Little Brown Book
Group, R288.
Twelve years
ago, a child went
missing. She was
six years-old when
she disappeared.
Now she’s home.
Knocking on the
door. But why
won’t she answer
any questions?
Where has she
been? How did she
find her way home?
And who is she? SK
Barnett’s Safe is a
thrilling read, with
twist after twist
until the very last
page. Penguin, R260.
This is, quite simply, the most exceptional wine we could wish
to enjoy this August. Elegant and complex, Glenelly Lady May
is all blackberry and cassis, dark cherry and spicy plum, with
dense, age-worthy tannins. R520 from glenelly.co.za
Two strangers are driving across
America. Cait - whose job is to
transport women to safety. Rebecca -
who’s trying to escape something. Out
of respect, Cait never asks questions.
But what if Rebecca’s secrets put them
both in danger? There’s a reason Cait
chooses to keep on the road, helping
strangers. She has a past of her own,
and knows what it’s like to be followed.
And there’s someone right behind
them, watching their every move. Read
Jessica Barry’s Don’t Turn Around with
the lights on bright! Penguin, R310.
August 20 Get It Lowveld 07

Wish list
Travel, food and a touch of glam this August
Tapas for real foodies
Tapas with Liam Tomlin is the most
heavenly book imaginable. It’s a
book to drool over, to sit for hours
earmarking recipes and planning gettogethers.
It’s all about the style of
food Liam likes to cook and the way
he likes to eat... with lots of different
tastes, textures and cooking styles. It’s
crammed with inspiring, exceptionally
styled photos of food you just long to
re-create.
What this isn’t, is a book for scaredy-cat
cooks. Or for those with timid taste
buds. It kicks off fairly safely with potato
and chorizo tortilla, but before long it’s
all braised pig’s head with bacon and
egg, and sautéed frogs’ legs with wild
mushrooms, parsley purée and truffle
dressing. The Basic Recipe section
includes walnut tuile and duck liver
parfait and bao buns, for heaven’s sake.
Delicious? Yes. But basic? Maybe not
so much. You need a certain amount
of skill and dedication - and time - to
follow many of the recipes. Of course
there are loads and loads of dishes
that are less daunting... the tomato tart
with Parmesan catalan, basil and olives
is time-consuming but delicious; the
pancetta-wrapped prawns with crab
and spring onion risotto is possibly our
favourite recipe from the book.
Liam, an Irish chef who worked in
restaurants around the world before
moving to Cape Town where he’s
opened restaurants including the
original Chefs Warehouse 10 yearsor-so
ago and more recently Chefs
Warehouse Maison in Franschhoek,
describes his way of cooking as
being focused on technique and on
extracting as much flavour as possible
to create tasty and well balanced
dishes. This is the second edition of
his book - the first, self-published,
was only available at his restaurants.
An exceptional buy for a real foodie.
Penguinrandomhouse, R399.
08 Get It Lowveld August 20
We’re wearing summer
A starfish. A pineapple. A
flamingo, ocean wave and sea
turtle. Five gorgeous images that
have us longing for summer. With
the new, limited edition range at
Pandora we can wear summer all
year round. Actress Millie Bobby
Brown co-designed this bold and
colourful range, saying “All the
symbols I chose are my absolute
favourite parts of summer and
each charm holds a fun memory
or meaning to me.“ The Pandora
Me range - four dangle charms
and an earring sold as a single
stud - is a limited edition, available
only until December this year.
Charms from R239, buy online from
pandora.net/en-za/collections/
pandora-me
Compiled by KYM ARGO

From Soweto to Milan
So you want to be an influencer?
A luxurious life flitting from one
fitting room to the front row on
fashion week. And, with a lot of
hard work, you can, says Kefilwe
Mabote, one of South Africa’s leading
fashion influencers. In Kefilwe
Mabote Influencer de Luxe, candid
autobiography-cum-guide, she
reveals the secrets of her success...
from her humble beginnings in
Soweto, all the way to the world’s
fashion capital, Milan. With loads
of really useful, practical tips and
real-world tools for building your
digital brand, it’s an inspiring read,
written by an ordinary township girl
who had a goal... and went for it.
Human & Rousseau, R280.
Top of our wish list... to travel with the family
Trying to keep up with can we buy wine, can we walk in the park, can we travel, is
exhausting. But we’ve found one rather special travel option we think will work -
just be sure to time your arrival before our 9pm curfew.
Tintswalo Lodges has introduced a self-catering option for families and
friends... exclusive-use, self-catering options are available at three of the lovely
Tintswalo properties.
With a choice of a safari or a coastal breakaway for a group of up to 10 people, the
self-catering options are available at the Manor House at Tintswalo Safari Lodge
in the greater Kruger area, the Tintswalo Family Camp in the Welgevonden Game
Reserve in the Waterberg, and Tintswalo at Boulders Boutique Villa in Simon’s Town.
The Manor House at Tintswalo Safari Lodge in the Manyeleti Private Nature Reserve
has spacious lounge and dining areas and deep, shady patios that are ideal for
relaxation. The traditionally styled private villa has five bedrooms with en-suite
bathrooms, two with outside baths for indulgent soaks under starlit skies. Welcoming
children of all ages, the family-friendly destination comes with a swimming
pool and rolling lawns protected by game fencing, overlooking a waterhole that
offers excellent game viewing 24/7.
Tintswalo Family Camp Welgevonden in the malaria-free Welgevonden Game
Reserve in the Waterberg ranks among SA’s largest private game reserves and
boasts a great variety of game, including the Big Five. There are five spacious,
freestanding luxury units, a main lodge with lovely lounges where fireplaces
keep things cosy, a swimming pool with poolside loungers and a viewing deck
overlooking the waterhole. It’s child-friendly and protected by electric fencing
against predators and dangerous game to allow children the freedom to enjoy
the outside areas.
With unobstructed views across Boulders Beach and its world-famous resident
colony of endangered African penguins, Tintswalo at Boulders Boutique Villa
boasts a unique beachfront location. With luxurious suites, open-plan lounges with
fireplaces, a TV room, outdoor terraces, and a wind-protected courtyard with a fire
pit, as well as a sea view pool on the top deck, this is indeed a luxurious getaway.
The rate is R25 000 a night deal for 10 people, with a minimum stay of two nights.
The lodges are fully serviced and all health precautions and safety protocols are fully
complied with. Safari options also include two safari activities a day, a safari vehicle
and the services of a guide, as well as a private chef, housekeeping, laundry and
Wi-Fi. Excluded are food and beverages and gratuities.
Details:
021-773-0900 or tintswalo.com
Look out for
Coach Blue, which
is about to land on
the fragrance scene.
All lime oil, absinthe
and grapefruit, black
pepper, cedar leaf
and amber, wrapped
up in a gentlemanly
blue bottle. Gorgeous.
From R970, at Woolies,
Clicks, Truworths and
Dis-Chem.
August 20 Get It Lowveld 09

Destiny’s
child
Soulful singer-songwriter, Tribute “Birdie” Mboweni’s love of music is surpassed
only by her passion for human environmental interaction. This originates from
her early years growing up in Cunningmore near Bushbuckridge, where she was
born and raised, before moving to Mkhulu.
10 Get It Lowveld August 20
Text: MELLISSA BUSHBY
irdie’s musical passion
first came to light
from around the age
of eight. Reserved
and rather shy as a
child, fellow church
congregants
recognised her
talent and encouraged
her to sing, boosting her confidence.
“All I wanted to do was sing, so I looked
for opportunities to be on stage,” she
smiles. “How I ended up pursuing
music as a career is something that
was led by my just wanting to be on
stage, wanting to perform. Everything
else happened all on its own. I think
of myself as a soul singer, although I
grew up listening to different genres,
including neo-soul. This influenced the
kind of music I created when I finally
started writing my own songs.”
Apart from singing, Birdie is an
accomplished academic and
conservationist, and is currently an
anthropology PhD candidate at the

Tribute “Birdie” Mboweni. Photographer: Katlego Mokubyane
August 20 Get It Lowveld 11

University of Queensland in Brisbane,
Australia, which keeps her quite
busy. Since she can remember, she
has been involved in conservationminded
programmes, which is partly
what led to her love of conservation
and the environment. Birdie studied
ecotourism at TUT before expanding
into nature conservation, later
becoming a lecturer in the field.
“I went on to do my work integrated
learning at De Hoop Nature Reserve in
the Western Cape, under CapeNature.
Upon completion, I worked on Dassen
Island as a field ranger, one of the
most beautiful experiences of my life.
Armed with enthusiasm, a telescope,
notebook and a tally hanging around
my neck, I was doing the weekly
(penguin) moult count and a count
of all the birds found in colonies all
around the island (cormorants and
pelicans). The privilege of living in
South Africa and connecting with
myself and nature is one I do not take
lightly,” says Birdie.
Birdie’s favourite place in the world at the moment is Mapungubwe National
Park and Cultural Landscape
“Music eclipses
so many things,
surpassing the
barriers of language
and bringing culture
and heritage to the
fore”
Working in the conservation sector,
she realised that there is an emphasis
on the preservation of nature and
people are generally a foreign agent.
“I became interested in humanenvironment
interactions; particularly
how these play themselves out in
protected areas in post-apartheid
South Africa, given the country’s
history of the removal of and the
exclusion of black communities from
places that then became protected
areas and the conservation enterprise.”
Birdie sees her music as one way of
imparting an educational message
relating to her studies. “I hope to
promote a positive self-identity among
Photographer: Ofentse Pilane
12 Get It Lowveld August 20

