FEB 21- Highway DBN

HIGHWAY • BEREA • DURBAN NORTH 

WIN! 

3 NIGHTS IN A 

COSY TREEHOUSE 

Time for kids 

Fun, treats & 

post-Covid careers 

EAT WELL 

From the farm 

to your doorstep 

DARREN & ANNA’S 

LOVE 

STORY 

SHOPPING, PEOPLE AND LIFESTYLE IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD 

FEBRUARY 2021

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GET IT 

Editorial 

Phone 032 946 0276 

Email leah@getitnc.co.za 

Address 115 Escom Road 

New Germany • Pinetown 

Like our Facebook page: 

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Editor Leah Shone 

Journalist 

Bronwyn Forbes-Hardinge 

getit@dbn.caxton.co.za 

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Nicole von Metzinger 

ads@northcoastcourier.co.za 

Sales Manager Giles Thomas 

031 716 4464 or 083 632 5931 

gilest@dbn.caxton.co.za 

Advertising Christine Kelly 

031 716 4598 or 082 972 1266 

christinek@dbn.caxton.co.za 

GET IT NATIONAL 

National Group Editor and National 

Sales Kym Argo 

082 785 9230, kyma@caxton.co.za 

Distribution 

10 000 copies monthly - Get It Highway, 

Durban North, Berea is distributed free of 

charge. For a full distribution list phone: 

031 716 4444. 

Published by The North Coast Courier 

Competition rules 

The judges’ decision is final. Prizes cannot be 

transferred or redeemed for cash. Competitions 

are not open to the sponsors or Caxton 

employees or their families. Get It Magazine 

reserves the right to publish the names of 

winners, who will be contacted telephonically 

and need to collect their prizes from Get it Ballito 

branch within 10 days or they will be forfeited. 

Prize winners’ names are published on our 

Facebook page monthly. 

Cover: Darren Maule and Anna Kelly 

Photograph: Lara Baker 

www.imagesbylara.co.za 

0837714242 

IG: lara_baker_photo 

FB: Lara Baker Photography 

Photographer’s assistant: Mouse 

contents 

Wish List 

4 Spoil a loved one - or yourself - this month of love 

SOCIALS 

6 Out and about at the end of last year . . . a hot and hip new venue 

opened and Nomfundo cooked up a storm 

People 

10 Exclusive Q & A session with KZN’s favourite couple: Darren & Anna 

share their fairytale love story 

14 Angelo is winning awards and creating films with meaning 

20 Two young guys turned their lockdown frustrations into an 

incredible opportunity - for themselves and others 

22 Water in a can? Yup, it’s a thing! Meet the Durban creator . . . 

26 Author Nelly is sharing the secrets to loving yourself 

Health & Beauty 

30 Find your confidence and strength with pole dancing lessons! 

Food 

32 The freshest food - from the farm straight to your front door 

homes & gardens 

34 Breathtaking blooms for every occassion at the Flower Market 

38 Small, quick changes to update and spruce things up! 

40 We’re loving the warm, cosy hue 

Kids & education 

44 Anything boys can do, girls can do too! 

46 We’re living in a new world with new career opportunities 

48 Top tips for parents to help children with schoolwork 

50 Common eye ailments for kids - what to look out for 

52 The littlies will love these fabulous fruity snacks! 

56 Build your child’s confidence with drama lessons 

Travel 

60 WIN! 3 nights in a romantic treehouse 

62 Here are our favourite reasons to visit Bayete Zulu Private Lodge 

Photos: Lara Baker; Photographer’s assistant: 

Mouse; Darren’s wardrobe: Fashion Fusion SA; 

Image Consultant: Sparkle Image Consulting; 

Anna’s wardrobe: Lula Clothing; Hair: Gerald 

Wells Hair; Makeup & Beauty: DIY with products 

from Kryolan SA and tips from PMU Aldytha 

da Silva; Bling: Lauren Ginn Accessories; Nails: 

French Vanilla Health & Skincare 

FEBRUARY 2021 

9810 copies distributed (July – Sept 2020) 

60 

February 2021 Get It • Highway • Berea • Durban North 01

Book club 

Books. Wine. Food. The perfect love affair. 

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

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

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

… beetroot, rhubarb and ginger soup, and pasta with clams and bottarga; comfort 

… marrowbone mince, and lasagne of love; simple … a fish finger sandwich with 

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

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

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

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

healthiest meat proteins and – hugely important in our current economic climate – 

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

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

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

crackling and weekend braais. The Perfect Pork Cookbook … scrumptious. 

Welgegund Heritage Wines only bottles premium high-end wines in 

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

award-winning, limited-edition, numbered bottles are highly 

rated. There’s a Welgegund Heritage Wines Chenin Blanc 2019, a 

Cinsault 2019, and this bright Grenache Noir 2019 – soft, smooth 

and refined, which you should serve cooler than your usual red, and is 

lovely with a charcuterie board, salmon or a smoked mussel pot, or after 

dinner with chocolate fondant. Details: welgegund.co.za 

02 Get It • Highway • Berea • Durban North February 2021

Wish list 

Whether you’re wining (when wine is allowed once more) 

and dining a lover, or spoiling of yourself, February is 

a month to give love! 

The mystery box of green happiness 

Plant-crazed Saffron de la Rouviere has taken advantage of SA’s 

willingness to shop online, and the wellness benefits of plants, 

and turned her plant hobby into an exceptional business! 

Saffron’s Garden Plant Club is a monthly mystery plant box 

subscription from Saffron’s Garden, a business started in 

2019 with the purpose of growing a national community of 

house plant lovers. Members never know what they’ll get in 

the mystery box, but they know the plant and related gifts 

have been lovingly crafted to surprise and delight. With more 

than 400 plants spread throughout her home and office, 

Saffron dances with her plants to make them happy every 

Friday, sharing videos with her thousands strong Instagram 

community to make them happy too! Subscription is R450 a 

month and Saffron’s promise is to always have way more value 

packed into the box, delivered straight to your house or office. 

Details: www.saffronsgarden.com, IG: @saffronsgarden 

The perfect gift for workaholics 

Yes please! Since we’ve been working at home more than 

ever before, we’ve just ordered our very own custommade 

Sliding Bed Table made by Waterfall resident, Raye 

Kent, whose passion for woodwork and carpentry came 

back into play during lockdown. Handcrafted, using the 

best available treated pine, and finished in a colour of 

your choice, these beauties (that suitable for all ages and 

uses) make burning the midnight oil in the comfort of 

your own bed, a real pleasure. Simply pull the table up to 

use and push it to the bottom of your bed when you’re 

done. Lazy Sunday breakfasts in bed equal no mess; for 

teens that never leave their rooms, it’s a great homework 

countertop; and for those living in small spaces without 

an office or desk at hand, it’s the ideal work station! When 

not in use, it also dresses your bed beautifully – some 

mags, a good book, a vase of fresh flowers and voila! 

Priced from R1500 for a single to R1850 for a king size 

bed. Details: 079 317 1023, rayekent@gmail.com 


No scoffing boxed wine now 

A few years ago, we’d have scoffed at the idea of a glass of wine from 

a box. Now we wouldn’t say no … not when it’s one of the premium 

wines introduced by Woolworths, in collaboration with some of 

SA’s leading wine brands. Not only are the wines up there with best, 

but there’s another terrific reason to stock up on these - the boxes 

contain 2L of wine and the price is the equivalent of two bottles. 

You do the math. Yip … 500ml for free! The wines, so far, include 

the long standing crowd favourite Pierre Jourdan Tranquille Blush (a 

delicate and fresh salmon pink blush with fragrant aromas of lively 

strawberry and raspberry with a hint of citrus fruits, it’s deliciously 

versatile and elegant and, box or not, is the epitome of elegance), 

Diemersal Sauvignon Blanc (an unwooded and crisp fresh wine that’s 

jam-packed with zesty lime flavours and a mouth-watering finish), 

Beyerskloof Pinotage (lightly wooded and fruit driven) and Kleine Zalze 

Chenin Blanc (delightfully approachable with tropical notes). Exclusive 

to Woolworths, prices start at R124.99. Details: www.woolworths.co.za. 

Wine and dine your valentine 

Onomo Hotel Durban’s new Topaz Restaurant & Skybar has arrived just in time for summer in our city of sizzle. The only 

rooftop bar of its kind in Durbs, the sophisticated space boasts astounding views of the Indian Ocean and city surrounds 

and is complemented by a mouth-watering food menu and array of expertly-mixed cocktails that showcase the flavours of 

Africa. By day, it’s a stellar sixth floor events venue with the Indian Ocean, Moses Mabhida and Kings Park stadia as part of 

its panorama, and by night, 360 degrees of sparking city lights form the backdrop, making Topaz Restaurant & Skybar the 

perfect relaxed ‘shebeen-chic’ environment to meet with friends or host glamorous events, indulge in a delicious meal and 

enjoy some fantastic local live music. The décor is sleek, stylish and modern, with warm wood and vibrant African prints 

offset by unique mood lighting and the gourmet menu is rooted in South African flavours – but references our continent’s 

myriad of culinary influences. Open to the public from Thursday to Saturday (4pm to 11pm) and 2pm to 11pm on Sundays, 

visitors can be assured of the highest COVID-19 sanitising and safety standards (certified by world leader in testing, 

inspection and certification services, Bureau Veritas). Details: www.onomohotel.com 

February 2021 • Highway • Berea • Durban North 05

Keri Miller and 

Kyriakos Spetsiotis 

Jasmine Allan, Chelsea and Chris Micklewood and Andile Ngidi 

Hot & hip 

Situated at arguably one of the best locations in Umhlanga, the beautiful 

new Dante opened its doors at the end of last year. Under the ownership 

of Trent Varejes and twin brothers Andile and Ayanda Ngidi, Dante spans 

three levels, boasting a main restaurant and bar, gin garden, cigar bar, 

oyster and champagne bar, signature bar and rooftop bar with hypnotic 

ocean views. The bold and exciting interior is the work of interior designer 

Alice Kelly and industry stalwart, Chef Marco Nico head chef Kyle 

Govender bring to life the venue’s contemporary Mediterranean menu 

with a South African twist. This is a must-visit spot for brunch, lunch or 

dinner, as well as for special events and private functions. 

Rachael Lonmon-Davis 

and Gabby Larsson 

Andile Ngidi, Keri Miller and Ayanda Ngidi 

Mlamuli Ntuli and 

Sbahle Monica Gabela 


FREE PARKING 

Werner and Zanyika Kok

Zanele Zama, Nthabiseng Mcoyi, Dudu Mcoyi,Sthandwa Mcoyi 

Cooking up a storm 

Derrick Mhlongo 

and Vanessa Marawa 

There was much celebration at the launch of Nomfundo Mcoyi’s new 

cookbook at The HayStore in Durban towards the end of last year. 

Nomfundo is the founder and CEO of Icebolethu Group. Her cookbook, 

Boardroom to the Kitchen with Nomfundo Mcoyi: From Boss Meals to 

Supermom Dishes, features a host of mouth-watering recipes with a 

strong South African influence. The book is also filled with her personal 

antidotes and tells her story of humble beginnings and turning dreams 

into reality. 

Latisha Singh and Mahesh Pillay 

Mzamo Mngadi, Prince Zulu, Derrick Mhlongo, 

Samke Shelembe and Bonnie Phiri 

Thandeka Sokufudumala, Thembelihle Mkhize, 

Jenny Bosch, Zimana Bashe and Warren Smith 

Phillip Sithole and Wenziwe Thusi 


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Darren and Anna 

have a comfortable 

relationship and it 

feels as if they have 

been dating for years 

Photos: Lara Baker; Photographer’s assistant: Mouse; Darren’s wardrobe: Fashion Fusion SA; Image Consultant: 

Sparkle Image Consulting; Anna’s wardrobe: Lula Clothing; Hair: Gerald Wells Hair; Makeup & Beauty: DIY with 

products from Kryolan SA and tips from PMU Aldytha da Silva; Bling: Lauren Ginn Accessories; Nails: French Vanilla 

Health & Skincare 


Darren & Anna … 

the love story 

Darren Maule is a man of many talents. Whether he’s waking up KZN as the host of 

ECR’s award-winning breakfast show or being an MC, comedian or ambassador for 

major brands and NGOs, he is a renowned and much-loved personality. After a decade 

of being the ultimate ‘single dad’, everything changed when ‘Anna Banana’ walked 

into his life and KZN listened in awe as the two fell in love. We were recently granted 

a sneaky glimpse into the private lives of Darren, Anna Kelly and Darren’s daughter, 

affectionately known as ‘Mouse’. 

