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Feb 2021-Ballito Umhl

This month we are celebrating the 'month of love', not with hearts and roses, but with self-care, stories of hope, local travel and art ... and a reminder that, despite all the chaos, life is beautiful and worth loving.

This month we are celebrating the 'month of love', not with hearts and roses, but with self-care, stories of hope, local travel and art ... and a reminder that, despite all the chaos, life is beautiful and worth loving.

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BALLITO • UMHLANGA<br />

FILMMAKER<br />

TIM HAY<br />

TAKES 1ST PLACE!<br />

Hanna<br />

Grobler<br />

on art, charity<br />

& <strong>Ballito</strong> living<br />

3reasons to visit<br />

Bayete Zulu<br />

Private Lodge<br />

FOR THE KIDS<br />

Fashion, arts and<br />

new career options<br />

THIS MONTH ALL WE NEED IS<br />

LOVE<br />

SHOPPING, PEOPLE AND LIFESTYLE IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD<br />

FEBRUARY <strong>2021</strong>


GET IT<br />

Editorial<br />

Phone 032 946 0276<br />

Email leah@getitnc.co.za<br />

<strong>Ballito</strong> Business Centre • <strong>Ballito</strong> Drive<br />

<strong>Ballito</strong> • KwaZulu-Natal<br />

Like our Facebook page:<br />

Get It Magazine <strong>Ballito</strong>.<strong>Umhl</strong>anga<br />

Follow us on Twitter: @GetItMagNC<br />

Follow us on Instagram:<br />

@getitmagnc<br />

www.getitmagazine.co.za/ballito<br />

Editor Leah Shone<br />

leah@getitnc.co.za<br />

Layout and Design<br />

Nicole von Metzinger<br />

ads@northcoastcourier.co.za<br />

Advertising Natalie Bertram<br />

Natalie@getitnc.co.za | 082 434 3442<br />

Sales and Online Support Lisa Smith<br />

lisa@getitnc.co.za<br />

GET IT NATIONAL<br />

National Group Editor and National<br />

Sales Kym Argo<br />

082 785 9230 | kyma@caxton.co.za<br />

Distribution<br />

10 000 copies monthly<br />

Get It <strong>Ballito</strong> • <strong>Umhl</strong>anga is distributed<br />

free of charge in <strong>Ballito</strong>, Salt Rock, <strong>Umhl</strong>ali,<br />

Umdloti, <strong>Umhl</strong>anga Rocks, <strong>Umhl</strong>anga<br />

Ridge and Gateway<br />

Published by The North Coast Courier<br />

Competition rules<br />

The judges’ decision is final. Prizes cannot be<br />

transferred or redeemed for cash. Competitions<br />

are not open to the sponsors or Caxton<br />

employees or their families. Get It Magazine<br />

reserves the right to publish the names of<br />

winners, who will be contacted telephonically<br />

and need to collect their prizes from Get it <strong>Ballito</strong><br />

branch within 10 days or they will be forfeited.<br />

Prize winners’ names are published on our<br />

Facebook page monthly.<br />

Cover: Hanna Grobler<br />

Shot by: Chris Allan Photo, 083 441 3144,<br />

www.chrisallanphoto.co.za<br />

Makeup: Kylie Black, @MadeUp_byKylie,<br />

082 326 5171<br />

Hair: Jade Broughton, Carlton Hair <strong>Ballito</strong>, <strong>Ballito</strong><br />

Junction Regional Mall, 032 586 1820<br />

contents<br />

Wish List<br />

4 We’re celebrating beauty, health and love this <strong>Feb</strong>!<br />

social scene<br />

7 Liquor, art and luxurious spoils ... all launched at the end of last year!<br />

People<br />

10 Actress, artist, philanthropist and <strong>Ballito</strong> mom Hanna Grobler<br />

12 Tim Hay and his team take first prize in top film competition!<br />

14 Kylie Wentzel tells stories with her paintbrush . . .<br />

18 To inspire hope in lockdown, Durban North’s Trish ran 100 half<br />

marathons in 100 days consecutively!<br />

20 Meet former SA cricketer and Simbithi resident Kyle Abbott<br />

fashion<br />

24 We’re loving these local scrunchies with heart<br />

Home & decor<br />

28 Have you visited the stunning new pop up art gallery at<br />

The Studio at Lifestyle Centre <strong>Ballito</strong>? You should!<br />

30 Gorgeous tropical courtyard dream house<br />

tots to teens<br />

34 Careers of the future . . . which direction is your child heading in?<br />

36 The cutest ‘mommy and me’ outfits you ever did see!<br />

38 Your child will gain strength, flexibility and body awareness<br />

and have loads of fun at Flipside Aerial<br />

40 Drama classes can give your child the confidence they need<br />

travel<br />

44 Here are some of our favourite weekend getaway spots<br />

46 We’ve got three great reasons for you to visit Bayete Zulu Private in<br />

the Manyoni Private Game Reserve . . . but there are so many more!<br />

46<br />

february <strong>2021</strong><br />

9966 copies distributed (July – Sept 2020)<br />

<strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2021</strong> Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> <strong>Umhl</strong>anga 01


14<br />

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be transformed into an upmarket health spa or a residential development with<br />

picturesque inland and sea views.<br />

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SIMBITHI | A MUST VIEW!<br />

Single level, freestanding beauty with views over the greenbelt in Simbithi.<br />

3 2 2<br />

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R 3 995 000<br />

PALM LAKES | STOP THE SEARCH – FAMILY ALERT!<br />

Exceptional and well-appointed modern contemporary home located on a<br />

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R 7 500 000<br />

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Fiona Crago<br />

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Jackie Futter<br />

083 326 7958<br />

jackie@fionacrago.co.za<br />

Bea van der Merwe<br />

072 756 7753<br />

bea@fionacrago.co.za<br />

Tania Evert<br />

Rental Specialist<br />

073 106 6010<br />

rentals@fionacrago.co.za<br />

Invest. Intelligently.<br />

032 946 1439 | www.fionacrago.co.za


Book club<br />

Books. Wine. Food. The perfect love affair.<br />

‘More than just a mantra, “cook, eat, repeat” is the story of my life’ . Nigella’s new book is<br />

an utterly delicious combination of recipes, essays, and ideas. It’s so much more than<br />

just a recipe book … it’s Nigella’s love affair with food and family. There’s fancy(ish)<br />

… beetroot, rhubarb and ginger soup, and pasta with clams and bottarga; comfort<br />

… marrowbone mince, and lasagne of love; simple … a fish finger sandwich with<br />

old-school bread, a squirt of Japanese mayo and hot sauce and iceberg lettuce is her<br />

go-to meal when she’s harried, hungry and has no time to cook. And after a busy day,<br />

or to kick off a cocktail party – a mean, green, dirty martini. Cook, Eat, Repeat … a<br />

foodie joy! • Not only is pork one of the most versatile meats, it’s one of the leanest,<br />

healthiest meat proteins and – hugely important in our current economic climate –<br />

offers the best value for money. Oink! by Billy Forssman, with contributions from local<br />

food celebs, is a celebration of pork’s wide range of flavours and textures. It’s all about<br />

the smell of bacon sizzling (best wake-up call ever), about Sunday roasts with perfect<br />

crackling and weekend braais. The Perfect Pork Cookbook … scrumptious.<br />

Welgegund Heritage Wines only bottles premium high-end wines in<br />

great years – and 2019 proved to be great indeed. So the trio of justreleased,<br />

award-winning, limited-edition, numbered bottles are highly<br />

rated. There’s a Welgegund Heritage Wines Chenin Blanc 2019, a<br />

Cinsault 2019, and this bright Grenache Noir 2019 – soft, smooth<br />

and refined, which you should serve cooler than your usual red, and is<br />

lovely with a charcuterie board, salmon or a smoked mussel pot, or after<br />

dinner with chocolate fondant. Details: welgegund.co.za<br />

<strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2021</strong> Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> <strong>Umhl</strong>anga 03


Wish list<br />

Celebrating beauty, health,<br />

nutrition and a little bit of love<br />

this <strong>Feb</strong>ruary . . .<br />

Succulents<br />

in a heart<br />

Declare your love with this adorable<br />

heart-shaped pot filled with<br />

little succulents - perfect even for<br />

those with not-so-green fingers!<br />

Details: Woolworths, R149,99<br />

Beat pollution and<br />

protect your skin<br />

Our stress levels are high and<br />

the world is full of environmental<br />

pollutants … and none of this<br />

is good for our health, and in<br />

particular, our skin. We’re loving<br />

Environ’s latest innovative<br />

products, which offer complete<br />

protection against the harmful effects<br />

of pollution: the Focus Care<br />

Comfort and Anti-Pollution Spritz<br />

and Masque. The spritz (R520)<br />

provides a lightweight, invisible<br />

breathable shield, which has a<br />

scientifically perfected blend of<br />

anti-pollution ingredients and<br />

high potency antioxidants to help<br />

counteract the harmful effects<br />

of pollution. The multi-functional<br />

charcoal masque (R515) is formulated<br />

with Japanese Charcoal and<br />

special botanicals to help absorb<br />

pollutant impurities, normalise<br />

and hydrate the skin and leave it<br />

feeling revitalised and smooth.<br />

Chocolate … with benefits!<br />

Most people are becoming increasingly aware of their<br />

health, opting to eat healthier and lead more active lifestyles.<br />

But that doesn’t mean we have to miss out on all the fun.<br />

Now you can enjoy your sweet treat while actually putting<br />

good stuff into your body at the same time. Cape Town<br />

based brand of natural chocolate, GD Chocolates recently<br />

launched their chocolate Loaded Logs (R24.75) packed<br />

with healthy goodness. Each flavour of GD’s dark chocolate<br />

brings with it unique nutritional properties. Whether you’re<br />

looking for a collagen or energy boost, a dose of vitamin C<br />

or something to ease inflammation, these little treats have it<br />

all! The Collagen Loaded Log contains collagen and Vitamin<br />

C, the Vitamin C Loaded Log is jammed with the all the good<br />

stuff, the Maca Moringa flavour offers an energy boost and<br />

the Turmeric Loaded Log is full of anti-inflammatory properties.<br />

What an awesome gift for someone … or for yourself …<br />

this Valentine’s Day! Details: Available at Wellness Warehouse<br />

stores, selected Spars, Health shops and Deli’s nationwide.<br />

04 Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> <strong>Umhl</strong>anga <strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2021</strong>


A star is born<br />

Oh, we so love Wrapistry … taking<br />

the stress and hassle out of ‘what<br />

to buy’ in just a few clicks! This<br />

hugely popular online registry<br />

and gift store has launched a baby<br />

registry to welcome new bundles<br />

of joy to the world. You can browse<br />

through an incredible selection of<br />

everything that new parents and<br />

the baby may need. From stylish<br />

cots and sleek strollers to everyday<br />

essentials (think cutlery sets<br />

and vests), you are really spoilt for<br />

choice. Plus, new, beautiful items<br />

are added to the online store each<br />

week. So, to all the parents to be,<br />

this is the perfect place to create a<br />

registry for the new chapter you’re<br />

about to enter as parents. And …<br />

get the gifts you actually want!<br />

Details: wrapistry.shop<br />

Beauty & nutrition<br />

We have found what is by far our favourite<br />

beauty spoil this year and we’re<br />

sharing the secret - because we’re nice<br />

like that! FUTURELIFE® BEAUTI FOOD<br />

is packed with goodness and tastes<br />

amazing. With skin-enhancing benefits<br />

from the collagen this supplementary<br />

meal range is scientifically-formulated<br />

and available in delicious, on-the-go<br />

bar and shake formats. It’s low GI,<br />

contains no added sugar and is high in<br />

protein - so it’s ideal for a mid-morning<br />

or mid-afternoon snack. The shakes are<br />

delicious (trust us, we tried them) and<br />

make for a convenient meal supplement<br />

(just mix with water and shake).<br />

The flavours are French Vanilla and Caramel<br />

Latte (so yum), and if consumed<br />

daily as directed, they will reduce the<br />

appearance of wrinkles! Whoop! Details:<br />

FUTURELIFE® BEAUTI FOOD is available<br />

from Dis-Chem, Clicks and Makro<br />

stores, www.futurelifefood.com/Beauti-<br />

Food/ @futurelifeza<br />

<strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2021</strong> Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> <strong>Umhl</strong>anga 05