African youth,” she muses. “Through
the use of our beautiful languages and
the telling of our own stories, in our
own way, I aim to make my music a
channel to communicate what I have
learnt through my research. Music
eclipses so many things, surpassing
the barriers of language and bringing
culture and heritage to the fore.” This
is evident at Birdie’s performances
when the audience interacts on
a completely different level. She
incorporates different cultural aspects
into her music, bringing something for
everyone and uniting them in the joy
of song, accentuating her love of the
happiness and prosperity of people.
“My life is ruled by
serendipity, so I
really don’t know
what the future
holds”
“I care about the well-being of others,”
she says. “I care about access and equal
opportunities. This is largely why I
am interested in the kind of research
I am pursuing. It is important to me
that we understand how these things
Photographer: Blunt Moya
are connected, and how they play out, even in the sector
that I am in.” Birdie laughs as she says that she is actually
extremely shy... “But I tend to speak a lot when things that I
am passionate about come up!”
When asked what the future holds, this multifaceted
woman muses on what destiny has in store. “I generally
do not have these long-term projections when it comes
to my life,” she laughs. “There is just so much to learn
and experience out there, and there are so many things
I am grateful for. I look back on two of my favourite
performances, the Cape Town International Jazz Festival in
2016, and the Atlantic Music Expo in Cabo Verde in 2017,
which I thoroughly enjoyed. My studies, the people I have
met along the way, the places I’ve been to...”
Birdie worked on Dassen Island as a field ranger
Birdie’s favourite place in the world at the moment is
Mapungubwe National Park and Cultural Landscape, and
there is still so much more to see, so much to still look
forward to. “My life is ruled by serendipity, so I really don’t
know what the future holds,” she smiles, her beautiful
dimples flashing. ”All I know is that I want to continue to
travel the world, see all the beauty out there, and find ways
to keep doing all the things that I am passionate about!”
August 20 Get It Lowveld 13

WOMEN
IN POWER
BUCO Nelspruit is a bastion in the Lowveld, and there are few
people who haven’t wandered the aisles looking for a specific
product, and come across their friendly and helpful staff
members. In honour of Women’s Day, we catch up with a few
of these intrepid individuals, and find out just what goes on
behind the scenes in this well-known hardware store, that
was once thought of as “a man’s world”.
Mariet Erasmus
Mariet might be of slight build, but looks can be very deceiving. There is simply no
challenge that she will shy from. She is the person who must make sure that the
pay-point side of the company runs like clockwork, every task is always done with
her own personal touch. “I cash up with the cashiers, ensuring everything balances,
reporting to the bookkeeper and financial manager.” She is also the person who
ensures that the floats are packed correctly and that there is always enough
change for the cashiers. “It keeps me busy, and I love being busy. ” She started
at BUCO approximately two and a half years ago, and has gone from strength
to strength since, making herself valuable not only to the company, but to her
beloved customers. Her energy is palpable, and it is easy to believe Mariet when
she says she loves the challenge of her job. “I love to solve problems and will not
give up until there is a solution. For example, one of our biggest headaches can be
when the cash up does not balance, I will sit there until I can honestly tell myself
that I have exhausted all possible avenues regarding where a mistake could have
slipped in.” Mariet believes that at BUCO there is a great sense of belonging. All of
her co-workers agree that her sentiments could be directed right back at her. She
is always friendly and one of the first to arrive and last to leave in the afternoon. It is
a passion for Mariet that as a BUCO family member, she enjoys giving back to the
Lowveld community and would love to be even more involved with the various
community projects that the company supports, especially those focusing on the
younger generation.
Khanyisile Mkhabela
At first glance the glamorous Khanyisile
reminds you of a beauty queen. For
her, it is all about interacting with
customers and knowing they go home
with big smiles and with the correct
product to suit their individual needs.
“It is very important to me that our
customers leave here happy with an
understanding of what they have
bought.” One of her favourite memories
at BUCO is when a customer overpaid
his invoice, and she immediately gave
back the excess money. “He was very
surprised and could not stop smiling,
and it is incidents like that which make
it worthwhile, knowing because of how
he was treated here at BUCO, that he
will return.” Just like the rest of the team,
Khanyisile is very driven. “I started as a
student and soon after got promoted
to a cashier.” She was recently advanced
to a supervision and administrative
position on a part-time basis. “I would
love to be promoted to the debtors’
department, and am working hard to
achieve that.”
When asked if she would ever change
jobs with someone else at BUCO, she
laughs and without hesitation says
she would love to exchange jobs with
someone in finances. It is obvious that
Khanyisile enjoys interacting not only
with customers, but also with her coworkers.
“For me BUCO is simply the
best, amazing. It is such a professional
company and I cannot wait for what my
future holds.”
14 Get It Lowveld August 20

Hanka Beukes
The moment you meet Hanka you are overwhelmed by her
bubbly and outgoing personality. With an infectious laugh the
first thing she tells you is that she simply loves her job at BUCO
Nelspruit. “How can I not? It is everything in one; personal
interaction with both customers and my co-workers, the thrill
of sales, and also the telephonic aspect of it. It is a different
environment every day, and I love our loyal customers who
keep coming back. We all know each other by name here.”
Hanka’s day kicks off early by turning on the switchboard, and
from the moment it is on, the phone does not stop ringing.
While this might have irritated any other sane person, this
simply puts her in that great mood for the rest of the day. She
is a people-pleaser and everyone usually turns to her to calm
down the odd irate customer who occasionally pops up. “I
try to handle each situation individually and my first aim is
to calm everyone down. Coffee and a friendly smile get you
much further than antagonising someone.” To Hanka it is the
appreciation that everyone at BUCO Nelspruit receives from
the branch manager, Pottie Potgieter, who really makes them
such a close-knit family. “I remember the one day he called me
into his office simply to thank me for everything I do for the
company, and that really made me feel very appreciated and
proved to be an inspiration to give even more to BUCO.” She
loves the family vibe at her workplace and the caring nature of
her colleagues. “I would never (in capital letters) switch my job.”
Besides her real job, Hanka is also the unofficial caterer at the
company and has a reputation of not only being a great cook,
but also being an ace at organising events and making things
look pretty.
Antoinette McDonald
Antoinette grew up in the BUCO culture. When asked to explain
what that culture means, she answers without hesitation: “family,
loyalty and professionalism”. She elaborates and explains that even
though BUCO Nelspruit is a business, it focuses on the family culture
and that they aim to make all new customers part of that
close-knit family. First-hand understanding of this motto is what
makes Antoinette excel at her job in customer services and working
with the internal sales representatives. The challenge of keeping
customers happy by providing quality products is what really
excites her. “I honestly love keeping customer projects going, and
really aim to help even more to improve our customer service.” It is
obvious that she lives for her job, and laughs that she often knows
more about her customers than she does about her friends. “Our
customers are more than just business to me, and I take pride in
the fact that I give my all to make them happy.” Antoinette’s job
description might not officially state enthusiasm and energy, but
that is what she brings to the table. She simply jumps in and does
something herself; from fielding endless phone calls to running
around BUCO with a trolley and handpicking products to please
customers, to sourcing materials that an individual customer might
need. She has many long-term goals for herself, one of the biggest
being to get the stock sorted in such a way that she immediately
knows where what is kept. When asked if she would like to switch
jobs for one day with someone else at the company, she vehemently
shakes her head and firmly says no. “I love my job and I know and
understand my own challenges.” Antoinette’s charm and passion
obviously rub off on her performance and one of her favourite
memories at BUCO Nelspruit is the day she made her first two million
sales for one month.
August 20 Get It Lowveld 15

Mariaan Neethling
Mariaan’s official job description might read Personal Assistant
to the Branch Manager at BUCO Nelspruit, but she is also the
HR Assistant to the Regional HR Partner. She comes across
as an extremely driven person who keeps updated with the
comings and goings of the company, but her passion lies with
the charity work BUCO does. “I am so fortunate to be part of a
company that gives back so generously to its community.” One
of her favourite projects is the school initiative where she always
gets involved first-hand. “BUCO Nelspruit often assists not only
the local schools in town, but also some very disadvantaged
ones in rural areas. What I love most is that everyone here really
cares about these projects, and the development of children
has always been close to my heart.” Mariaan says it is especially
during these difficult Covid-19 times that her manager, Pottie
Potgieter, has gone out of his way to assist several businesses
which were struggling financially. She admits she is a little
bit of a perfectionist who can be very strict to maintain the
best possible standard, but she loves working with the staff.
She admires the way that BUCO Nelspruit’s management
encourages growth within the company. “It is not just about
having worked myself up, it is also about how much my selfconfidence
has grown.” For Mariaan the fact that the BUCO
culture stands for caring, is a very important factor as to why she
loves her job so much. “As a branch we are driven, yet so familyorientated
at the same time!” She firmly believes that is why the
company is the best in the country. Her biggest challenge is to
remain objective regarding staff matters as everyone feels so
much like family to her. “I have to really get my head into that
mode when there is the odd employee issue.”
Sanet Nel
Sanet has climbed the BUCO ladder for 20 years with hard
work, commitment and zeal, and plans to do the same for
the next two decades. She is the Inwards logistic manager,
a bit of a Jill of all trades, and assists many with their
responsibilities, be it marketing or ensuring that the buying
function is working correctly. And taking the BUCO family
motto just that little bit further, Sanet met her husband
at the company. “Yes, we literally are a BUCO family,” she
laughs.” One of the biggest reasons Sanet has been at BUCO
Nelspruit for such a long time, is the fact that she believes
that it is not only a building company in trade but also builds
lives, friendships and relationships. “One of my own greatest
challenges is to keep up with the things happening out
there in the world, and to adapt to those challenges and
then to prioritise between work and family.” She says one of
her biggest dreams is to see that the company continues
to grow in the way it has done up to now, and that it
carries on with providing such opportunities to women in
a generally male-dominated world. She also loves the way
that energy flows between customers and everything at
BUCO. “Sometimes it feels like a living breathing thing.” She
adds that this adrenalin and energy feed her soul and in turn
she will always try to give her best to stay with that energy.
Sanet’s favourite BUCO memories include the many awards
they have won, but most specifically how the team manages
to turn every challenge into an opportunity. “I love working
with my co-workers.” Sanet was recently one of only 10
women to be nominated for the Celebrating Women in the
Building Industry award.
16 Get It Lowveld August 20

