NOV 2020 - Highway DBN

HIGHWAY • BEREA • DURBAN NORTH 

Farm to fork 

Ethical farming 

in Camperdown 

Gin-spiration 

at the Brackenhill 

Distillery 

YOUNG & 

INSPIRING 

Jodie Kroone shares her journey 

10 

REASONS WE LOVE 

THE SOUTH COAST 

Adventure awaits 

in the amazing 

AmmaZulu gardens 

SHOPPING, PEOPLE AND LIFESTYLE IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD 

NOVEMBER 2020

contents 

GET IT 

Editorial 

Phone 032 946 0276 

Email leah@getitnc.co.za 

Address 115 Escom Road 

New Germany • Pinetown 

Like our Facebook page: 

Get It Durban 

Follow us on Instagram: 

getit_durban 

Editor Leah Shone 

Journalist 

Bronwyn Forbes-Hardinge 

getit@dbn.caxton.co.za 

Layout and Design 

Nicole von Metzinger 

ads@northcoastcourier.co.za 

Sales Manager Giles Thomas 

031 716 4464 or 083 632 5931 

gilest@dbn.caxton.co.za 

Advertising Christine Kelly 

031 716 4598 or 082 972 1266 

christinek@dbn.caxton.co.za 

GET IT NATIONAL 

National Group Editor and National 

Sales Kym Argo 

082 785 9230, kyma@caxton.co.za 

Distribution 

10 000 copies monthly - Get It Highway, 

Durban North, Berea is distributed free of 

charge. For a full distribution list phone: 

031 716 4444. 

Published by The North Coast Courier 

Competition rules 

The judges’ decision is final. Prizes cannot be 

transferred or redeemed for cash. Competitions 

are not open to the sponsors or Caxton 

employees or their families. Get It Magazine 

reserves the right to publish the names of 

winners, who will be contacted telephonically 

and need to collect their prizes from Get it Ballito 

branch within 10 days or they will be forfeited. 

Prize winners’ names are published on our 

Facebook page monthly. 

Cover: Jodie Kroone 

Dress: Chanel Stone @ChicaBoutiqueza 

Shot by: David Weeks, www.davidweeks.co.za, 

0722139272, pix@davidweeks.co.za 

Makeup: Jacqui Trinder, Accentuate 

Hair and Makeup, 079 541 2551, www. 

professionalmakeupartist.co.za 

Hair: Shade Farrell, Strands Hair by Design, @ 

strandshairbydesign 

Venue: Talloula Botha’s Hill, www.talloula.co.za, 

@TalloulaBothasHill 

Why don’t you… 

2 Make up for all that lost market-browsing time this month! 

Wish List 

6 So much colourful fun as the festive summer months arrive ... 

SOCIALS 

8 Virtual Caxton awards and horse racing for a good cause 

People 

12 Beautiful, brave and inspiring ... meet our cover girl Jodie Kroone 

14 There’s a new skipper on board at Suncoast 

16 Behind the lens with photographer Penny Katz 

24 Mrs SA finalist Noko Mokobi is much more than just a pretty face 

Health & Beauty 

26 We are all about bright colours this month ... here are some beauty 

essentials worth squawking about 

30 Look hot and take care of the planet by wearing locally-made 

Buyafuthi Recycled Plastic Activewear 

Food & Drink 

33 Farm to Forks is a small-scale organic farm in Camperdown 

36 Aspiring food stylist Linda Mazibuko used lockdown 

to compile her first recipe book 

38 A taste of gin-spiration ... the KZN way! 

40 We love a good coffee ... and these are sold with a cause in mind 

homes & gardens 

42 Get back to nature and embrace beautiful trends in your garden 

44 The AmmaZulu Sculpture Gardens are quite amazing 

46 Small changes really can make a big difference in your home 

50 Creative inspiration for the upcoming festive season ... 

Travel & outdoors 

57 Flock together ... with these fab accessories 

58 A mountain climbing cave adventure for the memory books 

62 Golden nuggets of the South Coast 

November 2020 

50 

November 2020 Get It • Highway • Berea • Durban North 01

If you have a date for the Get It diary page, email the info at least a month in advance to getit@dbn.caxton.co.za 

A hot date! 

Make up for lost market browsing time this month ... 

01 

Spend your Sunday morning 

shopping from local vendors 

at Market 031 at Northwood 

Crusaders Sports Club from 7am 

to 12pm. Entrance is free and 

you’ll find a variety of crafts, treats, 

clothing, accessories, food and of 

course fresh produce! Details: www. 

crusaderssportsclub.co.za or 031 564 

4621 

07 

Immerse yourself in the most 

beautiful Little Local Market 

under the trees at the gorgeous Sage 

Centre (Old Fort Road, Salt Rock) on 

the first Saturday of every month. The 

market is from 9am to 1pm, entrance 

is free and you’ll be able to connect, 

eat and play with talented local 

vendors, traders, gypsies, makers and 

creators. Sip on a gin cocktail, drink 

great coffee and listen to live music 

while browsing stunning stalls and 

shops. Let the children run free in a 

safe and fun kiddies play area. 

Details: www.sagecentre.co.za or 032 

525 8059. 

02 Get It • Highway • Berea • Durban North November 2020 

12 

Don’t miss the Snowflake 

Creations Christmas Faire 

at Cotswold Downs Golf estate, off 

Inanda Road, Hillcrest, from 12 to 15 

November. Entry is free and masks 

are mandatory, but this fun-filled 

family event promises oodles of 

Christmas cheer. Shop for all your 

gifts, tree and table decorations and 

so much more. There will be a food 

court with mouth-watering eats, a 

gin bar, divine coffee, more treats 

and live music on Friday evening 

from 6pm to 8pm. The faire will be 

open from 2pm to 8pm on 12 and 13 

November and from 10am to 4pm on 

14 and 15 November. Details: Shirley 

Swemmer on 076 992 4769. 

28 

14 

The newly founded Musgrave 

Market is an exciting new 

addition to Stephen Dlamini Road. 

To be held every Saturday at Berea 

Park from 9am to 2pm, it’s a little 

gem of a park situated in the hustle 

and bustle of the Musgrave area 

that will have craft and fashion stalls, 

food stalls, fresh produce stalls and 

a kiddie’s entertainment area. Enjoy 

lunch under the shade of the canopy 

of trees that line this beautiful park, 

all while listening to live music 

and watching the kids enjoy the 

entertainment area. The market 

is wheelchair and animal-friendly. 

Details: www.themusgravemarket.co.za 

or 073 625 6725. 

The Shongweni Farmers & Craft Market oozes with country charm between 6.30am 

and 12.30pm every Saturday. It’s almost mandatory to pack up the family and dog, take 

a sturdy basket and arrive early. Treat yourself to breakfast and browse stalls at a leisurely 

pace as hands-on producers passionately talk you through their wares from traditional 

English sausages to decadent baked goods, handcrafted organic cheeses, breads 

and rustic French staples like terrines and rillettes. You’ll also find Middle Eastern and 

Mediterranean specialities from baklava to falafel. If you’re shopping with a conscience 

you can buy organic veg or a pre-installed, irrigated system to grow your own organic 

vegetables. Details: www.shongwenimarket.co.za or 031 777 4686.

Book club 

Real life thrillers and in-your-dream chick lit 

and great wine and a box of chocolates. Swoon 

The Family Holiday by Elizabeth Noble is just the most delightful book we’ve 

read in ages. It’s light and easy, with lovely characters you long to be your newbest-friends. 

Teenage angst, family tragedies, new wives and single dads and 

a holiday in a gorgeous luxury retreat in the country ... a warm, witty and really 

wonderful weekend read. • Equally as light and enjoyable is Sophie Kinsella’s 

irresistible new novel about falling in love with someone - but not necessarily 

with their life. A writing retreat in Italy and a holiday romance sounds lovely. 

But back home - with his eccentric, naked-sauna-loving family and her terribly 

behaved, shirt-shredding dog - things don’t look as rosy. We love a good chick lit 

read, and Love Your Life is really fun. 

There is so much to love about Groote Post Seasalter wine ... the elegance and purity of 

fruit, the vibrant acidity, the oyster shell minerality and saline finish, typical of Sauvignons 

from the maritime cool-climate Darling Hills terroir. Even the name captured the essence of 

the wine. Seasalter 2020 has just been released ... and it’s a summer beach escape in a bottle. 

Think grapefruit and zesty lime with hints of fynbos, sea-breeze and a touch of oak. Serve it with 

seafood, of course. Around R150 from wine merchants or groote-post-wines.myshopify.com

We’ve all done it. Thought 

about what we’d do if we won 

a couple of million on the Lotto. 

Who we’d share with. What we’d 

buy. Charities we’d support. 

For years, three couples have 

played the same six numbers 

on the lottery ... never winning 

more than a tenner. They’re 

the best of mates, until an 

untruth causes a small rift. And 

soon after that, bingo ... the 

six numbers come up ... just 

under 18 million pounds. One 

couple’s got the winning ticket. 

And they don’t want to share. 

In Just My Luck, Adele Parks 

looks at the dark side of money, 

at friendship and betrayal and 

good luck gone bad. 

We know Book Club’s all about 

books and wine. But salted caramel. 

And milk chocolate. And Lindt. As 

they say ... irresistible. They’re new, 

and you’ll find them at Woolies. 

Deep-cover police agents. Drug lords, smugglers and corrupt cops. International drug ring busts and foiled bank heists. 

Attempts to destabilise the country and threats to life and accusations of being an apartheid spy. Cop Under Cover reads 

like a fast-paced thriller. It’s the story of RS536 ... a terrific read by Johann van Loggerenberg. • Petrified flesh. Frozen cheeks. 

Breaking speed records to ensure survival in a harsh Antarctic winter. Scaling Dome Charlie, one of the highest summits on 

the Antarctic Ice Sheet. A hellish race against death. But also a childhood dream come true. A story of overcoming adversity 

through sheer willpower. Of seeing what’s possible when one has the support and love of family and friends. Dream of a 

Lifetime: Crossing Antarctica is Mike Horn’s story of crossing the South Pole unassisted ... a journey across 5 100 km (being 

the longest, most challenging route) by kite-ski and sled alone. It’s a daredevil’s first-hand account of realising a crazy dream. 

• From real life tension to the latest Tom Clancy thriller, with Jack Ryan Jr. When an unexpected - and unusually unfriendly 

- meeting with an ex-girlfriend in an Barcelona cafe ends with a bomb exploding, Jack stumbles into an international 

conspiracy that could well be something more than he can handle. Written by Mike Maden, Tomy Clancy’s Firing Point is 

gripping from start to finish. 

November 2020 • Highway • Berea • Durban North 05

Wish list 

Summer time ... and the living’s so easy 

#shoplocalza 

Born in a tiny kitchen in Northern 

China by South African expat, avid 

traveller and skin care enthusiast, Anele 

Msweli, Mare & Itis Shoppe is a simple 

and quirky lifestyle brand that focuses 

on using natural ingredients that are 

sustainably packaged. Initially launched 

as a travel website to illustrate how easy 

it was to travel on a budget, Mare & Itis 

Shoppe has evolved to include a splash 

of all things aesthetic - lifestyle and 

design. Since her return to SA, Anele 

now dedicates her time to learning, 

crafting and producing everything right 

here in Durbs. Mare & Itis Shoppe is 

inspired by all-things-natural. Products 

are non-toxic, eco-conscious and made 

from plant based ingredients with none 

of the baddies. The range is priced 

from R45 to R260 and is endorsed by 

Beauty Without Cruelty. Details: www. 

mareanditis.shop 

Small business, big impact 

Created by Leigh Tobin, an award-winning marketer with a passion for 

empowering local business, the Best Little Guide is a convenient new 

online platform to help you discover locally made products and services. 

The drive to support small businesses isn’t necessarily new, but given the 

devastating impact Covid-19 has had on many local brands and businesses, 

Leigh saw a heightened sense of urgency to this cause, and so she created 

the Best Little Guide. What started as a simple listing page has quickly 

evolved into a bustling portal with more than 500 small South African 

brands and businesses, and is growing daily. Showcasing a wide range of 

categories that encompass things like fashion, fitness, kids and food to 

name a few, the Best Little Guide offers businesses and customers alike a 

curated, comprehensive and ever-updated catalogue of local talent. Details: 

FB: Best Little Guide or IG: @bestlittleguide, www.bestlittleguide.com 

06 Get It • Highway • Berea • Durban North November 2020

A colourful cultural kaleidoscope 

We are so in love with these Shwe Shwe Picnic Blankets made 

by Jo Yeatman. Inspired by the colourful cultural kaleidoscope 

of KZN during the COVID-19 lockdown, Jo’s love of the 

outdoors inspired her to reinvent simple pleasures ... like a 

picnic in the garden. Of course, she needed a beautiful bright 

picnic blanket to set the scene. The idea was to turn an ordinary 

experience into something extraordinary. The vibrant colours of 

local Shwe Shwe cotton prints were the natural choice for the 

inner fabric, while the outer layer of each blanket is waterproof. 

Soft quilted inner padding adds comfort. The picnic blankets 

cost R590, measure 140cm x 180cm, fold into a lightweight easy 

to carry roll and are machine washable. Details: Order online 

from FB: Annie’s Shop or contact Jo on 082 787 1511 or Annie 

on 082 854 4754 or email info@flowbytopaz.com 

The ultimate journal 

So it’s about that time of year when we start looking for gift ideas and 

hunting for next year’s nicest looking journals! We’re loving the Life. 

rsa - the ultimate diary/ journal/planner for busy women, regardless 

of whether you’re a stay at home mom or a businesswoman. Created 

by local personal trainer, wife and mom, Jolynne de Beer, Life.rsa has 

not only awoken her creative side again, but ours too! After watching 

her best friend, a mom who runs three businesses, juggle notepads and 

diaries to organise her life, Jolynne decided to make the ultimate journal. 

It’s loaded with monthly planners, weekly planners, a page for each day, 

monthly workout and budget planners, weekly meal planners, separate 

notepads for notes and shopping, and monthly tab and other special 

stickers - all enveloped in a beautiful cover (made out of recycled paper) 

that comes in different colour options. At R650 (exclusive of postage) you’ll 

love drawing, designing and filling this diary with love from beginning to 

end. Details: 084 507 6677, jolynne1@gmail.com, FB: Life.rsa or IG: @life.rsa 

Summer braai, anywhere! 

Not everyone has the perfect home or 

garden for a traditional outdoor braai. If you 

don’t, then we may have found something 

to lift your spirits and improve your social 

status: Grills of Japan. How divine are these! 

