Lowveld - May 2021

GET 

LOWVELD 

IT 

Win! 

A night 

at Mdluli 

Safari Lodge 

Plant-based 

pleasure 

To mum, 

WITH 

LOVE 

SHOPPING, PEOPLE AND LIFESTYLE IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD 

may 2021

Our Riverside Mall store will open on 28 April 2021. The launch will include shop-exclusive, 

time-limited promotions, and gorgeous hamper giveaways. Don’t miss out! 

Nhlanhla Kubhayi 

Pharmacist 

Ineke Hechter 

Responsible Pharmacist 

013 760 0137 | mopani.co.za 

Opening 

GRAND 

GRAN 

and cosmetics boutique and coffee shop. With a store in every prominent shopping area, we 

are accessible, close by and ready to serve you, our community. 

In addition to our White River, Steiltes, i’langa Mall and Crossing Centre stores, we are 

opening a fifth store in Riverside Mall, complete with a gorgeous luxury fragrance 

Our Mopani Pharmacy family of four is growing even more! 

Floor Manager 

Michack Fakude 

Floor Manager 

at Riverside Mall 

at Riverside at Mall 

Riverside Mal 

Martha Nkomo 


Pharmacist 


Kubhayi 

Pharmacist 

Ineke Hechter 

Ineke Responsible Hechter Pharmacist 



Floor Manager 


Fakude 

Floor Floor Manager 

Manager 

Martha Nkomo 

Martha Nkomo Floor Manager 

Floor Manager 

Our Mopani Pharmacy family of four is growing even more! 

Our Mopani Pharmacy Pharmacy family of four is growing family even of of more! 

four is is g 

In addition to our White River, Steiltes, i’langa Mall and Crossing Centre stores, we are 

opening a fifth to our store White River, Riverside Steiltes, Mall, i’langa complete Mall and Crossing with a gorgeous Centre stores, luxury we are fragrance 

and cosmetics boutique a fifth store and coffee Riverside shop. Mall, With complete a store with every a gorgeous prominent luxury shopping fragrance area, we 

are accessible, close boutique by and and ready coffee to shop. serve With you, a our store community. 

every prominent shopping area, we 

close by and ready to serve you, our community. 

Our 

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In In addition to our our White River, Steiltes, i’langa Mall and Crossing 

opening a a fifth store Riverside Mall, complete with a a g 

GRAND 

and cosmetics boutique and coffee shop. With a a store in in everyp 

are are accessible, close by by and ready to to serve you, our our community. 

Riverside Mall store will open on 28 April 2021. The launch will include shop-exclusive, 

time-limited Our promotions, Riverside Mall store and will Mall gorgeous open store on hamper 28 April will giveaways. 2021. open The launch Don’t 28 will 28 miss include April out! shop-exclusive, 

2021. The lau 

time-limited promotions, promotions, and gorgeous hamper and giveaways. gorgeous Don’t miss hamper out! 

giveaways. Don 

013 760 0137 | mopani.co.za 

013 760 0137 | mopani.co.za 

013 760 0137 | | mopani.co.za 

RM-MOPC0519M 

at Riverside Mall

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contents 

Openin 

GRAN 

GET IT 

Editorial 

Why don’t you... 

Phone 013-754-1600 

04 Rock the beat for animals need, visit a local art exhibition, or spoil mum 

Lowveld Media 

12 Stinkhout Crescent, Mbombela 

with a weekend of sumptious treats 

Facebook Get It Lowveld 

05 Mothers, daughters and a handful of thrilling reads for May 

Instagram Get It Lowveld 

Website getitmagazine.co.za/lowveld/ 

WISH LIST 

Editor 

at at Riverside Mall 

Mellissa Bushby 

06 Wishing our mums a day that’s bright, bold, brave and beautiful 

mellissa@getitlowveld.co.za 084-319-2101 

D 

g 

Photograher 

Belinda Erasmus 082-567-0596 

Layout 

Geraldine Reyneke • Malebo Malemone 

Subeditors 

Jess Steyn • Wahl Lessing 

Sales 

Yulandi Jansma 081-458-6034 

yulandi@getitlowveld.co.za 

GET IT NATIONAL 

National 

Pharmacist 

Group 

Pharmacist 

Editor and 

National Sales 

Kym Argo 

kyma@caxton.co.za 082-785-9230 

Facebook and Instagram: 

Get It National Magazines 


Ineke Hechter 


Distribution 

Get It Lowveld is distributed free of charge. 