Franciska Oosthuizen
“I can sum up my job in one word: interesting.” Franciska started
as a sales coordinator at BUCO Nelspruit in January. “I enjoy the
daily challenges that working with both customers and sales
representatives.” She is new to the Lowveld, but says she is already
so fond of not only Mbombela, but its people. “I love working at
BUCO and how the people operate as a team. You never feel like
you are alone, but have several shoulders to lean on. Here you
are not just a number, but very definitely a beloved member of
such a driven team.” Franciska has a soothing demeanour and it is
obvious why the BUCO customers adore her so much. “Yes, I do
aim to stay calm and friendly no matter what,” she admits. “My goal
is simple: ensure the customer is happy and returns to us on a
more regular basis.” She laughs that it is often the small things that
make it worthwhile in what can often be a stressful environment.
“At the moment I am dealing with cement orders. Yes, cement!
The demand for cement is very high, but we aim in our vision to
assist every single customer.” She says what makes her day is when
she can tell customers she has found some bags of cement, the
joy on their faces makes it worthwhile. “That is what we are here
for: to please.” One of her passions, that slots in perfectly with the
BUCO motto of giving back to the community, is to work with
disabled learners from local schools. “I love how we work hand-inhand
with these schools to improve those children’s lives.” Franciska
has already surpassed her own personal target for the month, she
is extremely passionate which rubs off on her work. She enjoys
meeting new customers and making them part of the BUCO family.
“I am a people’s person and love how I get to work with customers
and so many friendly colleagues.”
Marié Deichmann
Stock controllers generally have a strong sense of right and
wrong, and a good work ethic. Marié is no exception and
laughs that hers is often the most hated position. “I have to
count stock and capture and update the system so the stock
correlates with what is on the system.” When asked if she
would then rather exchange jobs with someone else for a day,
she simply smiles and answers with a firm no. She says she
tries to be very thorough in her job and that the grass is not
necessarily greener on the other side. “I understand my job and
love both the challenging and good times.” One of her most
memorable achievements was when she managed to keep
their three-month counting cycle at 100%, an accomplishment
not often repeated in this industry. Marié says it was only
because she worked hard and gave her all. “What you see is
what you get, I have no front to maintain and even though I
push my colleagues to work hard, I will give that back twofold.”
When asked to describe BUCO in three words, Marié does not
hesitate and says: “successful, competitive and professional”.
Almost the exact same words her co-workers use to describe
her. She says her biggest challenge is to ensure that the actual
stock and the stock on the systems correlates, and praises the
branch manager, Pottie Potgieter, for always providing an ear
to listen and a shoulder to cry on. “It is very comforting for an
employee to know that your manager always has some kind
of advice to give, that is what makes this team so strong.” Marié
says she loves it when the target for the day was achieved.
“I am very goal-oriented with most things in my professional
and personal life. When we reach our targets at work I feel
extremely satisfied and proud of the team.”
August 20 Get It Lowveld 17

Louise Duvenage
Even when given the opportunity to be at home Louise simply
could not do it. “I have to work and stay busy, and could not be
a stay-at-home housewife as the hustle and bustle of customers
was calling me.” As the head of the paint department at BUCO
Nelspruit, Louise does everything from orders to customer
care to stock count, and she loves every minute of it. What she
enjoys about the company is the opportunity given to grow
and test your wings in all departments. “I actually started out as
the head of the tile department, and was given the opportunity
to develop my skills and creativity as the HOD of the paint
department.” Louise adds that she loves the fact that every day
presents a unique set of challenges and the opportunity to
learn something new. She is not the kind of person who can sit
still, and will easily jump in her vehicle to travel to a customer’s
house to go assist on site. “I love to add that personal touch of
assistance.” According to Louise, she enjoys working at BUCO
Nelspruit as she can relate not only to like-minded people, but
also because it is nice to “work for success, and this passionate
company is very successful”. She still has many plans to move to
other departments and learn to grow even more so she does
not stagnate in one position. “I love to assist new employees
to grow in themselves and their jobs, it is such a passion of
mine.” She takes this role as mentor very seriously and gives
back her knowledge freely. When asked what goals she has as
a BUCO employee, she says she would like to go and assist the
larger community by physically getting involved with projects
to share her skills. “I would really like to expose the younger
generation to the wonderful work environment I have.”
As long as you have dreams, there is hope.
Rose Dladla
Rose has an unassuming air about her, yet her kind nature shines
like a beacon in the dark. In her gentle voice she says she loves
her job as tea maker and general cleaner at BUCO Nelspruit,
where she has been employed for eight years now. It is Rose who
ensures customers walk into a sparkling restroom when they visit.
As a grandmother herself she knows exactly how to prioritise
time and explains that might be her best attribute. “I know not
to waste time and work economically to ensure I give my best
before I move on to my next chore.” Rose’s day starts by cleaning
the restroom, then doing dishes and cleaning the offices. Her
co-workers think of her as a little mother bustling about. “Yes, they
feel like family to me, and it is my duty to look after them,” she
shyly admits. It is obvious that Rose takes a lot of pride in her work
and she insists that she works in such a way that nobody can
point a finger at her and tell her it was not good enough. “I always
do my best.” Rose says her favourite part of working at BUCO is
the fact that she knows her co-workers will always be there for
her. “You know, if I had to get into financial trouble, for example, I
know that these people will be there for me, to look after me and
help me out.” She hates being away from work and seldom takes
a day off sick. “If I am sick or not at work, they always ask where I
was and that they missed me!” Rose feels very strongly that this
company is the best shop in town. “BUCO is always full of people!”
she exclaims. Her most memorable moment as an employee was
her most recent birthday. “Ah, these people love me, I cried so
much. They had a big cake for me, I will never forget it.” It is also
Rose’s responsibility to make sure there are adequate stocks of
cleaning materials and to ensure they are stored safely, away from
food and drinks.
18 Get It Lowveld August 20

Anne Handley
The moment an employee surpasses their one-decade mark at
a company, you know you are dealing with a professional. Anne
has been part of the BUCO Nelspruit family for 13 years and this
shows in her in-depth knowledge of this Lowveld company and
its extended family members, namely the customers. As the sales
representative coordinator, Anne works with both the reps and
their customers, and this includes invoicing and coordinating.
“I try to get to know them on a personal level and to then just
provide good service to the best of my ability.” Anne’s coworkers
agree that she is one of those people who will always be
friendly and supportive, no matter what the circumstances are.
“I really feel like I have grown as a person in this company over
the years, and got to really enjoy my job.” From invoicing and
quotes and getting orders ready, to picking stock to ensuring
the reps know what needs to be delivered and where, she has
it all covered in her quiet and confident way. “Yes, there are
always a lot of ordering of special orders placed and buy-outs,
but I do enjoy the pressure of it all, I enjoy my job.” Anne loves
the interaction with the clients. “Once you get to know the
customers on a more personal level, understanding their needs
and what they want becomes so much easier.” She adds that
that is one of the biggest reasons that she always strives to go
that extra mile for them. “In the end, by making the extra effort,
it simply makes my own job so much easier.” Despite being a
self-proclaimed introvert and reserved person, Anne’s quiet and
caring nature and obvious enjoyment of her job have made her
a favourite, not only among her co-workers, but also among the
BUCO customers who without fail will seek her out not only for
her knowledge of products, but also for her genuine concern.
Rachel Venter
There probably is not much that Rachel does not know about
the building industry. She cut her teeth as an employee on the
then Laeveld Bou, before it became BUCO Nelspruit, and was the
only woman for a very long time among an all-male staff. Being
the only female in such a male-dominated world simply made
her more determined to succeed and to be first when it came to
sales and performance. “I used to love that challenge, and today I
still enjoy anything that my job throws at me,” Rachel laughs. She
was recently promoted to handle all the direct special orders, and
says this gives her a new kind of job satisfaction and that she is
very happy with this new position. According to Rachel, despite
being an old hand at this, she still learns something new each and
every day and grabs at challenges with both hands. Co-workers
often arrive at work to find this dedicated woman already hard at
work behind her computer. “I take pride in my workplace, and try
to give back the ethics of success, the best that BUCO Nelspruit
gives to me.” Rachel says her job is not something she does to
earn an income, but something that gives her personal joy. “I love
Lowvelders, I would move back to sales just to see more of them!”
Rachel is one of those people who will go out of their way to
ensure the customer receives the best possible care and service at
the company. “I have a Portuguese customer in Mozambique who
does not speak English, so we have a system of pictures to figure
out what his order is, and so far it has worked well for both of us,”
she laughs her infectious laugh. Rachel says everything at BUCO
is special to her, and that there is not specifically one moment
that stands out, she simply loves going to work in the mornings.
“I have always given my best in everything I do, especially in the
workplace.”
August 20 Get It Lowveld 19