With their range of Hibachi or Konro table 

top grills suited to all pockets and tastes, 

you can enjoy an effortless braai in the 

comfort of your lounge or dining room if 

you choose. These compact grills come 

in a wide variety of different shapes and 

sizes and are easily portable, which also 

makes them ideal for camping trips, ticking 

yet another box for our outdoor nation. 

For fuel, Grills of Japan offers a specially 

processed charcoal called Binchōtan which 

is especially good for apartment grilling as 

there is no smoke or smell, but you can use 

any kind of charcoal, preferably a natural 

charcoal made without chemicals. Details: 

The Hibachi or Konro Table Grills are priced 

from R1150 and you can buy them online 

at www.grillsofjapan.com 


Caxton winners 

Unable to all come together this year, our annual Caxton 

Awards was held as a virtual event with each branch across 

the country watching the live stream video in their respective 

offices. The Caxton Local Media Durban team which includes 

staff from The Highway Mail, Berea Mail, Northglen News, 

Queensburgh News, Southlands Sun, Southcoast Sun, Eyethu 

Umlazi , Eyethu Intshonalanga and Get It Durban all celebrated 

together at a Denim and Diamonds themed event. The 

Durban branch was proud to feature in the top three in the 

front page category and Best Get it Magazine category and 

over the moon to have Highway Mail advertising consultant 

Tarryn Kumm win the prestigious Field Salesperson of the Year 

award. Special thanks to Paul from Functions for Africa for the 

décor, Craig at Olive and Oil for the pizzas, Steinberg Wine for 

the bubbly and to Natasha Karamchund for coordinating this 

amazing event. 

Jaco Koekemoer and Christian Welthagen 

Giles Thomas, Sarah Braithwaite, 

Shereen Maharaj and Nicole Vosser 

Roelien Vorster and Corrinne Louw 

Khanyisile Cele, Sane Tsinde, Nash Ngcobo, 

Thobile Blose and Bongi Ngcobo 

Nicole Vosser and Natasha Karamchand 


Sarah Braithwaite and Shereen Maharaj 

Sylvia Manning, Adele Wroots, 

Natasha Samuel and Dorcas Zondi 

Tarryn Kumm and Nastasha Karamchand 

Christmas Super Store 

31 Oct to 24 Dec 

Watercrest Mall 

Between Ster Kinekor and Spur 

November 2020 • Highway • Berea • Durban North 09

Racing for good 

In a first attempt, Gold Circle recently hosted a proposed new 

racing concept called Super Six Racing. Riders wore the designated 

colours of the team sponsors and not the silks of registered 

owners. Team sponsors for this exciting and ground-breaking 

Inaugural Raceday at Hollywoodbets Greyville included 

Drakenstein Stud, Dromex, Team G Racing, Klawervlei Stud, 

Summerhill Equine and a special team called Autoimmune Warriors 

whose aim, through the event, was to highlight and raise 

awareness about autoimmune diseases. This was done through 

a series of interviews with local women (and men) who shared 

their journeys in a series of televised interviews that were broadcast 

at the racecourse as well as on Tellytrack that day. 

Gill Beetar-Mostert, Neil and Sheldon Tovey, Marius 

Mostert, Shirley Aitkin, Bronwyn Forbes-Hardinge, 

Colin Aitkin and Kian Aitkin. Photo: A&A Photography 

Gill Beetar-Mostert with jockeys 

Sean Veal and Keagan de Melo. 

Photo: Candiese Lenferna Photography 

Anton Marcus winning on Electric Surge 

Photo: Candiese Lenferna Photography 

Mel and Billy Jacobson 

Winners Anton Marcus on Electric Surge with owner Neil 

Tovey and his son, Sheldon. Photo: Candiese Lenferna Photography 

Monica Holman, Ken Twedell 

and Gill Beetar-Mostert 


Text: Bronwyn forbes-hardinge | Photos: David Weeks, Venue: Talloula, Hair: Strands Hair by 

Design, Dress: @ChicaBoutiqueza, Make up: Accentuate Hair and Makeup 

A wheelie good life 

A fully-functioning body and the ability to walk is something most of us take for 

granted. Imagine if you can though, one day losing the use of your legs forever. This 

became Jodie Kroone’s reality three years ago when a cruel twist of fate snatched away 

her ability to walk. She was just 22 years old. 

In the three years since the fateful 

car accident that resulted in Jodie 

becoming a paraplegic, this beautiful 

woman with an unbreakable spirit 

and insatiable hunger for life, has 

made it her goal to help others who 

are physically challenged by sharing 

her inspiring journey. 

Blonde, with dreamy blue eyes and 

an infectious smile, Jodie is full of 

character. She’s gentle, but raw and 

honest with a refreshing sense of 

humour. Her wit is admirable and her 

story quite heart breaking, but she 

shares it without hesitation because 

talking heals and if she can change 

perceptions and help others to never 

give up, then she will never stop 

sharing. 

“I was 22, celebrating my 

independence and a promising future 

ahead of me when an innocent night 

out with friends and the pressure of 

being tailed by two policemen on a 

quiet road late at night put me in a 

panicked state. I wasn’t over the limit 

(this was confirmed), and what was 

usually a regular route home for me 

turned into a nightmare that left me 

with a thoracic spinal cord injury. I 

remember begging for help ... and 

then the Jaws of Life being used to 

extract me from the car.” 

When Jodie’s parents arrived at the 

hospital they were told that her spine 

was badly damaged. She underwent 

two operations to fuse the vertebrae 

(the first of which resulted in her 

lungs collapsing and her being put 

on machines until she miraculously 

managed to breathe on her own). She 

then spent the next four months in 

hospital and at rehabilitation centres. 

“Little did I know, this was just the 

beginning of many challenges I would 

have to face. Coming home to live 

with my parents again and having to 

12 Get It • Highway • Berea • Durban North November 2020 

rely on them for help with my daily routines was overwhelming but my family 

have been incredible. At some point, I realised I needed to mourn my previous 

life, so I could get on with accepting and adjusting to a new way of living.” 

Now Jodie is a T3 paraplegic doing her absolute best to adapt and live a full life 

in a wheelchair. 

“A lot of people think I’m paralysed from the waist down, but my paralysis starts 

from my chest because there is damage at my thoracic level, but my cord isn’t 

severed. My core is very weak and my balance is not so great. I have slight 

sensation in my legs, but no movement.” 

In spite of it all though, Jodie is confident and tries never to lose hope. Her 

positive approach and openness have made her an inspiration within her 

community. She shares her stories of tragedy, recovery and go-getting 

adventures, all while pioneering for change and awareness through her role

Jodie is determined to live a full life, 

despite her limitations, and hopes to 

encourage others to do the same 

as Marketing and Public Relations Specialist and Social Media Manager for the 

QuadPara Association of South Africa (QASA). This October 8 marked the third 

anniversary of Jodie’s accident which, in the spinal cord injury world, she says, is 

called your ‘Life Day’ – the celebration of a second chance at life. 

“On my first anniversary, only eight months out of hospital, I entered a swimming 

race called Capital K at Midmar Dam (not a disabled event). I completed it, thanks 

to aqua training in a heated pool with my swim coach and physiotherapist, 

Tarryn Filday, and I didn’t come last! I realised how much freedom the water 

allowed me – and felt how good it was to achieve this small, but important goal.” 

Jodie has completed two Capital K races and hopes to do so every year as a way 

of reminding herself how hard it was in the beginning and what she is capable 

of now. 

“When I think about my disability, I tend to split my body in two; the working 

and the not working. There was so much I thought I couldn’t do because of the 

physical limitations of being in a wheelchair, but part of my healing journey has 

included various physical therapies and experiences that changed my attitude 

towards my disability and, ultimately, my whole outlook on life.” 

Volunteering at the QASA offices in Gillitts, Jodie met Dale Guthrie, an MSc 

occupational therapist in neuroscience, certified yoga and adaptive yoga 

instructor and founder of Holism Health. Her aim is to provide adaptive yoga, 

focussed on inclusivity in her classes, so that anyone using a wheelchair, crutch 

or walker can feel welcome. 

“I had no idea how beneficial this would be to my recovery. I’d said ‘goodbye’ to 

yoga because I couldn’t imagine arriving at a yoga class in my wheelchair and 

expect the instructor to understand my limits but through Dale I have learnt 

that the essence of yoga lies in gaining mastery of your thoughts and bringing 

attention to your inner body. This is an advantage for those who no longer feel 

connected to their bodies. Gaining control over emotions and working through 

trauma is important for moving forward and this opportunity allowed me to feel 

liberated.” 

Although she’s had slow progress in her everyday independence, there hasn’t 

been much change in Jodie’s initial diagnosis. 

“I’m often asked whether I will walk again, and I have mixed feelings talking about 

it. Each case is unique. There is a lot of hope in medical advances, especially 

with the likes of Elon Musk around and human trials being FDA approved for 

2021. I also get asked about whether I can have children, and the answer is 

yes! Getting married and starting a family was always on the cards for me and 

fortunately still is. Right now, I have 

an amazing boyfriend, Joel, who 

met after my accident and who has 

become my friend, my sounding 

board, my partner in crime and my 

pillar of strength. I still try to remain as 

independent as I can be though!” 

Despite all her limitations, Jodie’s life 

is full of excitement, with skydiving 

shark cage diving being amongst 

some of her most recent adventures. 

“I got a call from the guys at Durban 

Skydive Centre in Eston who told 

me about their ‘Free fly for Ferdi’ 

initiative (following the death of their 

friend who was passionate about 

adventure and skydiving) to promote 

adventure and keep Ferdi’s zest for 

life alive by giving others (who might 

not ordinarily have the courage or 

means) the chance to experience 

such a bucket-list activity. Soaring 

through the sky was pure freedom, 

and now, as an ambassador for ‘Free 

fly for Ferdi’, it’s my mission to get 

others to experience the exhilaration 

of skydiving.” 

Jodie was also approached by a film 

duo who came up with an idea to 

produce a short, inspirational film 

about adventure without limitation. 

The film (which is on YouTube and 

titled T-3 - A Short Adventure Film) 

chronicles some of Jodie’s adventures, 

only revealing her disability right at 

the end. 

“Doing ‘normal’ things makes you feel 

human again after feeling so defeated. 

If I can go on these adventures, 

despite my injury, maybe I can inspire 

just one other person in a similar 

situation to just give it a try. I actually 

think I’m more adventurous now than 

I was ever before.” 

Jodie still has a few other things on 

her ‘bucket list’, including doing a TED 

talk, building her own adapted house, 

being a TV presenter and making 

an impact through community 

development. “I haven’t camped, 

sailed, gone horse riding or travelled 

abroad since my injury and I can’t 

wait to get to see what the accessible 

world looks like out there! Yes, I’ve 

had moments where I questioned 

if I could do this, but I’ve tried to 

embrace what I can control rather 

than focus on what I can’t. I hope 

to show others in similar situations 

to mine that there is much to look 

forward to.” 


Promotion 

There’s a new skipper on 

board at Suncoast 

When you work in the demanding world of casinos, hotels and entertainment, you need to be 

rational and have a great sense of humour - qualities Suncoast’s new director of operations and 

complex general manager has. We get to know the man behind the title. 

ehind his mischievous 

grin and Bristolian 

humour, lurks a 

level-headed man 

who is able to make 

informed decisions in 

the fast-paced world of business and 

entertainment. Adam MacIntyre has 

been in the hotel and casino industry 

for 31 years, and is proof of what he 

believes - what you put in, you will reap. 

Since his days as a casino dealer back in 

Bristol in the UK, his hard work, effort 

and continued commitment have led 

him to running the pearl in the Tsogo Sun gaming crown, Suncoast. 

Adam jumped at the opportunity to be part of Durban’s most loved entertainment 

destination when Mike Dowsley, who steered the Suncoast ship for the last 17 

years, was off on a new adventure. No stranger to the position, after helming the 

Emnotweni Casino in Nelspruit since 2017, Adam is ecstatic to be working with a 

world class team, providing a world class offering, and looks forward to being part of 

Suncoast’s exciting future. 

After growing up in West Wales and Bristol and starting his career in 1989, his 

experience abroad included working for Stakis Hotels and contracts in Europe and 

the UK. In 1992, his career started in South Africa at the Wild Coast Sun and, after six 

years at the coast, he then found himself in Gauteng. Adam was part of the opening 

team and pit manager of The Dome and later Montecasino, the latter where he 

worked his way to tables manager in 2007. Five years later, he was managing the 

tables department at Gold Reef City Casino, until 2016, and then spent a year back at 


Montecasino before steering Emnotweni Casino. 

Adam says he has had many high and low moments in his life, but his biggest 

highs have been proposing to and marrying his wife, Olivia, as well as the day their 

daughter, Lily-Rose, was born. The almost three-year-old is her father’s delight and 

makes him smile every day. “We love the coastal life and I don’t mind getting my toes 

wet in the sea every now and again. Lily-Rose loves the beach and the sea, and is 

absolutely in her element with smiles that just keep on coming.” Adam says his career 

journey since joining Tsogo Sun is also a definite high, and that all the low points in 

his life have added to who he is, and who he and Olivia are as a couple. 

While working and still trying to find a home, Adam is trying to get back into running, 

and thinks the beachfront’s Golden Mile is the perfect route to get him on track 

again. A lover of bush and wildlife, places like Botswana and Zimbabwe are some of 

his preferred holiday destinations, and the Kruger National Park was his second home 

while living in the Lowveld. ”KZN has great wildlife opportunities, and it’s been a 

while since we visited Umfolozi-Hluhluwe. Walking safaris and camping have always 

been a favourite pastime, and being able to have some quiet time just listening to the 

wind through the veld can sometimes make all the difference.” 

Uncovering his bliss for the bush, it is easy to understand why Adam prefers being 

quiet and observing from the sidelines, as opposed to being the centre of attention. 

“I try and remain calm and keep my sense of humour, with the stress that comes with 

all types of work, along with the obvious stresses that are out there at the moment 

as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. There is a real need to keep an even keel, and 

keeping my sense of humour does that for me.” 

What does it take for an 

operations director to function 

in this fast-paced environment? 

To continue the success of this 

incredible property, I need a 

passionate and dedicated team 

around me. I am lucky to have exactly 

that here at Suncoast. 

What are the demands of 

working in the business of 

entertainment? 

We need to offer an experience that 

leaves each and every guest coming 

back for more. 

What qualities do you need, to 

work at Suncoast? 