Arriving at Darren and Anna’s North 

Coast house, the breath-taking 

view of the ocean becomes a 

secondary thought as Anna, ever 

the gracious hostess, greets us 

with her effervescent smile. The 

moment you walk in, you can feel 

the transformation from a house 

to a home. Darren pauses the CNN 

channel to get up and say hello, and 

12-year-old ‘Mouse’ and their three 

enthusiastic dogs come running 

down the stairs. Mouse goes to her 

dad and Anna individually to give 

them a big hug, before running off 

upstairs again with the loyal pooches 

right behind her. We’ve finally got 

them together so it’s the perfect time 

to get their thoughts on new love, 

demanding lives, and how they ended 

up as one of the most well-known 

couples in the province. 

Questions for the couple: 

What was the first thought 

you had when you met? 

Darren: (chuckling) “She was sitting 

elegantly in the foyer at ECR. I went 

to my producer at the time and 

asked him to go have a look at the 

stunning woman who’d taken my 

breath away. He went to take a peek 

Photo: Lara Baker 

and came back saying I should definitely go out there and say something, but I 

didn’t, which I regretted. A few months later when the same scenario presented 

itself, I decided to go for it, but she was already in a meeting with one of the 

managers. I very subtly barged in and interrupted the meeting to ask some 

random, nonsensical question just so I could be in the same room as her and say 

hello. I thought that by my single act of defiance, barging into a meeting (which 

I had never done before or ever since), would be the bat-signal to tell her I was 

definitely interested in her. Well ... it only took me three or four more years, but 

eventually we got there! 

Anna: Our paths had crossed many times, but our first meaningful conversation 

was backstage at Toy Story at the Pavilion four years ago. It was the first time we 

had spoken one-on-one. I remember being surprised by how softly spoken he 

was, he was also very geeky and clearly shy! I did think he was so attractive in his 

attentiveness and sincerity and being 6ft 4 was rather yummy too! 

February 2021 Get It • Highway • Berea • Durban North 11 

Text: Bronwyn forbes-hardinge

I was used to seeing people being 

really loud or acting like a fan club 

around him, so, after that meeting, 

I would make a swift exit whenever 

he came towards me at events or 

when I was at ECR. It was years later 

at a photoshoot at the Elangeni that 

he told me, “I hear you are leaving 

to live in England - we’ll have to do 

something about that!” Two days later 

in October 2019 we had our first date 

(with his daughter and her bestie) in 

tow. 

What is your love language? 

Darren: She gives me gifts in the form 

of handwritten notes, and they are 

always snuck in without me knowing. 

She has a note for everything. For 

example, I’ll be in the middle of a gig 

and I’ll look for something in my jacket 

pocket and find a note from her. 

They aren’t generic ones either, so it’s 

always specific to that moment. Don’t 

tell her, but I think there might even 

be some that I haven’t even found yet! 

Anna: It’s as if his first thought every 

day is, “what am I going to do today 

to show Anna how much I love her?”. 

He’ll make sure that no matter what, 

when I put my head on the pillow at 

night, he has done everything he can 

to make sure that I know how loved 

and cared for I am. He loves to make 

me laugh and loves to see me smile. 

If Darren/Anna was a drink, 

what would they be? 

Darren: She would be a screwdriver 

cocktail with a twist. Sloe gin, with 

Southern Comfort, enjoyed leaning 

against the wall and enjoying the 

company you’re with. But, since I am 

a teetotaller, I will have to go with a 

really tall glass of cool water after a 

long day! 

Anna: I think Darren would be a 

longed-for cup of really good strong 

coffee. One that is much-needed, 

great to wake up to - with a dash of 

Darren’s famous nut milk of course! 

What was the last message 

that you sent to each other? 

Darren: “Not long ‘til the weekend 

and some rest my love, I love you!” 

Anna: A voice note saying “I am 

sending you this message for no other 

reason than to tell you I love you”! 

Photo credit: 

Mark Whitlock 

Questions for Darren: 

What was the first gift that you gave Anna? 

Our first date was at Suncoast Arcade, where Anna and I had a dance-off and I 

realised that she was not to be messed with! She took all her tickets and bought 

goodies for Mouse and her friend. I took mine and bought her a really kitsch ring, 

which I gave to her at the end of our date. She still has it in her jewellery box! 

How does Mouse feel about ‘young love’ in the house? 

She doesn’t like PDAs (public displays of affection) that’s for sure! She adores 

Anna and is the happiest person when it comes to spending time with us all 

together, but as soon as there is any form of PDA, she either becomes a ninja and 

disappears or she does the eye roll that you can feel from across with the room 

followed by a big sigh and stage whispering ‘guys, seriously’. She can see dad is 

happier and healthier and loves the real sense of ‘home’ we have created. 

Questions for Anna: 

What’s it like dating one of KZN’s most well-recognised 

celebrities? 

When we are alone, I never consider him to be anything other than Darren, but 

when we are in public, I admire the way that he treats the people who come 

and talk to him or ask him for a photo, especially the kids. I know that every 

interaction is genuine and that he appreciates every single one of his fans. 

Which of Darren’s talents do you love the most? 

I love his voice! I’ve asked him to read me everything from a sonnet to articles in 

TIME to a shopping list. We had many early dates where we would sit for hours 

talking and I would get lost in those conversations - I still do! 

What are some of the thoughtful things Darren has done? 

I am a huge fan of the Obamas, and Darren knew that I was waiting on 

tenterhooks for the Barack Obama book to come out. The moment it went on 

sale he was one of the first in line to buy it for me and he even wrote a message 

to treasure on the inside! Also, In 2020, I was booked in for spine surgery, 15 days 

before we moved into our new home. Darren took care of me every step of the 

way with the challenges of COVID 19 while having major surgery, moving house, 

and helping me with my daily physio for two months. 

It’s hard to imagine that Darren and Anna have only been dating for 18 months 

as they move around each other in the kitchen making coffee as if they have 

been doing this for years. Once they’re cuddled up to each other on the couch 

chatting away and their eyes shine with nothing but adoration, there’s no doubt 

that love lives here. 


WEEKDAYS 06:00 - 09:00 

THE ONLY BREAKFAST YOU NEED 

DARREN, KERI AND SKY 

These three are the most fun you can have in the 

morning! They are an essential start to your day 

the right way. You’ll love their wit as they take on 

current affairs, life in KZN and a give you a glimpse 

into their personal lives. Expect great music, the 

latest news, traffic, sport and loads of chances to 

win! 

Who needs coffee anyway when you’ve got 

Darren, Keri and Sky?

Films with meaning 

Like for many people, last year was a whirlwind for 33-year-old award-winning former 

Durban-based documentarian and Greenpeace Africa digital mobilisation officer, Angelo C 

Louw. His was somewhat of a good whirlwind however ... filled with awards and accolades! 

Text: Bronwyn forbes-hardinge 

Angelo has been singled out as one of the most influential young professionals on the continent by The Young 

Independents Southern African Development Community Top 100 for 2019. His Greenpeace documentary, Gutted: The 

Fight of Kalk Bay Fishers, has won multiple awards in film festivals from New York to Nigeria. 

The film’s selection in the second annual uMgungundlovu Film Festival was a full-circle moment for the first-time filmmaker 

from Randburg, whose interest in movie making began when he interned at a local newspaper in Durban (his former 

hometown) 10 years ago. 

“I spent weekends trying to make videos for their website. I wasn’t trained and would struggle for hours trying to figure out 

the software. Looking back, I wasn’t very good at it, but if I hadn’t pushed on, I’d have never known what it felt like to have 

people all over the world watching and enjoying my work,” he says. 


With Gutted, I learned that 

if you truly want to make 

something impactful, so that 

it truly captures that essence 

of a community, you need to 

work with people from that 

community. 

Angelo says that the success of his documentary feels 

surreal and he is waiting for someone to wake him up. 

He is especially proud of the tangible impact it has 

had on our country’s fishing community, who have 

struggled to obtain fishing licenses. Since the release of 

his documentary, they’ve been granted longer fishing 

licenses by the South African government. 

“I guess every journalist hopes their work will have a 

tangible impact on lives. Now, fishers across the country 

are in a better position. The media is a very powerful 

driver of change.” 

Some of Angelo’s fondest childhood memories include 

watching fishers line up on the piers along the Golden 

Mile. But, he is saddened by the plastic pollution on 

Durban beaches. 

“My career has taken me all over the world, but Durbs has 

always been my happy place. I always imagined moving 

back here one day so that I could be near the ocean and 

just be inspired every day. It’s just really sad to see how 

this beautiful place is being ruined by plastic. It’s so ugly. 

Our government really needs to do something about it, 

urgently.” 

Angelo is currently heading up Greenpeace Africa’s antiplastic 

project. “I just want my kids to see the world as I 

did. I want them to look back and feel as privileged I have 

been to know the endless beauty of our country.” 

He is so intrigued by Durban – the good and the bad – 

that it features quite prominently in his upcoming work. 

“I’m at a point where the possibilities seem endless. I’m 

wrapping up my novel and currently talking to some 

filmmakers about collaborating on a few projects. 

Being such a melting pot of cultures, Durban is such an 

interesting backdrop to any story, and there is so much 

potential for its film industry.” 

He hopes to work with up-and-coming local talent to 

bring his vision to life. 

“With Gutted, I learned that if you truly want to make 

something impactful, you need to work with people from 

that community. It helps achieve authenticity. There is so 

much to be done and achieved in the world if we only 

work together!” 

Details: IG and Twitter: @angeloclouw

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info@mcmaintenancekzn.co.za

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

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

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

WWW.RAPROJECTS.CO.ZA 

RA Projects 

DONALD ENSLIN 

Founded in 2017, by Donald Enslin and his wife 

Zelna, RA Projects is an air conditioning company 

based in the Upper Highway area. Specialising in heating, 

ventilation, air conditioning and cooling services. RA 

Projects offers a range of services to meet your needs, from 

industrial heating and cooling solutions, rooftop package 

units, to your everyday domestic air conditioning units. 

We also offer repairs and maintenance services to some 

cold storage facilities in and around the KZN area. Maintaining 

their coldrooms, assisting with temperature control, monthly 

services, lighting, as well as repairing and maintaining racking 

systems and motors. 

Donald is the muscle of the RA Projects team, with a colourful 

background that begins with army special forces and includes 

a qualification as a dual train driver. 

In 2003, Donald began his work in the field of air conditioning, 

and gained plenty of experience completing installations 

across the country; from Lesotho Casino, Wild Coast Casino and 

Hotel, Swaziland Shoprite and Usave stores, Sappi Durban and 

Umkomaas, and many KZN hospitals. 

My Finance Partner was of great assistance in walking us 

through every step of becoming entrepreneurs and to this day 

still offer invaluable advice and assistance. Some of our current 

clients include Fry’s Family Food Group, Transnet Edwin Swales, 

Engen La Lucia, Westville Hospital and Ola Ice Cream (aka Sticks 

& Licks) in Ballito. 

Bedford Builders 

SANDY & PHILLIPA BEDFORD 

We are a family run business, started by Rob Bedford in 2007. 

Sadly, Rob passed away in 2020, but his wife, Sandy, and 

daughter, Phillipa, have taken on the challenge to keep the 

business operating as a woman-run construction company 

(and they’re doing an amazing job). 

Many of our staff have been with the company for over 15 

years, gaining many years of experience in the industry. 

Our current clients include a number of large corporates, so 

you can be assured that quality and attention to detail are 

of vital importance. 

Although, most of our work is insurance related, we also 

undertake small to medium renovations (homes and 

businesses), specialising in painting, tiling, paving, ceilings, 

walls (brick, precast, retaining) and plaster work. 

We strive to deliver only the best quality and service. Working 

closely with our clients on projects, developing relationships 

built on teamwork and trust. Contact Bedford 

Builders, for a partner that you can rely on. 