WOMEN
in leadership
Nasima Bhayat
Sohela Surajpal
Megan Palmer
Kirsten Garbini
20 Get It Lowveld August 20
Hannah Chapman
Innocentia Tshikomba
Brenda Archdeacon
Dineo Pact was started over a year ago out of a belief
that the world of work has changed and so can we.
We have all been submerged in toxic cultures at
some stage of our careers and Dineo Pact believes
that there is a better way. Perhaps you have learnt
difficult lessons, and you’re exploring new ways of
doing things that honour people, their skills and their
potential, and perhaps you believe that learning is
the new working. Dineo Pact catalyses sustainable
transformation in leadership, management and most
importantly, in how you and your team go about
bringing your best work to the world. As a company of
professionals and associates, they offer performance
consulting, leadership coaching, bespoke design of
transformational learning journeys, digital learning
development and online learning in several key areas:
• Listen like a leader: Learn these life-changing skills
• Develop a leadership coaching habit: Align and
develop your team’s ability moment by moment
• Build team resilience (an online game for teams)
• Leadership cohesion sessions: Two-hour facilitated
innovation and strategic activation sessions
• Agile skills for the new world of work: Stop, think and
make an impact
• It’s me in the mirror: Self-awareness and the BLM
movement unpacked.
The newest online course was launched on July 27:
Get up close and personal with your money. Discover
and repair the dark side of your money habits and
redesign your relationship with money forever. Sign
in and complete this course in your own time as you
discover your financial blind spots; why you spend
when you should save, and how you justify poor
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Pact help you to learn with imagination and create
excellence. Solid processes, exceptional impact.
Details
066-246-4779 or kirsten@dineopact.co.za

Elan Healthstyle
Having known each other and worked together
as associates for a number of years, it was a
natural progression for Carike Camphor and
Allison Blair to join forces. The pair sparked a
keen interest in each other’s work acumen
and approach to health, and initially used to
joke about having their own practice. Neither
was unhappy, but both felt that something
was missing in the conventional approach to
health and wellness. This is known as integrative
medicine, and is a fairly new concept to the
medical field. Patients are tired of the traditional
blanket approach, and want more value.
Allison’s focus began to shift and started to
centre on aesthetic procedures, and she soon
realised that when her patients got their physical
confidence back, they also wanted to feel better,
causing her to investigate the concept of antiageing
and integrative medicine. Carike, who
has always had a soft spot for children, found
that as a result of her focus on child health, her
direction started to incorporate moms and
antenatal medicine. When an opportunity to go
on their own presented itself in 2018, they were
apprehensive but leapt at the chance. Starting
from scratch wasn’t easy, especially with the
added nightmare of renovating and decorating,
and the odd criticism they occasionally face
simply spurs them on to improve even more.
With this positive approach, their venture has
flourished, and Elan Healthstyle now not only
incorporates Allison and Carike, but a team
of physiotherapists, led by Dirkie Coomans.
Because there wasn’t a practice in Mbombela
that focused specifically on women’s health, the
duo wanted to create a space where women
are not judged, but understood. With Allison’s
interest in non-invasive cosmetic procedures
and Carike’s keen interest in children’s health,
including antenatal, the focus towards women’s
health was a natural development.
WOMEN
Allison Blair and Carike Camphor
in health
Women are complicated, our health changes
as we age. Different health screenings are
more prudent at some times than others and
women often feel scared to discuss these with
doctors - not to mention hormonal health! Also,
sexual health is very seldom properly addressed
in mainstream medicine. Elan Healthstyle
encompasses all of the above - a woman can
come and have her wrinkles taken care of with
her annual screening and other health woes.
In a nutshell, made by women, for women.
Details
013-590-7345 or hello@elanhealth.co.za
August 20 Get It Lowveld 21

Promotion
Va-va-zoom
With more and more of us working from home, and most of our meetings being
virtual... via Skype, FaceTime or Zoom, Mopani shares its tips to help you look
professional, but not overdone.
Get the basics right. You’ve cleansed and toned, but a
quick wipe with a good micellar solution will ensure
your face is clean, fresh, with no oily patches. Mopani
suggests Bioderma Sebium H20 Purifying
Cleansing Micellar Solution. R275 (500ml).
If you haven’t had time to wash
your hair, or if it’s just looking a
little flat and needs some
volume, a spray of dry
shampoo foam works wonders.
Marc Anthony Grow Long
Volumizing Dry Shampoo
Foam’s our fave. R169,90.
Make
sure you prep
with a good
primer, which
blurs lines, hides
open pores and
stops shine. Essence
My Skin Perfector
Tinted Primer is a
great product at a
great price. R94,90.
Choose a light
foundation (to avoid looking
overdone). , Clarins Skin
Illusion Natural Hydrating
Foundation, which gives
good coverage with added
beauty benefits, R495.
If you suffer from oily
skin, or an oily T-bar, a
light dusting of Estée
Lauder Double Wear
Stay in Place Matt
Powder Foundation
SPF10 (R695) is a great
add-on. Only use it
where needed, or as a
foundation on its own.
22 Get It Lowveld August 20

Promotion
Last, but never least, are your
lips. We’re torn here. Since
you’re looking natural and
unmade up, Mopani suggests
a light natural shade, like
Clinique Even Better Pop Lip
Colour Foundation, R310. But
then... no masks. So you could
rock those lips with a
fire-engine red Clarins Joli
Rouge 742, R355.
Keep your eyeshadow soft and
natural, but then add lashings
and lashings of mascara. We
recommend Maybelline The
Rocket Volume Express Mascara.
It’s inexpensive (R119,90) and
smudgeproof (perfect if the Zoom
meeting bores you to tears).
Visit the Mopani Salon
situated in the Crossing
Centre store for a manicure
to give your hands and nails
the treatment they deserve.
Book your manicure during
August and receive a FREE
brow wax and tint! Contact
Antoinette on
082-920-6086 or Rozanne
on 082-561-7926.
Too much screen time?
A few drops of SafyrBlue Eye
drops will get rid of redness
quickly. Apply a light concealer
afterwords, like Elizabeth Arden
Stroke of Perfection Concealer
(R299,90). A handy tip: apply with
warmed fingertips - it gives
better coverage
than a brush.
Talking eyes... We all know that your
brows frame your face so make sure
yours are perfect. Ensure you’ve got a
good pair of tweezers, like Mavala
Tweezer Claw Deluxe Gold plated
(R199,90), on hand and use a good
eyebrow pencil. Mopani suggests
Estée Lauder Micro Precision eyebrow
pencil (R460), this dual ended tool features
an ultrafine smudge resistant brow
pencil complete with a spoolie brush
for grooming and shaping
August 20 Get It Lowveld 23

Home wear
Our August equation. Comfort + glam = exactly what we’re after
Fleece joggers and trainers for the school run. Casual luxe
for an evening Zoom session with friends. Worldwide
there’s chaos and uncertainty and lives have been turned
upside down. So this month we want to snuggle down,
be safe, stay warm. Does dowdy fit the brief? Not a
chance. Here’s what we’ll be wearing during what’s often
the coldest month of the year. • We may
be staying indoors, but do we still
want to sparkle? Hell, yes! This black
knit has just enough shimmer
to keep us happy. Bonus... it
qualifies for free delivery. R499
from woolworths.co.za • Soft,
luxurious and perfect to slip
on over wide leg soft pants or
a pair of leggings. This light grey
longline cardie is a blend of
merino and alpaca wool, so it’s
super soft. R1999 from Trenery at
Woolworths. • Are they slip-ons?
Are they slippers? Who cares...
we’re wearing these Fuzzalicious
from Ugg, with long sheepskin
uppers, lining and insoles... toes
as warm as toast. R1699 from
superbalist.com • You want
glam and comfy? These wide
leg pants fit the brief. High rise,
elasticated waistline, soft Milano
knit, they’re comfy enough to
lounge around in at home, glam
enough to wear going out. We’d
rate them an essential buy. R1299
from woolworths.co.za • A simple
white trainer. Perfect. We love
these Chelsea creeper plimsolls
from Cotton On. R249 from
superbalist.com • You’re planning
a go-nowhere-do-nothing
Sunday. These cuffed track pants,
with elasticated waistband, are
perfect. And if, by chance, you’re
suddenly inspired to go for a
walk to work off lunch, they’re
good for that too. Plus... it’s a
two-for-one buy, so a great deal.
R220 for two pairs, online from
woolworths.co.za
24 Get It Lowveld August 20

August 20 Get It Lowveld 25
Compiled by KYM ARGO

POWER
OF PURPLE
Greens tend to hog the limelight, but filling your plate with purple foods
may be a very smart choice right now. They’re really incredible for your health.
Compiled by: RIALIEN FURSTENBERG
26 Get It Lowveld August 20

Registered dietician at Nutri & Flora, Dr Florence Malongane lists a few of the
health benefits of purple fruit and veggies.
Grapes
Rich in antioxidants and nutrients such as potassium, calcium, iron, folate,
magnesium, selenium, vitamins A, C and B6, among other benefits.
Red grape skin is very high in resveratrol, which accounts for many
health benefits such as supporting heart health, cholesterol level
management, prevents signs of ageing and other skin problems, offers
antioxidant support and helps the body’s ability to manage healthy
blood sugar levels.
Blueberries
Similar to grapes, blueberries are rich in dietary fibre, calcium, copper,
iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, sodium, zinc, vitamins A, C
and various types of vitamin B. Not only do they protect against heart
disease and cancer, but help with digestion, deliver healthy antioxidants,
improve skin health, promote healthy bones, support healthy blood
pressure and boost brain function.
Blackberries
A single serving of blackberries
provides about half your daily
recommended intake of vitamin C!
Even more impressively, they’re very
high in fibre and are a great source
of vitamin K. Other benefits of this
superfruit include the improvement
of oral health, a healthy heart
and bones, full of antioxidants, an
immunity booster, have anti-cancer
properties and improve brainpower,
including cognitive and motor
function.
Eggplant
They’re packed with vitamins C, K
and B6 and an ample amount of
potassium, manganese and fibre.
This vegetable (technically a fruit)
also contains antioxidants that help
promote heart health, control blood
sugar levels, reduce cancer risk,
improve cognitive function and aid
weight loss.
Red cabbage
Packing more vitamins (C, K, A),
dietary fibre, and other nutrients in
a standard serving size than many
other foods, this single plant can help
improve the function of your immune
system, fight chronic inflammation,
and even improve blood clotting.
Ancient Romans apparently used
cabbage to restore their bodies after
heavy alcohol consumption. Try
munching some red cabbage the
morning after!
Figs aren’t only delicious, but they’re also a great way to get fibre, calcium, potassium
and magnesium, all of which are nutrients many of us don’t regularly get enough of. They
have many potential benefits, including promoting digestive and heart health, along with
potentially helping manage blood sugar levels and promoting healthy skin.
August 20 Get It Lowveld 27