As we work in the ‘people’ industry, 

common courtesy and decency 

cost nothing, so we have to treat 

each other with respect always, be 

it a fellow team member or a guest 

visiting our property. Sometimes 

the thing we do in our lives, or the 

way we treat someone, may appear 

unimportant to us, but can have a 

massive impact on those around us. 

It’s kind of like the ‘pay it forward’ 

principle - doing good things for 

people, when there is nothing in it for 

you, is a reward all on its own. Maybe 

we should all be doing that just a little 

bit more. 

What are your goals for 

Suncoast? 

To keep pushing and building the 

Suncoast brand. We all have to 

weather a storm at the moment, both 

personally and in the business world, 

as a result of Covid-19, but this storm 

will end at some point and we are 

ready and eager to get back to full 

capacity and do what we do best, and 

that is entertain in true Suncoast style, 

with thrilling gaming, exciting events 

and the full entertainment offering for 

the entire family. 

Adam and Olivia MacIntyre and daughter Lily–Rose. 


Behind the lens 

turning moments into memories 

With a passion that lies in fine art child photography, hotshot local photographer, 

Penny Katz spends her days turning special moments into beautiful memories. 

Text: Bronwyn forbes-hardinge | Photo: Christopher Laurenz Photography 


mother of four and 

grandmother of 

three, Penny found 

her purpose in life 

when she found 

photography. 

“Photography has 

always held a very special place in 

my life and connects me to my family 

and those I love most. I spent years 

scrapbooking photographs and 

creating memories for my family and, 

the older I get, the more I realize the 

value of an image. My parents died 

when I was young and photographs 

are the only memories I have of them, 

which is what ultimately drove me to 

help others by capturing their own 

memories to treasure.” 

Her brother had a passion for 

landscape and bird photography as a 

hobby, so she grew up with images as 

part of her life. 

“The moment I became a mother was 

the moment I truly fell in love with 

capturing moments. Like my brother, 

I did it as a hobby for 27 years. When I 

was retrenched six years ago, a friend 

suggested I do what I love as a living. 

I started Penny Katz Photography the 

following week, converted our garage 

into a studio and, as they say, the 

rest is history. I now have a beautiful 

spacious studio, inside Hirsh’s head 

office, which caters to everything 

from newborns to cake smashes and 

families, etc. I am self-taught and do 

every course I can to improve as I am 

a firm believer that a person can never 

know too much.” 

Describing her style as out-of-thebox 

passionate, with an element of 

fun and fantasy, Penny photographs 

with her heart. She points to a photo 

of a very old worn out takkie that 

was used for a fundraising drive 

and inspired the Shoe Drive for the 

Robinhood Foundation. 

It’s this kind of thing that gives her 

the greatest joy, never mind the fact 

that her images have been used 

on the covers of 15 magazines and 

adorn the walls of locals far and 

wide. She’s affiliated with Professional 

Photographers SA and the 

International Newborn Photography 

Association and has also done a lot 

of volunteer photography for other 

publications and organisations 

including Mums Mail and the 

Sunflower Fund. 

Penny’s style is somewhere 

between photography and fantasy 

“My attitude to photography is all about being humble. I follow international 

trends as they are always leaps and bounds ahead of us, I shoot with passion and 

always have fun with the people I work with. It defines who I am as an artist.” 

Armed with a Nikon 5600 and primarily a 50mm lens, which she rarely removes, 

Penny captures anything put to her, but her passion lies in photographing 

newborns, cake smashes and young children, because she believes everything 

she captures during these shoots is real. 

“I find a lot of inspiration in photographic greats like Anna Brandt, Anne Geddes, 

Kelly Brown and Annie Leibovitz to name a few, but ultimately I want to have my 

own unique style – one which people can both appreciate and talk about.” 


Penny’s photos of children are very inspiring with a style that is somewhere in 

between photography and fantasy, as she aims to capture images that people 

feel a deep connection to. “As we grow up we tend to lose our imagination and 

I just love bringing it back. Just last week I had a middle-aged woman in Joburg 

request a fantasy image of herself. This was such a reminder to me that fantasy 

is for all ages. I love to expose an emotional moment, in the same way that an 

impressionist painter wishes to paint.” 

And the secret behind taking a good portrait? “Passion,” Penny says. “Every child 

is different and I try to respect their differences. To me, taking a good portrait, 

regardless of the age of the subject, is to portray the individual’s emotion. The 

hardest shoot I ever did was with a child who was stillborn. The mother had one 

image of him and asked me to create fantasy images for her. I cried the entire 

time and yet it was also the most rewarding thing I have ever done, as I know this 

mother gets to see her baby in a beautiful fantasy forever.” 

When it comes to post-processing techniques, Penny edits each image 

individually in Photoshop, with massive effort placed on keeping the photo 

looking clean and real. 

“I don’t ever want someone to look at an image and not recognize themselves. 

With the fantasy images, each one is a unique work of art that takes up to four 

hours to do from beginning to end - it is not a simple cut and paste. There will 

never be two images exactly the same.” 

Interesting people she’s enjoyed photographing include Beauty Ramapelepele 

aka Ben Voss, Darren Maul, Margaret Hirsch, and Yuveka Moonsamy to name a 

few. 

“Regardless of who I have photographed, the biggest compliment for me is that 

they chose me from hundreds of other photographers out there. A newborn 

client for me tops the list though, as the parents are entrusting me - a complete 

stranger - to hold and care for their newborn baby, and to capture incredible 

memories for them. What better compliment could there be!” 

Details: www.pennykatzphotography.myportfolio.com, Facebook: Penny Katz 

Photography Instagram: pennykatzphotography, You Tube: Penny Katz Photography 



Promotion 

My Finance Partner 

Not Just Accountants 

Starting a business is difficult, and often a lonely journey. But it need not be if you have an 

entrepreneur, who is also qualified as an accountant and has loads of practical experience in 

running a business at your side. My Finance Partner, who thrive on helping business owners, have 

caught our eye with their entertaining billboards and eye-catching marketing so we’ve asked them 

to tell us what sets them apart from the rest. 

If you think the team at My Finance 

Partner are your typical accountants 

and tax consultants, you are sorely 

mistaken. The team has extensive 

personal experience in owning and 

running various private businesses and 

as a result are able to bring practical, 

innovative solutions to the challenges 

entrepreneurs encounter. This team 

invest a huge amount of time, energy 

and resources into giving entrepreneurs 

ADVICE on the commercial matters 

pertaining to their business. Leading 

with advice, and not just attending to 

the compliance needs of a business, is 

just one of the things that sets them 

apart. 

Literally a one-stop shop for any size 

business, everything is taken care 

of when it comes to getting a client 

going and to helping them build a 

solid foundation on which they can 

grow their business. From forming the 

company, to registering with all the 

relevant authorities (SARS, CIPC, Labour 

Department), paying all relevant taxes 

and having their annual compliance 

needs (AFS, tax returns) taken care of, 

there is nothing a client needs to worry 

about when engaging the services of 

My Finance Partner. 


MY 

FINANCE 

PARTNER 

Not just accounting 

Expertise that drives your business 

Most importantly though, and at the 

core of why My Finance Partner was 

started 6 years ago, clients are offered 

ADVICE throughout their business 

journey, and are made aware of what 

is coming, and what to watch out for. 

Like a silent partner, the team works 

alongside their clients, guiding business 

owners through day-to-day decisions 

whilst also taking care of things that 

business owners might not have time 

for, or are unaware of. Although the 

delivery of financial statements and 

getting taxes squared will always be 

important, MFP’s prime goal is to assist 

the business owner on their journey to 

make informed commercial decisions 

for their business. 

My Finance Partner understands 

the pressures and challenges of 

owning your own business, as well 

as the temptations that can arise 

when it comes to dealing with these 

challenges. But, more importantly, they 

also understand the implications that 

could arise when giving in to these 

temptations, and the stresses that it 

can create for businesses down the 

line! They therefore work very hard on 

assisting business owners to navigate 

through the daily challenges of owning 

a business without getting further into 

trouble. 

The Kloof-based company consists 

of 16 staff, comprising 3 Chartered 

Accountants and 13 accounting and 

bookkeeping staff, who all have a 

qualification in their respective areas of 

responsibility. My Finance Partner is not 

your typical small accounting business 

relying on one or two key staff members 

and who have little or no cover in the 

event of staff illness, leave or workload 

pressures. 

They would love to have you round 

for one of their amazing cups of 

coffee so contact them to enjoy a 

relaxed conversation with one of 

the team members and find out how 

this approachable and energetic 

company can help you or your 

business further your goals. 

My Finance Partner share the following business lessons 

Have a vision for your business and stay focused on it 

It is too easy to become distracted and chase other opportunities “for the money” 

which results in you losing sight of what you set out to do, only to find five years 

later that your business is not achieving its full potential. We see this constantly 

in startup’s, and work hard to ensure business owners don’t lose sight of what it is 

they set out to build. 

Entrepreneurs are in desperate need of advice and guidance – 

especially small, medium and micro enterprise business owners. 

A lot of business owners rely heavily on the advice of their accountants, and this is 

often not forthcoming. Most accountants deal with a client’s annual compliance 

needs, but offer very little in the form of support/advice which means business 

owners don’t know if they are making good or bad financial decisions. We work 

very hard at regularly connecting with our clients and sharing information with 

them and making sure they understand the financial implications of the decisions 

they have made. 

People’s perception of tax needs to change 

Yes, no-one wants to pay more than what they have to, but so often we see bad 

decisions being made in an attempt to reduce tax. We help people to understand 

the role of tax in a business, what it says about their business, what it can unlock 

for them and the fact that the various taxes more or less balance back to the same 

number. As soon as people stop focusing on not paying tax, but rather on having 

the right disciplines in place to be able to pay whatever tax comes along, their 

business flourishes and moves onto another level. 

Every business needs to invest in marketing 

If you don’t promote your business and let people know who you are and what 

you are about, how are they ever going to know you exist and consider you as an 

option when the need arises for what you offer? 

Mutual Respect – for your clients, your business partners, your staff and your 

suppliers must be a core value within any company. These people all contribute 

to the well-being of your business, and without their support you don’t have a 

business. 

031 941 4770 

www.mfpartner.co.za 

Unit 7/8 Bronzite Building, Abrey 

Eco Park, 5 Abrey Rd, Kloof, 3640 


LOCAL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT 

SPONSORED BY 

MY FINANCE PARTNER 

www.mfpartner.co.za 

Brendon Funnell 

REAL ESTATE COMPANY 

At Real Estate Company, our agents work as a team, 

competing in a healthy way, always supporting and building 

each other up. We believe in the principle of “people before 

profit”, which is expressed in our slogan, “Real People, Real Value”. 

This is why we are here for the long game, building lasting, 

meaningful relationships with our clients, colleagues and value 

added partners. 

We give our clients a bigger network reach, as we are strong 

on social media and have a large following, which captures a 

different market to the usual online portals. Our agents are also 

not restricted in terms of residential, commercial or industrial 

sales and letting, enabling us to give more holistic advice on the 

current market. 

Apart from the Deeds Office closure halting transfers during 

Covid we didn’t feel a big impact as we have worked remotely 

since 2010 and fortunately had systems in place to overcome 

the challenges without much disruption. 

Officially, we are at The Yard Office, 71 Old Main Road, Hillcrest. 

But, you won’t often find us here, as we prefer our team to be 

actively out and about. We love coffee shops, being out on the 

road and engaging with current and potential clients. 

Andrew Calinikos 

OSCARS CAFE 

Are you looking for a unique, local, dining experience? Why 

not visit us, at Oscars in Hillcrest - we’re conveniently located in 

Lillies Quarter (12 Old Main Road, Hillcrest, Durban). 

Almost everything is local - from our locally sourced ingredients 

to our patrons. All our produce is delivered fresh daily, from 

farms in the area, and we serve a selection of vegan, vegetarian 

and gluten-free starters, mains and platters. 

We take pride in the quality of all our products and the level of 

service that we offer our clients. Oscars is a popular meeting 

place for couples, friends, families, and even athletes. To 

accommodate the local cycling and running community, we 

began opening 30 minutes earlier every day. 

The nightlife atmosphere is also fantastic for a lekker night out - 

there is never a dull moment at the gin, cocktail & beer bar. 

Oscars is an ideal spot to host a function, we also offer catering 

services. Whether it is a corporate lunch or dinner, birthday 

party or baby shower, we’ve got the venue and the food 

covered! 

Need a venue for your year end function? 

GIVE US A CALL TO BOOK 

084 599 8904 

info@realestatecompany.co.za 

www.realestatecompany.co.za 

031 765 7322 

031 765 7326 

www.oscarscafehillcrest.co.za

We’re committed to supporting entrepreneurs, as part of this commitment, we are 

sponsoring these pages for our business community. If you would like to take 

advantage of this support & be featured in Get It, feel free to contact us: 031 941 4770 

Jonathan Brookes 

BROOKES ATTORNEYS 

At Brookes, we pride ourselves on providing exceptional value, 

every time. What sets us apart is our highly-specialised and 

approachable nature. We have a specialist in every facet of law - 

so, no matter what you’re going through, we can help you. 

We have the capacity to represent clients in labour law, family 

law, conveyancing and property law, commercial law and 

litigation, giving them peace of mind that their matters are in 

diligent and experienced hands. We can also help you with 

trusts & estates to ensure your loved ones are taken care of. 

We are a full service law firm that bases our legal services 

on meeting each individual’s ever-evolving legal needs and 

provide innovative solutions to the most challenging legal 

issues. We provide sensible, business-minded insights to 

smoothly navigate the legal, regulatory and transactional 

obstacles clients face. 

We fight hard for our clients and focus on driving deals, 

delivering results and navigating litigation. Our clients trust us 

because we believe in providing the highest level of care and 

excellence at all times. 

For professional 

advice and services 

Brookes Attorneys 

will not disappoint. 

Highly recommended. 

Tanya Van Heerden 

Odélle Hadnum 

CHILLI SOURCE DESIGN 

We are Chilli Source Design, a marketing agency based in 

Kloof that works with companies of all sizes, building close 

relationships to become an integral part of your team. Acting 

as your virtual marketing department ‘down the hall’, we have 

a range of project-based jobs and client retainers, handling all 

designs, branding and marketing needs. 

Covid truly tested us (just like it did all businesses), but we 

remained committed, invested and focused on our clients. 

Adding value and working side-by-side every step of the way, to 

get through these uncertain times together. 

As your marketing partner, we’ll keep your brand fresh and top 

of mind. Our services include: logo and website design, email 

marketing, social media management, SEO & Google AdWords, 

print advertising, strategy and planning. 