For a full list of where to find a copy, phone 

Monya Burger on 083-555-4992 

Published by CTP Limited 

Competition rules 

The judges’ Michack decision is final. Prizes Fakude 

cannot be 

transferred or redeemed for cash. Competitions 

are not 

Floor 

open 

Floor 

to 

Manager 

the sponsors 

Manager 

or Caxton 


Martha Nkomo 

employees or their families. Get It Magazine Floor Floor Manager 

reserves the right to publish the names of 

winners, who will be contacted telephonically 

and need to collect their prizes from Caxton 

Northern branch within 10 days or they will be 

forfeited. Prizewinners names are published on 

our Facebook page monthly. 

MAY 2021 

SOCIAL 

08 De Hallen’s grand opening 

09 Xela’s class of 2020 

people 

12 Caro de Witt is a mum who hustles 

16 The new face of Riverside 

BEAUTY & Fashion 

20 Spoil yourself with our choice of autumn hues 

FOOD 

24 The joy of love and plants 

decor & gardening 

36 Small changes, big differences with Nitali Re-Invented Decor 

COMMUNITY 

38 A force to be reckoned with 

TRAVEL 

40 Experience magnificent Mdluli 

44 Explore the treasures of Africa through the pages of a book 

growing Our Our Mopani even more! Pharmacy family of of four four is is g 

Win 

30 - 35 Amazing giveaways for mum, including six must-have wins! 

43 An incredible one-night stay at Mdluli Safari Lodge 

48 A bottle of truly luscious Guess Bella Vita scent 

g Centre In addition In stores, we we to are 

to areour White White River, River, Steiltes, Steiltes, i’langa i’langa Mall Mall and and Crossing 

gorgeous opening luxury a fragrance fifth a fifth store store in Riverside in Mall, Mall, complete with with a go a 

prominent and and cosmetics shopping boutique area, we we and and coffee coffee MOTHER’S shop. shop. DAY With FEATURE With a store a store in every in every pr 

y. are are accessible, close close by and by 26 and - 35 ready Gifts, ready giveaways to serve to and serve spoils you, galore you, for our mum! our community. 

COVER LOOK 

Caro de Witt. Make-up: Zuandri Jonker - Edge Beauty SA. 

Photographer: Belinda Erasmus - 

Belle-Grace Photography. 

unch will Our Our include Riverside shop-exclusive, 

Mall Mall store store will will open open on on 28 28 April April 2021. 2021. The The laun 

n’t miss time-limited out! promotions, and and gorgeous hamper hamper giveaways. Don’ 

May 2021 Get It Lowveld 03 

013 013 760 760 0137 0137 | mopani.co.za 

|

If you have a date for our diary, email the info at least a month in advance to jess@lowvelder.co.za 

A hot date! 

Pencil these events into your May diary right now! 

The ever-popular Radio Raps presents #Wedirrit at 

01Blue Moon outside Mbombela. There will be two 

shows, 3pm and 7pm. Tickets cost R250 per person and are 

available via iTickets. There will be a cash bar. Details: Lizette 

Jonker on 066-256-4515 or Ansie Mitchell on 072-014-9494. 

Make sure you don’t miss out on “Love is 

01-23a Dangerous Drug”, a solo exhibition by 

John-Anthony Boerma at White River Gallery. Details: 

Dana MacFarlane at dana@whiterivergallery.co.za or visit 

www.whiterivergallery.co.za. 

Don’t miss out on a great night’s entertainment 

07at Rocking the Beat with Voodoo Kudu. Held at The 

Barnyard White River at Casterbridge Lifestyle Centre, this 

event is in aid of the White River SPCA. Tickets cost R80 

(plus dog food or any other donation). They are available at 

the White River SPCA or email chairman@wrspca.co.za. 