Beetroot
That bright red root isn’t just a looker. Beets
and beet greens are loaded with life-giving
minerals, including magnesium (which has lots
of benefits, including Alzheimer’s prevention),
potassium (which aids heart, kidneys, muscle,
nerve and digestive functions), copper, iron,
and phosphorus, an essential mineral aiding
cell function throughout the body - and it’s
good for bones and teeth, too. Beets are also a
great source of vitamins A, B, and C, as well as
healthy fibre.
Red onions
Not only are they pretty and colourful on
your plate, but they could also help give
your body a health boost. Why? Because red
onions are packed with vitamins and minerals,
including folate, thiamine, calcium, magnesium,
potassium, manganese and vitamins C, K and
B6. Other benefits include that they may stop
cancer cell growth, control diabetes, help
ease arthritis, cure sore throats and help with
constipation.
Black rice (also known
as purple rice) - an
antioxidant-rich grain that
has a nutty flavour profile
- has more anthocyanins a
gram than blueberries and
has been found to reverse
the effects of alcohol on
the liver! Organic black
rice, R84.95, Wellness
Warehouse.
Grow your own
Purple cauliflower? No... it’s not some experiment gone wrong.
The purple colour is caused by the presence of anthocyanins (an
antioxidant), which can also be found in red cabbage and blueberries.
It packs a bit more flavour, and cooks a little faster, than its white cousin.
This cauliflower is a great source of vitamins C, K, B6 and fibre. Because
it’s not always available you can grow your own. Shop for the seeds
online for R24.99 from Woolworths.
28 Get It Lowveld August 20

NATURAL ORIGIN
Shop your Clarins favourites at clarins.co.za
NEW
CHOOSE 3 SAMPLES AT CHECKOUT
FREE DELIVERY FOR ORDERS OVER R750
15% DISCOUNT FOR GET IT READERS ENTER
PROMO CODE GET20 AT CHECKOUT
Valid until 31 October 2020, one redemption per person.
& Clarins Aromaphytocare
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18118

RED WINE
SLOW FOOD
30 Get It Lowveld August 20
&
Lamb shank and oxtail and a bottle of
smooth, luscious red. We’re loving winter
Slow-braised Karoo lamb shank
(Serves 4 - 6)
Warm up with a hearty meal of slow-braised Karoo lamb
shank... rich and delicious, cooked until the meat falls
off the bone. The recipe was shared by Spier Hotel... it’s
winter food at its best. Serve it with a bottle of Spier
Creative Block 3. Subtle, perfumed notes of blackcurrant,
blackberry, raspberry, pomegranate and mulberry are
followed by spicy flavours of black pepper and coriander...
it’s a silky, rich mouthful.
You’ll need:
30 ml (2 Tblsps) vegetable oil; 4 medium-large lamb
shanks, trimmed of excess fat; 1 large white onion, diced;
2 large carrots, peeled & finely chopped; 6 garlic cloves,
finely grated; salt and freshly ground black pepper, to
taste; 500 ml (2 cups) beef stock; 375 ml (1.5 cups) good
red wine; 4 large tomatoes, chopped; 30 ml (2 Tblsps)
tomato paste; 4 sprigs rosemary; 4 sprigs thyme;
5 bay leaves
Method:
Preheat the oven to 160 °C. Heat the oil in a large, wide
oven-proof pot over medium-high heat. Brown the shanks
on all sides, then remove from pot and set aside. Add the
onions and carrots to the pot and fry over medium heat
until softened, then add garlic and cook for one minute.
Return the shanks to the pot and season generously with
salt and pepper. Add stock, wine, chopped tomatoes,
tomato paste and herbs. Bring to a simmer, then cover
the pot with a lid. Transfer to the oven and cook for 2 ½ - 3
hours, or until the meat starts falling off the bone.
Remove shanks from pot and set aside. Discard bay
leaves and herbs from the sauce and place pot on stove.
Simmer sauce over medium heat until thickened to your
desired consistency. Add the shanks and serve warm with
(optionally) herbed pap and vegetables.
You can order Spier Creative Block 3 online for R179 from
shop.spier.co.za

Oxtail with green olives and orange
Winter is the time to bring out full-bodied reds, best enjoyed by the fireside or with heart-warming
comfort food. New Roodeberg Reserve, a blend of the finest wines in the cellar, is the perfect
freezing-day food companion... think meaty casseroles, roasts and game dishes. An intense and
richly textured wine, its intricate layers of red plum, blueberries, crushed herbs and tobacco leaf
with hints of dark chocolate are rounded off by soft, silky tannins. The wine infuses rich flavour
when added to hearty winter dishes like this one, from foodie Elmarie Berry.
You’ll need:
2,5kg oxtail; olive oil; 2 onions, diced; 2 Tblsps soy sauce; a few sprigs fresh rosemary; 4 bay leaves; 1
glass Roodeberg Reserve; 1 cup beef stock; finely grated rind of 1 orange; 200g pitted green olives;
200g button mushrooms
Method:
Preheat oven to 200°C. Heat the olive oil and fry the onion until soft. Spoon it out and add oxtail
to the hot pan. Fry until golden brown. Add the cooked onions, garlic, bay leaves, rosemary, wine,
stock and orange rind. Place in the oven and bake for 3 to 4 hours. Check on it and add extra liquid
if necessary. Add the olives and mushrooms and bake for another 1 hour.
Roodeberg Reserve Red 2017 costs around R165 a bottle, and can be found at selected Pick n Pay
stores, or ordered from kwvemporium.co.za
Compiled by KYM ARGO
August 20 Get It Lowveld 31

Chocolate fondant with Lindor
We’re fond of a good Pinotage... the FAT Bastard Pinotage is a great
choice. This deep ruby red, medium bodied wine is all lush dark fruit
with hints of chocolate and mocha. Perfect to serve with one of our
favourite desserts... a rich chocolate fondant. This one, created for FAT
Bastard by Sam Linsell, is a wonderful way to end a winter meal.
You’ll need:
200g dark chocolate, chopped; 100g salted butter; 1 tsp good quality
instant coffee granules or ½ tsp espresso powder; 2 free-range eggs;
2 free-range egg yolks; ½ cup (110g) caster sugar; ¼ cup flour; 4 white
or milk chocolate Lindt Lindor balls or 3 x squares from a slab; cocoa
for dusting
Method:
Preheat your oven to 200°C / 400°F and grease 4 dariole moulds or
ramekins ( each with an approx capacity of 250ml / 1 cup). In a small
pot melt the butter, coffee and chocolate until smooth. While it’s
melting, using an electric beater, whisk the eggs, egg whites and sugar
until pale and fluffy - about five minutes. Add the chocolate mixture
and flour and briefly mix until well combined. Divide the mixture
evenly between the four moulds and lightly press the Lindt Lindor
balls/squares into the mixture in the middle. Bake for 16 to 18 minutes
on a baking tray until they’ve puffed up and are firm on the top. Gently
scrape a knife round the edges to loosen and tip out onto plates to
serve hot.
This makes 4 generous fondants, so you could quite easily make 6 to 8
much smaller ones. Just reduce the cooking time down to 12 minutes
and halve the quantity of Lindor chocolate you add to the middle.
FAT Bastard Pinotage can be ordered for around R120 a bottle from
shop.fatbastardwine.co.za
After-dinner coffee
What was the worst thing about lockdown? Not
getting our daily Starbucks fix. Even though we’re
now able to pop down to our nearest Starbucks,
we’re delighted that Starbucks At Home has
just been launched. The same premium, instant
coffee in a choice of medium and dark roast
coffees we’re used to... as well as a variety of
coffee beverages. An add-on to the existing
range (we’re already fans of the Nescafe Dolce
Gusto by Starbucks capsules), the new range
is available in multi-serve tins and single-serve
sachets. You’ll find them at stores including
Checkers, Pick n Pay, Spar and Makro as well as
convenient online platforms such as Pick n Pay
Online and Takealot.
32 Get It Lowveld August 20

Nothing beats finding that
perfect Cabernet Sauvignon.
One that’s structured and
accessible enough to drink on
its own, but also pairs perfectly
with a weekend pizza, a posh
pasta dish, or a good old
braai. Hello De Krans Basket
Press Cabernet Sauvignon
2018. You’ll smell cassis, ripe
berries, fresh prunes and cedar
spice; you’ll taste soft plums,
mulberries and dark cherries.
Really well priced, it costs
around R76 a bottle and you’ll
find it at your local wine store
or order online - dekrans.co.za.
Martin Melck Cabernet
Sauvignon pairs perfectly
with Ouma Annatjie Melck’s
Marinated Beef Pot Roast. For
the recipe - click here
Every wine tells a story
Every wine tells a story. This is the motto at
Muratie, the historic estate tucked away
in the beautiful Knorhoek Valley north of
Stellenbosch. Established in 1685, Muratie
is one of the oldest farms in South Africa,
rich in history and heritage. And with this
age comes a myriad fascinating tales of the
many extraordinary characters from the farm’s
colourful past, which have been proudly
commemorated in the naming and labelling
of Muratie’s wines. All the Muratie wines have
been named after these remarkable characters,
each wine with its own enchanting story
described on the back label. Buy the wines,
read the labels, enjoy the history.
The Muratie Martin Melck Cabernet
Sauvignon Family Reserve 2016 (named after
the great Martin Melck who was a major force
in the wine and brandy industry for more than
20 years) boasts four-and-a-half stars in Platter’s
2020 SA Wine Guide. It has an intense ruby-red
colour in the glass, opulent and polished, with
the blackberries, currants and plums almost
crème de cassis-like in their intensity. Even
after the last sip, this red wine, with its lingering
finish, will be remembered for a long time. It
costs R460 a bottle and is only available at the
estate or online.
Muratie Martin Melck Cabernet Sauvignon
2015 is classically styled and restrained. Aged
for 20 months in French oak, it’s a full-bodied
wine and will reward cellaring for at least
another six years. Also a four-and-a-half star in
the Platter 2020 guide, it costs R200 a bottle,
and you’ll find it at wine merchants or online.
Muratie Ronnie Melck Syrah Family
Selection 2015/2016 (named after Ronnie
Melck who, when asked to single out his
favourite wine, always answered, ‘the wine in
my glass’, which was often a Shiraz). A robust
statement wine produced in extremely limited
quantities (only 2200 bottles, each individually
numbered), it’s described as expressive,
intriguing and unharnessed. Rich concentrated
blackberries, red currants and cherries burst
onto the palate, while hints of black olive,
pepper, smoke and bacon add savoury appeal.
It’s only available at the estate or online for
R530 a bottle.
Ronnie described Muratie wines as ‘humble,
honest and full of integrity, with quality being
the only answer’, and the Muratie Ronnie
Melck Shiraz 2016 certainly delivers on all
those fronts. It’s an intensely red wine with a
violet edge, offering rich floral and berry notes
with hints of green peppercorns and gamey
nuances, supported by a sweet spiciness with
a vanilla, crème brûlée aftertaste. You can buy
it at wine boutiques or online for R190 a bottle.
Details: muratie.co.za/wine/buy-wine.
August 20 Get It Lowveld 33