In today’s socially connected world, consumer-facing 

companies need a smart strategy, tailored to their market, to 

keep visible in the right mix of channels - print, digital and 

mobile. 

Whether it’s a comprehensive strategy or a quick update, we 

provide strategic thinking to get you noticed. Our expertise can 

help you achieve your goals - call us, we don’t bite... we sizzle. 

Kevin Poorter (Digital Manager) & Odélle Hadnum (Director) 

031 035 1055 

admin@brookes.co.za 

www.brookes.co.za 

031 035 1173 

info@chillisource.co.za 

www.chillisource.co.za

Text: Bronwyn forbes-hardinge | Photos: @myphotographygroup_dbn 

Beauty and heart 

Every now and then there are those colourful stories about real people 

who inspire others simply by following their passion. Glenmore 

speech therapist and Mrs SA finalist Noko Mokobi is one such person. 

Armed with a heart of gold, 30-year-old Noko is 

proof that age and experience aren’t everything. In 

fact, she believes that our determination, creativity, 

kindness and desire to see change can set us apart 

or unite us on our journeys through life. 

A speech and language therapist in the public 

health sector and postgrad Child Health student, 

Noko is an ambitious beauty who lives and 

breathes her passion for empowering women, 

children with special needs and the parents of 

those incredible young minds. She’s a mentor to 

many, a pioneer for healthcare service delivery 

to marginalized populations and has a special 

interest in neuro-developmental support for preterm 

infants. Noko is also pushing the boundaries 

in her field as the leader of down syndrome 

and autism support groups she runs, as well as 

educating and supporting parents who deal with 

the ethical challenges society has created. In her 

spare time, Noko enjoys hiking, exercising and 

making DIY beauty treatments. 

“Although I don’t have any of my own biological 

children I have many babies at work who bring 

me joy. As a child I dreamt of teaching and healing 

children.” 

She is also a finalist in this year’s Mrs South Africa 

pageant. “I also dreamt of wearing beautiful 

clothes and a crown on a stage in a room full of 

people and cameras,” she laughs. 

Noko decided to study speech therapy because, 

she says, it ticked all the boxes in terms of what 

she wanted to do. “I wanted to teach children, use 

and learn language (I can communicate in five 

South African languages and baby-sign language), 

be artistic and creative and work within the 

medical sector.” 

Noko’s office is based at a public hospital in the 

eThekwini District and she often works with with 

outpatients who come in for communication 

rehabilitation for conditions like childhood 

developmental speech and language delays 

co-occurring with other conditions like epilepsy, 

cerebral palsy and autism. She also sees adult 

patients who have had strokes or traumatic brain 

injuries, and have impaired communication 

abilities. 

“Then it’s off to the wards to assess and manage 

in-patients with feeding difficulties.” 


“These are usually babies who are struggling to 

breastfeed or adults with swallowing problems. Working 

in a public health institution I find it even more rewarding 

serving people who ordinarily would not have access to 

specialised health services due to our country’s economic 

status.” 

In her capacity as a postgraduate student in Child Health, 

Noko is currently learning about the basics of what 

children need in order to thrive, not just survive, including 

good nutrition, love, protection, healthcare and extra 

support if they have special needs. 

In a society that Noko says can be very cruel, she 

often finds herself lost within the pleasure of her work, 

especially when it comes to the support groups she 

runs as a means of empowering parents of special needs 

children. “I run these groups with my colleagues because 

we live in a society where it is unfortunately still seen 

as taboo to have differently abled children and parents 

(many of whom had never heard of these conditions until 

their children were diagnosed) need support to break 

the stigma and help integrate their children into their 

communities, society and schools. I love what I do, and I 

am constantly reassured about the difference that I make. 

“Early intervention is key to better development and, 

with many parents now spending more time at home, 

there are opportunities for incidental learning without 

making excessive effort. There is no shortage of awesome 

content available. I generally promote public health to 

anyone who has an ear to listen, because prevention 

really is better than cure. The Mrs SA platform has 

definitely helped amplify my voice by equipping me with 

personal branding and presentation skills, which I am so 

grateful for.” 

When it comes to juggling her Mrs SA journey with 

home life, full time work and studies, Noko says a healthy 

lifestyle is vital. “We should find enjoyment in activities 

that keep us healthy. For me, that means doing a home 

workout or going for a hike with my husband. And 

everything in moderation. I make sure I eat breakfast 

and take supplements because I need a strong immune 

system when working with patients - I cannot afford to 

get sick. Curling up with a good book and a cup of tea 

keeps me grounded.” 

As for beauty, Noko believes it is a state of mind. “We were 

all formed uniquely in God’s image. For me, beauty is 

about accepting myself and being courageous enough 

to give myself the attention I need. The one thing that 

has been consistent in my beauty regime is wearing 

sunblock every day. It’s an anti-aging skincare secret my 

mother taught me.” 

Through her Mrs SA journey, Noko hopes to create 

incredible childhood memories for children. It starts, she 

says, with educating their caregivers. “It’s so easy as a 

woman, wife and mother to get caught up in the rut of 

‘adulting’ and forget about your childhood dreams. I want 

to inspire those amazing little girls who’ve grown up to 

be tired, burdened women to dream again. A woman 

who soars takes children under her wings and they too 

learn how to fly.” 

Details: @noko_mokobi.

Who’s a 

Pretty 

polly 

Beauty products worth 

squawking about 

Wink. wink, kiss, kiss. For dramatic 

eyes, Elizabeth Arden High 

Drama Eyeliner in Midnight 

Dream (R280), and for our 

favourite gloss ... Elizabeth 

Arden Beautiful Colour Liquid 

Lip Gloss in Red Door VIP. R280 

and R295 respectively from 

Woolworths. 

Let’s be honest. If you’re looking for 

intense colour, you don’t really need 

look much further than MAC. This, In 

the Shadows vibrant blue eyeshadow, 

is highly pigmented for pure colour and 

fits neatly into the MAC Pro Palette case. 

R150. And if green with envy’s more 

your scene, then this New Crop vivid 

hunter green powder eyeshadow with 

pearl will do the trick. It applies evenly, 

blends well, and ticks the eye-catching 

box. R280 from maccosmetics.co.za 

One for the boys. Amouage has just unveiled Interlude Black Iris Man. Inspired by Georgia O’Keeffe’s famous painting of 

the eponymous name, Black Iris is spicy, woody Eau de Parfum ... with the pay-off line being ‘tranquillity born in a moment of 

chaos’. Very apt. R5550 from Woolworths, Truworths and Edgars • Created by French perfumers, Artistique Magnolia en Fleurs 

is one of three new fragrances from Avon. This one’s a symphony of Chinese magnolias ... a joyful scent with dewy notes and 

soft musks. R600 from myavon.co.za • A fiery, seductive fragrance, Narciso Rodriguez Rouge is a bouquet of Bulgarian rose 

and iris, with vivid amber woody notes. R1105 from Woolworths • The latest creation from Hermés, L’Ombre des Merveilles. 

Packaged in an intense and luminous blue bottle resembling a magnifying glass, the fragrance was inspired by the union of 

day and night ... it’s mysterious, woody, oriental and enveloping. From R1905. 


Ultimate spoil ... hours soaking in the 

(BIRD) BATH 

Water’s warm. Bubbles in. 

Candle lit. And relax. 

A bathroom needs plants. If you 

really can’t grow your own, this 

faux stem looks just like the 

real thing. And it never dies! 

R249 from 

@home.co.za 

This handpainted, 

porcelain Scented 

Island Tahiti Footbath could be 

used as just that, but we’d rather 

show it off with a pot plant, or use 

it to store rolled up face cloths 

and bathroom essentials, instead. 

R899 from uniqueinteriors.co.za 

Compiled by: KYM ARGO 

Luxurious Molton Brown candle with a blend of bergamot, Sevillian orange oil and mandarin, and a 

hint of lemon and ginger. R919 from purance.co.za • From Clarins ... the Tonic Bath & Shower 

Concentrate invigorates with aromas of rosemary, mint and geranium ... and tones while you relax. If 

you’re tense, instead select the Relax Shower & Bath Concentrate, with soothing aromatic vapours of 

basil, chamomile and petitgrain. Enriched with calming lime tree and valerian extracts, this bath foam 

relaxes sore muscles after a stressful day. R355 each from clarins.co.za • Rich in essential nutrients, the Inoar 

Argan Oil range is 9 per cent pure argan – the purest of all brands on the market, it works on everything 

from eliminating frizz to promoting hair growth to protecting and healing the scalp. It’s also cruelty-free, 

sulphate-free and vegan, so ticks all the boxes. Shampoos, conditioners, masks and oils, from R340. 


This Tourmalina Planter is great for an 

indoor plant (try a fern or a peace lily), 

but equally useful to pile up with pretty 

soaps or bathroom essentials. R659 from 

uniqueinteriors.co.za • Soak in the steam of 

a sweetly- spiced bath with Molton Brown 

Fiery Pink Pepper bath and shower gel, R149 

from purance.co.za • This 100 per cent natural 

and biodegradable sea sponge is soft, absorbent 

and luxurious. R350 from bespokehome.co.za 

The William Dabs range offers well priced 

luxury. This Orange Blossom and Rose bath 

soap soothes with vitamin E and glycerine. 

R32.99 from Checkers.

Earth-friendly 

fitness fashion 

Whether you’re deep in the grind of your workout or looking to start a new 

regime, a little pop of colour works wonders to pep you up. But, while the desire 

to do something good for your body and mind is so vital, so is minimising your 

environmental footprint by wearing sustainable active wear. 

Text: Bronwyn forbes-hardinge 

While on a mission to shop for 

some new active gear, we recently 

stumbled across Buyafuthi Recycled 

Plastic Activewear. The ethically-made 

range allows you to sweat it out in 

style and move effortlessly from the 

gym to coffee with friends in fashionforward 

vibes that don’t cost the earth 

(in more ways than one!). 

The brainchild of Durbanite Charly- 

Carmen Smith, Buyafuthi was created 

to raise awareness around waste 

and encourage a more sustainable 

approach to clothing consumption. 

“I’ve been in the clothing industry 

for years and I’ve seen the amount 

of waste it contributes to the world. 

While I’m passionate about fashion 

and the identity it gives us, I also have 

a great love for Mother Earth and all its 

threatened beauty. Growing up, I lived 

across the road from the beach and 

even spent a couple of years on the 

sea sailing with my family. This instilled 

so much respect for the ocean and its 

life in me. Sadly, over the years we’ve 

seen an increase in waste littering our 

coastlines. I no longer wanted to be a 

part of the problem but rather part of 

the solution.” 

With this in mind, and having faced 

a few personal obstacles, Charly saw 

an opportunity when she found the 

perfect main component (recycled 

plastic fabric) and unleashed her 

creativity. She started an eco-friendly 

brand that would change not only 

her life, but the lives of all activewearloving 

individuals who slip into a 

piece of Buyafuthi clothing. 

“I started Buyafuthi last year as a 

side hustle and a means of raising 

funds for an organization called The 

Buyafuthi Activewear is made from recycled plastic and was born 

from a love of fashion and passion for the environment 

Philocaly Trail, which hosts seven-day beach walks to raise awareness around 

plastic waste. I launched Buyafuthi leggings exclusively to the participants, with a 

donation from all sales going to the organisation.” 

The response was so fantastic that Charly continued to supply, on a small scale, 

to returning and new customers who’d heard about the brand. 

“I was retrenched earlier this year due to Covid-19, but I saw it as an opportunity 

to focus all my energy on growing Buyafuthi and joining the drive to support 

small, local, eco-friendly businesses. The clothing industry has become the 

second highest contributor to waste in the world due to over-saturation of 

disposable fashion by large retailers, and a lack of customer education on 

responsible, sustainable fashion. Most fabrics are man-made these days as they 

can be produced cheaper and faster, feeding the demand for quick turn-around 

fashion. But, what happens to our clothes once they have reached their shelf 

life? While most of us may donate to the less fortunate, there are items that are 

no longer wearable and end up in landfills. Because they are not biodegradable, 

sadly, they continue to pile up. 


Charly makes 

her unique 

and colourful 

activewear by 

hand at home 

“When it comes to fitness and fashion, it’s great that we’re finding ways to de-stress 

and stay healthy, but when you stop to consider what most activewear is made of, 

the idea of living in it doesn’t sound so appealing.” 

Charly says the majority of leggings and sports bras on the market are made of 

virgin polyester (plastic derived from petroleum) and is typically treated with 

chemical dye. The implications to the planet are vast. To make matters worse, 

we’ve come to view our workout clothes as a form of fast fashion - we buy them 

often and don’t keep them for very long. Although the development of manmade 

fabrics has, however, been beneficial in ‘special’ performance clothing like 

activewear, and there is no escaping the need for these, Charly says there is a need 

for us to consume more responsibly. 

“The last few years has seen an increased interest in the health of our planet. This 

has led to the development of fabric made from recycled plastic bottles. Not 

only is this an alternative to environmentally harmful made-made fabrics, but it is 

creating a source of income for waste collectors while cleaning up our planet. From 

a sustainable approach, Buyafuthi provides a good quality, long-lasting product, on 

a small scale. We need to move away from fast-fashion and more towards slowfashion. 

Invest more in better quality clothing and less in disposable fast-fashion.” 

Using our beautiful coastline and surroundings as her inspiration, Charly hand 

makes (in her little home sewing room) her unique and colourful activewear using 

recycled plastic fabric that is designed and printed right here in Durban. 

“Buyafuthi is the modern isiZulu word for recycle. When translated, ‘buya’ means 

come and ‘futhi’ means again. I thought this a fitting name since the fabric we 

use is made from 82 per cent recycled plastic bottles, the other being 18 per cent 

spandex, providing for good stretch and comfort. This fabric has natural moisture 

management and breathable qualities, and with a high chlorine resistance as well 

as a 50+ UPF UV protection, it’s perfect for activewear. 

“I’ve tried to take the most eco-friendly approach in all aspects to the brand, from 

the trims to the packaging, which is made from seed paper and designed to be 

recycled as a gift bag. Once it has reached the end of its journey, one can plant it 

and grow some herbs!” 

Details: FB:Buyafuthi Recycled Plastic Activewear IG buyafuthi_031, call 076 547 6065 or 

visit www.buyafuthisa.co.za

Farm to fork … 

sustainably 

With so much emphasis placed on 

reducing our carbon footprint, one man 

and his vegetable farm are proving that 

even something as simple as a carrot, can 

be pure magic. 