074 658 4478 | 072 234 0872 

info@raprojects.co.za 

031 701 3706 

Bedford@cybertek.co.za

The birds and the bees 

Don’t panic ... we’re not about to give you ‘the talk’. We’re sharing books, 

facts and treats that have to do with these marvellous creatures 

The 2020 lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic was bound to make 

many of us feel a little grumpy at some point, but wildlife photographer 

Lynne Wilde didn’t quite expect to find a grumpy-looking crested 

barbet in her Bryanston garden. When she could no longer ignore 

his ‘insistent calls’, she decided to feed and photograph him, and she 

named him Grumpy Crestie. She let her imagination run wild with 

what he would say if he could speak a language like English, and so she 

began to capture his daily antics and post them on a local Facebook 

group. Her posts made many smile, and it wasn’t long before Grumpy 

Crestie had built such a strong fan base that Lynne decided he needed 

his own Facebook and Instagram pages. She continued to document 

photographs and a daily diary of the bird and his bride, Lady Chatterly, 

and fans lapped up the posts. To end off last year, Grumpy Crestie’s 

photos and antics were compiled into a colourful, witty and downright 

amusing 120-page book – terrific for your coffee table and to take your 

mind off even more lockdown restrictions in 2021. Order the book 

online and have it delivered to your door. R299. Details: You’ll find the link 

to order the book on the Grumpy Crestie Facebook page, and you can follow 

@grumpycrestie on Instagram too. 

There’s a reason we say ‘as busy as a bee’… 

Compiled by DANIELLA GRAHAM 

‘A slice of pecan pie in a glass of Jack’ 

… this is how the master distiller 

describes Jack Daniel’s Tennessee 

Honey. It has a light sweet-honeyed 

aroma with that Jack Daniels classic 

sugary charcoal fragrance. When 

the ban on alcohol lifts, try it with 

lemonade, dry lemon or on the rocks. 

Around R279 for 750ml. 

Details: jackdaniels.com/en-za 

Bees are awfully busy creatures, especially in the summertime. The gardening 

app Candide started the #PolliNationSA movement to encourage South Africans 

to grow bee-friendly plants. 

Here are 10 things you can do to help the busy bees… 

1. Plant a veggie and fruit garden … even in a small patch. 

2. Place pebbles and rocks in a shallow plate of water outside in the shade. 

3. Plant a variety of flowers that last from early Spring to late Autumn in clumps 

so bees can find them easily. 

4. Use bee-friendly pesticides and natural remedies like vinegar, Epsom salt and 

essential oils. 

5. Support organic farmers rather than farming methods that use pesticides. 

6. Buy raw honey from local beekeepers … it’s more nutritious than some of 

the types of honey bought in stores which can be processed, pasteurised and 

loaded with added sugars. 

7. Help solitary bees by setting up a Candide Solitary Bee Hotel in your garden. 

It’s a rectangular piece of wood with a few holes of different sizes bored into it to 

mimic the natural breeding nests to attract solitary bees. R240 from candide.co.za 

8. Square off a section of your lawn that can grow wild and free as bees don’t like 

lawn without flowers. 

9. Don’t weed your garden as some – like dandelions – can be a great source of 

food for bees. 

10. Stay still if a bee is around or lands on you – it’s probably just trying to see if 

you have any nectar and will most likely fly away. Learn to love these creatures. 

Check out the #PolliNationSA campaign by downloading the free Candide App 

on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Details: candide.co.za 


MY FINANCIAL BILLBOARD 

BROUGHT TO YOU BY MY FINANCE PARTNER 

NEW YEAR 

NEW PARTNERS 

BRIGHT IDEAS 

NEW SUCCESSES 

TAX 

Sometimes You 

Need to Give to Get! 

There is a father with two sons, Peter and Paul. 

There is a severe case of sibling rivalry going on 

between the two and they never miss a chance 

to have a go at one another. 

The dad calls Peter, the eldest of the brothers, and issues 

a challenge to him. He offers Peter R1,000 in cash, on the 

condition that he pays R280 of that to his younger brother 

Paul. Peter scoffs at the idea, as he does not want Paul to have 

anything at all. 

Later the same day he offers Paul the same deal. Paul, on the 

other hand, is not that thrilled about having to pay Peter the 

R280, but takes comfort in the fact that he scores R720 to keep 

for himself, which is still more than his big brother will get. 

It seems so obvious in this case which brother made the better 

call. What may not be so obvious is that Peter’s approach 

illustrates the all too familiar picture of business owners’ 

obsession with spending money at the end of the tax year to 

reduce tax in their business. 

There are times where it makes perfect sense to incur some 

significant expenditure at year end to reduce profits (and tax) 

but by and large, incurring cost for the sake of reducing tax is 

not really beneficial. 

If you aim to eliminate the tax liability 

completely, it costs you 100 cents in the Rand 

to do this (i.e. you have to spend everything). 

WHY? And all too often, the items being purchased 

do not qualify for 100% tax relief! If, on the 

other hand, you pay the tax and keep the 

balance, you’ll have 72 cents of every Rand 

profit, that you can distribute to shareholders or reinvest in the 

business to make more money. 

In addition to this, if business owners are looking to unlock 

funding, whether it be for personal purposes (like purchasing 

a new home or car) or business purposes (purchasing assets 

or obtaining an overdraft facility), it makes sense to have paid 

some tax for the simple reason that banks will only lend to 

profitable businesses. 

Over a period of time the ultimate goal of a business owner 

should be to generate profits, square off the taxes and 

extract the balance to invest in personal wealth creation, 

in a manner free of the inherent risks of their business and 

creditors. In order to do this, they need to make peace with 

paying tax, be deliberate about developing a value extraction 

strategy and disciplined in sticking to it. 

At My Finance Partner, we have the necessary expertise and 

experience to assist clients with their tax affairs, offer advice 

on tax structuring and wealth creation. We pride ourselves 

on not only offering tax solutions but on helping clients to 

understand the implications of the tax decisions taken for 

them and/or their business. Because SOMETIMES it just 

makes sense to pay the tax and keep the change! 

Our Services 

Bookkeeping, Financial Statements, Payroll, Company 

Registrations & Statutory Services, Advisory Services, Tax 

FREE CONSULTATION 

Call us to book, it won’t cost you anything but may 

very well save you a lot! 

031 941 4770 | info@mfpartner.co.za | www.mfpartner.co.za

Grow to survive 

Prior to lockdown, Kloof locals Branden Gee (28) and Cameron Blair (26) were living 

their dreams in the tourism industry. Today they have transformed their love for 

nature, food and sustainability into tools to build a stronger and more equitable way to 

revolutionize the entire food chain. They’re calling it, Our Little Company. 


“It all began with a bit of cash in our 

pockets and time to kill. Cameron is 

a travel film maker and I am a tour 

guide, and with lockdown leaving 

us unable to travel or work, we 

embarked on a journey (in April 2020) 

that would open the doorway to 

endless possibilities, not only for us, 

but the youth of today.” 

With the support of Branden’s dad, 

Peter, the two built a hydroponic farm 

called Gees Hydro on Caversham 

Road and began growing their own 

produce in a confined area, using 90 

per cent less water than traditional 

farming. 

“We focused on microgreens and 

strawberries to start. Closer to home 

meant more affordable and healthy. 

We then began offering free tours 

of our farm because we realised 

the future of farming was on our 

doorstep. People flocked to see what 

we were up to.” 

Branden and Cameron’s little venture 

gained so much popularity that 

it even attracted the attention of 

Thomas More College who took its 

20 Get It • Highway • Berea • Durban North February 2021 

students on a tour to see this new and unique way of growing surplus food. 

“We still offer free tours, because the aim is to bring like-minded people together.” 

Today, under the name, Our Little Company, they specialise in basil (which they 

sell to friends, family and some small restaurants) and are also growing tomatoes, 

lavender and rosemary. 

Working tirelessly, seven days a week, the duo are constantly learning how to 

grow different plants and produce and perfecting the environment of their little 

farm, all while operating within their three sustainable principles - earth care, 

people care and fair share. 

“Gees Hydro was founded to teach people (using hydroponics) that there is a 

better way to create food ... thus ‘earth care’. In terms of ‘people care’, Cam and 

I started noticing that more and more people were losing the battle against 

the harsh national lockdown and feeling the pains that the global pandemic 

had brought to our beloved neighbourhood. We set up a free e-commerce site 

called Our Local Market, aimed at putting money back into our local economy. 

We advertise people’s products, sell them and deliver them, nationwide. Vendors 

need only to make their products, we do the rest.” 

And lastly, the ‘fair share’ concept Branden and Cam don’t only want people to 

think more about where their food comes from, but to encourage them to grow 

their own.

Engaging youth in agriculture is a prominent topic and has 

risen up the development agenda as there is growing concern 

worldwide that young people have become disenchanted 

with agriculture. Branden and Cam created The Permaculture 

Project, which gives back by building permaculture patches in 

schools and teaches children how to turn their 100 per cent 

organic vegetable garden into a business, so they can become 

entrepreneurs who give back to nature 

“We targeted schools because we believe in empowering the next 

generation to not only grow their own food but to fall in love with 

their natural surroundings. We make our own soil and fertilisers. If 

every school participated in The Permaculture Project, then every 

family could have access to food directly from the farm, grown 

organically and by the students of the school while they learned 

the fundamentals of nature, how to self-sustain, how to turn their 

vegetable patch into a business and contribute to a solution to 

two major global issues - food security and global warming.” 

Branden and Cam have two projects in operation - one at Curro 

and one at Hillcrest High. There is third that will begin this month 

with the Drakensberg Boys’ Choir and they are in negotiations 

with Thomas More College. Their dream is to have a permaculture 

patch in every school in the country. 

“We believe that everyone should be growing their own food, so 

we are on a journey to make it simple, affordable and a reality. The 

future we see is a world where everyone is going to need to know 

how to grow.” 

Details: The Permaculture Project: thepermaculturep@gmail.com; 

Geeshydro: geeshydro@gmail.com; Our Local Market: ourlocalm@ 

gmail.com; 081 897 0998 

Branden Gee

Water in a can? 

Former Durbanite and now Cape Town-based entrepreneur, Michelle Richardson 

recently launched a new premium water range onto the SA market… and it comes in 

a can! We caught up with her while she was holidaying in Durban North recently and 

found out more about her clever ‘solution to pollution’. 

Michelle is an ocean warrior and a 

driven entrepreneur and her newly 

launched water range, called Calm 

Natural Water, is a culmination of these 

passions. On returning to SA from 

Dubai after nine years, where she ran 

the Arabian Gulf Rugby Union, Michelle 

set up a business to import health and 

vegan products from the UK, which are 

stocked by Wellness Warehouse and 

Dischem pharmacies. 

It was a natural progression to plough 

her passion into a project which had 

water as its major component. “With 

so much national and international 

media attention on ocean pollution 

- and plastic bottles at the forefront 

of this disaster - I decided to look at 

alternatives. Belonging to an ocean 

and beach-loving family, I knew that 

if we could contribute in a small way 

to reduce plastic in our oceans by 

changing mindsets then we would be 

one step closer to being part of the 

‘solution and not the pollution’ (our 

Calm Water motto), and so the idea for 

mineral water in a can was born.” 

During the first lockdown Michelle had 

the time to decide if the concept could 

be brought to reality. 


Michelle believes that packaging is paramount, and so she teamed up with a young graphic designer who believed in her 

idea. “I’m so fortunate to have worked with Theresa from Bedinkt who has amazing knowledge of product and label design, 

especially with regard to the beverage market. The idea for the design was to always have a minimalistic look and feel and 

to keep it clean and crisp so it would ‘scream’ water from just one look.” 

The feedback on the final product has been very positive, she says, with most customers commenting on how attractive the 

packaging is and, of course, that it is not a plastic bottle. 

“I aimed to tell my story on the can, highlighting the need to start moving away from plastic and how desperately Mother 

Nature needs us to do this. One really cool feature on the can is the customised barcode where I incorporated a dolphin 

and ocean wave to once again highlight my ocean focus. Aluminium is infinitely recyclable. It is also much lighter to 

transport than glass, which means a smaller carbon footprint. The aluminium can maintains the freshness and coolness 

of both the still and sparkling versions, as well as being one of the first mineral waters in an aluminium can to hit the SA 

market.” 

The mineral water used in Calm Water is extracted directly from a natural source on a farm in the Cederberg. 


The great fresh taste is due to the natural filtration process through 

the layers of Cape sandstone before eventually reaching the surface. 

“My Cape Town-based canning partner does the canning at source in 

the Cederberg Mountains - this makes the Calm Water range a truly 

local product. The 330ml cans are produced, supplied and shelf life 

tested by Nampak.’ 