DINNERS
Working from home certainly has its perks, but somehow the day slipped right
through your fingers and now you’re facing the dinner time rut. Luckily, these
easy, five ingredient dinner ideas are ready to swoop in and save the day!
Compiled by: RIALIEN FURSTENBERG5INGREDIENT
34 Get It Lowveld August 20

Chef Jackie Righi-Boyd, owner of Dolci Café, Craighall Park.
Chef Jackie Righi-Boyd’s
prawn pasta
(Serves 2)
You’ll need:
1 crushed garlic clove; 5ml finely
chopped chilli (or less if you’re not
a spicy food fan); 100ml olive oil; 14
uncooked prawns, de-veined and
peeled; 350g spaghetti (or pasta
of your choice)
Method:
Heat olive oil in a pan over medium
heat. Add garlic and chilli - be careful
not to burn - and fry for about three
minutes. Add the prawns and cook
until pink. Season with salt according
to taste.
In a large pot, bring water to a boil
over medium-high heat. Stir in 1 tsp
of salt. Add pasta and cook until al
dente. Drain off excess water. Plate
pasta, top with the prawns and garnish
with parsley.
Chef Fortunato Mazzone’s
Pesce all’ Aqua Pazza
(fish in the crazy water)
(Serves 6)
You’ll need:
6 fillets of fresh white fish (hake works
brilliantly); half a tin peeled chopped
tomatoes; 125ml pitted black olives; 2
cloves garlic, diced; 125ml dry white wine
Method:
Preheat oven to 180°C. Place fish fillets in a
baking pan drizzled with olive oil. Season
and top with tomatoes, olives, garlic,
wine and mix well, making sure to coat
everything. Place in the oven for 12 to 14
minutes, turning the fish halfway through.
Place fillets on a plate and top generously
with the sauce from the pan. Add a spritz
of olive oil.
Serve with boiled baby potatoes doused
with Maldon salt, olive oil and chopped
Italian parsley. You can also add sautéed
spinach seasoned with garlic.
Chef Fortunato Mazzone, owner of Forti Bar & Grill, Time Square.
August 20 Get It Lowveld 35

YOUR NEW BEST
FRIEND IN THE KITCHEN
Cooking doesn’t have to be complicated. That’s why Jamie’s 5 Ingredients
- Quick & Easy Food is sure to become your go-to in the kitchen. Every
recipe uses just five key ingredients, ensuring you can get a plate of food
together fast - finished and on the table super-quickly after minimal handson
prep, with the oven doing the hard work for you. With more than 130
recipes and chapters on chicken, beef, pork, lamb, fish, eggs, veg, salads,
pasta, rice and noodles, as well as sweet things, there’s plenty of quick and
easy recipe inspiration to choose from. penguinrandomhouse.co.za, R445.
The recipes in this book delighted us so much we just had to share a few
with you.
Chicken pot pie
(Serves 4)
You’ll need:
2 onions; 600g chicken thighs, skin off,
bone out; 350g mixed mushrooms; 1
bunch of fresh thyme (30g); 400g puff
pastry (cold)
Method:
Preheat the oven to 220°C. Place a
30cm non-stick ovenproof frying pan
on high heat, with a smaller non-stick
pan on a medium heat alongside.
Pour 1 Tblsp olive oil into the larger
pan. Peel and roughly chop the
onions, adding them to the larger pan
as you go. Roughly chop two-thirds
of the thighs, finely chop the rest,
and add to the onion pan. Cook for
six minutes, or until golden, stirring
occasionally.
Meanwhile, place the mushrooms
in the dry pan, tearing up any larger
ones. Let them toast and get nutty for
four minutes, then tip into the chicken
pan and strip in half the thyme leaves.
Remove pan from the heat, add a
pinch of sea salt and black pepper,
then stir in 1 Tblsp red wine vinegar
and a cup of water.
Working quickly, roll out the pastry
so it’s 2cm bigger than the pan,
then place it over the filling, using a
wooden spoon to push it into the
edges. Very lightly criss-cross the
pastry, then brush with 1 tsp olive oil.
Poke remaining thyme sprigs into the
middle of the pie. Bake at the bottom
of the oven for 15 minutes, or until
golden and puffed up. Easy!
WIN!
We know you’d love
a copy of Jamie’s book, so
we’ve got two copies to give
away. To stand in line to win, like
our Get It National Facebook page,
like our post, tag a foodie friend
and you’ll be in the draw.
Entries close August 30. Ts
& Cs apply.
36 Get It Lowveld August 20

Lemony zucchini/ baby marrow linguine
(Serves 2)
You’ll need:
150g dried linguine; 2 mixed-colour zucchini/ baby marrows; ½ a bunch of fresh mint (15g); 30g Parmesan cheese;
1lemon
Method:
Cook pasta in a pan of boiling salted water until al dente. Drain, reserving a cupful of the cooking water.
Meanwhile, slice the zucchini/ baby marrows lengthways, then again into long matchsticks with a knife or julienne
peeler. Place a large non-stick frying pan on medium-high heat with 1 Tblsp olive oil, then add the zucchini/ baby
marrows. Cook for four minutes, tossing regularly, while you finely slice the mint leaves, then stir them into the pan. Toss
the drained pasta into the zucchini pan with a splash of the reserved cooking water. Finely grate in most of the Parmesan
and a little lemon zest, squeeze in all the juice, toss well, then taste and season to perfection with sea salt and black
pepper. Dish up, finely grate over the remaining Parmesan and drizzle with 1 tsp of extra virgin olive oil before tucking in.
August 20 Get It Lowveld 37

Meltin’ mustardy beef
Although very easy to prepare, you have to start early as this is slow cooked for
four hours. But it’s worth the wait!
(Serves 6)
You’ll need:
900g beef shin, bone out (ask your butcher for the bone); 500g carrots; 2 onions,
125ml Worcestershire sauce; 2 heaped tsps wholegrain mustard
Method:
Preheat oven to 160°C. Place a large shallow casserole pan on high heat, with
a large non-stick frying pan on a high heat alongside. Dice the beef into 5cm
chunks and toss with a generous amount of black pepper and a pinch of sea salt,
then dry fry in the hot frying pan with the bone for eight minutes.
Meanwhile, wash and trim the carrots, chop into 5cm chunks, and place in the
casserole pan with 1 Tblsp olive oil. Peel and quarter onions and break apart into
petals, straight into the pan, stirring regularly.
When meat is nicely coloured, tip it into the casserole pan, then stir in
Worcestershire sauce and mustard, and cover with 800ml
boiling kettle water.
Cover, then cook in the oven for
four hours, or until the beef is
meltingly tender. Loosen
with a splash of water,
if needed. Taste,
season to
perfection,
and serve.
38 Get It Lowveld August 20

Sticky lamb chops
(Serves 2)
You’ll need:
6 lamb chops, French-trimmed (600g total); 200g baby rainbow carrots; 8 cloves garlic; 3 oranges; ½ a bunch of fresh
thyme (15g)
Method:
Score fat of the lamb chops, season with sea salt and black pepper, then line them up, like a rack, and sit them
together fat edges down in a large shallow casserole pan on medium-high heat.
Leave for five minutes to render and crisp up. Trim and add the baby carrots (halving any larger ones) and the
unpeeled garlic cloves alongside, turning the carrots regularly.
Gently turn the chops onto their sides, to cook for two minutes on each side, or until golden but still pink in the
middle. Meanwhile, use a vegetable peeler to peel strips of zest from one orange. Sprinkle them into the pan with
the thyme sprigs, and toss together for just 30 seconds to get the flavours going. Remove chops to a plate to rest,
then squeeze the juice from all three oranges into the pan.
Let the juice bubble and reduce until sticky, quickly toss the lamb chops back in with their resting juices, then hey
presto, time to dish up.
August 20 Get It Lowveld 39