More than just a<br />

liquor store<br />

The brand new, spacious and beautifully-designed TOPS liquor store at<br />

Lifestyle <strong>Ballito</strong> officially opened its doors on 1 December. Unlike anything<br />

the North Coast has seen before, this is more than just a bottle<br />

store. Incorporating an expansive wine department, walk-in beer fridge<br />

and incredibly unique spaces for gin, whiskey, rum, tequila and cognac,<br />

the store even has a biltong bar, cigars, gifting, snacks and fresh flowers.<br />

When the liquor ban is lifted … you’ll find us here!<br />

Jarred and Natasha Tanner<br />

Murray Loader and Anton Petzer<br />

Tony Northend, Brendon Wray and Clive Dyer<br />

Keean and Kyra Rencken, Sarah<br />

Hopper and Cameron Rencken


Bruce Rencken and Jane Digby<br />

Bongani Luthuli, Right Makhathini and Mthobiso Maphumulo<br />

Ross and Chanel Chapman<br />

Artists collective<br />

Guests were blown away at the launch of the exciting Gallery at Lifestyle<br />

Centre at the end of last year. The temporary gallery is running until April<br />

and features a range of phenomenally talented local professional artists<br />

working in a variety of genre, techniques and subjects. The contemporary,<br />

industrial-feel space was conceptualized and designed by Bruce<br />

Rencken and Murray Loader and the project headed up by well known<br />

<strong>Ballito</strong> artist Jane Digby.<br />

Suvina Mahadaw and Rev Batohi<br />

Maritza Jardim and Zurika Cloete<br />

Dom and Brett Roux


Passion project …<br />

Pink bubbly on ice, breathtaking floral arrangements and even a live ballet<br />

performance … the launch of Kgomotso Ndungane’s luxurious range of<br />

essential-oil based products, LeLaPa, at Seaton Estate at the end of last year<br />

was a wonderful affair. Kgomotso the wife of rugby sensation, Odwa and a<br />

successful business woman in her own right.<br />

Julia James and Shan Fourie<br />

Mabusi Seme<br />

Odwa and Kgomotso Ndungane<br />

Take luxury to bed<br />

The beautiful Coull Cotton Co showroom, situated at The Circle in <strong>Ballito</strong>,<br />

opened its doors to the public at the beginning of December last year.<br />

This stunning space showcases the full range of high quality, luxurious<br />

Coull Cotton Co beds, as well as hand selected linen, towels, outdoor and<br />

indoor furniture, artwork, pillows, curtains, candles and bath salts.<br />

Jane Wilson and<br />

Tom and Di Reijter<br />

Simon Mills and Cathy<br />

Ellis from M&B Events<br />

The Coull Cotton Co showroom<br />

Gary Wentzel<br />

and Lynn Coull<br />

08 Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> <strong>Umhl</strong>anga <strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2021</strong>


Jasmine Allan, Chelsea and Chris<br />

Micklewood and Andile Ngidi<br />

Hot & hip<br />

Situated at arguably one of the best locations in<br />

<strong>Umhl</strong>anga, the beautiful new Dante opened its doors<br />

at the end of last year. Under the ownership of Trent<br />

Varejes and twin brothers Andile and Ayanda Ngidi,<br />

Dante spans three levels, boasting a main restaurant<br />

and bar, gin garden, cigar bar, oyster & champagne<br />

bar, signature bar and rooftop bar with hypnotic<br />

ocean views. The bold and exciting interior is the<br />

work of interior designer Alice Kelly and industry<br />

stalwart, Chef Marco Nico head chef Kyle Govender<br />

bring to life the venue’s contemporary Mediterranean<br />

menu with a South African twist. This is a must-visit<br />

spot for brunch, lunch or dinner, as well as for special<br />

events and private functions.<br />

Andile Ngidi, Keri Miller and Ayanda Ngidi


Text: Leah Shone | Photograph: Chris Allan Photo | Hair: Carlton Hair <strong>Ballito</strong> | Makuep: KYLIE BLACK @MADEUP_ BYKYLIE<br />

10 Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> <strong>Umhl</strong>anga <strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2021</strong>


Art, charity & coastal life<br />

Well known South African television actress and <strong>Ballito</strong> mother of two Hanna Grobler<br />

is also a talented artist whose work has been exhibited around the country. Her biggest<br />

passion though, and the one she is most proud of, is her charity, Hanna Charity, which<br />

supports more than 11 communities and makes a difference in thousands of people’s lives.<br />

She may be married to one of the most famous musicians in the country, but<br />

make no mistake, Hanna is a force to be reckoned with all on her own. She,<br />

her husband Bok van Blerk and their two small children moved to <strong>Ballito</strong> from<br />

Gauteng a few years ago and have fallen in love with coastal life.<br />

Most people recognise Hanna from the numerous television roles she has had,<br />

including co-presenting the game show Doen met ‘n Miljoen with Casper de<br />

Vries and her parts in various Afrikaans soaps such as Sewende Laan, Villa Rosa,<br />

Binnelanders and Egoli (the movie). She also did five seasons of the hit TV drama<br />

series, Getroud met Rugby.<br />

“I have had the privilege of working with some of the best actors and directors in<br />

our country. I learned so much and really enjoyed acting,” she says.<br />

But acting wasn’t Hanna’s first love. Born and raised in Pretoria, she attended<br />

an arts school where she specialized in painting and sculpture. “Art was always<br />

my first love. While at art school I was exposed to performance art and live art<br />

exhibitions and it absolutely fascinated me. I had my own fine art style and didn’t<br />

want to further my fine art studies at university, so I decided to study drama at<br />

the University of Stellenbosch instead. After that I landed big acting roles and<br />

moved to Johannesburg to focus on my career. Fine arts played ‘second fiddle’ to<br />

my acting for a number of years.”<br />

Hanna has since rekindled her love for painting, drawing and sculpture and some<br />

of her mixed medium ‘pop art’ pieces are currently on exhibition at the Gallery<br />

@ The Studios at Lifestyle Centre <strong>Ballito</strong>. “I work mostly in charcoal and oil paint -<br />

sometimes separately and sometimes combined. I almost always do portraits. I<br />

love people and capturing their specific emotions,” she says.<br />

“From a very young age I focused on my three passions in life - fine art, charity<br />

and acting. I grew up in a traditional Afrikaans home with my older brother and<br />

sister. My mom (a qualified social worker) and my dad (a sculptor and minister in<br />

the NG Church) were very supportive of us following our dreams and taught us<br />

to have respect for people and be the change we want to see in the world.”<br />

Being involved in charity, Hanna says, was never a conscious decision, but rather<br />

just always part of her life. “I started doing small acts of charity from when I<br />

was a little girl. In high school, I volunteered at children’s homes and geriatric<br />

institutions and when I studied acting I started working with street children in<br />

Stellenbosch. When I moved back to Gauteng I felt the need to do community<br />

development and raised funds by hosting concerts in my living room with actors<br />

and musicians!”<br />

Hanna and her friends started up a soup kitchen in the small community of<br />

Elandspoort. They added a clothing bank and soon saw a need amongst small<br />

children - so they started an Early Childhood Development centre. “We also<br />

put in a library and, soon after that, put a skills development program into<br />

place. People from the community started working for their own people in the<br />

community and we saw big change!” That was when they started putting up the<br />

same type of stations and programs in other communities. In 2008 Hanna Charity<br />

and Empowerment Foundation was registered as non profit organization (NPO),<br />

Public Benefit Organisation (PBO) and a Non Government Organization (NGO)<br />

with an 18a certificate with the department of social services.<br />

“I think charity is just in your genes. Form me, it was as if everything developed<br />

organically. It was never a decision, but rather just destiny. My mom helped me a<br />

We moved here for<br />

a better quality of<br />

life for ourselves<br />

and our children.<br />

lot with decision making and guided<br />

me, which I really appreciate.<br />

Speaking about her relationship with<br />

Bok, Hanna says they met through the<br />

entertainment industry and started<br />

out as friends. “Him being a singer<br />

and me doing theatre productions,<br />

we always saw each other at festivals.<br />

I was in a long relationship but when<br />

I broke up with my boyfriend we<br />

started dating and fell in love. A few<br />

years later we got married on a family<br />

farm in Hoedspruit and straight after<br />

our honeymoon I went away for three<br />

months to do a theatre production. It<br />

was horrible - I missed him so much!”<br />

The couple suffered a huge loss when<br />

their first son was stillborn a year<br />

later. It was something, Hanna says,<br />

that broke her heart and changed<br />

her life completely. She decided to<br />

take a break from acting for a while.<br />

Subsequently, the couple have had<br />

two more beautiful children, named<br />

Samuel and Yamila.<br />

Asked what prompted them to move<br />

to the North Coast, Hanna says, “We<br />

moved here for a better quality of life<br />

for ourselves and our children. My<br />

parents live in Ramsgate, so it’s close<br />

for a quick visit, and we love being so<br />

close to the airport if we need to travel<br />

for work.”<br />

Details: To find out how you can help or<br />

donate to the Hanna Charity contact<br />

them on: info@hannacharity.org, 083<br />

571 3299, www.hannacharity.org<br />

<strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2021</strong> Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> <strong>Umhl</strong>anga 11