Text: Bronwyn forbes-hardinge | Photos: Sarah Jane Photography 

Dale Grobler and his daughter, Taya 


orn into a long line of 

farmers, it was only a 

matter of time before 

Dale Grobler joined 

the ranks. But regular 

farming wasn’t what 

fuelled his soul. He 

hungered for something more. . 

Something to set his farm apart from 

all the others. 

And so, he founded Farm to Forks, 

a small-scale, organic farm in 

Camperdown dedicated to growing 

organic, ethically farmed vegetables 

and microgreens. 

What started out as a passion project 

for growing organic vegetables 

for family and friends, eventually 

mushroomed into supplying local 

chefs, gourmet restaurants and hotels. 

“The decision to ‘go organic’ has been 

both a blessing and a curse,” says Dale. 

“Starting a farm from the ground up 

has been challenging in terms of 

cultivating the necessary biodiversity 

needed for organic farming. There 

were many days when I wanted to 

rip up the marrows and squash, and 

just sit in the field and cry. But it has 

gotten better with each season, and 

now farm life has more good days 

then bad.” 

“What sets us apart from other 

farms is that we are conscious about 

reducing our carbon footprint. 

Everything we do is done by hand, 

from building beds to planting and 

harvesting. We strive to protect our 

biodiversity by enhancing our soil 

through an amendment process, 

which involves adding over 140 tons 

of compost to our raised beds and 

then incorporating a ‘no-till’ principle 

where the soil is only added to, never 

turned. This process builds up the 

microbial biodiversity of the soil, and 

ensures the nutrients are more readily 

and sufficiently available to the crops. 

We are also proudly 100 per cent 

plastic free.” 

Dale’s dedication to ethically and 

organically grown vegetables is 

growing in popularity, evident by the 

fact that Farm to Forks was recently 

appointed as the vegetable supplier 

for Chefs Table and The LivingRoom 

at Summerhill Estate, both of which 

appear on South Africa’s Top 20 

Restaurants list. 


This accolade is no easy task and speaks to the quality of vegetables 

that Farm to Forks produces. Organic vegetable growing isn’t 

Dale’s only passion. He gets to unleash his artistic side and flare 

for entertaining when he works with well-known chefs and 

restaurateurs in designing sustainable menus based on crops that 

are ready to be harvested, ensuring that only the best makes it to 

the table. 

“Being involved in the menu design for these restaurants gives me 

the opportunity to get creative and grow crops that we’ve not seen 

for generations, bringing back long-forgotten African Heirloom 

vegetables. This is one of the many incredible gifts of farming.” 

A man of many talents, Dale has also launched the latest musthave 

ticket on the Durban culinary scene, The Farmer’s Table - a 

bi-monthly, al fresco fine dining experience hosted on his farm. “We 

invite the best chefs in the country and challenge them to produce 

a seasonal menu using locally-sourced, ethically-farmed and organic 

fresh produce. The chef then prepares and cooks in front of our 

guests, having harvested their vegetables and herbs directly from 

our farm only moments before. It is my vision come to life and 

embodies everything we stand for - fresh food from our farm to 

your fork. A truly delicious and magical way to let the natural beauty 

of our country inspire and nourish us.” 

During the Covid-19 restrictions when the hotels and restaurants 

were unable to trade, Dale had to find an alternative distribution 

channel for his crops, so he supplied Organic Produce Boxes to 

homes around Durban. Each weekly box contains a wide selection 

of farm fresh vegetables and a varied mix of locally-sources 

products. 

“We have been overwhelmed by the demand for organic produce, 

so will be continue to supply the public even after lockdown 

restrictions are lifted.” 


While Farm to Forks is a business, a significant part of Dale’s time 

is spent on agri-education. He’s currently working with The Valley 

Trust in the Embo Township in developing their gardens, allowing 

the community access to a range of organic fresh produce. “We 

are committed to teaching others about sustainable agriculture. 

Farm to Forks is all about creating maintainable food systems while 

ensuring food security does not compromise the environment. 

We implement various environmentally-conscious practices, 

like harvesting rainwater to offset just some of the enormous 

environmental footprint that agriculture is responsible for.” 

Farm to Forks has also implemented a seedling programme, 

where they cultivate seedlings for small scale organic farms in 

disadvantaged rural areas. 

“We are able to provide our expertise and quality nutritional 

resources to local communities, while encouraging the next 

generation of entrepreneurial organic farmers.” 

Educating children on good gardening practices is something that 

Dale also views as paramount to help them develop new skills. 

“Encouraging children to get their hands dirty in the garden and 

educating them on how to grow their own food is an invaluable 

life lesson. Farm life teaches them the value of hard work, and 

the importance of being disciplined and dedicated to your craft. 

Farming teaches kids to be patient; what it means to work as a team; 

and that good things comes to those that wait. There is no instant 

gratification in farming, but if you preserve in the long run, you will 

see the benefit of your efforts.” 

Details: To order your Organic Produce Box WhatsApp: 071 610 7158 

Follow on FB @farmtooforks and IG @farm_to_forks or e-mail 

farmtoforksdurban@gmail.com

Sumptuous summer spoils 

With summer in full swing 

and heavily pregnant with 

her first child, professional 

chef, menu designer 

and aspiring food stylist 

Linda Mazibuko has used 

lockdown to compile her 

first recipe book and come 

up with colourful throwit-together 

staples that 

are delicious and healthy 

and can be assembled in 

minutes. She shared a few 

favourites with us. 


With both South African and Malagasy 

roots, some of Chef Mazibuko’s 

earliest childhood memories are of 

her life in Madagascar, where she 

spent evenings in the fields with her 

grandmother, hunting for locusts - a 

Malagasy delicacy! 

“I’ve always been fascinated with 

plants, colour and nature. My mother 

bought me toy pots and I used 

to make my younger sisters play 

‘restaurant’ with me so I could pretend 

to cook for them. I used plants and 

flowers from our gardens. When I 

was nine, my mother began to teach 

me how to cook. I wasn’t always 

confident about pursuing my passion 

for cooking though, so I ended up 

studying at WITS University after high 

school instead. I continued to cook 

at home though and my passion 

continued to grow until I decided to 

drop out of university to pursue my 

first love ... cooking. 

Having worked in many kitchens, 

both locally and internationally, Chef 

Mazibuko still believes that home is 

where the heart is, and she aspires to be a part of the host of new age African 

chefs whose goal is to bring Africa to the world through the art of cuisine. 

“Food is a beautiful thing. It brings joy to the heart. But, without people, it means 

nothing. I want to be the chef who creates unforgettable experiences for people 

by taking them on a beautiful journey through their palates. I love to use simple 

and classic flavours, but there is always a twist to what I do because I am a fun 

and adventurous person ... an artist whose medium of choice is food.” 


For more 

recipes go 

to our website: 

getitmagazine. 

co.za/highwayberea/ 

Coconut, Banana and Blueberry Ice-cream 

Ingredients 

400g blueberries (frozen), 3 tbsp maple syrup, 2 cans 

coconut cream (chilled), 4 bananas (sliced and frozen) 

sweet gourmet popcorn to garnish (optional – you can 

make your own or use bought popcorn) 

Prawn and Summer Vegetable Bowl 

Ingredients 

4 queen prawns, cleaned with shell on, 2 sprigs fresh 

thyme, 2 tbsp fresh garlic, chopped, 1/2 can chickpeas, 1/2 

ripe avocado, 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 3 tbsp olive oil, 4 

tbsp red kidney beans, 1 carrot, grated, 4 tbsp sweet corn, 

1 handful sugar snap peas, 1/2 red onion, finely diced, 

1/2 handful fresh parsley, finely chopped, 1 tsp honey, 

3 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 2 tbsp olive oil, salt, pepper, 

Masterstock Cape Seaweed Flakes (optional to garnish 

carrots, you can buy online at www.masterstock.co.za) 

Method 

Cut prawns down the back to create a butterfly then 

add 1/2 a teaspoon of garlic onto the flesh, followed by 

thyme and a small pinch of salt. Set aside. Place chickpeas, 

avocado, remaining garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and 

pepper into a blender and blitz together until smooth. Set 

aside. In a non-stick sauce pan, heat a dash olive oil and 

flash fry the sweet corn, followed by the red kidney beans 

then the sugar snap peas. Make sure that you add salt 

and pepper each time you flash fry the vegetables. Grab 

a small bowl, then add the diced onion, parsley, honey, 

apple cider vinegar, olive oil salt and pepper and mix well. 

Set aside. Heat up your non-stick pan again, drizzle with 

olive oil until smoking hot then fry the prawns flesh side 

down, keeping the butterfly shape. Allow them to fry for 

three minutes - do not cook fresh prawns for longer than 

five minutes because they will become rubbery. Assemble 

the bowl. Using a spoon, put the chickpea and avocado 

paste in the middle, then place all the other ingredients 

around the bowl and finally add the onion and parsley 

dressing around the middle of the paste. 

Method 

Pour blueberries and maple syrup into a small pot and allow 

to simmer on a low heat until the water evaporates and you 

get a syrup consistency. Set aside to cool completely. Put 

the frozen bananas into a blender and add 1/4 cup of the 

coconut cream, blend until it is completely smooth. Pour 

the remaining coconut cream into a large bowl and whisk 

until it reaches a soft peak, you can also use an electric 

mixer. Pour the banana mixture into the cream and gently 

fold it in then pour the blueberry compote into the mixture 

and swirl it around the bowl. Pour into an old ice-cream 

container or a regular plastic bowl and freeze for four hours. 

Quick Tips: This ice-cream can also be made using chunky 

strawberry jam, gooseberry jam or any other jam that you 

like, just heat the jam so that it can become syrupy - do not 

add maple syrup if you are using jam as it has already been 

sweetened. Make sure that all of your ingredients for the ice 

cream are cold before throwing them together so that your 

ice-cream does not crystalise. 


Gin… 

Text: Bronwyn forbes-hardinge | Photos: Rory Clark 

the KZN way 

To amble though Brackenhill’s fascinating craft-distillery is 

to walk in the footsteps of a man who is most at home in 

the remote, empty parts of the South African landscape; 

a man whose love for conservation and supporting rural 

communities has brought to life a drinkable dream. 

Basking on a sunny hill near Inanda Dam in Waterfall, the distillery overlooks 

the houses in the Valley of 1000 Hills on one side and the distant Durban 

beachfront on the other. Arriving visitors weave their cars carefully between 

herds of Nguni cattle and trucks on route to industrial parks and factories in 

the area. It is modern Africa ... where tradition and technology come together. 

No visit to this area is complete without a stop at the distillery. Here, spirits are 

meticulously coaxed by hand from grain to glass and just one sip of any one of 

their meticulously crafted creations will take you and your taste buds on a truly 

delicious journey of discovery. 

The creation of Carl Grossmann, Brackenhill Craft Distillery was founded from a 

passion for conservation, coupled with a love for gin. 

“I grew up on a large property in Everton, where my German dad and Scottish 

mom grew fruit and veggies and sold them at a greengrocer in Durban. They 

also tried to make wine out of everything they grew. The pineapple wine was the 

best. I think even back then the idea of brewing my own had been planted.” 

With a background in land surveying and a heart for conservation work, 

Carl spent years working in rural areas. His work for the African Conservation 

Trust has included establishing and maintaining anti-poaching units in game 

reserves, mapping and evaluating rock-art sites in the Drakensberg, establishing 

permaculture food-gardens, solar power projects and erecting game fences in 

deep rural communities. 

“Over time I found a second home in Malawi and returned regularly. I fell in love 

with Malawi Gin after the many G&T’s I enjoyed on the shore of Lake Malawi. 

KwaNqetho community members, Mbali Mbuyisa, Sihle Qwabe and Oscar 

and Sibongile Mthimkulu harvesting Zulu Rainbow maize and sorghum 

“It was always on the list of items to 

bring back home!” 

Carl started investigating the 

possibility of importing Malawi Gin 

and went as far as getting an import 

certificate, but could not secure a sole 

distributorship from the manufacturer 

so eventually he scrapped that idea. 

“Around that time, I discovered 

that Distillique in Pretoria was 

running internationally recognised 

training courses and supplying all 

the equipment needed to set up 

commercial operations. I did a few 

courses, bought a small pot still and, 

like the start of many entrepreneurial 

exercises, began distilling in our 

garage at home. Feeling strongly 

about pursuing this venture, I roped 

in two crazy friends to invest in the set 

up and started the arduous and greyhair-inducing 

process of securing our 

premises in Brackenhill and getting 

the appropriate licences - definitely 

not for the faint hearted!” 

Unlike many other distilleries that buy 

neutral alcohol from a large supplier 

and make their vodka and gin from 

that, Carl and his team create their 

own fermentations (distiller’s beer) 

from a variety of grains or molasses. 


After the complicated fermentation, 

extraction and distilling processes, 

Juniper Berry is added in the 

flavouring process (a pre-requisite 

for a product to legally be called gin 

in SA) as well as a myriad of other 

bontanical ingredients, depending on 

the recipe. 

“There are two main processes to do 

this. One is called ‘steeping’, where the 

botanicals are left to soak in the base 

alcohol and then removed. A third 

distillation is carried out to produce 

the final gin. A ‘bathtub’ gin is the 

same process, but a third distillation 

is not carried out. The steeped 

botanicals are removed and the 

resulting flavoured alcohol is bottled 

as is.” 

The other common process is 

called ‘vapour infusion’ where the 

botanicals are placed in the vapour 

path (normally in a botanical basket) 

during the third distillation and the 

hot alcohol vapour extracts the 

flavours and carries them into the final 

product. This modern-day process 

of distilling, used at Brackenhill Craft 

Distillery, is part ancient alchemy 

and part science. Stainless steel and 

copper stills and shiny equipment 

fill the large and roomy factory 

space where Carl makes his careful 

calculations and measures precisely. 

In keeping with Carl’s love for 

conservation and desire to support 

rural communities, the heirloom Zulu 

Rainbow maize and sorghum used 

in the manufacture of their gin is 

purchased from a small community in 

the heart of Zululand. The russet and 

yellow stalks are grown in fields which 

have lain fallow for many years. 

“Some of the precious grain seeds 

initially planted here, were sourced 

from far flung relatives of the 

families involved. The umsuzwane, 

an indigenous herb which is used 

by many African cultures for a 

multitude of medicinal purposes and 

ceremonies, is grown by a community 

in St. Lucia. This is their signature 

botanical. In addition to their gin, they 

also make rums. 

Brackenhill Craft Distillery also 

offers bespoke gin-making with 

personalised labels (for weddings, 

birthdays and corporate gifting), 

rum and whisky-making workshops, 

gin experiences (crafting your own 

gin-flavour from their extensive 

botanical library) that are perfect for 

Carl Grossman and Oscar Mthimkulu inspecting 

the Zulu Rainbow maize and sorghum 

WIN! 