Compli-mince
to the chef
Give mince a makeover with this magnificent recipe from rising culinary star, chef Ruth
Marovatsanga. We’ve also got a few nifty mince tips up our sleeves to share...
When 27-year-old Rutendo Ruth Marovatsanga
scooped up the coveted Young Star Chef of the
Year Award at the One&Only Reaching for Young
Stars project in 2018, little did she realise it was
the start of what was to become the culinary
adventure of a lifetime.
As part of her prize, Ruth jetted off to Dubai to
take up an intense mentorship experience at the
One&Only The Palm and the One&Only The Mirage
in Dubai.
Her time in Dubai included a spell working in
various restaurants under the wings of executive
chefs and she further built up her culinary
experience in 12 bars and restaurants, one of these
being the three Michelin star restaurant, Stay, with
chef Yannick Alléno.
Ruth barely had time to unpack her bags before
she flew off to the US to take up a six-month
work experience opportunity at Winslow’s
Tavern, a highly-rated restaurant in Cape Cod,
Massachusetts. This top heritage restaurant,
housed in a historic building, is run by South
Africans, chef patron Phillip and Tracey Hunt.
‘My 2020 plan includes increasing my knowledge
in the front of house aspect of a restaurant
and paying more attention to food and wine
pairing. Now I’ve gained sufficient experience
and knowledge about the food, it’s time to
also understand the wine and service side of a
restaurant. Within the next few years, I want to be
a restaurant manager who can roll up her sleeves
when the commis chef doesn’t show up for duty,
as well as a chef who can easily recommend a
wine to pair with the food.’
If Ruth had the opportunity to cook for five famous
people, she’d make beef Wellington for Gordon
Ramsey; southern fried chicken for Michelle and
Barack Obama; something sweet - maybe a toffee
pudding - for Jamie Oliver and chicken biryani for
Alex Guarnaschelli, the executive chef at New York
City’s Butter restaurant.
Ruth shares her favourite mince recipe with us.
From
exceptional
burgers to her
own terrine recipe,
Ruth’s cooking
up a culinary
storm.
40 Get It Lowveld August 20

Chef Ruth’s terrine
This works really well for a light lunch
and can be prepared three days ahead
and stored in the fridge. Simply bring it
to room temperature before serving.
(Serves: 8)
You’ll need:
350g rindless streaky bacon rashers;
250g chicken livers; 300g minced
pork; 450g minced beef; 1 large finely
chopped onion; 2 cloves crushed
garlic; 5ml dried oregano; 2.5ml ground
allspice; 115g unsalted melted butter;
120ml dry sherry; salt and ground black
pepper according to taste
Method:
Preheat the oven to 180°C.
With the back of a knife, stretch the
bacon rashers. Use them to line the
terrine dish or other ovenproof dish,
leaving the rasher ends hanging over
the sides.
Finely chop the chicken livers and mix
with the minced pork, minced beef,
onion, garlic, oregano, allspice, and
melted butter. Stir in the sherry and
season with salt and pepper.
Spoon the mixture into the dish and
fold the ends of the bacon over the
top. Cover tightly with foil or a lid,
then stand the dish in a deep roasting
tin. Fill the tin with enough hot water
to reach halfway up the sides of the
terrine dish. Cook in the oven for 90
minutes, then remove and cover with
fresh foil. Place a weight on top and
leave to cool, chill for up to 24 hours,
then turn out and cut into slices.
Serve with warm crusty bread or toast,
topped with gherkins.
Tips for jollying up your mince
It always pays to keep mince on hand. It’s your budget-friendly bestie, ready to
help out with quick-and-easy meals. Think cottage pie, spaghetti bolognese (kids
love it!) and bobotie. From Italy... lasagne, from SA... vetkoek with curried mince.
There are also sausage rolls and burgers, chilli con carne, tacos, meatballs and
meatloaf. All you need is a kilo of mince, with chopped onions, garlic, salt and
black pepper, oregano, basil and coriander - and you’re already halfway there!
We found these five great tips to master mince.
1. By swapping to a leaner mince, traditional recipes can become healthier. For
classics like spaghetti bolognese, cottage pie and chilli con carne, a lean mince
is the best choice. For burgers and meat loafs, mince with a higher fat content
helps to achieve the right texture.
2. Looking for a simple way to spice up your beef mince? Just add dry onion soup
mix. Loaded with onions and a variety of other spices, who knew a little packet
could pack so much punch?
3. If you like the salty, tangy flavour Worcestershire sauce gives your meat, why not
try substituting it for soy sauce? If the soy sauce is making your meat a little too wet,
just add a few bread crumbs or... peanut butter! Think of it like beef satay.
4. To brown mince correctly, you should only put some of the mince in the pan
at a time, not all of it. Adding too much mince at once reduces the temperature
inside, meaning it won’t brown. It also causes all the beef’s liquid to be released,
making it turn grey and tough.
5. Browning meatballs before baking them gives extra flavour, and coating them
in a tomato sauce as they cook helps keep them nice and juicy. Meatballs, along
with a bowl of spaghetti, a glass of red... and dinner’s served!
Compiled by: RIALIEN FURSTENBERG
August 20 Get It Lowveld 41

Make it work...
a stylish home office
For many of us, working from home is a new situation, and it’s one that’s probably
going to be around for a while. Whether you’re looking for some temporary solutions to
home office space, or thinking long term, here are some workable options.
Accessorise your desk with a Manikin
Man (he’s like your own little work
colleague), and a set of pencil pens,
R99.99 and R50, both from Typo.
Details: cottonon.com/za
Keep track of the (over)time
with this Country Road Della
desk clock (R449). And if you
do end up working late, you’ll
need a good desk lamp...
this one is stylish and functional,
(R1099). Both from Woolies.
Here’s a dual purpose
buy. Use this matte black
planter on a wooden
stand on the corner
of your desk to keep
pens, pencils, rulers and
stationery while you’re
working from home,
once you’re back at
your office, plant it up
with something green
and lovely. R250 from
Woolworths.
We really like this slender writing
desk from Houtlander. It’s great
as a work station, but then will fit
happily elsewhere in the house.
R8500 from houtlander.co.za
Yes. We know it’s a drinks
trolley. But now, you’re going
to use it as a spot to keep
your storage boxes of papers,
files and whatnot. No longer
working from home... you’ve
an elegant spot to keep the
gin! R1699 from home.co.za
42 Get It Lowveld August 20

Another desk lamp...
elegant LED lamp,
R299 from woolworths.
co.za
Keeping notes of the rules and
regulations is a full time job! A4
recycled notebook, R99 from
Typo. Details: cottonon.com/za
Stylish Noah
magazine rack,
R495 from
weylandts.co.za
If you’ve had to set up in the corner of a sitting
room or dining room, this wicker screen is
fabulous. Pop it up in front of your work station
and... you’re off duty. R3999 from home.co.za
For ideas, inspiration and exceptional office buys, pop into your closest Weylandts, or visit their online site. Great
home office set-ups... desks and office chairs, and really stylish shelving options too. Perfect if your home office is
here to stay. Details: weylandts.co.za
August 20 Get It Lowveld 43

44 Get It Lowveld August 20
Compiled by KYM ARGO

Peas
v&
posies
Veggie of the month
Heirloom sugar snap pea Cascadia is a cool
season vegetable for sowing this month. It
produces unusually sweet, crunchy, edible
pods which are perfect for eating straight
off the bush or adding fresh to salads, but
equally delicious steamed, sautéed, or stirfried.
It’s an easy-to-grow vegetable for
beginners, is a compact vine type, and has
extra disease tolerance to powdery mildew
and mosaic virus. The 7cm to 9cm long, dark
green pods are a produced in abundance,
almost smothering the plant. Be sure to plant
it in a position that receives full sun and has
well-composted soil. For good germination,
soak the seeds overnight before sowing.
Space the plants about 20cm apart, and
keep the soil moist during germination. Pods
should be ready for harvest 60 days from
germination. Depending on the garden’s
micro-climate, Cascadia can be germinated
indoors in seed trays, or sown direct into the
soil. Order online from gropak.co.za
August 20 Get It Lowveld 45

This month we’re planting...
Geranium Marcada in hanging baskets and containers. If, like us,
you’re longing for sunshine and summer, Marcada’s dazzling
magenta flowers are just the tonic you need. This is a stronggrowing,
semi-trailing geranium that spreads up to 45cm,
spilling flowers prettily over the edges of pots and
baskets. It grows and flowers well in cool, as well as
hot, conditions and is drought tolerant, needing
to be kept drier than other geraniums. Being selfcleaning,
the dead flowers drop off easily, so there’s
no need to trim. Details: ballstraathof.co.za
Garden tasks for August
Fertilize spring flowering annuals
with a liquid fertilizer for flowers.
Increase watering as the temperature
rises.
Wait until the last frost has passed
before sowing summer annuals and
perennials like marigolds, alyssum,
cosmos, Californian poppy, gaillardia,
sunflowers and zinnias.
Fork compost round summer
flowering perennials, fertilize and
water well.
Prune winter flowering shrubs and
neaten evergreen shrubs with a trim.
Clean and weed pathways, driveways
and treat and fix wooden furniture
and garden benches.
Sow spring vegetables like lettuce,
peas, cabbage, spinach and Swiss
chard into trays or small pots and
keep them in a warm, sheltered area
that’s protected from frost.
Prevent snail and slug damage by
using organic snail bait like Ferramol
and eradicate aphids with an
organic insecticide.
Whether you have a large garden or a tiny apartment, you can (and
should) grow herbs. They’re easy to cultivate and it’s hugely rewarding to
be able to pick a few fresh leaves to use when you’re cooking.
Jane’s Delicious A-Z of Herbs is a beautifully illustrated, handson
guide to growing and using herbs. There’s info on more than 80 of
them... planting and growing, medicinal and culinary uses, as well as
healing properties. Sunbird Publishers, R292 from Exclusive Books.
46 Get It Lowveld August 20