Bringing memories to life<br />

You only have to have seen one of Timothy Hay’s videos to know that he is a truly<br />

talented filmmaker. He and his team recently walked away with first prize in the<br />

coveted My RODE Reel 2020 competition for a three-minute documentary they<br />

produced called Amanzi Olwandle.<br />

Text: Leah Shone<br />

allito-based Tim is<br />

absolutely passionate<br />

about cinematography.<br />

He lives and breathes<br />

film and the evidence<br />

of this passion and his<br />

dedication to the craft lie<br />

in the incredibly high quality of work<br />

he continually produces. And now it’s<br />

paying off. We caught up with Tim to<br />

find out more about the film that won<br />

him first place and $20 000 cash in<br />

the My RODE Reel competition, which<br />

tells the story of a man named Avuyile<br />

Ndamase (who plays himself in the<br />

film) who lost his 15-year-old brother<br />

Zama to a shark attack 10 years ago.<br />

Tell us a bit about the story behind<br />

Amanzi Olwandle. Why and how did<br />

you choose this specific story?<br />

I was drawn to the story because<br />

Tim with Avuyile Ndamase<br />

who lost his brother in a<br />

shark attack 10 years ago<br />

12 Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> <strong>Umhl</strong>anga <strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2021</strong>


it is about loss. We have all lost or<br />

will lose someone we love in one<br />

way or another. There is a simple<br />

beauty to death that I wanted to<br />

show in the story. This was based<br />

on a true story and I simply showed<br />

another way of dealing with loss. We<br />

are still connected to people who<br />

have passed on through the things<br />

that connected us in the first place,<br />

whether it’s the ocean or simply<br />

doing things that remind us of the<br />

connection. I lost my father as a<br />

young boy and every year I go for a<br />

swim in the sea on his birthday. This<br />

connects me to him. In the film, I<br />

wanted to show how Avo (Avuyile)<br />

uses the ocean and the old habits<br />

they shared to bond the brothers in<br />

spirit. I also chose Avo’s story because<br />

I love the ocean and surfing and,<br />

when I met him and shared my ideas<br />

and how I would film it, he seemed<br />

super happy to get involved.<br />

Is this a competition you’ve always<br />

wanted to enter?<br />

The RODE Reel is a competition I was<br />

interested in for years. I have entered<br />

many competitions throughout my<br />

career and won a few. RODE Reel<br />

seemed like an impossible one to win<br />

because of the huge prize money and<br />

number of people who enter every<br />

year, but I was keen to try either way.<br />

So I put together a shot list, gathered<br />

a super rad film crew, scouted Salt<br />

Rock beach for two excellent young<br />

actors, packed the car to the roof and<br />

headed to Transkei to create some<br />

magic!<br />

Talk us through some of the challenges<br />

you faced during filming.<br />

Filming a short film like this comes<br />

with many challenges. Normally you<br />

would have a large budget, film crew<br />

and plenty of time. We had a small<br />

budget, smaller crew and no time.<br />

Firstly, no parent wanted to loan us<br />

their child for a weekend! Eventually I<br />

made contact with Salt Rock lifeguard<br />

named Linda who teaches kids to<br />

swim and surf to keep them off<br />

the streets (I feel another short film<br />

coming here...). He found me two<br />

amazing young men willing to star<br />

in our film and their parents were<br />

excited for them to act. Once that was<br />

sorted, we needed a trailer because<br />

we had limited car space with six<br />

Young actors Sanele Antiono Mthethwa and Mphathi<br />

Ndlovu with Avuyile (who plays himself in the film)<br />

bodies and tons of gear. I loaned one from a friend and we were finally off to<br />

shoot ... just two weeks before the deadline. Another challenge was weather and<br />

surf conditions but, lucky for us, the weather gods were in our favour.<br />

How did you feel when you found out you’d won?<br />

I was actually asked to do a Zoom call a few days before to discuss the film with<br />

the guys from RODE. We chatted about how and when we shot the film and all<br />

the challenges and the team and then, at the end of the conversation, they told<br />

me I had won! I was so shocked and confused. I didn’t know what to say and just<br />

kept asking if it was a joke. Eventually though it sunk in and I was overcome with<br />

gratitude and pride. Like I said, I have entered many film competitions, created<br />

some shockers and some rad pieces of work and won maybe five out of 30 of<br />

them. I’ve worked my ‘bum off’! What I take from that is that hard work does pay<br />

off and only through the years of failing and learning did I manage to get this<br />

one right.<br />

Tell us about your film making career thus far and what comes next. I never<br />

studied film, but always found it interesting and exciting. I couldn’t afford a<br />

camera when I was younger and just played with mates’ cameras. Life took me<br />

on a strange but necessary journey when I moved to the UK where I filmed for<br />

Youtube. It was quite strange actually, as I struggled to find anyone keen to be<br />

in front of the camera - so I was forced to film myself! Back home I got a job with<br />

ESA (Extreme Sports Angling), where I learned the fundamentals of film making<br />

and story telling. I started my production company, Hellmot Productions, freelancing<br />

for just about any production I could get involved with. It wasn’t easy, but<br />

I learnt a lot about what kind of work I love and where I wanted to go. I started a<br />

motorbike show, Journey to the Roof, which aired on Supersport once a month<br />

for three years and while filming I worked on other projects. In 2016, while filming<br />

for BMW, I was involved in a car accident that changed my life forever. Doctors<br />

didn’t believe I was going to live through the first operation but thank God<br />

I was fit and healthy from training for three years for the Roof of Africa. I spent<br />

a month in hospital and a few years doing rehab. The experience changed and<br />

inspired me in both my career and life, and I accepted and put my all into every<br />

challenge that has come my way. My goal for the future is to work on a feature<br />

film. I would like to be part of the entire process from start to finish and specifically<br />

work on stories that touch people in some way. We are all story tellers in our<br />

own way ... whether its a bedtime story to your child, a campfire story with mates<br />

or simple gossip ... we all tell stories. For those of us who work in film though, we<br />

get to tell stories in ways that move the soul. Details: www.hellmot.com<br />

<strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2021</strong> Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> <strong>Umhl</strong>anga 13


The paintbrush<br />

storyteller<br />

She is the rising star on the South African art horizon<br />

and was recently named one of Africa’s most promising<br />

emerging artists under the age of 30. Meet Umdloti<br />

urban creative Kylie Wentzel.<br />

Text: Elana Wagner<br />

Her art journey began in a room<br />

crawling with geckos, set in the back<br />

garden of an old house opposite<br />

Redhill cemetery in Durban. While<br />

it might sound like a scene from a<br />

scary movie, it was, in fact, a place<br />

of wonder, imagination and fond<br />

childhood memories for Kylie. Her<br />

mom, also an artist, used this back<br />

room as her studio. Here, Kylie says,<br />

her love for art was cultivated and<br />

nurtured. “My two older siblings and<br />

I learnt a lot about making art in my<br />

mom’s studio, which was always full<br />

of geckos. The three of us have always<br />

been incredibly close. I knew from a<br />

young age that art and art making<br />

would always be important in my life.”<br />

Having the guts to pursue the<br />

art route, however, is not for the<br />

fainthearted and it took time for<br />

her to put herself and her work out<br />

there. “Not everyone will enjoy what<br />

you make - this was the best advice<br />

I was ever given. I only really gained<br />

confidence and thought of art as a<br />

career once I took the chance and it<br />

started to work out,” says the 27-yearold<br />

tattoo-lover who lives in Umdloti<br />

with her husband, photographer<br />

Samora Chapman.<br />

Finding her ‘sweet and sour’ style<br />

Her bold, vivid and playful paintings<br />

tell stories of pineapples sold on<br />

the promenade, humid days in the<br />

garden and animals in the jungle.<br />

She documents moments in time,<br />

people who left an impression on<br />

her and animals she met along the<br />

way - all in the name of celebrating<br />

her proud KZN roots. “My inspiration is always shifting as I look to the natural and<br />

constructed environments around me. There’s always something new to see,<br />

or new ways of seeing something, and much to learn. Passing faces, strangers’<br />

stories, urban animals, Tipp-Ex text scribbled on derelict alley walls, kitsch prints,<br />

imported goods for sale on a hot city pavement – these are the kinds of things<br />

that stand out to me.”<br />

The characteristic black-outlined look is a distinct feature in her lively, eyecatching<br />

artworks. This style is inspired by the age-old lino cutting technique - a<br />

printmaking method where an image is carved into a sheet of linoleum, rolled<br />

with ink and printed onto paper. She discovered her love for this type of art<br />

while living in Cape Town, where she completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts at the<br />

Michaelis School of Fine Art at the University of Cape Town in 2015. Interestingly,<br />

she never really painted during her studies, as she majored in new media and<br />

photography. “Only when I finished studying, I started exploring painting. With<br />

no formal conditioning in this field, I could really start from the beginning and<br />

make it my own. I would describe my art as sweet and sour.” She says being an<br />

artist feels like you have access to some ancient sorcery. “You can take something<br />

that you are handed by reality and change it to create your own desired version.”<br />

Next stop: Angola<br />

In her young career, Kylie has already racked up some impressive achievements,<br />

including a recent solo exhibition at the Kalashnikovv Gallery, Johannesburg -<br />

highlights which she says she is eternally grateful for. Now, she is getting ready<br />

for her African debut, as the Emerging Painting Invitational, an international art<br />

platform developed by the African Art Galleries Association, selected her as one<br />

of the most promising painters under 30 in Africa. “I won the opportunity to go<br />

to Angola for an artist’s residency, which should be happening in <strong>2021</strong>. To meet<br />

new people, to have an opportunity to see the world and to have your work<br />

move to different parts is a huge gift. I feel so blessed to be able to make a living<br />

from my art.” Details: Instagram: @k.vventzel<br />

14 Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> <strong>Umhl</strong>anga <strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2021</strong>


Snow and Joanne Cogan, it seems,<br />

have done exactly this. Below is a<br />

tribute to them, sponsored by friends<br />

and colleagues who wish to remain<br />

anonymous.<br />

‘If living in lockdown has taught us<br />

anything, it is to appreciate and show<br />

gratitude wherever possible. Life is short<br />

and it’s important to show appreciation<br />

to the ones we hold near and dear.<br />

Snow and Joanne Cogan have lived in<br />

<strong>Ballito</strong> for more than 17 years and have<br />

greatly impacted their town. Anyone<br />

who has met Snow knows his sharp<br />

tongue and quick-witted comebacks<br />

and a lucky few know his impressive<br />

business acumen and honourable<br />

mentorship skills.<br />

Joanne has impressed on us her<br />

overwhelming kindness and generosity.<br />

A true role model and mentor, every<br />

encounter with her is inspiring.<br />

During lockdown last year these two<br />

worked hard behind the scenes to<br />

distribute face masks and food supplies<br />

to those in need. We can’t deny that<br />

Promotion<br />

A moment of thanks<br />

It takes a special kind of<br />

person (or in this case people)<br />

to inspire members of the<br />

community to want to publicly<br />

thank them for their hard work<br />

and contribution.<br />

they have a heart of gold and help<br />

wherever possible.<br />

They have gone above and behind<br />

for the colleagues and friends in their<br />

lives and we are so grateful to have the<br />

opportunity to work with them, know<br />

them and learn from them.<br />

Despite facing personal stress, we<br />

never saw them waiver, crack under<br />

the pressure, or back down. They<br />

persevered and continue to do it, in<br />

style.<br />

We want to say thank you for all you do<br />

behind the scenes. We will never be able<br />

to thank you enough for the support,<br />

guidance, mentorship and friendship.<br />

Wishing you both a year filled with love,<br />

laughter, success, peace and all the<br />

things you desire.<br />

<strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2021</strong> Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> <strong>Umhl</strong>anga 15


Promotion<br />

Medical<br />

little black book<br />

Schedule your annual check up and make an appointment to see to that little<br />

niggle. The beginning of the year is the perfect time to get your health in check!<br />

Even if you don’t need their services right now, we strongly suggest you save these<br />

top North Coast medical professional’s numbers in your phone … just in case!<br />

Dr Peter Iyavoo<br />

Dr Peter Iyavoo is a general practitioner<br />

who has been in private practice for 33<br />

years. His practice offers a multitude<br />

of treatments including executive<br />

medicals, treatment of sports injuries,<br />

weight management, liquid nitrogen<br />

therapy and minor skin procedures,<br />

as well as general family practice. He<br />

adopts a holistic approach towards a<br />

healthy lifestyle for his patients. Details:<br />

Dr. Iyavoo, Suite 5 THE WELL, Corner<br />

Kirsty Close and Albertina Way, <strong>Ballito</strong><br />

(Opposite Alberlito Hospital), 032 586<br />

0457, reception@ballitogp.co.za<br />

Torga Optical -Sarisha<br />

Haripershad<br />

Owner and optometrist at Torga<br />

Optical <strong>Ballito</strong> Junction, Cornubia<br />

Mall and KwaDukuza Mall, Sarisha<br />

Haripershad is committed to her<br />

patients. She provides primary eye<br />

care, addressing both eye health<br />

and vision concerns and offers<br />

testing, assessment and diagnosis<br />

as well as vision correction through<br />

vision training, glasses or contact<br />

lenses. Details: Torga Optical<br />

<strong>Ballito</strong> Junction: 032 946 1416/7,<br />

Cornubia Mall: 031 502 1658,<br />

Kwadukuza Mall: 010 0232549.<br />

16 Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> <strong>Umhl</strong>anga <strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2021</strong>