We’re giving 

away a yummy bottle 

of Brackenhill Craft 

Distillery gin. To enter visit 

the ‘Competition’ section 

on our website www. 

getitmagazine.co.za/ 

highway-berea 

book clubs, team building and special celebrations with a group of your besties! 

Further ‘green’ initiatives by this small distillery include recycling. Empty bottles 

can be returned to the distillery and refilled at a reduced price. The bottle itself 

features a copper band with an Africa pendant charm swaying from black glass 

beads above an image of a proud Nguni bull. The bottle coating is made with 

an organic ink and Carl is currently working with a community-based NGO near 

the Kruger National Park that collects used glass bottles from game lodges and 

recycles them into beads. The intention is to replace the mass produced beads 

on the bottle neck with this sustainable option. 

“Every distiller knows there is room to learn and improve no matter how many 

decades of experience they have under the belt. While I’m constantly learning 

and improving, I now have an understudy, Brighten Hlatshwayo, who’s doing 

his one-year in-service training for his diploma in Food Technology, and I hope 

he continues with us as a distiller after that achievement. Tons of hard work has 

brought us to where we are today, and I’m sure there will be lots more (and 

some good fun) in the future. My wife and sons, who’ve been an incredible 

support, have been 100 per cent involved from the beginning – from helping 

with deliveries and labelling, to long evenings around our table tasting different 

experimental gins with friends. They even toasted our first whiskey barrel with 

the Scottish national anthem and Robbie Burns’ poetry. My family and friends 

have been with me every step of the way on this exciting adventure. All in a day’s 

work - to bring good craft to good people.” 

Details: Brackenhhill Craft Distillery, Unit 16 Acacia Business Park, 73 Nguni Way, 

Waterfall, www.brackenhillcraft.co.za or follow @brackenhillcraft or @sandywoods. 

stories on IG. 


Coffee with a cause 

As we head towards the end of a year that hasn’t been filled with a whole lot 

of good news, we’re spotlighting local coffee shops that are not only serving up 

excellent cappuccinos, but also giving back to their communities or worthy causes. 

Ubuntu Ground Café 

Ubuntu is an isiZulu term meaning ‘humanity’ and is essentially about 

togetherness and how our actions have an impact on the lives of others. It 

is also one of the core values of the Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust (HACT) who, 

last year, were awarded a grant by the Old Mutual Foundation towards the 

start-up and development of Ubuntu Ground Café. This is the organisation’s 

first social enterprise initiative under their newly registered company, 

HACT Biz. A fully converted, 12m container, sponsored by Container World, 

literally gave the project a home and the team proudly opened the café 

doors to the public in January this year. All about inspiring change one 

cappuccino at a time, Ubuntu Ground Café not only sells delicious coffee, 

great food and is a natural add-on to HACT Centre’s existing Plant Nursery 

and Woza Moya craft shop, but will be providing skills development, 

training and work experience placements to local, unemployed youths, 

equipping them with the skills, experience and confidence to gain 

meaningful employment. On top of this, all profit raised through this 

unique venture go directly towards the long-term sustainability of HACT’s 

24-bed Respite Unit. From 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 

2pm on Saturdays, Ubuntu Ground Café offers a delicious menu, spacious 

undercover and outdoor seating, a clean and safe play area for toddlers 

and kiddies and children’s play area. This café is certainly living up to its tag 

line of ‘so much more than coffee’. Details: Ubuntu Ground Cafe, Hillcrest AIDS 

Centre Trust, Facebook and Instagram: UbuntuGroundCafe 


Marilyn’s Tea Garden 

A hidden gem situated at 29 Village Road, The Kloof and Highway SPCA is 

a fun-filled family adventure for both regulars and newcomers. While no 

visit is complete without a visit to their charity shops and nursery, popular 

highlights include restful refreshment at Marilyn’s Tea Garden or an on-thego 

cuppa Paws for Coffee. Currently, due to Covid-19 restrictions, Marilyn’s 

Tea Garden (which operates from the SPCA’s beautiful grand old house, 

with its wrap-around veranda, that is one of the first farmhouses ever 

built in Kloof ), serves take away meals and sweet treats only, which you 

can enjoy in their gardens while adhering to social distancing rules. The 

menu includes toasted sandwiches, chips, their famous lemon meringue 

pie, fresh scones and daily specials. Last year, the SPCA’s rusty trusty Horse 

Box was too rusty to transport animals, but in true SPCA style - re-using 

and recycling - they transformed it into an awesome Paws for Coffee unit, 

extended their menu, and partnered with Coastal Coffee Roasters, to 

include vegan hot and cold drinks as well as other speciality hot and cold 

drinks for on-the-go visitors to enjoy. All of the funds generated by the Tea 

Garden, Paws for Coffee, nursery and charity shops are used to continue 

their fight against preventing cruelty to animals, their mandate as an SPCA. 

They are closed on a Monday and open from Tuesday to Saturday, public 

holidays and the last Sunday of the month from 8am to 3pm. Details: 031 

764 1212, Marilyn’s Tea Garden, Kloof and Highway SPCA, 29 Village Road. 


Pilgrims Rest Tea Garden 

Seven years ago pastors at Frontier Church, Mike and 

Paula Strydom, founded Heartstrings Community Project 

- a registered non-profit organization through which 

they aimed to uplift and empower people through 

job creation, skills development as well as providing 

practical help in the form of food, clothing and so much 

more. More recently, they opened the doors to their tea 

and coffee garden, Pilgrims Rest, to raise funds for their 

initiatives and provide a sanctuary for people to get 

away from the hustle and bustle of life. With a glorious 

view over Inanda Dam and the rolling hills that seem 

to carry on forever, as your coffee and cake is served to 

you at rustic tables under a flat crown tree, this truly is 

the perfect place to pause, take a deep breathe, listen 

to and watch the birds singing and soar and ultimately 

be at peace. They serve the most delicious gluten-free 

chocolate and carrot cake (which will keep you coming 

back for more), tea, coffee (French pressed with your 

option of hot or cold milk and a lot of love), a small 

selection of fruit juices and cold drinks as well as ice 

cream. And their humble menu continues to grow. They 

are also so much more than a tea garden – you can shop 

for clothes in their ‘gently worn’ clothing store, Calico 

Heart, and other items like wooden decor created as 

part of their upliftment program Heartstrings Trading Co. 

You can also shop for plants at Livingstone Nursery and 

they have a selection of pre-loved books on sale, with all 

proceeds going directly into the project. Tranquillity and 

genuine warmth is what this wonderful coffee experience 

is all about. Open Tuesday to Friday 9am to 4pm, Saturday 

9am to 12.30pm. Details: Pilmgrim’s Rest Tea Garden, 85 

River View Drive, Crestholme, 083 782 4531 - Paula 083 

407 4680 - Mike or visit www.crestcommunitycentre.org

Back to nature 

Garden tasks for November 

• Water the garden at least once 

a week, and mulch to reduce 

evaporation. Early morning or evening 

watering is best. 

• There’s still time to sow quick 

growing annuals such as alyssum, 

cosmos, marigolds, nasturtiums, 

portulaca and zinnias, all of which are 

sun-lovers. 

• For shady spaces, plant out bedding 

begonias, Impatiens Beacon - a highly 

disease resistant variety - and New 

Guinea impatiens. 

• Plant summer flowering perennials 

such as coreopsis, rudbeckia, 

gaillardia, gaura, Shasta daisies, 

penstemon and perennial salvia. 

• Get ready for the festive season by 

filling containers or hanging baskets 

with red calibrachoa, begonias 

or impatiens. 

• Make sure hydrangeas get plenty of 

water and feed with hydrangea food 

to boost flowering in December. 

• Water shrubs and trees deeply 

once a week and mulch to reduce 

evaporation. 

A taste of Little Sicily 

If you love tomatoes but don’t have 

the space to grow them, patio 

tomato Little Sicily can change 

that. It’s a compact, tidy grower that 

flourishes in a mid-sized container 

on the patio or balcony. Being a 

bush tomato, it’s a compact, tidy 

grower that stays at a manageable 

height of 60cm with healthy, green 

leaves that always look good. It 

needs sun, and the best position is 

morning sun and afternoon shade. 

Water daily in hot weather. The soil 

should not dry out. Feed with a 

liquid fertilizer once a week or every 

second week. The medium sized, 

bright red fruit is packed with flavour 

and the first fruit should be ready for 

picking within 60 to 65 days. 

Details: www.ballstraathof.co.za 

Patio plant of the month 

Fuchsia Bella is a compact-growing pot fuchsia with 

gorgeous two-tone flowers that are carried throughout 

summer. There are nine different varieties, all with 

distinctive colours. They like bright shade and can take 

some morning sun. Water regularly, so the soil remains 

moist but not soggy. Plants don’t like to stand in water. 

Pour water directly into the pot, early in the morning 

or late in the evening. Feed with a liquid fertilizer 

once every two weeks and remove faded flowers to 

encourage new flowers. Details: www.ballstraathof.co.za 


The ancient art of macramé 

The origin of macramé stretches back thousands 

of years ... it’s an ancient, timeless art that, over the 

past year or so, has come back into fashion. We 

recently discovered Tide, a local business that 

creates bespoke, beautiful macramé art. Being 

hand-crafted, pieces are all one of a kind, each 

more lovely and intricate than the one before. 

Artist Gabi Morrell-Smith travels to the coast 

to collect the shells and driftwood she uses in 

her pieces ... work of art wall hangings, pretty 

garlands, shopping or beach bags. We’re after 

one of these plant hangers and are equally 

besotted with these little jar covers. Great, 

great gifts (if you’re like us and already thinking 

Christmas). Tide has a really fabulous range, but 

if you want something specific, chat to Gabi and 

she’ll make up a custom piece for you. Prices from 

R200 up to around R750. Details: Follow tide macrame 

on Instagram or Facebook for more ideas, or mail 

tidemacrame@gmail.com 

No space to grow your own veggies? 

Think again. These ready-to-use pocket 

panels hang on the wall and are 

perfect to grow herbs and vegetables. 

There are a few sizes available, from 

two pockets for those really short of 

space, to 15 panel options. Priced from 

R195, they’re lightweight and durable. 

Details: verticalveg.co.za 

Compiled by: KYM ARGO and ALICE COETZEE 


& 

Art 

nature 

Hidden along Kloof Falls Road is a magical 

place that encapsulates the relationship 

between humans and landscape. A place 

where art, man and nature intertwine. 

Recently opened, the 20-acre AmmaZulu 

Gardens and Sculpture Precinct, which houses 

in excess of 120 marvellous 

sculptures by artists from all over the world 

between its lush trees and plants, is the perfect 

weekend outing for young and old alike. 

Text: Bronwyn forbes-hardinge | Photos: Gerald Botha Photography 

The vision of Peter Amm who 

joined forces with renowned South 

African sculptor Andries Botha, the 

AmmaZulu Gardens were originally 

part of a cattle farm. Over the past 70 

years the farm has been converted 

from grassland and blue gums into a 

world of fantasy and dreams where 

artistic expression has no labels or 

barriers. It is Peter’s belief that even 

junk has its own beauty and presence, 

which is evident in the many objects 

and sculptures (made from recycled 

‘junk’) that are scattered around the 

garden. 

The sculpture precinct consists of 

five ethereal galleries splendidly set 

off by the architectural backdrop 

of mammoth trees and tropical 

palms. You’ll wander along footpaths 

through luxurious undergrowth and, 

every now and then, you’ll come 

across a whacky or even slightly 

sophisticated sculpture amidst all the 

greenery. It’s an experience that takes 

time to absorb, so we suggest you 

take a morning or afternoon off to 

head off and explore this outlandish 

setting that promises to brighten up 

your day. 

A permanent exhibition by Andries 

(curated by Janine Zagel and Jessica 

Bothma) comprised of his personal 

collection of sculptures entitled ‘… 

it takes everything’ is housed in 

a magnificent three-storey-high, 

600-square meter space. The work 

explores and helps one understand 

the complex, yet inspiring human 


KwaZulu Natal 

journey that we as South Africans have lived through over 

the past 40 years. 

The exhibition is also located above a delightful coffee 

pavilion boasting the Ping Pong Pagoda - an informal space 

to relax and have a delicious light meal, yummy cake or 

pastry or simply a refreshing cup of tea served by creative 

consultant and general manager of the gardens and 

precinct, as well as owner of the Ping Pong Pagoda and chef, 

Hein Lottering. 

The AmmaZulu Gardens and Sculpture Precinct, located 

between 84 and 88 Kloof Falls Road, is open from Friday to 

Sunday, 10am to 3pm. You don’t need to phone ahead or 

make a booking, but if you want to book a picnic or have 

any special requests, you can contact Hein on 083 244 7565 

or lottering.hein@gmail.com 

Details: Follow the AmmaZulu Gardens and Sculpture Precinct 

on Facebook: AmmaZulu Garden and Sculpture Precinct and 

Instagram: ammazulu_garden 

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Small changes 

big differences! 

When it comes to interior design, it’s often the little things that make the biggest 

statements - and it doesn’t have to take a lot of time or cost too much. 

From swapping light switch covers to re-covering chairs, these quick and inexpensive 

changes will help you transform your space in ways you’d never imagined possible 

without blowing your budget. 

First up is to take inventory of what 

you already have in the room or space 

you wish to transform. Find objects, 

art, books and other fun items you 

can switch around, reuse and make 

new again. Save your money for small, 

big-impact items you don’t have, such 

as a new mirror, vase or lamp shade. 

Then it’s time to clean up and declutter. 

Too many items in a room 

make the space look unclean, 

cramped and uncomfortable. A 

thorough clean on its own can make 

a huge difference to the upliftment of 

your home. 


The walls 

Colours evoke emotion and set the 

tone for your living space. If you’re 

looking for a small change with a big 

impact, you should change your wall 

colours – going from a basic white to 

a cool grey, calming blue or vibrant 

yellow can make a big difference in 

any room in your home. 

Mirrors 

Mirrors, large or small, can give the 

effect of more space in your house, 

especially your bedroom. If you have 

a wall in your home with a grouping 

of framed art, swapping it out with a 

gorgeous mirror can effortlessly bring 

a bold new look to that space. 

Frames 

Nothing says you have to ditch those adorable or treasured family photos. Just 

change the frames to create a new look, whether sleek or antiqued or DIY. 