The canning process for still water is quite complicated, and Michelle 

had to find a canning company with the appropriate technology. This 

needs to be nitrogen-infused during the filling process to ensure that 

the can does not buckle – something not required with other canned 

drinks as almost all are carbonated. 

“Nitrogen does not have any taste or smell and therefore does not 

compromise the great quality and taste of Calm Water.” 

Michelle’s clever product has hit the shelves in South Africa and is 

currently available in Durban at Umhlanga Super Spar, Glenore Spar, 

Food Lovers Market in The Pearls, Homebru Cafe in Umhlanga, Home 

Grown Ballito, Health on Broadway in Durban North and Alchemy 

Restaurant in Ballito. 

“I’ve started a marketing campaign to drive awareness to the brand, 

with one of my initiatives being to participate in a fundraising event 

for the Shark Spotters in Cape Town. They play an amazing role in 

keeping our beaches and oceans safe, and we share the same goal 

with regard to reducing plastic on our beaches and in our oceans. We 

are also focused on a number of KZN ocean initiatives where we’ve 

teamed up with North Coast locals such as the Keto Surfer, Solace 

South Africa, Ocean Republic and Homebru Cafe to drive awareness 

through our social media giveaway competitions. Let’s all do our part 

in keeping our oceans and beaches clean. We have one earth, love it!’ 

Details: Facebook and Instagram: @thecalmwaterco or e-mail calm@ 

calmwater.co.za 

Michelle Richardson with her son 

and daughter, Tyler and Jayde 

part of renewal institute 

0861 SKIN SA 

0861 7546 72 

onlineskinshop.co.za 

skinrenewal.tv 

254 Lilian Ngoyi Road, Windermere, Durban. 

Tel: 031 303 3473 • Mobile: 071 383 3356 • durban@skinrenewal.co.za 

111097

Love thyself 

For many, the concept of self-love might conjure 

images of tree-hugging hippies or cheesy selfhelp 

books. But author, publisher and motivational 

speaker, Nelisile Shozana says self-love and 

compassion are key to mental health and well-being. 


The driving force behind a successful 

publishing company with six books 

(exploring life, relationships, selfconfidence, 

forgiveness and healing) 

and a newly launched clothing 

range under her belt, Nelly (as she is 

affectionately known) is a 36-year-old 

singleton who walks with her head 

held high. 

She is fiercely passionate about 

helping people work out what they 

really want and empowering them 

to find meaning in their lives. “I’m an 

open book and ‘people’s person’. I talk 

a lot, LOL! But I am passionate about 

what I do and I am not afraid of any 

challenge.” 

Nelly was born and raised in 

Pietermaritzburg, but is now a 

dedicated Durbanite. She has a BA 

degree in Community and Health 

Psychology and is a certified life 

coach. She also spent 11 years in the 

South African National Defence Force 

(following her yearning to save the 

world), until, she says, she realised 

that chasing her dreams was far more 

important than chasing bad guys. 

“I loved playing games and socialising 

as a child, until one day I lost a game 

and everybody made fun of me. I was 

the joke of the town and I remember 

that feeling of failure affected me. I 

stopped playing games, debating at 

school and refused to participate in 

anything that involved winning or 

losing. I developed a major low selfesteem.” 

While it was never her dream to work 

in the defence force, Nelly says she 

enjoyed both the job and the lifestyle. 

She learnt punctuality, discipline, 

unity… and she found peace and 

forgiveness and began to grasp that there was so much more in life that she 

wanted and needed to explore. 

“The experience opened my eyes and I realised I was not doing anyone any 

favours by playing small … especially not myself. I wanted to try new things. So, I 

resigned. I had more important dreams to follow.” 

A contributing factor to her struggles was the fact that Nelly had an absent father 

growing up. She carried a great deal of anger, which she says played a major role 

in her determination to help others find forgiveness. 

“The rejection I faced from my father had a huge effect on my transgression 

from a child to an adult. I was hurt and bitter and years after he’d passed, I found 

myself praying for the strength to forgive him. I thank God for my mother who 

did her best to raise me as a single parent with the resources she had. She is a 

huge inspiration.” 

Her own life challenges, Nelly says, have been the driving force behind her 

success as an author and a motivational speaker. Her books, entitled ‘Dismissing 

Excuses’, ‘Single at 34’, ‘A Self-assured Woman’, ‘Failed Relationship Lessons Learnt’, 

‘A Perfect Imperfect Me’ and ‘Tales of a Broken-Heart: Forgiveness and Healing’, 

are all the result of life experiences she’s written about in order to inspire others. 

Her goal is to help people stop making excuses for living mediocre lives, to get 

to know themselves and be authentic and to let go of negative experiences from 

the past and allow for healing. 


Nelly’s new 

clothing range, 

SheKnowz, is 

aimed at women 

who are not afraid 

to dress their 

bodies in a way 

that boosts their 

self-esteem 

“I was always looking for love from other people because 

I couldn’t give myself the love that I deserved. I’ve realised 

over time, that it begins with me… and it’s called self-love.” 

The domino effect of self-love, Nelly says, is selfforgiveness. 

“If you love yourself, you’ll forgive yourself 

when you mess up. We are only human.” 

As the founder of Intentionally Elegant, which offers 

publishing, marketing and motivational talks, with a 

focus on empowering women, Nelly promotes reading 

and writing through workshops while travelling across 

South Africa to promote her books, and advocates for the 

empowerment of women through workshops on self-love 

and forgiveness. 

“I host a number of woman empowerment events that 

create a platform to talk. I also do one-on-ones. There 

are so many women out there who stay in unhealthy 

relationships because they don’t know their worth – 

something I did too. Where I’m at now in life - still single at 

36 but happier than ever - I encourage women to focus on 

and invest in becoming the best version on themselves, 

while reminding them that this is not an overnight thing. 

Realistically speaking, self-love is a journey that never ends.” 

Nelly also recently launched a clothing line, called 

SheKnowz, aimed at women who love shopping, and are 

not afraid to dress their bodies in a way that boosts their 

self-esteem. 

When it comes to how women can learn to get to know 

themselves better, Nelly says it’s all about redefining 

yourself. 

“We all play different roles – wife, mother, sister, friend, 

grandmother, granddaughter, daughter, career woman, 

but the biggest mistake we make is that we take on these 

roles but neglect ourselves. Getting to know yourself 

requires you to have a meeting with yourself and ask 

yourself these questions: What makes me happy or sad? 

What makes me tick? Why do I do the things I do? Why am 

I so easily influenced by people? Psychology says there’s a 

reason behind every behaviour. Some of the things we do 

are not who we truly are, some are just a cry for help. You’ll 

never fully know who you are if you don’t spend time with 

yourself and do a lot of self-introspection.”


Pole power 

At some point, most of us have struggled to love ourselves, feeling insecure and lacking 

self-confidence. But how many of us would have ever considered pole fitness as way to 

learn to love yourself? We spoke to KZN pole studio owner Cindy Robinson Naidu about 

her incredible journey of self-discovery. 

iving proof that it’s never 

too late to learn something 

new, Cindy has been 

practising pole fitness for 

the past seven years 

since she was first 

introduced to the sport 

in her early 30s. 

“It has been an incredible journey of 

self-discovery, learning about my own 

strengths and weaknesses and even 

surprising myself by doing things I 

never thought I could! When I got the 

opportunity to open my own studio, 

I decided to build a space where 

women could feel beautiful, strong, 

sexy and powerful,” she says. 

The owner of Pole Base Aerial Arts 

Studio in Durban North, Cindy has 

helped a number of women along 

the road to self-discovery and selflove 

through this unique art. Her style 

of teaching is based on passion and 

dedication. Her philosophy, when it 

comes to pole fitness, is ‘with time 

and dedication, you can achieve 

rhythm, strength and flexibility that 

you never dreamed you could.’ 

A testament to this, Cindy won gold 

in the intermediate division of the 

KZN Pole Awards in 2017, walking 

away with the performance of the 

night - something she never thought 

possible since she had no previous 

dance experience. 

Ultimately though, Cindy says it is the 

magic of the sport itself that gives you 

a sense of confidence, independence, 

sexiness and strength. Besides all the 

health and fitness benefits, it’s really 

good for your mind. ‘It makes you feel 

eager and excited to work out, helps 

you shoot for your goals, makes you 

learn to love your body no matter 

what, and you feel great knowing 

how far you’ve come and can still go.’ 


She has seen women who have just met, cheer each other on as they attempt 

new moves for the first time. 

“I’ve seen women go from being shy and wearing long shorts, to rocking a bikini 

five months later - not because they think their body is perfect, but because 

they’ve realised that this a safe space and no one is judging them. I’ve seen them 

fall in love with the body they have, even as it evolves and becomes stronger. I’ve 

watched them let go of body image perceptions and love the journey of getting 

fit, with an army of women supporting them.” 

Cindy is encouraged by the touching weekly messages she receives from the 

women she teaches. “I’ve seen women fight and start to overcome serious issues 

like depression, abuse, loneliness and extreme lack of confidence through this 

sport and I hope that sharing what this sport has done for me and for so many 

of my students, will help inspire woman to start pole, or any form of exercise, to 

help towards resolving personal challenges and health issues.” 

So, who can do it? Cindy says there is no age, shape, size or personality type 

limit in her classes - everyone is welcome. From analysts and housewives to 

chiropractors, new moms, professional nurses, medical doctors and firewomen 

and people with mental and physical struggles ... her door is always open. 

“That’s the beauty of pole fitness. You begin with your strengths and work 

functionally on your weaknesses. Pole sport requires physical strength, mental 

stamina and the ability to let go of your inhibitions and simply have fun. It is 

difficult to find a hobby that is stimulating, exciting, challenging and loads of fun 

all at the same time, yet this is exactly what each pole class is like. It’s a fun form 

of cardio, gets your heart pumping, builds a strong core, back, arms, shoulders 

and chest. Over and above that, your legs get a really good work out too due to 

the muscle engagement required for pole and, before you know it, your bum will 

become more firm.” 

“I often say it’s 40 percent pole and 60 

percent social connection that makes 

us so happy. Because of this social joy, 

we lose track of time so quickly and 

don’t realize how much effort we’ve 

already put in, and how natural the 

endurance begins to come to us. All 

the banter and laughter in the classes 

also allows us to enjoy the mental 

benefits that come with laughter - 

stress release, better sleep, longevity, 

heart, health and internal happiness.” 

Perhaps the biggest benefit of pole 

fitness, according to Cindy, is body 

image. Research has shown that 

more than 10 per cent of woman 

and girls don’t do sport due to body 

confidence issues. 

“Often women say to me that pole 

makes them feel like a kid again. I 

think it’s because of the sense of 

freedom you get in this sport; you 

get to jump, swing, dance and have 

fun with friends. If you keep training, 

your body and posture will change. 

As will your mind. Our studio motto 

is, ‘things in the mirror are stronger 

than they appear’ and this is true of 

every woman. You (and your body) 

are capable of these amazing things. 

It just takes a little time.” 

Details: www.polebase.co.za, info@ 

polebase.co.za, @polebasedbn, 084 870 

9051 

Pole Base Aerial Arts owner 

Cindy Robinson Naidu 


Farm fresh 

From handpicked veggies and grain-fed poultry to sweet treats, pantry staples and 

your favourite sushi, it doesn’t get fresher and more mouth-watering than this. Impala 

Ridge Farm is an online platform that cuts out the ‘middle man’. Their food is affordable, 

locally sourced and can be delivered from the farmer to your door. 


Based in Drummond, just below the 

famous Comrades Wall, and flanked 

by the railway line that carries the 

Inchanga Choo Choo, Impala Ridge 

Farm’s online portal, which started as a 

small business just prior to lockdown, 

has quickly turned into an exciting 

enterprise in the food supply market. 

Owner, Natasja Da Silva says the idea 

was born out of a mutual desire, with 

a like-minded friend, to supply city 

dwellers and other locals with farm 

fresh produce. 

“I am a mom of two beautiful children 

Connor (12) and Riley (9) and my 

husband Ricky and I run Impala 

Ridge Farm where we supply grain 

fed chickens. This is our passion 

and my full time job, along with a 

sushi business that I have run for the 

past 10 years. I met Cath Meyer (of 

Vanilla Bean Bakery and The Farmer’s 

Wife fame) at a sushi event in 2019. 

Chatting about farm life and the 

produce offerings on the different 

farms throughout Dalton, New 

Hanover and Wartburg, I thought it 

would be a brilliant idea if we teamed 

up to start an online store supplying 

the city folks with farm fresh produce.” 