It starts at 7pm. Details: Estelle on 083-664-7505. 

Lowveld Secret Sunrise - Botanical Bliss awaits 

08you and the whole family as we celebrate with a 

yoga dance in the Lowveld National Botanical Garden in 

Mbombela. The event is from 8am to 9:30am. Tickets start at 

R100 and can be bought via Quicket. Details: 072-530-9795. 

We’re super excited for the 2021 Mopani Barberton 

08XCM Mountain Bike Challenge. All races will start 

and finish at Barberton High School. To enter, visit www. 

barbertonxcm.co.za. All registration, briefings, prize-giving, 

stalls, beer garden and formalities will be held at the high 

school, too. Details: 071-284-7444 or info@barbertonxcm. 

co.za. 

15 

Lace up your tekkies as it’s time for the Hybrid Race 

at GZ Adventures Mankele outside Mbombela. This 

family-friendly run/walk is hosted by Zero2Hero Events 

and tickets can be bought via Quicket from R60. The 

event starts at 7am. Details: 083-743-8593. 

Keen for a night out with the girls? Or just need 

29 an idea for date night? Well, make sure you book 

to see the sensational Nicholis Louw at Greenway Woods 

Resort outside White River. Tickets cost R180 for adults 

and R100 for kids. The show begins at 6pm. Proceeds 

go to Africa Spear Safaris. Details: Maryna Steenberg on 

082-430-4721. 

04 Get It Lowveld May 2021 

8-9 

It’s time to spoil our mums! Join us at 

Orange Restaurant in Mbombela for 

a weekend of Mother’s Day treats 

accompanied by the beautiful sounds of 

Natascha C. Book for dinner (8th) or lunch 

(9th), or both, at R550 per person. This 

three-course a la carte set menu includes 

a complimentary glass of bubbly and 

chocolates. Details: 013-744-9507.

Book club 

Mothers. Daughters. And a handful of thrilling reads. 

Mother. Daughter. Angel. Monster? When Lisa Jewel, one of our favourite authors, 

endorses a book, saying ‘Set my nerves jangling,’ you know it’s a not-to-be-missed 

read. The Push revolves around mother Blythe, who wants to give her first child, 

Violet, all the love she deserves … all the love her own mother withheld. But 

Violet’s not an easy child, demanding, fretful, unsmiling. And for Blythe, it’s a case 

of motherhood being not at all what she hoped for, and everything she feared. 

Dark, disturbing, gripping … Ashley Audrain’s debut novel is all that and more. 

• She wanted a child, so she took one. Call Me Mummy (another debut novel, 

this one by Tina Baker) kicks off as Mummy – a glamorous, uptight woman who 

has everything except a child, kidnaps five-year-old Tonya (Mummy’ll have to 

change that name, so common). But Tonya’s not the perfect child Mummy was 

expecting … in fact, she’s a foul-mouthed mini version of her real mum, Kim, 

who’s been labelled ‘scummy mummy’ by the media, and thinks she deserves to 

have her other children removed from her care too. Thrilling, harrowing, bleak … 

and unputdownable. Both available from exclusivebooks.co.za 

Glen Carlou Gravel Quarry Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 is a 

sophisticated and powerful wine … all layers of ripe 

blackcurrants, dark berries, dark chocolate and hints of 

bramble and cedar. It’s full and complex … like a few of the 

books on this page. You’ll find it for R440 at glencarlou.com 

May 2021 Get It Lowveld 05

Wish list 

Wishing our mums a day that’s bright and bold and 

brave and beautiful ... just like they are! 

Botanical art ... this 

antique French botanical 

print comes in five sizes 

(from A4 to A0), is printed 

on canvas, and can be 

framed in natural, white 

or black. From R480 from 

jasperandjute.co.za 

Glam jewelled Alice bands in 

glorious shades of aqua and 

lavender, lime and orange, peach 

and yellow. R280 each, from 

elizabethsummer.com 

Compiled by: KYM ARGO 

Shower mum with love. And 

apricot oil And energy (after all, 

what mum doesn’t need a little 

extra energy?). We’re all over this 

Clarins Extra-Firming Energy 

Day Cream. It nourishes your skin, 

leaving it feeling comforted, and 

assists in reflecting light and so a 

more radiant compexion. R995 

from Mopani 

06 Get It Lowveld May 2021

Mum’s going out with the girls. Credit card. Keys. Phone. 