Dr Mike Nicholls<br />

While it is always important<br />

to maintain your regular<br />

health checks, it is even more<br />

so now during the current<br />

pandemic. Dr Mike Nicholls is a<br />

Specialist Urologist practising<br />

at Busamed Gateway Hospital<br />

and Life Entabeni Hospital<br />

and he is encouraging and<br />

reminding men to have<br />

their annual PSA blood test.<br />

Dr Nicholls has a special<br />

interest in prostate health,<br />

including prostate cancer,<br />

women’s pelvic floor, urinary<br />

incontinence and kidney<br />

stones. He is also a certified<br />

Robotic Surgeon.<br />

Details: Suite 405 Medical<br />

Centre Busamed Gateway<br />

Private Hospital, 031 492 2123<br />

Dr Pratisha Pramlall<br />

<strong>Ballito</strong> homeopath Dr Pratisha Pramlall<br />

has a Master’s Degree in homeopathy and<br />

has worked in India where she gained<br />

invaluable experience learning from<br />

some of the best in the field. Practising<br />

classical homeopathy, Dr Pramlall’s aim<br />

is to treat her patients using a holistic<br />

approach, which takes into account her<br />

patient’s history, lifestyle, environment and<br />

stress factors. She has a special interest<br />

in woman’s health conditions and enjoys<br />

treating mental health conditions such as<br />

depression and anxiety. Details: Izulu Office<br />

Park <strong>Ballito</strong>, 087 354 9043, drpramlall@<br />

gmail.com, www.drpratishapramlall.co.za<br />

Dr Khabonina Nkwelo<br />

Dr Khabonina is passionate about<br />

natural healthcare. After a detailed<br />

history and examination, she uses a<br />

variety of tools including chiropractic<br />

adjustments, dry needling, manual<br />

muscle release techniques, electrotherapy,<br />

strapping and more to<br />

solve joint and neuromuscular issues<br />

for her patients. Her focus is on<br />

finding and treating the cause of the<br />

complaint and not just the symptom.<br />

Chiropractic is safe and effective<br />

from newborn to grandparent.<br />

Details: iZulu Office Park, <strong>Ballito</strong>,<br />

087 354 9042, drnkwelo@gmail.com<br />

<strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2021</strong> Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> <strong>Umhl</strong>anga 17


Text: Leah Shone<br />

Inspiring hope<br />

If ever there was a time we needed inspiration, hope and a reason to smile, that time is<br />

now. When Durban North runner Trish Eksteen set out to run 100 half marathons in 100<br />

consecutive days last year, her biggest motivation was exactly these things – to inspire<br />

and to bring hope to the hopeless.<br />

“I’m going to be that woman who dies<br />

while going down a ski slope at the<br />

age of 120,” laughs Trish at the start of<br />

our interview. We are sitting at a busy<br />

coffee shop in <strong>Umhl</strong>anga and her<br />

partner, Claude is seated beside her.<br />

Trish is bubbly and full of smiles<br />

and speaks passionately about their<br />

business - an obstacle training facility<br />

called Adventure Obstacle Training<br />

(AOT), which they started six years<br />

ago.<br />

The 42-year-old obstacle course racer<br />

is currently ranked number one in<br />

her age group in the world and has<br />

placed in the top 10 in the elite ladies<br />

division for the past four years.<br />

But running really was Trish’s first love<br />

- and it is her running that brings us to<br />

the coffee shop this morning.<br />

Trish became the unofficial world<br />

record holder after completing 100<br />

half marathons in 100 consecutive<br />

days in October last year. She took on<br />

the incredible challenge in an attempt<br />

to raise awareness and funding for<br />

those suffering from anxiety and<br />

depression, which she says reached<br />

an all-time low in her local community<br />

during the first Covid-19 lockdown.<br />

As a professional athlete and trainer,<br />

motivating people is something Trish<br />

is absolutely passionate about.<br />

Originally from Bloemfontein, she<br />

moved to Durban when she was 23<br />

years old. She has two sons, Keagan<br />

(12) and Daniel (9). “I was always very<br />

athletic growing up and did cross<br />

country for 10 years. I truly found my<br />

way in life through running. I was a<br />

scrawny, shy kid and running gave me<br />

the confidence I needed to become<br />

who I wanted to be.”<br />

When she moved to Durban, Trish<br />

says, she started taking her running<br />

more seriously. “There is a strong<br />

community of runners here and<br />

18 Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> <strong>Umhl</strong>anga <strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2021</strong><br />

Trish on one of her 100<br />

half marathon runs.<br />

Photo: Rory Scheffer<br />

doing the Comrades Marathon goes without question.” After running five<br />

Comrades, she became bored with the road. That was when she discovered trail<br />

running. “Trail running is everything. It fills my soul.” Trish has competed in almost<br />

every big trail race in the country, winning many of them. “I love the variety and<br />

technicality and the fact that it’s not about time, but rather effort. I get a massive<br />

kick out of doing anything that requires a lot of effort!”<br />

Which is why obstacle course racing came naturally to Trish. She won the first<br />

race she ever took part in - and was hooked. She and Claude, a professional<br />

triathlete and trainer, started AOT in 2015. At the time, theirs was the only training<br />

facility with obstacles in South Africa. Now it is still the biggest facility in the<br />

country. “Obstacles are a perfect metaphor for life. You are faced with a challenge<br />

that you have no idea how to overcome, but by learning some techniques and<br />

the support of people around you, you are able to overcome it.”<br />

During the first hard lockdown, Trish tried to keep her team positive. “It was<br />

fine for the first three weeks, when everyone could just focus on keeping fit at<br />

home and doing fun things, but then people had to go back to work, businesses<br />

started closing and depression set in. I wanted to motivate and inspire them to<br />

stay mentally strong. I knew I had to do something big and extreme to keep my<br />

audience engaged and make a difference.”<br />

Trish searched the Guinness World Record book to find the most consecutive<br />

half marathons run and found someone who had done 60. Not concerned about<br />

the actual world record, Trish was simply looking for a benchmark. After more<br />

research online, she discovered a Canadian woman who had run 74 consecutive<br />

half marathons. “That became my benchmark. It took me three days to convince<br />

Claude that I could do it – and I wanted to do 100.”<br />

Trish saw depression, suicide, fear and anxiety killing people and killing their


dreams and decided she wanted to help her community.<br />

She set out to help raise funds and awareness for the team of<br />

counsellors at her church, Grace Family Church in <strong>Umhl</strong>anga,<br />

where they offer free counselling. One day at a time. One step<br />

at a time. This was Trish’s mantra. She decided to run for 21 days<br />

before making it public. Her other secret target was to run every<br />

half marathon in under two hours.<br />

Out of the 100 runs she did, Trish ran 32 on her own. She had<br />

company in the form of friends who took leave from work or ran<br />

with her on the weekends. “The runs on my own were definitely<br />

the hardest,” she says.<br />

She ran every morning between 6am and 7.30am. There<br />

were tears and a lot of painful runs, but she strapped up and<br />

continued to focus on ‘just one day at a time’. After 21 days, she<br />

made it public and her journey really began. When she passed<br />

75 and became the unofficial record holder, it literally blew up!<br />

“My social media pages went nuts. I had people from around the<br />

world sending me messages and requesting interviews. People<br />

told me I saved their life by giving them hope … it was a massive<br />

responsibility. I actually think it was harder than the runs.”<br />

There was a big crowd and media presence waiting for Trish<br />

at the finish line on her last day. “My talent and the accolades<br />

I’ve achieved don’t necessarily match up … a lot of it is mental<br />

strength. If I have made a difference in just one person’s life,<br />

and prevented them from committing suicide or helped them<br />

become mentally stronger, then that it is enough.”<br />

Details: AOT has two facilities – one in Durban North and one in<br />

<strong>Ballito</strong>: https://www.adventureobstacletraining.com/, 083 566 5578,<br />

info@adventureobstacletraining.com<br />

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111098


Cricket, rhino’s<br />

and a bit of fishing …<br />

Last year wasn’t easy for professional sportsmen like former Proteas bowler Kyle Abbott.<br />

He managed to use his time off the field productively though, aligning himself with<br />

a wildlife community feeding and rhino dehorning scheme ...and did the odd bit of<br />

fishing! We caught up with <strong>Ballito</strong>-based Kyle, who recently signed a deal with the<br />

Pretoria-based Titans team.<br />

Text: Leah Shone | Cricket Photographs: DAVE VOKES PHOTOGRAPHY<br />

“It’s a strange feeling, seeing a rhino<br />

being dehorned for the first time,” says<br />

33-year-old Kyle as he leans back in<br />

his chair at Simbithi Country Club’s<br />

Fig Tree restaurant where we meet<br />

for a coffee. The former Kearsney boy<br />

moved to Simbithi five years ago from<br />

Durban. “I never thought I would kiss<br />

a rhino, but, when she was lying on<br />

the ground after being darted, that’s<br />

exactly what I did,” he laughs.<br />

Prior to lockdown, Kyle was playing<br />

cricket for Hampshire County after<br />

signing a four-year deal with them in<br />

2017. When the pandemic hit though,<br />

Kyle found himself back home with<br />

no cricket to play and time on his<br />

hands.<br />

“My Hampshire coach Adi Birrell put<br />

me in contact with his conservationist<br />

cousin Grant Fowlds from Project<br />

Rhino and Springbok rugby player<br />

Joe Pietersen of Nkombe Rhino.<br />

They were running feeding schemes<br />

to give food to rural communities<br />

around game reserves where the<br />

people would otherwise have<br />

poached illegally for bush meat to<br />

feed themselves.” The teams also assist<br />

with dehorning rhino in an attempt to<br />

deter poachers from killing them for<br />

their horns.<br />

Born in Empangeni, Kyle started<br />

playing cricket from a young age. He<br />

played provincial cricket in his teens<br />

and went to Kearsney College on a<br />

cricket scholarship.<br />

Kyle spent two years travelling after<br />

school and when an opportunity<br />

presented itself for him to take on a<br />

job as a ‘net bowler’ for the Dolphins<br />

team he decided to give it a go. “I<br />

moved into a two-bedroom flat in<br />

Morningside and was earning next to<br />

nothing.” But Kyle made an impression<br />

20 Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> <strong>Umhl</strong>anga <strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2021</strong>