Things started off slowly, but during 

the first Covid-19 lockdown, Tash 

and Ricky, together with Cath and a 

host of brilliant farmers and suppliers 

decided to offer home deliveries to 

local communities to alleviate the 

health risk. The product list is almost 

endless. From bakery treats, dairy 

and dinners made easy, to fresh 

food, German specialities, meats, 

health, pantry and pet products, and 

unforgettable sushi, their aim is to 

make eating healthy affordable and 

accessible. 

“The business grew so fast that we 

employed a handful of people during the first peak of Covid-19 to support the 

running of the business. We have since built a name for ourselves and a loyal 

customer base. We’ve built good relationships with our neighbours who produce 

and supply fresh fruit, vegetables, free range meats, preserves, farm fresh milk 

and cheeses. All products are delivered to our farm daily, packaged and delivered 

to the city community via our online store. There is also click-and-collect option, 

but we deliver throughout KZN all the way out to Ballito, Umhlanga, Durban 

north, Durban and surrounds, Amanzimtoti, the Upper highway, Pietermaritzburg 

and surrounds.” 

They are currently opening a small farm store above their farm, next to the 

historic 1000 Hills Hotel, so you can meet the team. 

“It’s all about bringing memories back to the dining table ... how you picked 

strawberries off the farm with your grandparents or how you waited for the 

milk man to deliver your milk in glass bottles. Food is a journey, it needs to be 

shared, and farming is a community-driven project. It’s a passion that is deeprooted 

among us all. We care about our produce from production to sales; we 

care about our community and the well being of people. Both my children are 

whole heartedly part of the farm business, whether it be packing produce for 

customers or quality control. I like to think they will carry this passion with them.” 

Details: www.impalaridgefarm.co.za; Tash Da Silva 076 343 8486, Angie Baker sales@ 

impalaridgefarm.co.za Cath Meyer: Insta: @thefarmerswifeza @bakeryvanillabean 


Summer Chicken Shawarma Bowl 

YOU’LL NEED ... 

Pita chips 4 pita breads, olive oil, herb salt 

Chicken juice of two lemons, ½ cup olive oil, 6 cloves 

garlic, peeled, crushed and minced, salt (to taste), 

cracked black pepper (to taste), 2 teaspoons ground 

cumin, 2 teaspoons paprika, ½ teaspoon dried oregano, 

½ teaspoon red-pepper flakes, 1kg boneless, skinless 

chicken thighs Salad 3 heads romaine lettuce, ½ cup 

chopped parsley, 200g cherry tomatoes, 1 cucumber, 

diced,1 cup tzatziki (homemade or store bought) 

TO MAKE 

For the pita chips: Split the pita, brush both sides of each 

round with olive oil and sprinkle with herb salt. Cut the 

rounds into triangles (like you would slice a pizza). Spread 

the triangles on a baking sheet (do not line with baking 

paper). Bake in a pre-heated oven at 220°C for 5 to 10 

minutes or until brown and crispy. For the chicken: In a 

large Zip Lock Bag, combine lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, 

salt, pepper, cumin, paprika, oregano and red pepper 

flakes. Add the chicken and shake to combine. Place in 

the refrigerator for at least one hour or up to 12 hours. 

Pre-heat a cast iron skillet to medium-high heat, and 

grill each chicken thigh for 4 to 5 minutes on each side 

or until done. Remove from skillet and set aside to rest. 

Slice the chicken against the grain and transfer back 

to the skillet and sauté for 2 minutes until just slightly 

crispy around the edges. For the salad: Shred the 

lettuce. Combine the tomatoes, cucumber and parsley. 

To assemble: Combine the chicken and the tomato 

mixture. Divide the shredded lettuce into four bowls and 

top with a hefty portion of the chicken/tomato mixture. 

Drizzle with tzatziki and sprinkle with pita chips. Serve 

immediately. 

For more 

recipes go 

to our website: 

getitmagazine. 

co.za/highwayberea/

BreathtakinG 

blooms 

From a young age Sumiya Shaik Abdulla 

has poured her heart and soul into blooms 

of all kinds. Hers is not only a luxury flower 

boutique that stops passers-by in their tracks, 

but also one that affords everyone the means to 

bring florals into their homes. 


A true love story, and fitting for the 

‘month of love’, Sumiya’s love for 

flowers began when she met her 

husband and business partner, Eesa. 

“His family owned a floral business 

and he has enormous talent when 

it comes to flowers. When we first 

met, he spent weeks wooing me 

with the most gorgeous bouquets 

and arrangements. I was always 

amazed at how he managed to top 

each previous delivery! They were 

so beautiful and unique and would 

literally take my breath away.” 

From roses in every colour to 

imported flowers from far and 

wide and vividly coloured tulips so 

carefully arranged they were almost 

crafted like art. Each delivery led to 

a lesson for Sumiya. “I was constantly 

learning about an industry I had no 

experience in or knowledge about 

and I consequently became more 

curious and became drawn to buds 

and blooms.” 

Now a mom to her two ‘very busy 

boys’ - Muhammed Talhah (8) and 

Muhammed Huzayfah (3) - and ‘wifey 

for lifey’ (as she lovingly puts it) to 

Eesa, Sumiya’s is the beautiful face 

locals have come to know and love 

at the helm of Durban North’s most 

renowned floral haven, The Flower 

Market. 


With brilliant business acumen and 

floral passion, Sumiya and Eesa 

embarked on a journey to build a 

business and brand that offered 

something different, something 

special and something with a 

personal touch. The couple opened 

up their cosy flower shop in 2013. 

They began a life that encompassed 

parenting duties, early morning 

visits to local flower markets, admin, 

sales and floral arrangements for 

everything from traditional bouquets 

to aesthetically enhancing, out-ofthe-box 

concepts that have created 

incredible talking pieces. “There are 

definitely some no-no’s in this line of 

work - like internet pictures - I don’t 

work off of those! I also don’t work 

with artificial flowers at all! I prefer 

fresh blooms. There is just something 

about the fragility of them not lasting 

forever that mesmerises a person and 

makes you appreciate them more. 

I draw inspiration from the things 

around me - people, places, movies 

and even scents. I like creating unique 

pieces, so when I pass a thrift store, 

I always look for treasures I can use, 

like crates, teapots and little teacups 

to giant wishing wells and even 

bicycles and hula hoops! It’s all about 

perception. I love how we are getting 

more and more creative on a daily 

basis, using more unconventional 

items to create show pieces. There’s 

a certain type of magic you create 

when making a floral arrangement, 

because no two arrangements will 

ever be alike. They may be similar, 

but the hues of colours vary and the 

thought process behind it brings me 

a sort of comfort.” 

When it comes to her favourite 

seasonal flowers, Sumiya is a huge 

fan of stargazer lilies. “They smell like 

morning dew to me and I love the 

process of watching them bloom. It 

is so difficult to put into words why I 

love what I do every day, but I guess a 

great portion of it boils down to being 

a part of the special moments we 

create for people. I love that people 

share little bits of their joys and 

sorrows with me, and the fact that it is 

up to me to craft an arrangement that 

depicts the emotions associated with 

the occasion.” 

Details: @theflowermarketdbn, 

083 771 5148 

Floral trends for 2021 

Roses are always timeless at any time of year, in any way or form. For 2021, I 

would say rustic, less contemporary trends are definitely in. More king protea, 

hydrangeas and peonies are making a mark this year, as well as pastel and 

earthy shades, which are trending for weddings. So many of our brides opt for 

simplistic, asymmetrical floral arrangements nowadays, while others prefer a 

sophisticated, feminine arrangement. Corsages and flower crowns have also 

been making a steady entrance, and this trend is certainly here to stay. 

The best bouquet for… 

…valentines 

Valentine’s Day is not just about roses and the colour red, it’s about something 

special between two people. Most often than not, a red rose symbolizes 

this, but other times it’s a special flower that carries sentimental value to that 

person. This can be lilies, tulips or even sunflowers. 

...an engagement 

This depends on the person’s preferences. If it’s a congratulatory bunch, I 

would do a mixed bunch in bright and warm hues. 

...a new house 

I would suggest sunflowers for the warmth they bring, and potted plants 

which have a nurturing aspect. 

...an apology 

The bigger the bunch, the more forgiveness you are bound to receive LOL! 

...condolences 

Mainly whites as they are a symbol of peace and hope. Soft pastel shades also 

work for sympathy bunches. 

...a new baby 

Depending on the gender of the baby, we do these stunning baby boxes with 

a mix of pink roses, daisies, pink hydrangea and stargazer lilies for girls and blue 

hydrangeas, yellow or white roses and yellow arum lilies for boys, all arranged 

with a whole lot of love and good wishes. 

...a big, desperate, romantic gesture 

A pathway of rose petals leading into a room full of blooms is, by far, one of my 

favourite works of art, especially for surprise proposals, milestone anniversaries 

and birthday celebrations. 


A quick mini revamp! 

From spring-cleaning to small décor changes, there are plenty of ways to revamp your 

home without bringing in the builders or spending all of your hard-earned money. 

Whether you enjoy following décor trends, want to open up a small space, refresh a 

space or add something new to the old, making the changes will certainly provide 

some much needed inspiration, so we’ve compiled a list of simple décor tips and home 

improvement projects that you can tackle before the next season sets in. 


When it comes to re-decorating or 

renovating your home, there is always 

a concern about going over budget 

or spending too much on an item 

which could have been bought at a 

cheaper price, elsewhere. To avoid 

this, do your homework before 

leaving the house. 

1. Browse through brochures and 

magazines to find items on trend and 

that may be on sale. 

2. Search for images of the kind of 

look you would like for your space 

and keep these pictures with you, so 

that you can gain inspiration of what 

you are looking for in-store. 

3. If you are visiting a specific mall, 

jot down the stores you would like to 

visit and the kinds of items you would 

like to purchase and where. 

4. Create a round figure for every item 

you are looking at buying before you 

start your shopping, so that you keep 

within your preferred budget and 

don’t end up with buyer’s remorse. 

When it comes to deciding what 

items to choose, select spaces in your 

home that you spend most of your 

time in or those which are often seen 

by visitors. 

Small changes: You could update 

your entertainment lounge or sitting 

room couch with scatter cushions, 

and match a colour to the curtains. 

If you prefer a light and airy space, 

to make the area feel bigger, opt for 

sheer curtains. Alternatively, add in a 

single seater couch with a bold colour 

or print, to complete the look and add 


KwaZulu-Natal 

a modern appeal to the room. 

Lighting: Lighting can either brighten up the space, or 

make it cosy. A bright room will appear open and larger, 

whereas lamps with shades will allow the room to feel 

warmer and cosier. Add layers to ceiling lights, by adding 

lamps on your side tables. 

Flooring: Adding a new rug to your lounge area could 

hide any imperfections, or make an old floor look new. 

The latest trends in carpeting include rugs, bright colours 

and plush carpets. 

Dining Room: Add space to small areas by placing a large 

mirror on a wall. This will open up the space and make it 

appear larger. If the mirror is placed opposite a window, it 

will also reflect light which will make the room brighter. 

Bathroom: - You could update a worn rug in the 

bathroom with something more on trend. Use an accent 

rug as a focal point and to add a pop of character to 

this space. Worn towels should also be updated to allow 

a better flow of colour and style throughout. If your 

bathroom or toilet is looking dull, why not brighten up 

the space by adding a mosaic. You could update your 

shower floor with a mosaic or perhaps add a new shower 

rose. Be sure to factor in costs for installation, unless you 

have a handyman on hand to help. 

Kitchen: A kitchen can get a new look in a few ways… 

update a backsplash with tiles, mosaic or cladding, or 

just update the appliances and buy items that are either 

the same colour to allow the space to look complete, or 

replace old items with new ones. 

Fresh coat: For any DIY enthusiast, painting is the first 

point of call when a space needs refreshing. A new coat 

of paint will give any room life and remove unwanted 

marks and stains on tired walls. Wallpaper is also an 

option; however an important tip is to ensure you have 

a professional to fit this to guarantee a smooth and 

professional finish. 

Sleeping space: For many, the bedroom is not just a 

space to lay one’s head. It is the place you spend the most 

amount of time in. If you would like to do a complete 

overhaul, the first place to start would be the walls. Next 

would be the bed. If you have the budget, replace your 

old bed with a new one and start the year off with a good 

night’s sleep. If you don’t have the budget for a new bed, 

then purchasing a new duvet cover and curtains is the 

most cost effective way of bringing the room together. 