And a rich regal blue, soft lux feel velvet Rona Jessie fold over 

clutch. R390 from ronajessie.co.za • And if she’s more a 

hands-free mum, she’ll be as besotted as we are with 

this navy quilted crossbody bag. And really, it’s R179 from 

miladys.com ... gorgeous and amazingly affordable. 

If there’s a more glorious range of home and fragrance products, with packaging that simply makes you happy, we’ve yet 

to find it. Glasshouse Fragrances has delightful oversized soy candles and elegant diffusers and lovely little travel-size 

fragrances with joyous scents like passionfruit and lime (One Night in Rio), amber and orchid (Rendeazvous), camellia, lotus 

and pineapple (Kyoto In Bloom). From R499 to R999 from Woolworths. 


De Hallen, 

luxury and 

convenience 

in one 

The Lowveld who’s who were recently out in 

full force for the unveiling of the stunning new 

kid on the block, De Hallen. This super-stylish 

new hub is ideally located and is the perfect 

neighbourhood convenience centre, from the 

accessible KWIKSPAR, stylish TOPS, sophisticated 

Italian Barber or funky Mozambik restaurant – 

among others. The ribbon cutting was done 

with great aplomb while the guests enjoyed the 

glorious view with bubbly in hand. 

Jan Cronje and Reiner Förtsch 

Martin Webber 

Kerneels Kunneke, Laticia Lauwrens and Cornell Kennet 

Anton Botha 


Cheers, class of 

2020! 

At last, after a very long and challenging 

final year, the class of 2020 recently held 

its graduation ceremony at Xela College 

of Design in Mbombela. Despite the 

lockdown of 2020, there were a few 

outstanding achievers, and thanks to their 

hard work and the supreme effort put in 

by their lecturers, every student graduated 

with flying colours! 

Top achievers: Mogau Mathebula, pattern cutting, Siphesihle Nkosi, 

most improved, Suneth Zitha, garment manufacturing, and John 

Thwala, dux student and illustration technical drawing 

Annestine van der Merwe presents Suneth 

Zitha with the best women’s garment award 

RM-VAL0519A

New kid on the block 

De Hallen in Mbombela is quite literally the place to be right now, and 

with its vibey, modern feel and classic lines, combined with efficiency and 

convenience, it has already become quite a hub of activity. Still in phase one, 

with work on phase two approved for 2022, we predict a long and happy 

future for De Hallen and its tenants. 

Italian Barber 

Jim Bouzir, owner of Italian Barber, is the real McCoy. 

He has been passionate about men’s grooming from 

the age of 16. The barber business has been a part 

of Jim’s family for four generations and he vows to 

proudly uphold its traditions. Italian Barber offers 

today’s progressive man a haven where he can sit back, 

relax and experience the world-class art of grooming 

and service in a definitive gentlemen’s atmosphere, 

therapeutic and professional, with an air of masculinity. 

Trading hours: 8am - 6pm 

Details: 076-010-8044 

Mobile Planet 

Meet Irsalan Arif of Mobile Planet, a guy who loves tech! Mobile 

Planet strives to be your one-stop shop, making sure your phone 

is well protected, while at the same time always keeping up with 

the latest trends. 

Trading hours: 8:30am - 6:30pm 

Details: 067-289-9997 

De Hallen: 013-752-4710 or www.dehallen.co.za 

TOPS at SPAR 

Locally owned, De Hallen 

TOPS at SPAR offers a range 

of carefully chosen local and 

international brands, with a 

focus on its substantial wine 

selection as well as the option 

of future wine tastings. Watch 

this space! 

Trading hours: 8am - 8pm 

Details: 013-591-3873 


KWIKSPAR 

Oh, how we love our KWIKSPAR being so convenient! But it’s more than that. It’s 

a culture of community, and as all Lowvelders know, community is like family. 