Kyle has assisted with numerous rhino dehorning<br />

projects. Photo credit: Martin Meyer<br />

Kyle is an avid fisherman<br />

and played his debut match for the<br />

Dolphins at the age of 21 in 2009. At<br />

the end of that year he signed his first<br />

official contract and was thrilled. “I was<br />

so happy. I could finally buy a car and<br />

had a flat and was super relaxed with<br />

life.” But then, Kyle says, coach Lance<br />

Klusener stepped into his life and<br />

pushed him out of his comfort zone.<br />

“I’ll never forget that conversation. He<br />

pulled me aside and said two things:<br />

firstly that I was going to lead the<br />

Dolphins as their main bowler and<br />

secondly that I was going to end the<br />

season playing for the Proteas. I just<br />

laughed at him.”<br />

But Klusener, also a Durban boy who<br />

loves fishing, connected with Kyle and<br />

pushed him and, in <strong>Feb</strong>ruary 2013, he<br />

played his first match for South Africa<br />

against Pakistan at Centurion. “It was a<br />

very special moment and I will never<br />

forget it.”<br />

A talented fast bowler, Kyle’s career<br />

has seen some major highlights,<br />

including taking seven wickets in<br />

that debut match – the second best<br />

result for a South African on debut in<br />

history. “I was lucky because I walked<br />

into the best test team in the world<br />

at the time. Another highlight for me<br />

was beating Australia in Australia in<br />

2016.”<br />

Kyle made the decision to take a<br />

Kolpak deal with Hampshire in the<br />

UK in 2017. “It was purely a business<br />

decision,” he says. “I was turning 30<br />

and wasn’t a regular player with the<br />

Proteas – I only played about forty<br />

percent of the time. The more you<br />

play the more you earn.”<br />

Post-lockdown, Kyle spent a month<br />

playing T20 cricket in Sri Lanka for the<br />

Jaffna Stallions before returning home<br />

and signing his current deal with the<br />

Pretoria-based Titans team.<br />

The adventures that cricket has taken<br />

him on, he says, are what Kyle is most<br />

grateful for. “Cricket has taken me<br />

to so many beautiful places, which I<br />

would never ordinarily have visited.<br />

Places like Bangladesh, India, the<br />

Caribbean, Australia, Fiji … and fishing<br />

in New Zealand and Trinidad … it’s<br />

been an amazing adventure.”<br />

Details: If you would like to get<br />

involved or donate money towards<br />

Nkombe Rhino, contact them: www.<br />

nkomberhino.org, @nkombe_rhino or<br />

Project Rhino KZN: www.projetrhinokzn.<br />

org, @projectrhino<br />

<strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2021</strong> Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> <strong>Umhl</strong>anga 21


Clarins Joli Rouge<br />

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luxuriously hydrating<br />

and long-wearing<br />

lipstick (for valentine<br />

smooching). R400 •<br />

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long-hold cream<br />

eyeshadow, with a<br />

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We love a<br />

primer, and<br />

Filorga Pore<br />

Express is one of our<br />

faves. A double-action,<br />

anti-ageing primer designed<br />

for combination to oily skin,<br />

it instantly blurs and mattifies<br />

the complexion – bye-bye enlarged pores, shine<br />

and other skin imperfections. R500 • Filorga<br />

Global Repair Intensive Serum is a gorgeous,<br />

rich, restorative, anti-ageing serum designed<br />

specifically for more mature skin. R1395.<br />

Royal flush<br />

We’ve been dealt a love(ly) deck of cards this<br />

month … so reshuffle your cosmetic bags<br />

and make space for these beauties.<br />

It’s been called ‘your Botoxalternative<br />

anti-ageing<br />

moisturiser’ … Claire<br />

Hill S8-28 Anti-Ageing<br />

Moisturiser is a lightweight<br />

nourishing lotion<br />

that smooths away fine<br />

lines by naturally relaxing<br />

your facial muscles. Happy<br />

Valentine’s Day indeed! R1475<br />

• Claire Hill WPC Eye Complex<br />

is an advanced anti-ageing<br />

eye gel, with ingredients that<br />

naturally tighten blood vessels, relax<br />

muscles, reduce visible wrinkles and<br />

pigmentation, and is ideal for mature,<br />

sensitive skin. Top tip: If your skin’s<br />

irritated by Vit A (Retinols), this is a great<br />

alternative. R1865. Details clairehill.co.za<br />

Compiled by: Kym Argo. photos: mEGAN BRETT.<br />

22 Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> <strong>Umhl</strong>anga <strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2021</strong>


Scrunchies with heart<br />

One of the biggest fashion ‘come-backs’ last year was, without a doubt, the return of<br />

the infamous 90’s hair accessory, the scrunchie. Fully embracing the return of this fun<br />

trend, a <strong>Ballito</strong>-based mom and daughter team started what has since become a very<br />

successful online store called Oliver Scrunch. The story behind this small, North Coast<br />

family business is a heart-warming one.<br />

When Oliver Scrunch founders Melissa<br />

Lupton and her mom Jenny launched<br />

their scrunchie business towards the<br />

middle of 2019 they had a few goals<br />

in mind. Apart from wanting to create<br />

a successful ecommerce business,<br />

they also wanted to give back to<br />

the community by providing job<br />

opportunities, collaborate with other<br />

small local businesses and crafters and<br />

support a charity close to their hearts.<br />

Although, as for many businesses, last<br />

year didn’t go quite according to plan,<br />

the two managed to reach all of their<br />

goals, and more.<br />

A family affair<br />

Coming from a close-knit Empangeni<br />

born and raised family, Melissa works<br />

for a digital marketing agency in<br />

<strong>Umhl</strong>anga and lives in <strong>Ballito</strong> with<br />

her fiancé Scott and their two ‘fur<br />

children’, Oliver and Kevin. Her mom,<br />

business partner and best friend<br />

Jenny lives in Simbithi. The idea to<br />

start a scrunchie business was born<br />

in July 2019 when Melissa says they<br />

noticed the hair accessory making a<br />

‘comeback’. “It was a fun idea for us.<br />

My gran had just retired and was able<br />

to sew and my mom had space in<br />

her garage.” But tragedy struck when<br />

Melissa’s gran fell ill and passed away<br />

from cancer a few months later. It was<br />

only at the beginning of 2020 that<br />

they decided to bring the idea to life<br />

again, in her memory.<br />

Text: Leah Shone<br />

A dream realised<br />

“We finalised our name, visions and<br />

goals and got going. We launched<br />

our Instagram page, hired Zama (who<br />

does the sewing) and did our first<br />

market at the Litchi Orchard in March<br />

2020.” Then lockdown happened.<br />

Instead of giving up, they used the<br />

time to build a website and create<br />

24 Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> <strong>Umhl</strong>anga <strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2021</strong>


an ecommerce platform for an easy online shopping experience. Jenny handles<br />

all the inventory, fulfilment and overseeing all production and Melissa does the<br />

photography, sources material, marketing and website development. “It is not<br />

easy. There has been blood, sweat and tears, but together we make it possible!”<br />

Oliver Scrunch has collaborated with local crafters, including Laura from Laura<br />

Craft Handmade (who makes the crochet baskets), Adam from the Shakaskraal<br />

community (who, with his team, makes the wire baskets) and Thomas (who<br />

makes their beaded key rings). “The business has grown from strength to<br />

strength and we even hired additional help over December. We have dozens<br />

of ideas that we cannot wait to share with everyone as time goes by and are so<br />

grateful to everyone for their support in our journey so far.”<br />

Mother and daughter team<br />

Jenny and Melissa Lupton<br />

Scrunchies … a trend revived<br />

Scrunchies, like most things from the 90’s, allow the original wearers to feel<br />

nostalgic and give young shoppers a chance to discover them for the first time.<br />

A trend she believes is here to stay this time, Melissa says the advancements<br />

in fashion and styles mean the possibilities are endless. “We have seen some<br />

incredible initiatives in the scrunchie world, from massively oversized scrunchies<br />

to scrunchie headbands and even scrunchie shoes! It is such a fun space!<br />

Scrunchies are not only a fashion statement, but they are also comfortable<br />

and functional and protect your hair from damage.” Oliver Scrunch also has an<br />

exciting range of scrunchie storage options (holders and baskets) as well as<br />

scrunchie gifting. Melissa says there is no wrong way to wear a scrunchie. “They<br />

come in all shapes, sizes and textures that we feel the only ‘don’t’ is to hide your<br />

personality. A scrunchie on the wrist is a big yes … it is function and fashion ...<br />

and we brought out a petite size perfect for this look. We love the ‘over the bun’<br />

look, especially being outdoors, on the beach with a matching bikini, the high<br />

messy hair style and the classic ponytail never get old!”<br />

Giving back …<br />

Apart from supporting local crafters, Oliver Scrunch also donates a portion of<br />

their monthly sales to the KZN Boston Terrier Action Group (BTAG). Why Boston<br />

Terriers? “Oliver is our beloved Boston Terrier. He is the inspiration behind the<br />

name and we decided to make him the CEO of Oliver Scrunch! Thus, choosing<br />

a local bostie rescue NPC to support was an obvious one.” Melissa says BTAG<br />

is a ‘family’ of Boston Terrier lovers that has been rescuing, rehabilitating and<br />

rehoming for the last 10 years.<br />

Details: www.oliverscrunch.co.za; IG: @oliverscrunch, 083 399 4444/083 636 9985<br />

We make any occasion<br />

fun and easy<br />

Drinks Platters<br />

SHOPPING<br />

CONVENIENCE<br />

Old Main Road | Salt Rock (just off the N2) | 032 525 8030 | www.saltrockshopping.co.za


Prince's Grant Coastal Golf Estate<br />

R6.75m<br />

R5.5m<br />

180 degree breaker views this home has it all<br />

5 beds, pool, jacuzzi, pub, office & lots more<br />

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R5.75m<br />

R2.95m<br />

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3 or 4 beds, immaculate, study, pool<br />

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3 en­suite beds, open plan living<br />

R4.5m<br />

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5 beds, pool, level garden<br />

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4 en­suite beds, open plan living, pub, office<br />

Noelle 076 745 8605<br />

golfestateproperties.com<br />

PRINCE'S GRANT: the way life should be lived


We know we can’t<br />

venture too far from<br />

our own garden for<br />

an al fresco snack<br />

given the lockdown<br />

restrictions, so roll out<br />

this Frora large picnic<br />

rug with snazzy leather<br />

handle on your lawn.<br />

R495 on Dial-a-Picnic<br />

SA’s online shop. Details:<br />

picnicsouthafrica.co.za<br />

Create a delicious charcuterie-and-cheese<br />

platter on this Joie de Vivre heart board,<br />

R369 on Dial-a-Picnic SA’s online shop.<br />

Picnic perfect<br />

Be it a romantic date<br />

or a Mad Hatter’s tea<br />

party, try these picnicky<br />

delights … but if the<br />

Queen of Hearts has<br />

taught us anything, it’s<br />

for heaven’s sake, don’t<br />

steal any tarts!<br />

If you’re looking for something 100 per cent delicious to sip with<br />

zero per cent alcohol – perfect during the restrictions on the sale of<br />

alcohol, try Bavaria non-alcoholic beer. You may notice the bottles<br />

in the 0.0 per cent malt beverage range have a trendy new look … it’s<br />

in celebration of the brewery’s 300th anniversary. The fruity flavours are<br />

super-tasty … we enjoy the ginger lime and apple. Around R79.99 for a<br />

six-pack which you’ll find at Pick n Pay, SPAR, Checkers and Makro.<br />

Details: Follow @bavaria_za on Instagram.<br />

So you want to set the<br />

mood… Try the JBL Clip<br />

3. This Bluetooth speaker<br />

is small enough to<br />

attach to your belt<br />

or backpack but is<br />

rugged enough<br />

with a loud<br />

sound to use<br />

outside. It’s<br />

waterproof<br />

with a battery<br />

that’ll last up<br />

to 10 hours. We<br />

fancy this one<br />

in the colour sand.<br />

R999. Details: istore.co.za<br />

<strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2021</strong> Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> <strong>Umhl</strong>anga 27


Local talent on display<br />

It’s amazing what a good idea, combined with a passion for building community and<br />

a dream to celebrate local talent can result in. The pop-up art gallery at the recently<br />

opened The Studio at Lifestyle Centre <strong>Ballito</strong> is an example of exactly this.<br />