Our indoor plant for August...
While it’s still nippy outdoors, enjoy the spring fragrance of
Lavandula Stoechas indoors. Besides being very pretty, the scent is
also a natural stress reliever... so whenever you walk past the plant,
rub its leaves to release the delightful fragrance. Stoechas flowers
are unlike other lavenders. The bracts on top of each bloom
resemble bunny ears, or the open wings of a butterfly. Grown
indoors, Stoechas lavender needs bright light and can take some
morning sun. Let the soil dry out moderately between watering
and snip off dead flowers to encourage more. In warm, bright
conditions, such as a patio or living area, it may flower for up to
three months. After flowering, you can lightly trim it, then plant in
the garden - choose a spot that receives full sun and has soil that
drains well. Details: plantimex.co.za
August 20 Get It Magazine 47

Bilkis Moola
48 Get It Lowveld August 20

Navigations
along poetic shores
A spell of six years has passed since the publication of Bilkis Moola’s first anthology,
Wounds and Wings: A Lyrical Salve Through Metaphor. Her personal navigation weaved
between her home town, Volksrust, and Mbombela where her professional profile
as an educator shifted to a promotional position as a senior education specialist who
presently works for the Mpumalanga Department of Education.
Bilkis’ first anthology was received throughout South Africa
and launched her poetic persona. Recognition for her poetry
soon reached an international platform where she has been
published in In So Many Words: A Collection of Interviews and
Poetry from Today’s Poets and Indiana Voice Journal in the
United States. Her poetry has been published in India in
Glomag Monthly Online Poetry and Prose Magazine, Women
Poets: Within and Beyond Shores and Verses in Racism, Resistance
and Refugee Crisis.
In the In So Many Words collection, an evocation of her
interior world is revealed. She says that she began writing
seriously in July 2011. While she might have dabbled in
creative writing and poetry as an adolescent, Bilkis says she
did not commit to any literary genre as she regarded her
efforts as mediocre and insufficient for development.
She scribbles images or
lines spontaneously when
inspiration beckons
When asked on her favourite writers who serve as her
significant inspirations, she states that Sylvia Plath’s difficulty
with relationships and grievous crusade against depression
embody the Achilles heel in her poetry. Plath’s suicide two
weeks after the publication of her novel The Bell Jar, at the
age of 31, reached its 50th anniversary while The Bell Jar that
was originally published under the pseudonym Victoria
Lewis has sold millions of copies globally. The woman who
endured self-torment and would have been 85 today,
tragically did not survive to realise her immense contribution
to literature as well as her impact on the lives of millions of
people.
August 20 Get It Lowveld 49

The attempt for personal affirmation
launched Bilkis’ identity as a poet. She
describes the writing of poetry as an active
pursuit to document the observations
of her interior and external landscapes.
The appreciation of a breathtaking dawn
or the glimpse of a magical sunset finds
expression as the sensory and emotional
arrest of images onto paper.
With regard to her published books,
Wounds and Wings: A Lyrical Salve Through
Metaphor is an anthology of poetry that is
structured in three parts. The analogy of a
caterpillar’s transformation to a butterfly
reflects the parallel process of personal
transformation. Each stage of transition
Maymoena Arnold and Fouzia Sibda at the launch of Bilkis
Moola’s Wounds and Wings: A Lyrical Salve Through Metaphor
at Timbuktu Books, Cape Town
William Wordsworth’s expression of “heightened perception” invigorates
the poet’s voice when scenically located while the poetry of Gerard
Manley Hopkins galvanises her use of alliteration. “Preludes” by TS Eliot
in her now tattered copy of his Collected Poems 1909-1935 is her most
beloved possession.
Bilkis explains that she has an eclectic selection of favourite writers.
Authors who inhabit her popular fiction shelf are Dan Brown and Gillian
Flynn. She refers to Karen Armstrong for reference on world religion
and Alain de Botton is her chosen contemporary philosopher. Malcolm
Gladwell’s “cultural commentaries and intellectual adventures” as
depicted in his introductory biographies, satiate her thirst for non-fiction
while David Nicholls’ One Day and Us appeal to her escapades for the
throes of love and the pitfalls of romance.
When asked when she does most of her writing, Bilkis says she reserves
Monday afternoons and evenings for the structured composition of her
poetry. Nevertheless, she scribbles images or lines spontaneously when
inspiration beckons. This occurs for her, most often before falling asleep
when she will rise from her bed to note the thoughts floating in her
mind.
Bilkis explains that she separated from her ex-husband at the end of
October 2010 after four years of an emotionally, verbally, psychologically
and physically abusive marriage. Her divorce was finalised in February
2011. The effects of divorce are traumatic and result in the processing of
deep pain, the recovery of self-worth and the struggle to acquire a fresh,
empowered identity with the need to face the future without bitterness
and with positivity and hope. Writing poetry served as a refuge. The
expression of emotion transferred through images upon paper allowed
a catharsis to occur as healing materialised from the processing of
experiences and feelings.
The attempt for
personal affirmation
launched Bilkis’
identity as a poet
reveals the series of changes and events
that emerge from introspection and unfold
as a sequence of discovery and growth.
This anthology is an exploration of the
emotional pastures and wastelands that
encompass the intimacy of celebratory and
tragic human experiences as articulated
in the figurative expression of poetry. Ebb
and Flow of Love is Bilkis’ second anthology.
The online launch of her new collection of
poems was unveiled in June and can be
viewed on YouTube.
The progression of themes in Ebb
and Flow of Love is artistically sketched
along the spiritual path of essence,
reminiscence, luminescence, translucence
and transcendence. Each melody is a
rhapsody of the poet’s song. “She bowed
before words - her reigning monarchy of
revelation where her fortunes hold dear”,
captures her essence while, “In memory,
the past exists - a canvas in the mind’s
eye of wonder and woe” is reflective of
reminiscence. “Like the flower from the
Greek for tending towards the sun” is
symbolised in a heliotrope that reflects
luminescence while translucence is
evoked in a stream of water that flows
and floats, an arousal of a heart kindled by
the sensation of prose. Transcendence is
captured in the poem:
50 Get It Lowveld August 20

The Ebb and Flow of Love
The ocean spreads before his gaze
where he rests his eyes.
The sea serenades his fortunes
calm and bountiful -
swept by the sky’s shade of blue,
grey’s brush of cloud and sunset’s
golden hue.
Twinkle, twinkle little star
beckons his memory -
destiny’s waves flow in tides
lit by moonlight’s glow and
sunshine’s gleam.
His feet rise to reality
from the dream of his gaze -
where he rests his eyes.
He will return -
to the sea where his wish is
kissed,
calm and bountiful -
to rest his eyes,
his fortune is met in
the ebb and flow of love.
Sheereen Moola and
her daughter, Bilkis
Bilkis concludes her navigation along
poetic shores with the rendition of her
poem:
Weeds Are Beautiful Too
Surreal wisps scattered -
in the breath of final moments
as the gentle breeze of life
extinguishes heartbeats that fluttered,
fluttered and raced -
throbbed,
raced and throbbed
crushed underfoot
then was no more.
“Weeds are beautiful too,” he said
as he departed
to which she replied,
“Roses have thorns” .
Details
Contact Bilkis on 084-516-0101 or
at bilkismoola@yahoo.com
YOUR FRONT-ROW SEAT
TO BREATHTAKING DESIGN
NELSPRUIT | 010 900 4551 | N.DEBRUIN@WEYLANDTSHOME.CO.ZA

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A blooming marvellous
NAMAKWA RETREAT
Intimate, hidden, isolated retreats are those worth
exploring right now. With now-you-can-travel-now-youcan’t
regulations, self-catering options for families wanting
to get away for a while are the way to go... if not now,
then as soon as we can. One we think is marvellous is the
Naries Namakwa Retreat in the Northern Cape. This
privately-owned 6000ha farm, dedicated to conservation
and sustainable living, is situated between Springbok
and Kleinzee. A beautiful and romantic hideaway, it’s well
positioned for exploring the greater Namakwa region - from
the Richtersveld in the north, to the shipwrecks in the west as
well as, in season, the wild flowers. Perched on the top of the
Spektakel Mountain, its views of the spectacular Namaqualand
landscape, and the dramatic sunsets over the Atlantic seaboard
some 60 kms away, are unsurpassed. As a retreat, it offers space,
peace and tranquillity... and three excellent accommodation
options. There are classic rooms in a Cape Dutch-style Manor,
as well as self-catering cottages, and, for a real spoil, luxurious
Mountain Suites - domed, exclusive, thatched units built into
the magnificent granite boulders, each with a view of the
plains below. Besides the Wildflower Tours in season, there’s
also Orange River rafting, hiking, birdwatching, stargazing and
game viewing. Or you can just relax next to the swimming
pool. Naries, accessible from Springbok via a 27 km tarred road,
is one of the Cape Country Routes properties, so you know
it’s going to be excellent. Rates from R1210 a person sharing.
Details: capecountryroutes.com
There are three options at the reserve... each as lovely
as the other. Stay in the Cape Dutch-style Manor...
... or the luxurious Mountain Suites... domed,
thatched suites built into the granite boulders...
Compiled by: KYM ARGO
... or the lovely self-catering cottages - perfect for a family
wanting to isolate from the stress of the city for a while
54 Get It Lowveld August 20

Spoil
August
Want to win?
Of course you do!
To enter, simply send
your details to
competitions@getitlowveld.co.za
to reach us by noon
on August 28.
Situated at the vibrant Perry’s Bridge Tourist Centre in Hazyview, Topolino’s Italian Restaurant is the ideal place
to kick back and relax en route to Kruger, whether for a casual pizza/pasta lunch or dinner, or simply to enjoy
a casual vibe and wonderful dining experience. Topolino’s prides itself on its legendary wood-fired pizza, and
delicious classic Italian pasta options. There are also various vegetarian dishes available. Breakfast is served over
weekends. Our August Spoil is a lunch or dinner to the value of R600, which includes all beverages!
NOTE: Due to current legislation (up to and including August 15, 2020), no alcohol can be served and
the kitchen closes at 18:30pm and the restaurant closes at 8pm.
56 Get It Lowveld August 20