With the freshest of produce and granny-approved baked goods all at the right 

prices every day, who can resist? Thanks to KWIKSPAR’s owner being a local, they 

have a complete understanding of what the guys need for their weekend braai 

and what moms are looking for to fill those daily lunch boxes. Trading hours: 6am - 

9pm. Details: 013-591-3873 

Text and photographer: MELLISSA BUSHBY 

Natural Glow 

Hairdressing 

Dané Strydom has been passionate 

about her hair craft since she can 

remember. Being a hairstylist means 

being creative every single moment, 

and her talent is to awaken the beauty 

of everyone who walks through her 

salon. She loves engaging with and 

getting to know clients, understanding 

their lifestyle and personality to bring 

out the best of themselves. Dané 

enjoys bringing out a bit of bubbly or 

slice of milk tart to spoil her clients, a 

wonderful extra in our opinion! After 

all, hair treatment is about more than 

just hair, it’s about the experience. 

Trading hours: Monday - Friday: 7am - 

5pm. Saturday - Sunday: 8am - 3pm 

Details: 076-969-8236 

Mozambik 

Garth Snyman is a well-known face around Mbombela, having been in the 

industry and a part of the community for the past 10 years. Garth’s excitement 

at bringing Mozambik to our valley is palpable, and if the talk around town is 

anything to go by, it’s the place to be! Mozambik is loaded with lekker flavour 

and good vibes. Garth and his team are passionate about friends and family, so 

bring the whole bunch! 

Trading hours: Monday - Saturday: 11am - 9pm. Sunday: 11:30am - 5pm 

Details: 087-057-3383 

The Treatment Room 

Hantie Henn comes from a corporate wellness background that saw the value 

of creating an environment where you can breathe, escape, recharge, and get 

treatments for health and skin issues that add stress to your day-to-day life. 

After spending time overseas, she studied theology and as a sideline did an 

international massage course to earn extra money. Hantie fell in love with the 

industry and decided to further her studies in wellness. She started her own 

corporate wellness company, which was so fulfilling she decided to specialise in 

skincare. She has been in the industry for 18 years, and as her clients know, this 

beautician never stops doing courses on skin health. Hantie gets so much joy out 

of helping her clients with result-driven treatments and a safe place to escape to 

from the stresses of life. 

Trading hours: Monday - Friday: 7am - 5pm. Saturday - Sunday 8am - 3pm 

Details: 013-752-3552 


A mother’s love 

Celebrating a fabulous mum 

Balancing being a successful businesswoman, 

mother and wife – while still retaining a 

healthy sense of sanity – is something that has 

become the norm rather than the exception. 

Mbombela’s Caro de Witt, well-known 

psychiatrist, wife, and mom to Liam (7) and 

Lienke (3), is no stranger to this phenomenon, 

and with Mother’s Day approaching, we catch 

up with her for her take on being a mum who 

hustles. 

Caro is the youngest of three siblings, all of 

whom went into healthcare. Her mother 

balanced two jobs while still helping with 

homework, soothing broken hearts and 

managing various extracurricular activities. 

“Come to think of it,” Caro flashes us a dimpled 

smile, “I’m not sure how she managed all this! 

Now there is a supermom!” Growing up, Caro 

wanted to follow in her mother’s footsteps 

and go into teaching, but fate intervened. 

She was exposed to psychiatry training and 

soon discovered her passion lay with mental 

healthcare. “Psychiatry suits my personality,” 

she explains. “It involves building rapport with 

patients, working closely with them and their 

families and helping them to find balance. It 

also requires teamwork and having a holistic 

perspective towards a patient and their needs, a 

collaboration which I value greatly.” 

This interest in and care for her patients is a 

direct result of Caro’s innate love for people. 