Text: Leah Shone<br />

Whispers of, “this can’t possibly be in<br />

<strong>Ballito</strong>,” and “who knew we had such<br />

talent right here,” could be heard from<br />

astounded visitors as they walked<br />

through the massive, wooden doors<br />

of the Gallery at The Studios on the<br />

opening night of the first exhibition in<br />

early December.<br />

Situated opposite Weylandts at the<br />

Lifestyle Centre <strong>Ballito</strong>, The Studios<br />

is a large, contemporary, industrialstyle<br />

space that was conceptualised<br />

and turned into a reality by Lifestyle<br />

Centre owner Bruce Rencken,<br />

designer Murray Loder and wellknown<br />

<strong>Ballito</strong> artist Jane Digby.<br />

“Bruce approached me with his idea<br />

in October last year and asked if I<br />

would run the pop-up art gallery.<br />

I thought it would be an amazing<br />

opportunity for local artists,” says Jane.<br />

With 600m² downstairs and 200m²<br />

upstairs, the space was transformed<br />

into a highly professional, ultra<br />

modern gallery in just a few short<br />

weeks.<br />

The first exhibition, which ran from<br />

early December until the end of<br />

January, was an artists collective<br />

formed by Jane, showcasing<br />

specifically Dolphin Coast artists<br />

using a variety of different genre,<br />

techniques and subjects. The exhibit<br />

also included some sculptors from<br />

further afield.<br />

The response from the public has<br />

28 Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> <strong>Umhl</strong>anga <strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2021</strong>


een phenomenal and the exhibition<br />

a massive success. There were<br />

more than 20 artists on display,<br />

including the likes of Leigh Bissett,<br />

Ali Cockburn, Bebhinn Spoors, Emily<br />

Smithers, Hanna and Nic Grobler, Sma<br />

Shabalala, Brett Roux, Lisa Twyman,<br />

Patrick Maphosa, Phumlani Ingwa and<br />

Jane Digby, to name just a few.<br />

The upstairs mezzanine section of The<br />

Studios has been transformed into an<br />

interactive workshop space, perfect<br />

for art sessions and demos, poetry<br />

and book readings and an area where<br />

youngsters can let their creative juices<br />

flow freely.<br />

“I feel like there are amazing things<br />

happening in the art world in <strong>Ballito</strong><br />

and this space has provided a muchneeded<br />

platform for our phenomenal<br />

local artists to showcase their talent,”<br />

said Jane. “It’s a win-win as well,<br />

because it also adds a wonderful vibe<br />

to the centre.”<br />

Jane says the idea is not to only be<br />

centred around the fine arts, but<br />

also become an interactive space<br />

for videographers, performing arts,<br />

creative writers and even musicians.<br />

With a wonderful, small in-house<br />

coffee shop, called Coffee Lab Cafe,<br />

the gallery provides the perfect<br />

meeting spot for people to meet and<br />

talk about and view art.<br />

Worth a mention are the lifelike<br />

wax sculptures by internationally<br />

acclaimed Durban artist Dr Lungelo<br />

Gumede whose Mandela sculptors<br />

stood proudly at the entrance to<br />

the gallery and the incredible stone<br />

carving work by self-taught artist<br />

Patric Maphosa. Ardmore Ceramics<br />

also opened a pop-up shop in the<br />

gallery, drawing an even greater<br />

interest.<br />

The second exhibition, titled<br />

‘Contagious Creativity’, opens on 5<br />

<strong>Feb</strong>ruary and until 9 March. A ‘call for<br />

artists’ was distributed and Jane says<br />

they have selected artworks that will<br />

create a visually exciting exhibition<br />

experience, with the intention that it<br />

will remain a lasting memory, create<br />

engagement in the arts and bring<br />

hope in this time of adversity. A wide<br />

range of arts, design, creative writing<br />

and music will be showcased, as well<br />

as a few installations made by our<br />

youth in the community, especially<br />

for this exhibition. Details: www.<br />

ballitolifestylecentre.co.za/thegallery<br />

There are art, music, writing and other creative workshops<br />

and demos on the mezzanine level of the gallery<br />

A beautiful piece by <strong>Ballito</strong>’s Hanna Grobler<br />

sits alongside two magnificent Mandela wax<br />

sculptures by Dr Lungelo Gumede<br />

Sculptor Phumlani Nyawo<br />

<strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2021</strong> Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> <strong>Umhl</strong>anga 29


Tropical courtyard paradise<br />

Architect Julia Rutherfoord used the existing trees on a beautiful Salt Rock property to<br />

guide her as to how and where to place this light, open, tropical-inspired home.<br />

The Salt Rock home is tucked away in a beautiful forest and<br />

was designed to look as if it is hovering above the property<br />

Text: Leah Shone | Photographs: CHRIS ALLAN PHOTO<br />

Of utmost importance, says Julia,<br />

when designing this home, was<br />

ensuring it matched the wonderful,<br />

happy family who were going to live<br />

in it. “Our clients are lovely and we<br />

wanted to echo their joy by designing<br />

a light, tropical home that would<br />

remain true to them and the area in<br />

which it was going to be built.”<br />

This stunning Salt Rock abode<br />

belongs to Jonah and Anne Lyall<br />

and their two children, Matthew and<br />

Caitlyn. A Salt Rock resident herself,<br />

Julia prides herself on ‘honest design<br />

that remains true to context’, and this<br />

is something she certainly seems to<br />

have achieved with the Lyall family<br />

home.<br />

Situated in a forest within a lush,<br />

boutique estate, the four-bedroom<br />

30 Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> <strong>Umhl</strong>anga <strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2021</strong>


home has an almost seamless connection<br />

with the nature surrounding it.<br />

“The property has amazing north light and<br />

capturing this light and working around<br />

the trees were our guiding principles in the<br />

design of this tropical courtyard home. No<br />

trees were harmed in the making of this<br />

home,” says Julia.<br />

Courtyards, fresh air, sunshine and<br />

connection to nature are all an important<br />

part of Julia’s work – her signature style if<br />

you like – in an attempt to create a refuge<br />

for homeowners away from the busy world.<br />

Each room in the Lyall home is designed as<br />

a suite, opening up onto private courtyard<br />

spaces. “The courtyards function as outdoor<br />

rooms and these open, outside rooms are as<br />

important in the experience of space as the<br />

architecture.”<br />

The team also wanted to remain true to the<br />

area and incorporate a Salt Rock vernacular<br />

through architectural forms, white wash,<br />

breeze blocks and the use of local quarry<br />

stone. “All materials were locally sourced and<br />

the house is able to go off the grid through<br />

the use of solar panels, water harvesting and<br />

a gas hot water system.”<br />

The use of breeze blocks allows you to have<br />

privacy yet still feel connected to nature<br />

The Lyall family: Jonah,<br />

Caitlyn, Anne and Matthew<br />

and, Julia says, the home was designed to look as<br />

if it is hovering above the property. “All elements<br />

were designed to ‘float’ … the 3-metre cantilever<br />

pergola is columnless and the entrance stairs<br />

float up to a hovering entrance pavilion.”<br />

Local interior designer Haley de Charmoy joined<br />

the team towards the end stages of the project,<br />

which she says actually worked out really well.<br />

“I enjoyed coming in later because it gave me<br />

a full understanding of the site location and<br />

architecture and everything was so easy to<br />

visualize.”<br />

Understated and natural is the feel this house<br />

called for and Haley managed to create the look<br />

while still using as much of the client’s existing<br />

furniture as possible. She used darker walls to<br />

provide a contrast to the lighter surroundings<br />

and warm up the open spaces, complimenting<br />

the stunning organic nature of the site, trees and<br />

building.<br />

“I love the way this home has been designed to<br />

fit perfectly into this space. It invites nature inside<br />

and it is difficult to choose a favourite position to<br />

sit and enjoy the views from,” says Haley.<br />

Details: Architect: Julia Rutherfoord Architects<br />

– julia@rutherfoordarchitect.co.za, ; Builders: KR<br />

Projects – www.krprojects.co.za; Interior: Haley de<br />

Charmoy Consulting- 073 591 3921; Engineers: JA<br />

Nel – www.jonel.co.za<br />

<strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2021</strong> Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> <strong>Umhl</strong>anga 31


Tots to teens<br />

The beginning of the year is the perfect time to set goals and make plans for yourself and, of<br />

course, for your kids. Our <strong>Feb</strong>ruary kids and education feature is jam-packed with great parenting<br />

and education advice for kids of all ages – from tots to teens.<br />

Outfit: www.mamamiya.co.za, @Moms_2_rebels on<br />

<strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2021</strong> Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> <strong>Umhl</strong>anga 33


What to study now?<br />

Nothing in life stays the same, especially for education in a world with lockdowns and<br />

remote working and learning. Everything is changing quickly and it’s imperative that<br />

we equip our children for this new, online world.<br />

Text: Leah Shone<br />

While we may have heard about<br />

the ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’<br />

(the automation of traditional<br />

manufacturing and industrial<br />

practices using modern smart<br />

technology) before Covid-19,<br />

the onset of the pandemic has<br />

accelerated the move towards<br />

business being conducted online.<br />

Education expert and head of<br />

faculty at the Independent Institute<br />

of Education, Nola Payne, says that<br />

careers of the future will increasingly<br />

require people qualified in fields<br />

involving the cloud, internet of things,<br />

big data, cyber security, artificial<br />

intelligence, machine learning and<br />

34 Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> <strong>Umhl</strong>anga <strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2021</strong><br />

augmented reality. “Students would<br />

do well to investigate and consider<br />

careers where qualified professionals<br />

are likely to remain in high demand<br />

in coming decades.” Here are some of<br />

her suggestions for the most popular<br />

fields of study:<br />

MOBILE APP DEVELOPER/ WEB<br />

DEVELOPER<br />

These jobs often go hand-in-hand.<br />

Mobile app development is one of<br />

the fastest growing disciplines. There<br />

is a big skills gap in this area, so there<br />

are many opportunities, and it is<br />

also a good fit for those interested<br />

in becoming entrepreneurs. On the<br />

web development side, the increase<br />

in social media advertising has<br />

increased demand. Most companies<br />

today invest in e-commerce solutions,<br />

while all companies regardless of size<br />

should have their own website.<br />

SOFTWARE ENGINEERS AND DATA-<br />

BASE ADMINISTRATORS<br />

Both are existing careers, but are<br />

constantly evolving for operation<br />

in the cloud and on digital devices.<br />

There is also growing demand for<br />

improved security, with databases and<br />

application systems shielded from<br />

attack while being properly managed<br />

and networked.