Add scatter cushions to the bed to add a layered effect, 

portraying comfort. If you have a smaller room, and are 

a practical person, then you may want to buy a 2-in-1 

dressing table. Some bed stores sell these in the form of a 

side table, with a long mirror attached. 

Keeping cool: An air conditioner in the South African 

summer is seen as an upgrade to any home. However, if 

the price is too costly, and doesn’t fit within your ‘minimakeover’ 

budget, then a mist fan or ceiling fan may 

be the next best thing - and the mozzies away. Another 

plus is that the floor fan can be packed away when not 

needed, and will not ruin the look of the décor. 

With your new changes, you are sure to feel happier and 

ready to take on the rest of the year! 

KEEP YOUR 

HOME SECURE 

WHEREVER 

YOU ARE 

SecureHome ® is 

equipped with 

features that allow 

you to quickly arm 

and disarm your alarm, 

as well as view the status 

of your home security system. Keep an eye on 

what matters most, all from your mobile. 

Dial *120*310*14# and follow the prompts. 

*Standard USSD rates apply. 

086 12 12 100 

alwaysthere.c@fidelity-adt.co.za 

facebook.com/ADTsa 

adt.co.za 

@FidelityADT

2021’s delicious new 

favourite hue 

Never before have our homes - their atmosphere, 

aesthetic and ambience- been so important. 

With people spending more time within their 

four walls than ever before, the need to feel good 

in general has become essential. 

Plascon, with its finger on the pulse and its ear to the ground, has looked 

at both this global imperative to ‘nest’ as well as the need for something 

to look forward to. This, in combination with the overall generosity of 

spirit and outpouring of empathy that bubbled up in 2020, is what 

paved the way for choosing 2021’s top hue, Plascon Golden Syrup, which 

they describe as a warm, sunny yellow that encapsulates positivity, 

confidence and joy. To inspire you to further to update your space, we’ve 

gathered a list of luscious décor items suited to this heart-warming hue. 

Complement your living 

room with this beautiful and 

stylish Flowers Patterned 

Scatter Cushion. R350 from 

takealot.com 

This Royal T Pineapple Night 

Light can be placed on your 

mantelpiece or on your table 

this summer to brighten up 

your celebrations. R199 from 

www.zando.co.za 


Add a pop of colour and texture to your space with 

this Chenille Basket Weave Throw. R499 from www. 

woolworths.co.za 

Keep your flowers fresh and 

statement-like in this Ceramic Paint 

Splash Vase that’s available in different 

sizes. Priced from R179 to R309 from 

www.uniqueinteriors.co.za 


A semi-solid balm, which can be applied or 

massaged onto anywhere on the body, this 

Lulubee Botanique Massage Bar, handcrafted 

by the women of the H18 Foundation women’s 

empowerment organization in Cape Town, 

makes a great addition to any guest 

bathroom. R295 from 

madebyartisans.co.za 

Who said functional can’t be 

fun? Made from durable PVC, 

this Maxwell & Williams Placemat 

is perfect for indoor and outdoor 

use. R49 from homeetc.co.za 

Le Creuset’s Signature Oval Casserole is ideal for 

preparing classics like coq au vin, or a simple roast 

chicken. For an unexpected dish, bake and serve noknead 

bread or a marble cake in this elongated casserole. 

R 4999 from www.lecreuset.co.za 

This Mustard Yellow Cotton Crochet 

Ottoman, handcrafted by the women of the 

H18 Foundation women’s empowerment 

organization in Cape Town is perfect for any 

room in the house, decorative and functional. 

R660 from madebyartisans.co.za 


Durban Girls' College 

Inspiring Young Women 

We inspire our young women to realise their potential by building on tradition, innovation, diversity 

and excellence, all with the aim of enriching our world. 

Founded in 1877, Durban Girls’ College is a Christian independent school from 

Grade 00 to Grade 12, with weekly boarding from Grade 7. 

We have a limited number of places available for 2022. To book a tour of 

our school or find out more, please email marketing@dgc.co.za or visit the 

Admissions page of our website www.dgc.co.za.

Tots to 

teens 

The beginning of the year is the 

perfect time to set goals and 

make plans for yourself and, of 

course, for your kids. Our February 

kids and education feature is jampacked 

with great parenting and 

education advice for kids of all 

ages – from tots to teens. 


Passion and purpose 

Qualified electrical engineer and business analyst Kamentha Pillay believes every 

young girl has the ability to enter any field of her choice, even a male-dominated one. 


An advocate for greater female 

representation in Science, Technology, 

Engineering and Maths (STEM), 

Kamentha wants parents to see the 

opportunities STEM careers offer and 

encourage their daughters to pursue 

fields in maths and science. “We need 

to create confidence amongst our 

girls, help them to realise that their 

dreams are valid, to be brave enough 

to grab opportunities that come their 

way.’ 

A Mrs SA finalist, wife and mother of 

two, Kamentha tells us why she chose 

to follow a profession that so many 

still view as a male career. “Career 

choices became serious in Grade 10 

when I started attending career expos. 

There was a lot of awareness in the 

early 2000’s around engineering and a 

greater intake of female candidates. In 

order to get a clearer understanding 

of engineering, I shadowed a 

technician at a local production plant.” 

During this visit a male supervisor 

indicated that he ‘didn’t feel this 

was a place for women’. “The 

defining moment for me was an 

uncomfortable discussion with my 

guidance counsellor, who expressed 

concern as to whether I would be 

suited to a career in engineering as 

a woman. I’m not certain if I simply 

interpreted her question as doubt in 

my ability or if I had become tired of 

hearing so many people reminding 

me how difficult engineering would 

be and the overarching feeling that 

women did not belong. 

“I took this as a personal challenge 

- to represent women in a maledominated 

field seemed almost 

heroic then. Those two moments are 

the ones I hold onto, even now years 

later, when I’m still fighting the good 

fight to prove that there is a place for 

women in STEM.” 

Kamentha with 

her daughter Nia, 

son Sumeeran and 

husband Pooven 

Photo credit: 

Rohini Jagath 

Entering Mrs South Africa 

Becoming one of 25 finalists in the Mrs SA 2020 pageant was one of the most 

unexpected journeys she has embarked on, says Kamentha, and one that 

changed her in a most significant way. “At the beginning of 2020 I wanted to 

focus more on spreading my STEM advocacy work to a larger audience. I came 

across a call for entry on my Instagram feed and, after realising I met all the entry 

requirements and that there was a very clear focus on women’s empowerment, 

which links directly to my advocacy work, I was intrigued to see whether this 

could be the platform to speak about STEM to a new audience.” 

Kamentha considered what it would mean for others if someone like her were 

to progress in the competition. “It could show women, mothers and my own 

daughter that there is no ‘typical’ or ‘acceptable’ norm of what women should 

consider to be beautiful…or ‘certain areas’ that we would need to shy away from. 

Ironically, there are parallels to the stereotypes within pageants and in the STEM 

industry. As females entering male-dominated fields there are huge challenges 

over equal pay, the same opportunities, or even being taken seriously within 

our careers and the maternal penalty we experience when we choose to pursue 

families over our careers. It’s a topic we don’t give enough attention to in SA ... 

and I’m here to do that. We need to stop limiting ourselves and learn to embrace 

all that we are - and to integrate our lives more so that we all gain more joy in our 

careers, from our children, and our passions.’ 


Photo credit: 

Brendan Croft 

What STEM careers are becoming more popular? 

“There’s a major shift in the industry towards towards Artificial Intelligence (AI), 

machine learning, robotics and data analysis. There’s also a larger movement 

towards techpreneurship and solving everyday challenges through simpler, 

small-scale inventions and the use of technology. The STEM industry as a whole 

will allow for anyone entering it to move between different aspects of the field 

and to then carry that learning across to any other industry. That for me is the 

beauty of the field.” 

Kamentha moved away from the corporate space three years ago, and today 

combines her knowledge of electrical engineering and business analytics as a 

business management consultant helping other small businesses optimise their 

processes and become more strategic in their operations. She is also the founder 

of an online community - The STEM Moms Club - and the owner of The STEM 

Mom blog and recently created the STEM Collect Connect platform. 

“For the past three years I focused on understanding and spreading awareness 

about the challenges and policies in STEM for women within these fields. 

This year I would like to take a problem-solving approach to create a better 

representation in STEM. I’m always open to opportunities that align with my 

purpose and advocacy, so I’m keen to see what 2021 holds in store.” 

Kamentha offers the following advice to youngsters who are unsure of what they 

want to become, or what field they want to enter: “Spend time understanding 

yourself before picking a career. Understand what really gets you energised and 

think about what you would like to do. What lifestyle do you want for yourself? 

Consider whether there is a greater purpose you would like to fulfill, and be 

comfortable with the idea that the career you choose is not the only manner to 

pursue the causes you would like to affect. “There is so much room now to be 

more than one job title. The more we allow ourselves to embrace our various 

abilities, we are able to integrate them into a career and reach that sweet spot 

where passion meets purpose - for me that would be the ultimate goal.’ 


What to study now? 

Nothing in life stays the same, especially for education in a world with lockdowns and 

remote working and learning. Everything is changing quickly and it’s imperative that 

we equip our children for this new, online world. 

While we may have heard about 

the ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’ 

(the automation of traditional 

manufacturing and industrial 

practices using modern smart 

technology) before Covid-19, 

the onset of the pandemic has 

accelerated the move towards 

business being conducted online. 

Education expert and head of 

faculty at the Independent Institute 

of Education, Nola Payne, says that 

careers of the future will increasingly 

require people qualified in fields 

involving the cloud, internet of things, 

big data, cyber security, artificial 

intelligence, machine learning and 

augmented reality. “Students would 

do well to investigate and consider 

careers where qualified professionals 

are likely to remain in high demand 

in coming decades.” Here are some of 

her suggestions for the most popular 

fields of study: 

MOBILE APP DEVELOPER/ WEB 

DEVELOPER 

These jobs often go hand-in-hand. 

Mobile app development is one of 

the fastest growing disciplines. There 

is a big skills gap in this area, so there 

are many opportunities, and it is 

also a good fit for those interested 

in becoming entrepreneurs. On the 

web development side, the increase 

in social media advertising has 

increased demand. Most companies 

today invest in e-commerce solutions, 

while all companies regardless of size 

should have their own website. 

SOFTWARE ENGINEERS AND DATA- 

BASE ADMINISTRATORS 

Both are existing careers, but are 

constantly evolving for operation 

in the cloud and on digital devices. 

There is also growing demand for 

improved security, with databases and 

application systems shielded from 

attack while being properly managed 

and networked. 


CYBER SECURITY EXPERT 

Dedicated cyber security experts are some of the most in demand professionals. 

With hackers and bad faith actors growing in their numbers and ability to sow 

havoc in public and private organisations across the globe, these professionals 

play a vital role in shielding their employers from attack. Their role is to secure 

websites, company data, and sensitive information in the cloud. 

NETWORK ENGINEERS 

Network engineers integrate and connect computer systems and networks 

across various platforms such as mobile devices, the cloud and traditional 

systems. More than ever before, business is being conducted online, translating 

to increased job opportunities for network administrators and network managers 

who can help businesses securely use these technologies. 

DATA ANALYST/SCIENTIST 

If you enjoy mathematics, statistics and programming and have an analytical 

brain, this is the career for you. These professionals analyse and make decisions 

based on big data – massive amounts of data often obtained through people’s 

interaction on web pages. The aim is to analyse and respond to client needs and 

source new clients. 

3D PRINTING FARMS – ROBOTICS – AUGMENTED 

REALITY – AI – ML 

All these fields are at the cutting edge of current technology, and are set to 

grow exponentially in future. These are very exciting emerging opportunities 

and prospective students should ensure they speak to a student advisor at 

their higher education institution of choice to enquire about how their offering 

matches these career paths. 

Details: Information supplied by the 

Independent Institute of Education (IIE), 

a division of the JSE-listed ADvTECH 

Group, Africa’s largest private education 

provider: www.iie.ac.za 


Top tips for parents 

to help them assist their children with schoolwork 

With South Africa in lockdown and parents having to take responsibility for their 

children’s schoolwork, Ponnie Moodley, director of Nkowa Education, takes a look at 

how parents can help their children stay on top of their schoolwork. 