Lighting 

Lighting is everything in interior design. The right amount of light in a room can 

make it look more spacious and inviting. Also, lights in the right spots can help to 

highlight some of the best features in a room. Changing your lighting (whether 

it’s an overhead pendant or painting a table lamp) makes a huge change in any 

room. Wherever you have windows, use this light to your advantage by replacing 

heavy curtains or dark drapes with lighter colours and lightweight window 

treatments. You can also include blinds or shades to allow more natural light in 

during the day. Choosing soft white bulbs and adding a dimmer can also make a 

big difference. 


Loula Furniture and Dècor 

Have fun with your decorating 

projects; create beautiful spaces 

so that every nook of your home is 

stylish! 

Visit Loula Furniture and Dècor 

at The Yard, Hillcrest for inspiration. 

We can assist you with ready-made, 

refurbished or bespoke wooden 

furniture pieces. Enjoy choosing 

from our collection of original 

artwork, gorgeous scatter cushions, 

plush throws, faux plants and 

unique décor. 

Colours evoke emotion and set 

the tone for your living space 

Light switch covers 

Oh so boring, light switch covers are a great place to take a risk with a bit of 

colour. You can paint them yourself or with the kids if you’re brave enough and 

you can even DIY wallpaper them if you prefer a more sophisticated look. 

Loula Furniture and Dècor is 

an Annie Sloan Chalk Paint® 

approved stockist. ‘Revamp and 

Refurb’ with this easy to use and 

quick drying paint that works 

beautifully on furniture without 

priming or sanding. 

Next Annie Sloan Introduction 

workshop: November 14th 2020 

Lamp shades 

This is so easy to do. Whether you spend a buck or two buying something you’ve 

had your eye on for a while, or if you try your hand at DIY re-covering an existing 

lamp shade, this is a simple colour and style change that can bring a whole 

new look to a room. Change the entire lamp and get entirely different results 

in height, colour, texture and style. Match your accessories to the lamp to tie a 

theme together visually or contrast styles for a more eclectic aesthetic. 

Doorknobs 

Whether it’s the front door, bedroom, kitchen or bathroom, adding something 

different is a great way to make an everyday function a lot more fun. There are 

loads of home accessory shops that stock stylish and fun doorknobs, but of 

course we also love to shop at the SPCA and Hospice Charity Shops, as well as 

local flea markets for fabulous finds and other great ideas. 

Details: loula.theyard@gmail.com, 

082 722 5992 or shop online: 

www.loulas.co.za 

Line your drawers and bookcases 

Wallpaper isn’t just for walls. Lining the back of your bookshelves, your dresser 

drawers or the inside of a small cabinet is a great way to give your space a totally 

new look. 

Rugs 

Area rugs are another way you can add to the aesthetic appeal to your home. 

They come in various sizes, colours, patterns, and shapes and if you already 

have more than one, trying swapping them around. If the furniture has a lot of 

patterns on it, bring in a simple single-coloured area rug to break things up. You 

could also try putting an area rug in the middle of your living room, underneath 

a dining room table, or even in a long hallway. 

Window treatments 

The simplest DIY window treatments can have a big impact on a space. Adding 

simple curtain panels or a Roman shade can dress-up a room and add warmth. 

We feature an ensemble for a home 

study where farmhouse flair meets 

contemporary style! 


Text: Bronwyn forbes-hardinge | Photos: Michigan Behn Photography; studio and furniture: Functions For Africa 


Get creative this 

festive season 

We know how it is. Every year you swear you’re going to be like the Instagram and 

Pinterest stars and transform your home into a festive fantasy world. But then there’s 

gift shopping, work parties, concerts and never-ending nativities … and it all seems 

like an unachievable goal. Things may be a bit quieter and budgets a little leaner this 

year, but that doesn’t mean Christmas is cancelled! 

This year may have been a little 

upside down (and money may be a 

bit tight), but we think that’s a great 

reason to find new ways to decorate 

and celebrate. According to VEGMO 

Accessories in-house stylist and buyer, 

Brian Futter, you just have to be 

willing to try something new, rope in 

your nearest and dearest and follow 

these trendy ideas ... 

“Decorating your home for the 

festive season can be a joyous time 

and a great opportunity to include 

everyone and anyone with a free pair 

of hands and a bit of creative flair! 

I love Christmas trees, so ensuring 

we have an array of different trees 

available is something I thrive on. 

We also help those who already 

have a tree, but want to add more 

embellishments or be more creative 

with their décor (without going the 

DIY route).” 

START WITH A VISION 

“Budget aside, there really is no limit 

to the number of wreaths and other 

décor you can spread around your 

home in a myriad of different places 

and ways,” says Brian. It all depends 

on personal taste and how much fun 

you like to have. Some like to go over 

the top for that ‘wow’ factor, while 

others prefer to keep it simple, classy 

and tasteful. “For those true lovers 

of Christmas (all the decorating that 

goes with it) who are determined to 

continue their 


tradition, the most important place to start is with a dream, an idea, a vision. Then 

set a budget. Determine how much you can afford to spend and then make a list 

of all your holiday obligations (including presents, travel and decorations). Give 

a Rand value to each, overestimating slightly. With Covid-19 having an impact 

on pockets and travelling, perhaps you will stay home this year and can allocate 

some of what you might have spent on a holiday on your décor instead.” 

WORK WITH YOUR STYLE 

“Wreath decorating is a wonderful way to include the whole family and let 

everyone share their ideas. You can make them child-friendly or sophisticated 

– whatever suits your home, personality or family dynamic. Greenery is an 

inexpensive way to beautify your dining table and any nooks and crannies you 

want to fill up to add to the festive spirit this year. If you don’t get in-store, you 

can find greenery in your garden and bring the fresh bounties of nature indoors!” 

Classic and traditional looks can be created with evergreen pine and an 

abundance of red, green and gold baubles. Elegant touches can be added to 

this using ribbons, berries and poinsettia flowers. Use twigs, hessian rope and 

pine cones to decorate candles. For ambient lighting use candles and empty 

glass bottles (wine bottles work great). You can upcycle paper into Christmas 

ornaments, use driftwood to make a Christmas tree or use burlap and pine cones 

to make rustic garlands. 

“There are so many ways to make Christmas splendid without spending much. 

You just need to think out of the box, or Google!” 

TRENDING THIS YEAR 

“Regardless of whether it is store bought or DIY, the trends this year lean towards 

festive décor with a modern twist and you can do so using shades of blues 

with bursts of silver and white. Swirls of glittering birds with feathered tails can 

enhance the look. Sparkling under-plates complement with a glamorous flash.” 

For a step back in time, you can create a vintage look with a modern twist. 

“Use a soft, warm palette like dusty pink, old gold and deep burgundy with 

dustings of antique cream. Use a range of silk or fresh flowers in these colours, 

like roses and peonies, and compliment them with a few shiny and glittery 

baubles.” 

“Find those quirky ornaments, like the crocheted snowman made by your 

favourite aunt, or any of your favourite hangings that get lost in your tree, then 

get the kids on board and use these to create a fun burst of colour in a wreath 

Use shades of blue with bursts 

of silver on your table 

Brian creates festive magic using 

trendy Pampas and natural 

grasses with dried florals. 

or garland. If you or your family don’t 

have the time to be creative this year, 

a range of pre-decorated wreaths 

are a wonderful choice for the busy 

family. Don’t forget the nostalgia – 

find that special ornament that makes 

you feel nostalgic, warm and fuzzy or 

just simply smile at the cuteness.” 

RE-THINK BIG SPENDING 

When it comes to gift ideas and 

wrapping, Brian says this is a great 

place to save. Fabric off cuts, 

newspaper, old music or brown paper 

that is given a creative or sentimental 

touch can all work just as well. If 

money is tight, speak to your loved 

ones about avoiding a gift exchange 

or minimizing how much you spend. 

There are very likely to be family 

members who have just had a baby 

or been badly financially affected 

or retrenched due to the pandemic 

who might be grateful to take a year 

off from the craziness and anxiety of 

gift-giving. If you have a special skill, 

such as woodworking or landscape 

design, give that as your present. This 

will no doubt be more precious to the 

recipient. 

Details: Vegmo Accessories, 20 

Anthurium Place, Springfield Park (off 

Inanda Road). Contact 031 574 7500 or 

e-mail info@vegmoaccessories.co.za 


Promotion 

Refresh your living room 

budget edition 

Daydreaming about redecorating is fun, but when it comes to laying out your hard-earned cash on 

those upgrades you’ve been eyeing, it can be hard to prioritize. New rug or new sofa, fresh paint or 

even a new entertainment centre? Instead of getting frustrated that you can’t do it all at once, plan 

ahead and create your new beautiful space, one step at a time. 

Here are a few ideas to get you started, 

whether your budget is R1500 or R40 

000. 

Budget of R1500: 

Declutter and rearrange the furniture 

then paint that accent wall. Clearing 

away clutter will make your space look 

and feel bigger right away! Then, tweak 

the furniture arrangement if you can. 

Lastly, pick a paint colour and add the 

new hue to an accent wall or paint the 

whole room, if your budget allows it. 

Budget of R3000: 

Declutter, paint, move your furniture 

around and then add plants and 

artwork. Far from being an afterthought, 

plants, (such as a tall Fiddle Leaf Fig) and 

artwork are soulful, essential elements 

in any living space. Treat yourself to a 

few potted plants, start with small ones 

and a piece of art that makes you happy. 

If budget allows, pick out an original 

painting or a limited-edition print. 

Group your favourite family photos 

together and create a gallery wall - a 

trend that has stood the test of time. 

How about a budget of R7500? 

So what’s next? After decluttering, 

painting, bringing in plants and art, it’s 

time to warm up the space with textiles. 

Drape a cosy throw over an occasional 

chair and fill your sofa with textured 

scatters, which are versatile and an 

easy way to update the look and feel of 

your living room. If you still have room 

in the budget, add some new window 

treatments. 

Your budget is about R10 000: 

Pick up all the above and then tweak 

the lighting. Good lighting enhances 

our experience of a room, making us 

feel warm and cared for. If you have an overhead light, installing a dimmer switch is 

a relatively simple and inexpensive change that can have a big effect on the mood. If 

there’s not enough light in the space, rather add another light source than going for 

brighter bulbs. 

If your budget is about R15 000: 

Declutter, paint, add plants, art, textiles and light ... and then swap out a tired old 

chair. If you love the shape of your old chair and the frame is still in good condition, 

you may be able to reupholster it. This option can expand the possibilities of colour 

and fabrics, but remember that it’s not necessarily less costly than buying a new chair. 

If your budget is about R20 000: 

Do all of the above and then purchase that new rug. Having a too-small area rug in 

the living room is one of the most common decorating mistakes. A generously sized 

area rug will make your room look bigger and feel more comfortable. If you already 

have a small area rug that you love, try moving it to another area of the home to 

make space for your new purchase. 

Your budget is R40 000: 

Along with a new rug, a new sofa is one of the most effective changes you can make 

to your living room. It can also be one of the most costly. Good quality sofas tend to 

last longer, so pick the highest quality you can afford. If you have kids or pets, you’d 

do well to select upholstery in a stain-resistant, pet and child friendly fabric in a dark 

neutral hue. 

Book your makeover consult this November – contact Cindy HABIT@T Hillcrest Shop 

7 The Yard Office Park, 71 Old Main Road Hillcrest or alternatively contact Cindy 

Austen on 079 294 5337/habitathillcrest@gmail.com or reach on any of our social 

media platforms Facebook or Instagram. Facebook: @habitat hillcrest Instagram: 

#habitathillcrest_ 


At Lake, Smit & Partners, our purpose is to serve our patients and partners in the 

medical community by offering the most advanced diagnostic care possible. We’ve 

set a benchmark for ourselves in equipment, patient care and ongoing radiographic 

and radiologist training which ensures that you are in capable hands at all times and 

that we remain leaders in diagnostic and interventional radiology. 

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT WITH US 

Our Services 

• Mammography 

• CT Scan 

• MRI Scan 

• PET CT 

• Nuclear Medicine 

• Ultrasound 

• X-Ray 

• Bone Mineral Density 

• Interventional Radiology 

CROMPTON 

HOSPITAL 

Tel: 087 310 4981 

Fax: 087 236 0681 

ENTABENI 

HOSPITAL 

Tel: 087 310 4983 

Fax: 087 236 0683 

GATEWAY PRIVATE 

HOSPITAL 

Tel: 087 310 4985 

Fax: 087 236 0685 

HILLCREST 

IMAGING CENTRE 

Tel: 087 310 4991 

Fax: 087 236 0691 

KINGSWAY 

HOSPITAL 

Tel: 087 310 4980 

Fax: 087 236 0680 

DIGITAL MAMMOGRAPHY 

CENTRE 

Tel: 087 310 4990 

Fax: 087 236 0690 

ONCOLOGY 

CENTRE 

Tel: 087 310 4989 

Fax: 087 236 0689 

PARKLANDS 

HOSPITAL 

Tel: 087 310 4986 

Fax: 087 236 0686 

WESTVILLE 

HOSPITAL 

Tel: 087 310 4982 

Fax: 087 236 0682 

ST AUGUSTINES 

HOSPITAL 

Tel: 087 310 4984 

Fax: 087 236 0684 

@lakesmitpartners @lakesmitpartners Lake, Smit & Partners 

www.lakesmit.co.za

GET IT DIRECTORY 

v- Dr Ventress quarter portrait.indd 1 10/20/2020 Nov--Pink 8:21:27 Petals.indd AM 1 

10/9/2020 9:38:55 AM 

pennykatzphotography@gmail.com 


Twitchers are all a-quiver 

The 5th revised edition of the Sasol The Larger Illustrated Guide to Birds 

of Southern Africa has just been released ... bigger, expanded and brought 

fully up-to-date by its expert author panel, with additional contributions from 

two new birding experts. Ian Sinclair, Phil Hockey, Warwick Tarboton, Niall 

Perrins, Dominic Rollinson & Peter Ryan (whew ... quite a line-up) have made 

sure this best-selling guide maintains its place as one of Africa’s most trusted 

field guides. With more than 3000 illustrations (more than 800 new), a scanand-play 

bird-call feature using a free downloadable app (which contains 

more than 1000 calls for 866 species), fully revised text, maps and plate 

annotations and a comprehensive coverage of the region’s birds, this edition 

is in a larger format, making it far easier to use. R450. • For those who prefer 

it, the new, vastly improved and really easy-to-use Sasol eBirds Southern 

Africa App is a superb option. The app covers all 989 bird species in line with 

the latest taxonomical changes, has loads of updated info from the existing 

and new contributing authors, more than 1000 bird calls and more than 

2700 photographs (with no in-app purchase required) and plenty of new 

illustrations with finer attention to detail. With text in English and Afrikaans, 

the app also has distribution maps updated with latest known ranges and 

Quick-Play bird calls right from the menu. The app will be updated regularly, 

and freely, constantly improving the content, features and functionality. 

