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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- umngazi
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- the-studio
- kyle-abbott
- sa-cricket
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- amanzi-olwandle
- hanna-grobler
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- get-it-ballito-umhlanga
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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 />
YEARS<br />
DUAL MANDATE<br />
POA<br />
BALLITO | TOP QUALITY RESIDENTIAL HOMESTEAD<br />
Options of note and uniquely positioned is this family home which could<br />
be transformed into an upmarket health spa or a residential development with<br />
picturesque inland and sea views.<br />
6<br />
6<br />
2<br />
650m 2<br />
SIMBITHI | A MUST VIEW!<br />
Single level, freestanding beauty with views over the greenbelt in Simbithi.<br />
3 2 2<br />
176m 2<br />
R 3 995 000<br />
PALM LAKES | STOP THE SEARCH – FAMILY ALERT!<br />
Exceptional and well-appointed modern contemporary home located on a<br />
private dam with a private jetty in a gated family estate on the North Coast<br />
EXCLUSIVE MANDATE<br />
R 7 500 000<br />
3<br />
3.5<br />
4<br />
420m 2<br />
Fiona Crago<br />
082 551 2607<br />
fiona@fionacrago.co.za<br />
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 />
Velvet matte,<br />
luxuriously hydrating<br />
and long-wearing<br />
lipstick (for valentine<br />
smooching). R400 •<br />
Wink, wink. Clarins<br />
Mono Eye<br />
Shadow Velvet<br />
long-hold cream<br />
eyeshadow, with a<br />
fabulous smoothing<br />
effect, in White Shadow<br />
and Women In Black.<br />
R390 each.<br />
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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Immaculate 6 beds, 2 lounges, pool<br />
R5.75m<br />
R2.95m<br />
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3 or 4 beds, immaculate, study, pool<br />
Just move in private & tranquil<br />
3 ensuite beds, open plan living<br />
R4.5m<br />
R3.3m<br />
Green belt adjacent guaranteed views<br />
5 beds, pool, level garden<br />
Great family home fairway view<br />
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>
TRUSTED PROTECTION FOR A<br />
SAFER <strong>2021</strong><br />
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