Begin with goal setting 

• Formulate a to-do list. 

• Include school assignments and 

home management issues and 

chores. 

• Having a general family and 

individual lists will ensure everyone 

contributes to keeping your home 

organised. 

• Prioritise tasks from most important 

to least important. 

Formulate a self-discipline 

plan 

Aim to make your child selfdisciplined 

where they take charge of 

their own education. 

• Help your child to be intrinsically 

motivated by encouraging and 

praising them. 

• List the maximum of five realistic 

expectations and have them posted 

on a wall for constant referral. 

• Discuss incentives and rewards that are awarded at the end of the week as 

opposed to on a daily basis. 

• Make it visual and fun for young children, in order for them to be motivated and 

inspired. 

Address the needs of the whole child 

The physical, psychological, emotional, social and cultural development will 

impact the academic development of a child. 

• Establish a sense of community and be aware of cultural nuances, accents and 

body language. 

• Giving clear boundaries, including what are acceptable and unacceptable 

behaviour, will set the tone for family life. 

• Model positive verbal and non-verbal behaviour, as children mirror adults’ 

mannerisms. 

• Celebrate diversity and complement the different learning styles and 

characteristics with appropriate activities. 

• Incorporate different pathways to learning, integrate individual talents and 

challenge our children. 

Set up an ideal study space 

Have a designated area for your child to study as it brings an academic 


atmosphere into your home. 

Master the basics skills 

Before venturing onto more complex concepts, it is very important that children 

master the required basic skills first. 

• Simple Mental Maths that target single digit addition, subtraction, multiplication 

and division will help build the necessary foundation. 

• Reading aloud and to each other will help children enunciate, use a variety of 

tones and know when to pause. 

Develop good work ethic 

Instilling good work ethic is the most important indicator of career success 

and future excellence. 

• Try to stick to your daily schedule as much as possible. 

• Practise punctuality and cultivate the need for self-discipline, integrity and good 

values. 

• Avoid distractions like social media and checking emails, instead reserve those 

for designated times and during breaks. 

• Be task- and not time-oriented, while also managing your time wisely. 

• Take responsibility for your words and actions as these can have irreversible 

consequences. 

• Be prepared to receive back from others and always spend time on selfreflection. 

• Stay balanced by getting enough sleep, exercise, relaxation and following a 

good diet. 

Separation anxiety in kids 

Separation Anxiety Disorder is a psychological condition characterised by 

excessive anxiety in children at the thought of separation from their caregivers or 

home and causes more distress than would typically be expected. 

Signs: 

• Nightmares • Refusing to sleep alone 

• Headaches • Stomach aches 

• Children may also fear harm befalling 

themselves or their parents during 

the separation and may refuse to go 

to school or a childminder. Your child 

may not display all the symptoms of 

childhood separation anxiety disorder, 

but if they persist, a psychologist 

interested in working with these 

issues is recommended. 

Did you know? 

At around six to eight months of 

age, babies may develop separation 

anxiety. This often peaks at around 

nine months. Symptoms range from 

slight upset to distress. A baby may 

fear that his parents won’t return 

when they are out of sight. Object 

permanence resolves closer to one 

year of age when separation anxiety 

becomes less of an issue. Separation 

anxiety peaks again at around 18 

months and can take the form of 

tantrums and showing aggression. If 

you’re leaving your child at daycare or 

school, it can be stressful if separation 

issues emerge. 

MARIS STELLA 

Nurturing Tomorrow’s 

Women, Today 

CONTACT US TO 

ENQUIRE ABOUT OUR 

BEAUTIFUL SCHOOL 

031 209 9426 

ms@marisstella.co.za 

www.marisstella.co.za 

“From being in a stimulating academic, sport and cultural 

environment to seeing the smiles of teachers and friends in 

the corridors, I could not ask for a better place to be. 

Wherever I find myself, or whatever I find myself doing, I 

can proudly proclaim: ‘I am a Maris Stella Girl.’” 

Kamishka Pather, Head Girl 2021 

APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR 2022 

LIMITED PLACES AVAILABLE FOR 2021

The eyes of a child 

Eyesight is generally considered something you only need to worry about when you’re older. 

But the truth is that children can suffer from a wide range of eye problems – many of 

which can be corrected. 

Here are some warning signs, which 

may suggest you need to have your 

child’s eys checked … 

• Regularly holding their head at an 

angle 

• Squinting 

• Avoidance of light or failure to 

respond to light 

• Obsessively rubbing their eyes and 

grimacing 

• Turning eyes without focusing on 

anything 

• Grasping for objects and missing 

them 

• Strabismus, commonly known as 

“cross-eyes” - when the eyes are 

turned or when the eyes have 

different prescriptions. 

Serious childhood eye conditions to watch out for: 

There are many conditions that affect children and the sooner you notice that 

there is something wrong, the quicker you must take action. 

Strabismus: 

When your child’s eyes are crossed or what people usually call squinted. It is 

important that the optometrist assesses the eyes’ ability to function together. 

Amblyopia: 

Usually a result of strabismus, amblyopia occurs when the eyes are turned or 

when the eyes have different prescriptions. The brain ‘shuts off’ the image from 

the turned or blurry eye. 

Near-sightedness (myopia): 

Children who are near sighted tend to struggle with focusing on objects that are 

far and squint to see things that in the distance. They engage better with things 

that are close. Near sightedness is as a result of the changed shape of the eye, 

leading to your child inability to focus on distant objects.

Far-sightedness (hyperopia): 

When reading or writing your child 

may get tired quickly because they 

can’t focus on things that are up 

close. They can easily recognise faraway 

objects. Far sightedness leads 

to headaches, red eyes, inability to 

concentrate and restlessness. The 

condition can, however, improve as 

your child gets older. 

Astigmatism: 

This is the irregular curvature of the 

cornea (the outside, dome-shaped 

surface of the eye). Depending on 

the severity of the irregularity, objects 

may appear blurry, distorted and 

slanted. 

Conjunctivitis (pink eye): 

Usually caused by a bacterial and 

contagious infection or an allergic 

reaction, conjunctivitis is the 

inflammation of the white outer 

surface of the eye and inner lining 

of the eyelids. The eye appears red 

or pink hence it’s called a pink eye. It 

also becomes itchy and irritated and 

discharge appears in both eyes. 

Give your son 

the Highbury 

advantage 

HIGHBURY OPEN DAY • Grades R-7 • Friday, 12 th March 2021 at 08h30 

RSVP: www.hps.co.za 

At Highbury, we know that boys learn differently. They need 

space, they need challenges and they need to be active 

learners. That’s why, over 117 years, we have developed an 

environment tailor-made to bring out the best in your son. 

Highbury offers your son all the advantages of a dynamic 

education, through academics, culture and sport – while 

equipping him with Christian values and the skills to succeed 

as a well-connected global citizen. 

Knowing Boys. Since 1903. 

www.hps.co.za

Stone fruit treats 

With an abundance of fresh peaches, plums and nectarines in season, this is the perfect 

opportunity to get the little ones to help you out in the kitchen with a quick fruity 

recipe or two. Not only will they be learning while they have some fun with you, but 

they will also get to savour something sweet, delicious and healthy. 

4 INGREDIENT/4-HOUR ICE-CREAM WITH 

ROSEWATER PLUMS 

by Caro Alberts 

Serves 6 - You’ll need: 1 can (385g) condensed milk; 2 cups 

(500ml) high fat cream; 1 tsp (5ml) vanilla extract, 2 Tbsp. (30ml) 

beetroot juice; 10 plums; 1/4 cup (60ml) orange juice (can also 

be water); 1/4 cup (60ml) sugar; 2 tsp (10ml) rosewater; pinch 

of salt To make: Whip the cream until stiff peaks form. Fold 

through the rest of the ingredients. Pour into a freezer safe 

container and freeze for at least 4 hours or until frozen. To make 

the plums cut them in half and remove the pips. Add all the 

ingredients including the plums to a shallow saucepan and 

leave to simmer over a medium heat for 15 minutes. Serve with 

dollops of homemade ice-cream. 



PLUM JELLY SWEETS 

by Jenny Morris 

Makes: 24 to 30 (depending on the 

size of the mold) 

You’ll need: Plums 15, halved and 

stoned; Water ½ cup; Castor sugar ½ 

cup; 6 tablespoons of Gelatine powder; 

silicone mould of your choice; non-stick 

cooking spray 

To make: Place the plums in a small 

saucepan with the water and simmer 

until soft. Place in a blender and 

process until smooth. Strain the liquid 

through a sieve and return to the 

pot (alternatively, if you have a juicer, 

simply juice the fruit and place in the 

saucepan). Add the castor sugar and 

dissolve over low heat. Sponge the 

gelatin in a little water, according to the 

package instructions. Once sponged, 

place the gelatin in the warm plum 

liquid and stir to dissolve. Lightly spray 

your mold with the non-stick spray and 

place on a baking tray. Carefully pour 

the liquid into the mold – using a jug – 

and place in the fridge for an hour and a 

half, or until set. Pop out and enjoy! *you 

can also toss them in some granulated 

white sugar to create an extra texture 

OPEN DAY 

SATURDAY 6TH FEBRUARY 2021 

EST. 1960 

KLOOF HIGH SCHOOL 

One Family, One School 

Kloof High School is a co-ed school focused on providing students 

with a well-rounded education, offering your child the opportunity 

to be the best they can be in the classroom and on the sports field. 

For 60 years, we have assisted learners to “be the best that they 

can be”. 

Parents & Students 

(08h30 - 14h30) 

Presentation & Guided Tours 

at 09h00 & 12h00 

ONLINE 

BOOKING 

Only 500 tour spaces available! 

ESSENTIAL 

To book your place please visit: www.kloofhigh.co.za 

Contact us: 

admissions@kloofhigh.co.za 

www.kloofhigh.co.za 

Follow us: 

031 764 0451 

34 Emolweni Road, 

Kloof, 3610 

APPLICATION FORMS FOR 2022 NOW AVAILABLE

NECTARINE, MAPLE AND YOGHURT POPSICLES 

by Zola Nene | Makes 8 | You’ll need: 3 nectarines, chopped; Juice of ½ orange (reserve the zest for the yoghurt layer) 

2 Tbsp. maple syrup; 250ml Full cream Plain Yoghurt; 100ml milk; 1 tsp vanilla extract, Zest of one orange, finely grated; ¼ 

cup maple syrup; 100g ginger biscuits, crushed, 4 Tbsp. melted butter; To serve: 50g dark chocolate, melted 

To make: Place the nectarines, orange juice and maple syrup into a pot, then simmer until the nectarines are soft. Place 

into a blender and puree until smooth. Spoon nectarine puree 1/3 full into the lolly moulds. Whisk together the yoghurt, 

milk; orange zest and maple syrup, then carefully spoon into the moulds onto the fruit mixture, leaving space for the cookie 

mixture. Mix together the crushed ginger biscuits and butter then add as the final layer in the lolly moulds. Carefully push 

the lolly sticks through, then freeze until completely set before unmoulding. Before serving, drizzle with melted chocolate. 

Details: For more inspiration and recipes visit www.juicydelicious.co.za 


Why fit in if you can 

stand out? 

Most adults know the varying levels of anxiety that can take hold of them when having 

to present a speech or even attend a job interview. Speech and drama classes can 

assist your child to acquire the necessary skills needed for these situations, while also 

teaching them spontaneity and the ability to think on their feet. 


In our own experiences as adults, 

we know that confident people can 

take over an entire group project, 

often leaving quieter, less confident 

souls with no room for input. 

Speech and Drama is an effective 

tool for supporting children who 

are not good at fitting in or putting 

themselves forward in a group, and 

helps to teach them selfconfidence 

and self-worth. 

Colleen Nicholas, a Durban speech 

and drama teacher, knows all about 

being shy, having hardly uttered a 

single syllable when she was in Grade 

one. She, however, amazed teachers 

and pupils when cast in a main role, 

by the appointed Drama teacher, in 

the end of year junior primary school 

production. 

On stage, this shy child transformed 

into a self-assured, confident young 

actress. She became a member of 

The Loft Theatre Company at The 

Playhouse in Durban and gained 

invaluable experience on stage. Years 

later, after pursuing successful careers 

in health and fitness and co-owning 

an interior design business, Colleen 

missed the theatre. 

‘I returned to study and qualify as 

a teacher through Trinity College 

in London, where I obtained my 

Associate and Licentiate Diploma.’ 