Download on the App Store or get it on Google Play. 

Brilliant bags for birders 

This Mellville and Moon 

Ornithologist Bible Bag, which 

can be worn over your shoulder or 

attached to your belt, has room for 

not only your bird book, but also has 

handy pockets for all the extras you 

need to take on a birding outing ... 

water and a notepad, your GPS and 

sunnies, perhaps a hip flask and the 

odd cigar. It comes in khaki or black, 

and is R1500. If it’s a little more than 

what you need, you may prefer the 

Bird Book Cover ... what Mellville 

and Moon call the plain LBJ 

version. Also available in khaki or 

black, it’s got a shoulder/ body 

strap for carrying your book on 

your birding outing. R1200. Both 

from melvillandmoon.com 

Binocs worth tweeting about 

Let’s pretend, just for a minute, that 

money’s no probs. We’d take up birding 

just to own these sexy Swarovski EL 

10x42 O-Range Binoculars. They offer, 

obviously, the very best combo of longrange 

optics and ergonomic design along 

with razor-sharp images, precise range, 

perfectly balanced weight. They come in 

at a jaw-dropping R72 000. But .... orange. 

You’ll find them, and a whole host of more 

affordable, perfectly adequate, boringly 

black binocs at takealot.com 


Birds of a feather 

... flock together, with essential and nice-to-have accessories 

Skilly’s sketches 

You know we like to support local... 

and when local = ubertalented... 

well, what’s not to love? Mike 

Schilperoort, more affectionately 

known as Skilly, spent his days 

putting his architectural design 

degree to good use - designing, 

building and project managing 

the construction of new homes in 

various parts of South Africa. But it 

was his passion for flying - mostly 

to the Okavango Delta - that led 

him to his love of the bush and for 

sketching, drawing and painting 

watercolours. These desirable and 

sought-after paintings (check them 

out on Instagram @skilly.art) are 

now available as originals, or as 

high quality prints on canvas. The 

print options are huge ... from large 

canvases to hang on the wall to little 

versions to use as gift cards. Prices 

range from R50 for the little cards to 

around R2500 for the largest print; 

contact him for prices of originals. 

Details: 078-657-7827 or skillyart.co.za 

Compiled by: KYM ARGO 

If we’re going out into the bush, 

birding or otherwise, we’re going 

to wear this sassy little khaki woven 

seagrass pith helmet. Cute overload. 

R575 from elizabethsummer.com 


Mountain climbing 

cave adventure 

It’s not every day you can get to explore beautiful caves hidden away in a deep 

gorge atop a mountainside. On the South Coast, you can do just that with your 

whole family… 



Dating back some 100 000 years, 

the KwaXolo Caves, located inland 

of Margate on the KZN South Coast, 

were once open-rock shelters for 

indigenous San communities, with 

the history of these people echoed 

in the rock paintings evident today. 

Set atop the precipice of a deep 

gorge boasting some of the region’s 

most magnificent views, these onceinaccessible 

caves are now a top 

tourist attraction following the launch 

of the KwaXolo Caves Adventures 

earlier this year. 

When I was invited to be among 

the first to give this adventurous 

expedition a bash, of course I couldn’t 

say no. And since it was the weekend 

of my mom’s 60th birthday, I was 

even more thrilled when they offered 

to accommodate all of us. So, come 

Saturday morning, off the whole 

family went - including my nephew 

who suffers from ADHD and who 

couldn’t wait to hunt for blue headed 

lizards while clambering down a 

mountainside, even with a fear of 

heights! 

Launched in March this year, KwaXolo 

Caves Adventures is a fantastic fusion 

of cultural, natural and extreme sports 

tourism that gives visitors a unique 

experience of the KZN South Coast 

while empowering the surrounding 

The caves take you on a journey back 

in time with sculptured San figures 

that depict a life that once was 

Everyone is safely strapped into harnesses 

and helmets before setting off! 

communities. Although the lockdown 

initially put a halt to the tourist 

attraction, it is now operational for day 

visitors and without a doubt the ideal 

picnic or braai spot for those looking 

to enjoy a real change of scenery. 

For Durbanites visiting the caves, it 

takes a bit more than two hours to 

get there, and I suggest a 4 x 4 if you 

have one. The road is car-friendly 

though, albeit a little daunting on 

smaller tyres. 

On arrival, we were given a quick 

rundown on how the caves are 

accessed - through the erection of a 

via ferrata system (used extensively 

in the European Alps), which is a 

climbing route using steel cables 

and rungs fixed to rocks. Visitors are 

kitted out in safety gear and securely 

hooked to the cables, allowing them 

to walk safely along the precarious 

mountain path. This system of 

harnesses and a 300-metre cableway 

was designed by the same engineers 


tasked with creating the famous 

Wild Swing at Oribi Gorge - another 

popular tourism attraction on the 

South Coast. 

With their vast knowledge of the 

area and its plant and wildlife, our 

tour guides Nomvula Mabandi and 

Musa Ntaka strapped us all securely 

into our harnesses and helmets 

before we set off down the path. We 

were shown how to attach our two 

safety lines onto a fixed cable, with 

strict instructions that one line must 

always be clipped onto the cable 

as you move. Section to section, 

we then moved along as the hike 

extended towards the caves, with 

expansive views of the waterfall and 

endless gorge providing a captivating 

backdrop. 

The hike is slightly more challenging 

for less experienced hikers when it 

comes to hiking down (and all the 

way back up) the rocky mountainside. 

Not surprising, the walk down is 

harder on the legs, but there are 

lookout points (with incredible 

views) on route where you can take a 

breather, hydrate and psych yourself 

up for the next stretch. 

Feeling safe and chipper for the most 

part, we descended into the gorge 

with a little negotiation here and 

there and around a rocky outcrop. 

Then it was down a rock wall with the 

help of a few rungs, into the deep 

overhang itself. 

I was really impressed by the hike 

down, especially as I watched my 

over-enthusiastic nephew begin to 

concentrate and focus on overcoming 

his minor fear of heights and 

navigating the path with patience and 

respect. Our eyes were opened even 

more when we made it inside the 

caves and were taken on a journey 

back in time through sculptured San 

figures that depict the life of centuries 

ago and faded dabblings of ancient 

Shamans (medicine men) in ochre 

paint. 

Similar to rock paintings found in 

mountainous regions throughout 

the province, the sites are believed to 

have had particular natural, cultural 

and spiritual significance to the San 

people. The paintings are said to 

represent journeys of shamans into 

the spiritual world in an effort to 

induce rain, heal sicknesses and ease 

societal tensions. The opportunity to 

The hike offers expansive views of the 

waterfall and gorge below 

view these, through an adrenalin-packed experience, made it every bit worth the 

drive. 

While overlooking the view from the last pit stop point, we were told that future 

plans were to extend the hike further down and possibly even put up a zipline. 

My close to 70-year-old father promptly announced, with a large grin, that he 

would definitely be back for that! 

After exploring the cave, we clipped on again and began the hike back up. It 

took us about an hour and a half altogether to do the hike, and I totally enjoyed 

working up a sweat and the stiff legs I had for the next two days. My nephew, 

who still found the energy to chase after a rock lizard after we got to the top, was 

lights out right after dinner, so clearly it did him a whole lot of good, and my dad 

(and his two iron knees) who hiked with no complaints could hardly stay awake 

past dinner either. Of course my mom, the day before her 60 birthday, was about 

the only one, next to the tour guides, who came out looking younger than the 

rest of us. 

Open to hikers aged eight and older, a visit to KwaXolo Caves costs R150 a 

person and you can book through Makhosazane Mashal on 076 185 3447 or 

Shaun Makhaya on 074 8873 742. 

Details: Facebook: KwaXolo Caves Adventures. 


CONFERENCES | BEACH | DINING | SPA | ACTIVITIES 

Rediscover 

SUNSHINE & HAPPINESS 

Happiness comes in waves… Pause, enjoy 

our piece of paradise and escape with us! 

You’ll take home a sprinkle of sand and 

a bucket load of memories. 

Find adventure & make memories 

+27 (0)39 684 6717 | reservations@pumulabeachhotel.co.za | www.pumulabeachhotel.com

Golden nuggets 

of the South Coast 

A renowned holiday destination, KZN’s South Coast is home to some of the country’s most 

interesting and diverse sites and activities. Come December, a flurry of holiday makers 

regularly visit the region to indulge in the sun, the sea and the local entertainment. 

We rounded up just a few of the incredible things that this region boasts ... 


1A golf coast 

With 11 golf courses alongside 

oceans and coastal forests, there 

is a green for every golfer. The diverse 

courses can be found at Umkomaas, 

Scottburgh, Selborne Park, Umdoni, 

Port Shepstone, Harding, Margate, 

Southbroom, San Lameer, Port 

Edward and the Wild Coast Sun. 

2 4 

Blue flag beaches 

KZN boasts six Blue Flag 

beaches – an internationallyrecognised 

demarcation of quality 

– five of which are located on the 

South Coast. With golden sands and 

the warm Indian Ocean, visitors can 

enjoy bathing, surfing, snorkelling and 

diving along this beautiful coast. 

3The smallest desert in 

the world 

Situated just 10 kilometres 

from Port Edward is the Red Desert. 

Stretching 200 metres in diameter, this 

recently-proclaimed nature reserve 

is also the world’s smallest desert, 

and the site of many archaeological 

discoveries. 

Top dive sites and marine 

protected areas 

Aliwal Shoal, just 5km offshore 

of the Umkomaas River, and Protea 

Banks, 8km off Shelly Beach, are both 

world-revered dive sites, home to a 

number of ocean creatures. These 

wondrous ocean sites are both 

Marine Protected Areas and have 

prompted numerous international 

documentaries and attracted an influx 

of global tourists. 

5The only MSA-approved 

racing track in KZN 

Dezzi Raceway in Port 

Shepstone is the only Motorsport 

South Africa (MSA)-approved racing 

track in the province, and the host 

of numerous prestigious motorsport 

events. The track includes two 

purpose-built drift circuits for highoctane 

entertainment! 

6Sardine Run #Greatest- 

ShoalOnEarth 

Winter brings the planet’s 

biggest biomass migration close 


inshore of the region, giving visitors 

front-row seats to the ocean-based 

feeding frenzy. This is a must-see 

annual spectacle, as shoals of silver 

fish are followed by bigger fish, sharks, 

dolphins and sea birds. 

7The highest gorge swing 

in the world 

The Wild Gorge Swing at Oribi 

Gorge is the highest swing of its 

kind in the world. Located at the 

top of Lehr’s Waterfall, the swing is 

the equivalent of launching off a 

55-storey building (165 metres). A 

definite bucket list addition for any 

thrill-seeker. 

8Tidal pools 

This family-friendly swimming 

destination has the most tidal 

pools in KZN which provide sheltered 

beach swimming regardless of the 

surf conditions. 

9The Humpback whales 

Between June and December, 

more than 30 000 Humpback 

Whales participate in the annual 

migration which can be viewed 

from any of the 58 KZN South Coast 

beaches and the many oceanside 

restaurants and cafés. 

10 

Affordable holiday 

destination 

With so many unique, 

family-friendly holiday activities and 

a variety of accommodation options, 

the KZN South Coast is also an 

affordable domestic destination for 

the entire family. With 2020 proving a 

financially-constrained time for many 

South Africans, the area is emerging 

as a prime holiday spot for those 

wanting to maximise on family time, 

without breaking the budget. 

These are just a selection of the 

many unique and enriching sites and 

activities that can be found on the 

KZN South Coast. As an affordable 

destination offering all manner of 

nature-based, outdoor activities, the 

region is the perfect location for those 

wanting to unwind and reconnect 

with family after a challenging year. 

This truly is #ParadiseForEveryone. 


Spoil 

November 

A very berry Christmas Spoil 

WIN! 

We’ve got 

a R2000 Vegmo 

Accessories voucher to 

give away. To enter visit 

the ‘Competition’ section 

on our website: www. 

getitmagazine.co.za/ 

highway-berea 

In this ever-changing world, festive 

flair is a beautiful mood we can create 

in our homes and lives as a means 

of lifting spirits, bringing families 

together, creating something joyful to 

look at and making lasting memories. 

While we almost always focus on 

Christmas trees and garlands, the 

Christmas wreath is another different 

focus for festive décor! If you’re 

a DIY fundi the wreath is a great 

project to set yourself and let your 

imagination run wild but, for those 

who don’t have the gift of naturalborn 

creativity, Vegmo Accessories is 

the perfect go-to Christmas shopping 

wonderland. With an abundance of 

Christmas stock (it’s an adventure on 

its own to shop there) and a whole 

lot of festive flair, they will effortlessly 

help you find or decorate the perfect 

wreath together with your trees 

and garlands, so that you and your 

loved ones will be able to enjoy, 

appreciate and celebrate Christmas 

2020 and beyond! Make sure you 

pop in and be inspired! Details: www. 

vegmoaccessories.co.za 


STARTING 

FROM R1.6M 

Please call us to make an appointment to view. 

MORE OUT OF 

RETIREMENT 

FOR LESS THAN 

YOU THINK 

IT TURNS OUT, YOU CAN PUT A PRICE ON YOUR DREAM 

RETIREMENT AND WITH US, IT’S AN AFFORDABLE ONE… 

At Renishaw Hills, a mature lifestyle village and celebrated coastal gem located in Scottburgh, 

KwaZulu-Natal, we deliver unmatched value that goes beyond price alone. Our Reversionary 

Transfer Obligation model (similar to Life Rights) gives you the most for your money 

so that you can retire the way you’ve always wanted to. 

From as little as R1.64 million, you’ll get more than just stunning views, spectacular 

finishes and a well-designed home that celebrates the best of Mother Nature and 

indoor/outdoor living. You’ll be enjoying our laid-back lifestyle, inclusive community, 

state-of-the-art security and glorious weather. Our popular Phase 5 is going fast and 

every home is now available at RTO prices. Want to live the holiday the way our residents 

do? Book your private tour complete with strict health and safety measures when you 

email sales@renishawhills.co.za or take our virtual tours on www.renishawhills.co.za. 

THE START OF A NEW ADVENTURE 

Julieann: 084 514 8028 | sales@renishawhills.co.za | www.renishawhills.co.za

NOV 2020 - Highway DBN

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