CYBER SECURITY EXPERT<br />

Dedicated cyber security experts are some of the most in demand professionals.<br />

With hackers and bad faith actors growing in their numbers and ability to sow<br />

havoc in public and private organisations across the globe, these professionals<br />

play a vital role in shielding their employers from attack. Their role is to secure<br />

websites, company data, and sensitive information in the cloud.<br />

NETWORK ENGINEERS<br />

Network engineers integrate and connect computer systems and networks<br />

across various platforms such as mobile devices, the cloud and traditional<br />

systems. More than ever before, business is being conducted online, translating<br />

to increased job opportunities for network administrators and network managers<br />

who can help businesses securely use these technologies.<br />

DATA ANALYST/SCIENTIST<br />

If you enjoy mathematics, statistics and programming and have an analytical<br />

brain, this is the career for you. These professionals analyse and make decisions<br />

based on big data – massive amounts of data often obtained through people’s<br />

interaction on web pages. The aim is to analyse and respond to client needs and<br />

source new clients.<br />

3D PRINTING FARMS – ROBOTICS – AUGMENTED<br />

REALITY – AI – ML<br />

All these fields are at the cutting edge of current technology, and are set to<br />

grow exponentially in future. These are very exciting emerging opportunities<br />

and prospective students should ensure they speak to a student advisor at<br />

their higher education institution of choice to enquire about how their offering<br />

matches these career paths.<br />

Details: Information supplied by the<br />

Independent Institute of Education (IIE),<br />

a division of the JSE-listed ADvTECH<br />

Group, Africa’s largest private education<br />

provider: www.iie.ac.za


Mommy and me<br />

Mount Edgecombe mother Keshia Naidoo, like many of us, got a little too comfortable<br />

spending the entire day behind her computer wearing frumpy workout gear during<br />

hard lockdown. This was the inspiration behind her launching a comfy and super<br />

trendy ‘mommy and me’ clothing range called MamaMiya.<br />

Text: Leah Shone<br />

There is something incredibly adorable about a mom and little kids wearing matching clothing – especially when it’s fun,<br />

funky and super comfy.<br />

Keshia works in corporate during the day and then runs her blog and new clothing business at night. She’s a selfconfessed<br />

A-type personality, a qualified accountant and MBA graduate and even an anti-money laundering compliance<br />

specialist. She is also a mom to her two-and-a-half year old daughter, Miya,<br />

Keshia says she was inspired to create a ready-to-wear range of clothing for moms during level 5 lockdown last year. “Like<br />

many other working moms, I was at home behind my laptop working day in and day out in my gym clothes - the easiest<br />

and most comfortable clothing to work in. When restrictions eased, I still found myself resorting to running to the shops in<br />

my new gym ‘work wear’, sometimes with Miya in tow, feeling frumpy and not at all how I should be feeling while in gym<br />

clothes.”<br />

After doing some research online and searching for comfortable, urban-styled matching mom and kids clothing, Keshia<br />

36 Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> <strong>Umhl</strong>anga <strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2021</strong>


couldn’t find anything that she liked.<br />

“I was looking for something with fun<br />

sayings and slogans, but couldn’t find<br />

anything locally that didn’t require me<br />

having to get it made specifically for<br />

me. I do most of my shopping online<br />

and I realised that if I was looking for<br />

something like this then surely there<br />

would be other moms who would<br />

appreciate them too. The range looks<br />

cool, feels comfortable and is so easy<br />

to wear that it takes the ‘time and<br />

effort’ away from having to decide<br />

what to wear to the shop, a picnic or a<br />

birthday party.”<br />

Drawing inspiration from a book she<br />

was reading at the time, Elizabeth<br />

Gilbert’s ‘Big Magic’, Keshia says she<br />

decided to follow her heart and went<br />

for it. “I researched and sampled,<br />

manufacturing and importing from<br />

China as the lockdown restrictions<br />

eased and, although it would have<br />

worked out cheaper to go this route,<br />

I decided to support local, reinvest<br />

in our beautiful country and make<br />

this a proudly South African brand.<br />

Every bit of the range is sourced and<br />

manufactured locally in Durban.”<br />

The MamaMiya launch range consists<br />

of t-shirt dresses for moms (sizes S -<br />

XL) with matching t-shirt dresses for<br />

little girls or unisex t-shirts for little<br />

boys or girls. The range starts from<br />

around 1/2 year olds up to 6/7 year<br />

olds. There are five different colours<br />

with unique slogans as well as limited<br />

edition matching mom and daughter<br />

leather earrings.<br />

“Our range will definitely evolve and<br />

change as we test the market and<br />

establish the popular sets to keep<br />

them as standard offerings. I’m also<br />

working on collaborations with<br />

local manufacturers to enhance the<br />

accessory offerings.”<br />

Super stylish ... Keshia and<br />

her daughter Miya<br />

Launching the MamaMiya range is about more than just selling clothes for<br />

Keshia, though. “There are many things that we as parents wish for our children,<br />

and one that is of paramount importance to me is to create and leave behind<br />

a legacy for my little girl. Not necessarily a monetary legacy, but a legacy of<br />

knowledge. Knowledge that her mama was doing and being the best version of<br />

herself on a daily basis and that she was the driving force of inspiration behind<br />

everything!”<br />

Details: Shop online at www.mamamiya.co.za and follow Keshia on<br />

@Moms_2_rebels on<br />

Nestled securely in the heart of the beautiful Kwazulu-Natal Midlands,<br />

Hermannsburg is the oldest co-educational school in South Africa. Over 160<br />

years of experience means that at Hermannsburg, academic excellence, and<br />

a global approach to education are at the forefront.<br />

Our small class size, peaceful country location, and unique German language option enhance our<br />

ability to nurture young minds into compassionate thought leaders of tomorrow.<br />

The Open Day will be via booked appointments in small groups to comply with social<br />

distancing and other covid protocols. Each tour will be around 90 minutes in length.<br />

<strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2021</strong> Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> <strong>Umhl</strong>anga 37


Upside down fun!<br />

Strength, confidence, flexibility and fun … these are just a few of the wonderful<br />

benefits kids will gain from doing aerial arts. We met <strong>Ballito</strong> instructor and Grade R<br />

school teacher, Donna Jade Kruger, to find out more.<br />

Text: Leah Shone<br />

38 Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> <strong>Umhl</strong>anga <strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2021</strong>


Aerial arts is a form of fitness, similar<br />

to dance, that builds your core<br />

strength and flexibility. It’s sort of like<br />

gymnastics … only it’s in the air! There<br />

are two types: silks (a piece of fabric<br />

suspended from the ceiling) and lyra<br />

(a hoop hanging from the ceiling).<br />

Donna, a qualified remedial teacher<br />

who grew up in <strong>Ballito</strong>, started<br />

teaching aerial silks and hoop to<br />

children and adults two years ago.<br />

Her business is called Flipside Aerial.<br />

“I’ve never really been a ‘gym’ girl and<br />

always preferred unusual forms of<br />

fitness. I love trying new things. I did<br />

MMA fighting for a while and soccer.<br />

While I was living in Cape Town, I<br />

went to a pole dancing class with a<br />

friend and absolutely loved it!”<br />

Donna says she was blown away by<br />

her own upper body strength and<br />

couldn’t believe the confidence<br />

she started gaining from doing<br />

pole. “I’ve never considered myself<br />

very sporty and was a bit of a ‘band<br />

geek’ at school,” she laughs. “Like<br />

many women, when I first started<br />

doing pole I was amazed at my own<br />

strength and the things my body was<br />

capable of doing.”<br />

When Donna moved back to <strong>Ballito</strong><br />

in 2016, she joined a pole studio<br />

where they also did silks and lyra. “My<br />

instructor Sheila encouraged me to<br />

try it out and I was hooked.”<br />

When Donna’s instructor moved away<br />

she decided to do a teacher training<br />

course and open her own studio in<br />

<strong>Ballito</strong>. She now teaches children,<br />

ages 7 upwards, as well as some<br />

adults. “The pole dancing and aerial<br />

community in KZN is really great.<br />

It’s not competitive and we all support each other. I believe everyone<br />

should give it a try!”<br />

A typical aerial class is one hour long and starts with a warm up and<br />

stretch. “Then we do some conditioning – core and upper body strength<br />

– before focusing on the moves they’ve learnt and some news ones. We<br />

usually do a short routine and then they have free play time. We finish off<br />

with a cool down.”<br />

Like most things, Donna says, it can come with a bit of pain and it is not<br />

easy when you start. But the more you do it, the easier it becomes. Aerial<br />

gives you a full body workout and includes both cardio and strength<br />

training. When it comes to kids, it’s excellent for building their core<br />

and upper body strength, as well as their coordination and focus. “It’s<br />

also amazing for their mental health as it builds body awareness and<br />

confidence. They are always so proud of themselves when they see how<br />

capable their bodies are. ”<br />

And what kid doesn’t love the idea of hanging upside down from the<br />

ceiling? Safety is of utmost importance to Donna, who says the ‘teacher’<br />

in her comes out if anyone doesn’t follow the safety rules. “The best<br />

part is seeing young girls support and cheer each other on. Instead of<br />

competing against each other, they root for each other. We become like<br />

a little family.”<br />

This year, Donna is hoping to enter her students into a few competitions.<br />

They will also work towards their annual year-end showcase where they<br />

can show off their skills to their families.<br />

As she teaches Grade R at Umhali Preparatory in the mornings, Donna’s<br />

classes take place in the afternoons and she teaches students from most<br />

of the schools in the area.<br />

Details: @flipside_aerial, 072 234 0074<br />

<strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2021</strong> Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> <strong>Umhl</strong>anga 39


Why fit in when you<br />

can stand out?<br />

Most adults know the varying levels of anxiety that can take hold of them when having<br />

to present a speech or even attend a job interview. Speech and drama classes can<br />

assist your child acquire the skills needed in these situations, while also teaching them<br />

spontaneity and the ability to think on their feet.<br />

Text: Bronwyn forbes-hardinge<br />

From our own experiences as adults,<br />

we know how confident people can<br />

take over an entire group project,<br />

often leaving quieter, less confident<br />

souls with no room for input. Drama<br />

is an effective tool for supporting<br />

children who are not good at fitting<br />

in or putting themselves forward in a<br />

group, and helps to teach them self<br />

confidence and self worth.<br />

Colleen Nicholas, a Durban speech<br />

and drama teacher, knows all about<br />

being shy, having hardly uttered a<br />

single syllable when she was in Grade<br />

one. But she amazed teachers and<br />

pupils at the end of the year when the<br />

school’s speech and drama teacher<br />

cast her in a main role of the junior<br />

school production. On stage, this shy<br />

child transformed into a self-assured,<br />

confident young actress. As an adult<br />

she went on to enjoy many years<br />

of theatre and stage experience<br />

as a member of The Loft Theatre<br />

Company at The Playhouse in Durban.<br />

Years later, after pursuing successful<br />

careers in health and fitness and<br />

co-owning an interior design<br />

business, Colleen missed the theatre.<br />

“I returned to study and qualify as<br />

a teacher through Trinity College<br />

in London, where I obtained my<br />

Associate and Licentiate Diploma.”<br />

She then combined her life skills and<br />

experiences and her love for children<br />

and theatre to establish Stagecoach<br />

Studio in 2002.<br />

Together with Kavita Trikam, who<br />

joined the studio 14 years ago as a<br />

speech and drama teacher, the two<br />

are appointed speech and drama<br />

extra-mural activity teachers in<br />

various schools in the greater Durban<br />

area. “We are passionate about facilitating young lives to be the best version of<br />

themselves and gain the skills required to move forward with confidence in their<br />

lives,” says Colleen as she quotes Dr Seuss, “Why fit in if you can stand out?”.<br />

Benefits of speech and drama for kids:<br />

1. To create a safe environment for children to express themselves free of<br />

40 Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> <strong>Umhl</strong>anga <strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2021</strong>


judgement whilst gently pushing<br />

their boundaries to gain confidence<br />

and self-assurance.<br />

2. To stimulate children’s imaginations<br />

and in doing so develop creative<br />

thinkers.<br />

3. To develop a child’s interpersonal<br />

skills with friends, pupils and teachers<br />

which translates into all aspects of<br />

their lives.<br />

4. To develop respect and<br />

empathy through role play and<br />

characterisation, giving children a<br />

deeper understanding of mankind.<br />

5. To develop clear and eloquent<br />

speakers.<br />

6. To have fun.<br />

“Speech and drama is a method rather<br />

than a subject and these all important<br />

foundations are presented in fun,<br />

engaging lessons. Speech exercises,<br />

tongue twisters, poems, monologues,<br />

duologues, theme programmes,<br />

poetry and scripts that can be shared,<br />

practiced and rehearsed with parents,’<br />

says Colleen.<br />

Details: www.stagecoach-studio.co.za,<br />

0837766003<br />

5 tips for parent to help your child speak with confidence:<br />

• Get your child to stand up and speak to you, reciting a poem or just telling<br />

you about their day. Also get them to tell other family members about a recent<br />

sporting event or school activity.<br />

• Children should write down what they’re going to say – this helps them to<br />

plan their speech and become familiar with words.<br />

• Encourage your child to look up and speak with confidence.<br />

• Tell them to practice speaking to a mirror first – a technique used by Winston<br />

Churchill, one of the world’s great public speakers.<br />

• If they have to speak at school, get them to focus on the back wall, so the<br />

audience doesn’t seem so scary.