She then combined her life skills, 

experiences and her love for children 

and theatre to establish Stagecoach 

Studio in 2002. Together with Kavita 

Trikam, who joined the studio 14 years 

ago as a speech and drama teacher, 

the two are appointed speech and 

drama extra-mural activity teachers in 

various schools in greater Durban. 

‘We are passionate about facilitating young lives to be the best version of 

themselves and gain the skills required to move forward with confidence in their 

lives,” says Colleen as she quotes Dr Seuss, “Why fit in if you can stand out?’ 

Benefits of speech and drama for kids: 

1. To create a safe environment for children to express themselves freely, without 


judgement whilst gently pushing 

their boundaries to gain confidence 

and self-assurance. 

2. To stimulate children’s imaginations 

and in doing so develop creative 

thinkers. 

3. To develop a child’s interpersonal 

skills with friends, pupils and teachers 

which translates into all aspects of 

their lives. 

4. To develop respect and 

empathy through role play and 

characterisation, giving children a 

deeper understanding for mankind. 

5. To develop clear and eloquent 

speakers. 

6. To have fun. 

‘Speech and drama is a method rather 

than a subject and these all important 

foundations are presented in fun, 

engaging lessons that are now being 

offered in a new private venue at The 

Durban North Community Church in 

Mackeurtan Ave,’ says Colleen. 

Details: www.stagecoach-studio.co.za, 

0837766003 

5 tips for parents to help your child speak with confidence: 

• Get your child to stand up and speak to you, reciting a poem or just telling 

you about their day. Also get them to tell other family members about a recent 

sporting event or school activity. 

• Children should write down what they’re going to say – this helps them to 

plan their speech and become familiar with words. 

• Encourage your child to look up and speak with confidence. 

• Tell them to practice speaking to a mirror first – a technique used by Winston 

Churchill, one of the world’s great public speakers. 

• If they have to speak at school, get them to focus on the back wall, so the 

audience doesn’t seem so scary. 


ENROL 

TODAY 

Adapting to an 

ever-changing world. 

Curro Hillcrest schools are well-equipped to teach your child in class or in live 

lessons from home. Our dedicated and well-prepared teachers are able to give 

individual time and attention to your child, even while at home. 

Curro continues to build confident and well-connected global citizens. 

At Curro Hillcrest, all Covid-19 safety measures are put in place with the 

utmost care and attention to ensure learner safety while at school. 

Curro Hillcrest offers your child all the advantages of a dynamic education, 

through academics, sport and culture, while equipping them with Christian 

values and the skills needed to adapt and succeed in an ever-changing world.

Weavers’ Nest is Highbury’s co-educational 

pre-primary school for Grades 0000 – 00 (from age 

two to five). Here, your child will be at the centre of 

everything we do and, through our dynamic 

pre-school programme, will be given the wings 

they need to fly. 

Our dedicated and experienced teachers are 

passionate about the development of your child 

and encourage discovery through play in a nurturing 

environment, providing our young girls and boys 

a solid foundation for the years ahead. 

HIGHWAY • BEREA • DURBAN NORTH 

JOIN OUR OPEN DAY • Thursday,11 th March 2021 at 08h30 

Grade 0000-00 • RSVP now: www.weaversnest.co.za 

Feb-Filler.indd 1 1/21/2021 11:35:25 AM

Treehouses, 

nature 

& love 

Offering a sense of happiness 

and relaxation that can only 

be found in a place untouched 

by city life, Treedom is the 

perfect blend of luxury and 

boho-chic living. It’s a dream 

destination made real. 

WIN! 

We’re giving 

away a three-night 

stay valued at R7800 to 

one lucky reader! To enter 

visit the ‘Competition’ 

section on our website 

www.getitmagazine. 

co.za/highwayberea 


Imagine staying in a home nestled 

in the middle of a forest. Well, we’ve 

found one! Situated roughly ten 

minutes outside of Wilderness on 

the beautiful Garden Route, Treedom 

offers an exclusive, four-sleeper 

Treehouse Villa ... and an incredibly 

unique holiday experience. 

We love the look and feel of the 

Treehouse Villa - an open plan space 

with large, expansive windows 

inviting the unspoilt natural 

surroundings inside. 

After a day of activities such as 

mountain biking, boating, hiking, 

canoeing or horse riding, you get to 

collapse onto a four-poster queen 

bed and enjoy a blissful sleep on 100 

per cent cotton linen. Upstairs in the 

loft are two comfy beds which can be 


Need to know: 

Prices for the self-catering Treehouse 

Villa (sleeps four - one queen bed 

and two single beds) start from 

R2600 a night. Guests are treated to a 

welcome pack including home-baked 

goods as well as honey, milk, yoghurt 

and butter from a neighbouring 

farm, and eggs from Treedom’s own 

hens. Guests can also pick their own 

produce from Treedom’s veggie 

garden. For those who prefer not to 

be stuck in the kitchen themselves, 

being a passionate foodie, Debbie is 

more than happy to do the cooking 

on request. Treedom is located 

close to a petrol station, shops and a 

gorgeous lake minutes away which 

guests can reach with a 4x4 buggy. 

Details: www.treedomvillas.co.za or 

contact Debbie for bookings on debbie@ 

treedomvillas.co.za or 083 324 0080. 

turned into a king if required. 

The lounge area is designed for relaxation with a comfy couch, fire place, luxury 

throws and big screen TV with DSTV, Netflix and Amazon Prime. Enjoy a good 

book on a private patio as you gently sway on the modern floating daybed; or 

listen to the birds while you cook in the fully-fitted kitchen with its Moroccan 

tiling and state-of-the-art cookware. End your day dining alfresco at a handcrafted 

dining table, or enjoy a braai downstairs in the outdoor forest lounge. 

No stone was left unturned in the creation of the Treehouse Villa as owners, 

Debbie and Marc Nortje wanted the space to embody relaxation and luxury, and 

guests to feel at home and spoilt at the same time. 

The concept of Treedom was born seven years ago. Debbie who is a trained 

chef, African tour guide and VIP events director and Marc with 20 years in film. 

Together their experience with people, travel and culture fuelled this project. 

It is, essentially, their hearts on show through an immersive, engaging and 

enchanting experience, designed to spread joy and happiness. Their future plan 

is to add more units in the style of Gypsy Wagons (Vardos). 

The venue was made a reality by Pike’s Construction, who undertook special 

construction work to keep the forest as pristine as possible and the magic alive. 

Instead of roads, they created dreamy footpaths, but this meant that everything 

had to be carried up and down steep pathways - even the heaviest of cement 

blocks! 


easons to visit 

3Bayete Zulu Private 

In a time when seclusion from society and 

crowds feels like a really great idea and 

reconnecting with nature and those 

closest to you is good for the mind, 

body and soul … a trip to Bayete 

Zulu Private should definitely be 

on your ‘to do’ list. Here are our 

top 3 reasons for you to visit. 

Text: Leah Shone 

PRIVATE, INTIMATE & EXCLUSIVE 

One of the biggest draw cards for 

visiting this unique lodge lies in it’s 

name … it is completely and utterly 

private. In fact, the entire lodge 

only sleeps six people and during 

our stay we only came into contact with 

three members of staff: our game ranger, 

chef and housekeeper. Tucked away in 

a secluded fever tree forest, Bayete Zulu 

Private is perfect for small families or 

couples who want to enjoy a bush getaway 

that really is away from it all. You can book it 

as an exclusive-use lodge (with a minimum 

of four adults, either catered or self-catering) 

and literally have full use of the facilities 

all to yourself. The lodge comprises three 

luxury en-suite chalets, with both inside and 

outside showers and an outdoor bath (such 

fun!) and a main ‘lodge’ area with a beautiful, 

open plan lounge and dining area that 

opens out onto a deck and rim-flow pool 

overlooking a dam. Of course, the pool was 

well used during our stay with two small 

boys in tow and the humidity of Zululand in 


the summer ... and we loved spending 

time around the fire in the boma 

recalling our days’ sightings. The food, 

if you choose the catered option, is 

wholesome and flavourful, prepared 

with care and beautifully presented. 

2THE RESERVE ITSELF 

Bayete Zulu Private is 

situated in what has 

become one of our 

favourite big 5 private 

game reserves in the 

region. Situated in the heart of 

Zululand, the 23 000 hectare Manyoni 

private game reserve boasts a diverse 

habitat and incredible range of 

species. The bird life is magnificent. 

Surrounded by mountains, large open 

terrains and thick riverine woodlands, 

we were spoiled with lion sightings 

(a big hit with the smallest member 

of the family), as well as almost all 

the other big game (barring those 

elusive leopards) and remarkable 

bird, insect and reptile sightings as 

well. Our experienced ranger, Jason, 

was fantastic with the kids and full 

of knowledge about both the flora 

and fauna in the area. Manyoni 

became one of the largest private 

game reserves in the province when 

17 landowners decided to drop their 

fences in 2004 and create a protected 

area for wildlife, and specifically black 

rhino (as part of the WWF Black Rhino 

Range Expansion Project) and it truly 

is a very special little piece of Africa. 

3 

What you need to know … 

ELEPHANT 

CONNECTIONS 

If you haven’t done so yet, 

then you need to schedule 

a visit to Bayete’s Elephant 

Connections. It truly is a 

once-in-a-lifetime experience that 

you will never forget. Getting up close 

and very personal with the majestic 

Rambo and Rachel (who were rescued 

when their herd was culled) is quite 

remarkable. These two phenomenal 

gentle giants roam the reserve freely 

with their handlers by their side when 

they aren’t greeting guests, and are 

incredibly amiable - with Rambo even 

allowing you to have a feel of his slimy 

tongue and rub his gigantic legs and 

tusks (as long as you keep the treats 

coming, of course)! 

Bayete Zulu Private: You can choose a fully catered or self-catering stay at Bayete 

Private. Fully catered includes three meals a day as well as all local alcoholic 

(lockdown restrictions allowing) and soft drinks, two game drives a day and 

one elephant interaction per person per stay. Self catered includes two game 

drives per day and exclusive use of the lodge and staff to cook your meals for 

you. All rates exclude conservation levies (R175 per adults and R90 per child per 

night). Fully Catered: R4250 per adult, R2125 per child (3-12 years) (weekends and 

holidays); R2975 per adult and R1490 per child (mid-week). Self Catering – R2900 

per adult and R1450 per child (weekends and holidays); R2010 per adult and R1005 

per child (mid-week). 

Elephant Connections: Elephant interactions begin at 1am daily and rates are as 

follows: R580 per adult and R310 per child (3 – 12 years), children under 3 are free. 

Details: www.bayetezulu.co.za/bayete-zulu-private, reservations@bayetezulu.co.za, 035 

595 8089 


Spoil 

February 

The rosé we love the most 

We’re playing Queen of Hearts this Valentine’s 

Day, and trust us when we tell you a bottle of 

the extraordinary Jean Roi Cap Provincial 

Rosé 2018 will capture your true love’s heart. 

What’s more, this premium rosé from Anthonij 

Rupert Wyne is guaranteed to take your love 

for this style of wine up a notch too. A blend of 

Cinsault, Grenache and Shiraz, the pale copper 

pink wine takes its cue from the international 

Summer drinking styles, and is a fusion of fresh 

fruit flavours – think melon, peach and nectarine 

with a little lemon zest twist. Its regal bottle is 

embossed with JR (paying homage to Jean Roi, the 

French Huguenot from Provence who pioneered the 

L’Ormarins Wine Estate’s 300-year-old viticultural 

history), and the wine is lovely for a valentine 

toast at sunset, but is also perfect with delicious 

nectarine caprese salad, with grilled prawns and 

crayfish, or seared duck breast served with a 

raspberry jus (just a few ideas for your valentine 

dinner date). Oh … and just to set the record 

straight … it’s not only for the girls. Real men do 

most certainly drink pink. This wine costs around 

R240 a bottle, and you can get it from specialist 

wine stores as well as directly from Anthonij Rupert 

Wyne at rupertwines.com. Since we really, really love 

our readers, we’re giving away a case of this wine for 

you to share with your valentine (or not, as the case 

may be … nothing wrong with a little self-love). 

To enter, all you need do is visit our Facebook 

(GetItDurban) or Instagram page (getit_durban), 

and tag a rosé-loving friend in the comments 

section. Entries close February 26. 

Prizes will only be delivered once the alcohol ban is lifted

FEB 21- Highway DBN

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