GET IT DIRECTORY<br />

It's the month of<br />

Love<br />

and we're sharing it with you.<br />

Somerset Lodge Care Centre<br />

Home based care now offered to residents of Somerset Valley Estate<br />

• Assisted Living for adults of all ages<br />

• Care of the Aged and the Infirm<br />

• Frail Care<br />

• Alzheimer and Dementia Care<br />

• Palliative Care<br />

• Step down/post Hospitalisation Care<br />

• 24-hour Nursing<br />

• COVID-19 Screening in place<br />

Call us for tariffs and information<br />

031 940 1601


Promotion<br />

Book your weekend away<br />

What better way to start the new year<br />

than by planning ahead and booking<br />

your weekends away in advance? It’s<br />

always good to have something to<br />

look forward to and we have such a<br />

wonderful choice of local getaway<br />

destinations on our doorstep.<br />

We’ve taken the liberty of rounding<br />

up some of our favourite spots!<br />

Photo: Michael<br />

Steward Photography<br />

1HARTFORD HOUSE HOTEL<br />

The newly renovated Hartford House Hotel is the perfect getaway in the Midlands. It is a tranquil break-away that offers exquisite<br />

food, beautiful gardens, excellent service and a relaxing environment … as well as a host of activities including informative stud<br />

tours, birding, cycling and exploratory trail runs. Details: 033 263 1081, info@hartford.co.za<br />

44 Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> <strong>Umhl</strong>anga <strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2021</strong>


2<br />

HLUHLUWE BUSH CAMP<br />

If you love the idea of camping, but not the actual ‘sleeping<br />

on the floor in a tent’ part, then perhaps glamping is<br />

more your style! Hluhluwe Bush Camp is situated on a<br />

private farm and has five luxurious self-catering glamping<br />

tents, two adventure tents and 4x4 camping facilities.<br />

overlooking False Bay Isimangaliso Wetland Park, it is a<br />

25-minute drive from the Hluhluwe/Imfolozi Park. Details:<br />

www.hluhluwebushcamp.com, 078 396 931, 079 107 5273<br />

trienke@hluhluwebushcamp.com<br />

UMNGAZI<br />

Umngazi Hotel & Spa is a beautiful beach resort on the Wild<br />

Coast in the Eastern Cape. It is a truly relaxing escape for<br />

those looking to spoil and reconnect with their loved ones<br />

while making life long memories. Go and experience Umngazi<br />

together in a safe and COVID-compliant environment. Details:<br />

requests@umngazi.co.za, 047 564 1115/6/8/9, www.umngazi.<br />

co.za, @umngazi<br />

4<br />

PONDO BEACH CAMPS<br />

If you’re seeking that elusive<br />

reconnection with nature in some<br />

of South Africa’s most exquisite<br />

locations, look no further. Pondo<br />

Beach Camps, positioned along<br />

Pondoland’s pristine coastline on<br />

the Wild Coast, offer the perfect<br />

sanctuary to reconnect with nature<br />

and a much-needed digital detox.<br />

The eco-camps each consist of 12<br />

en-suite units, communal thatched<br />

boma area with all that’s needed<br />

for a truly memorable self-catering<br />

getaway. Details: bookings@<br />

pondobeachcamps.co.za, info@<br />

pondobeachcamps.co.za, 031 536<br />

8005, www.pondobeachcamps.co.za<br />

3<br />

5<br />

GHOST MOUNTAIN INN<br />

A great base from which to explore the<br />

Zululand game reserves, take a boat cruise or<br />

tiger fish on Lake Jozini. Relax around the pools<br />

and gardens or treat yourself to a pampering<br />

spa treatment. Whether it’s for a change of<br />

scenery, taking the kids away for some family<br />

time or for a romantic treat, the Ghost Mountain<br />

Inn in Mkuze is the ideal weekend getaway.<br />

Details: www.ghostmountaininn.co.za<br />

Email: gmi@ghostmountaininn.co.za<br />

Tel: 035 573 1025<br />

<strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2021</strong> Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> <strong>Umhl</strong>anga 45


easons to visit<br />

3Bayete Zulu Private<br />

In a time when seclusion from society and<br />

crowds feels like a really great idea and<br />

reconnecting with nature and those<br />

closest to you is good for the mind,<br />

body and soul … a trip to Bayete<br />

Zulu Private should definitely be<br />

on your ‘to do’ list. Here are our<br />

top 3 reasons for you to visit.<br />

Text: Leah Shone<br />

PRIVATE, INTIMATE & EXCLUSIVE<br />

One of the biggest draw cards for<br />

visiting this unique lodge lies in it’s<br />

name … it is completely and utterly<br />

private. In fact, the entire lodge<br />

only sleeps six people and during<br />

our stay we only came into contact with<br />

three members of staff: our game ranger,<br />

chef and housekeeper. Tucked away in<br />

a secluded fever tree forest, Bayete Zulu<br />

Private is perfect for small families or<br />

couples who want to enjoy a bush getaway<br />

that really is away from it all. You can book it<br />

as an exclusive-use lodge (with a minimum<br />

of four adults, either catered or self-catering)<br />

and literally have full use of the facilities<br />

all to yourself. The lodge comprises three<br />

luxury en-suite chalets, with both inside and<br />

outside showers and an outdoor bath (such<br />

fun!) and a main ‘lodge’ area with a beautiful,<br />

open plan lounge and dining area that<br />

opens out onto a deck and rim-flow pool<br />

overlooking a dam. Of course, the pool was<br />

well used during our stay with two small<br />

boys in tow and the humidity of Zululand in<br />

46 Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> <strong>Umhl</strong>anga <strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2021</strong>


the summer ... and we loved spending<br />

time around the fire in the boma<br />

recalling our day’s sightings. The food,<br />

if you choose the catered option, is<br />

wholesome and flavourful, prepared<br />

with care and beautifully presented.<br />

2THE RESERVE ITSELF<br />

Bayete Zulu Private is<br />

situated in what has<br />

become one of our<br />

favourite big 5 private<br />

game reserves in the<br />

region. Situated in the heart of<br />

Zululand, the 23 000 hectare Manyoni<br />

private game reserve boasts a diverse<br />

habitat and incredible range of<br />

species. The bird life is magnificent.<br />

Surrounded by mountains, large open<br />

terrains and thick riverine woodlands,<br />

we were spoiled with lion sightings<br />

(a big hit with the smallest member<br />

of the family), as well as almost all<br />

the other big game (barring those<br />

elusive leopards) and remarkable<br />

bird, insect and reptile sightings as<br />

well. Our experienced ranger, Jason,<br />

was fantastic with the kids and full<br />

of knowledge about both the flora<br />

and fauna in the area. Manyoni<br />

became one of the largest private<br />

game reserves in the province when<br />

17 landowners decided to drop their<br />

fences in 2004 and create a protected<br />

area for wildlife, and specifically black<br />

rhino (as part of the WWF Black Rhino<br />

Range Expansion Project) and it truly<br />

is a very special little piece of Africa.<br />

3<br />

What you need to know …<br />

ELEPHANT<br />

CONNECTIONS<br />

If you haven’t done so yet,<br />

then you need to schedule<br />

a visit to Bayete’s Elephant<br />

Connections. It truly is a<br />

once-in-a-lifetime experience that<br />

you will never forget. Getting up close<br />

and very personal with the majestic<br />

Rambo and Rachel (who were rescued<br />

when their herd was culled) is quite<br />

remarkable. These two phenomenal<br />

gentle giants roam the reserve freely<br />

with their handlers by their side when<br />

they aren’t greeting guests, and are<br />

incredibly amiable - with Rambo even<br />

allowing you to have a feel of his slimy<br />

tongue and rub his gigantic legs and<br />

tusks (as long as you keep the treats<br />

coming, of course)!<br />

Bayete Zulu Private: You can choose a fully catered or self-catering stay at Bayete<br />

Private. Fully catered includes three meals a day as well as all local alcoholic<br />

(lockdown restrictions allowing) and soft drinks, two game drives a day and<br />

one elephant interaction per person per stay. Self catered includes two game<br />

drives per day and exclusive use of the lodge and staff to cook your meals for<br />

you. All rates exclude conservation levies (R175 per adults and R90 per child per<br />

night). Fully Catered: R4250 per adult, R2125 per child (3-12 years) (weekends and<br />

holidays); R2975 per adult and R1490 per child (mid-week). Self Catering – R2900<br />

per adult and R1450 per child (weekends and holidays); R2010 per adult and R1005<br />

per child (mid-week).<br />

Elephant Connections: Elephant interactions begin at 1am daily and rates are as<br />

follows: R580 per adult and R310 per child (3 – 12 years), children under 3 are free.<br />

Details: www.bayetezulu.co.za/bayete-zulu-private, reservations@bayetezulu.co.za,<br />

035 595 8089<br />

<strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2021</strong> Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> <strong>Umhl</strong>anga 47


Spoil<br />

<strong>Feb</strong>ruary<br />

The rosé we love the most<br />

We’re playing Queen of Hearts this Valentine’s<br />

Day, and trust us when we tell you a bottle of<br />

the extraordinary Jean Roi Cap Provincial<br />

Rosé 2018 will capture your true love’s heart.<br />

What’s more, this premium rosé from Anthonij<br />

Rupert Wyne is guaranteed to take your love<br />

for this style of wine up a notch too. A blend of<br />

Cinsault, Grenache and Shiraz, the pale copper<br />

pink wine takes its cue from the international<br />

Summer drinking styles, and is a fusion of fresh<br />

fruit flavours – think melon, peach and nectarine<br />

with a little lemon zest twist. Its regal bottle is<br />

embossed with JR (paying homage to Jean Roi, the<br />

French Huguenot from Provence who pioneered the<br />

L’Ormarins Wine Estate’s 300-year-old viticultural<br />

history), and the wine is lovely for a valentine<br />

toast at sunset, but is also perfect with delicious<br />

nectarine caprese salad, with grilled prawns and<br />

crayfish, or seared duck breast served with a<br />

raspberry jus (just a few ideas for your valentine<br />

dinner date). Oh … and just to set the record<br />

straight … it’s not only for the girls. Real men do<br />

most certainly drink pink. This wine costs around<br />

R240 a bottle, and you can get it from specialist<br />

wine stores as well as directly from Anthonij Rupert<br />

Wyne at rupertwines.com. Since we really, really love<br />

our readers, we’re giving away a case of this wine for<br />

you to share with your valentine (or not, as the case<br />

may be … nothing wrong with a little self-love).<br />

To enter, all you need do is visit our Facebook<br />

(GetItMagNC) or Instagram page (getitmagnc), and<br />

tag a rosé-loving friend in the comments section.<br />

Entries close <strong>Feb</strong>ruary 26.<br />

48 Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> <strong>Umhl</strong>anga <strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2021</strong>


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