Spending time with family and close friends 

while listening to good music, making good 

food and being outdoors in nature, is what 

makes her tick. “The detail in God’s creation 

never ceases to amaze me, from the beautiful 

wildflowers you find on a hike to the coloured 

pebbles in a rock pool. This is when the 

universe makes sense to me!” In fact, time spent 

together as a family is what makes the De Witt 

world go around, and Caro’s eyes sparkle as 

she talks about her kids, clearly smitten. “Liam, 

my firstborn, is a kind and gentle soul who has 

taught me so much about myself. He loves 

Caro de Witt 


Text: MELLISSA BUSHBY. Photographer: BELINDA ERASMUS 

adventure and catching spiders, fish, 

geckos or frogs is all in a day’s work! 

Much to my horror, he loves keeping 

these creatures as pets at home for an 

afternoon before setting them free. 

His latest endeavour involved looking 

after four lizard eggs he found in the 

garden, until they hatched. Rather 

a morning lark, Liam has taught my 

husband and I the best hours of the 

day for an adventure are between 4am 

and 6am. It took us four whole years 

to recover from his sleep-depriving 

adventures, at which point Lienke 

was born!” 

Caro smiles fondly, as she talks about 

her strong-willed little princess. “I am 

filled with euphoria at the sight of her 

running around or laughing,” she says. 

“She can frequently be heard singing 

out loud to herself in the house and 

‘If I could only 

be half the 

mother to my 

children my 

mom has been 

to me, I would 

be very proud!’ 

lights up any room when she enters. 

She loves playing the princess in all the 

adventures Liam plots out for them. 

But she very much has a mind of her 

own and does not hesitate to speak it. 

She knows exactly what she does and 

does not like!” 

Working in an industry where you 

absorb other people’s problems for 

a living means this support system 

is an important part of maintaining 

good boundaries, and managing to 

compartmentalise work and home 

life is crucial to well-being. Fortunately 

for Caro, her family know the value 

of laughing out loud, having fun and 

spending time together. Dwain, her 

husband, introduced her to deep-sea 

diving when they were dating, and 

it’s been a lifelong love affair ever 

since. “The silent and deep, tranquil 

blue water, combined with the thrill 

and excitement of the magical things 

you see down there, remains a firm 

Lienke, Caro and Liam 

Caro, Lienke, Dwain and Liam 


favourite with us,” smiles Caro, but she’s quick to add that 

company trumps scenery any day! Hiking, cycling and 

visiting the Kruger Park are also favourite pastimes, and 

Dwain has an impressive knowledge of birds and nature, 

making any outing with him interesting and insightful. These 

are cherished times spent making memories and being 

together as a family, from collecting wildflowers and creepycrawlies 

to marvelling at a magnificent Lowveld sunset. 

Having said that, no matter how incredible your support 

base is, finding a balance in your own life isn’t always easy - it 

remains a dynamic, changeable and unpredictable process. 

“It’s like a juggler managing to keep all the balls in the air 

at any given time, constantly needing to be aware of his 

surroundings and the position of each ball, and that is what 

we are doing most of the time,” Caro says. “Whether we are 

mothers, wives or CEOs, life is about keeping things in the 

air, and being human, we are sometimes going to drop 

something. Our situations may be unique, but we all need to 

acknowledge that no matter the circumstance, sometimes 

we lose the rhythm and forget how to tango! It’s part of the 

human experience, and completely normal.” And as Covid 

has shown us, sometimes the unexpected happens, and we 

are reminded that we are not in control, no matter how hard 

we try to be. 

Caro is philosophical about this chapter in our history; she 

understands that seeing the silver lining around a dark cloud 

is a viewpoint that helps many stay positive. “There are so 


many people who have seen their 

share of dark clouds in this time, all 

over the world, and the trauma and 

loss have impacted them in so many 

ways. We are likely to see Covid’s 

ripple effect on mental health for a 

long time to come,” she says, “and 

because the incidence of depression, 

suicide and anxiety has dramatically 

increased, the demand for mental 

health support and intervention 

has increased, too. I am determined 

to help people identify their silver 

lining, now more than ever.” 

Fortunately, Caro has the support 

base to do this. While her workload 

has increased significantly in 

response to the crisis, Dwain has 

been bearing the brunt of all the 

responsibilities at home, looking 

after the children while working 

full-time in a remote capacity. “He 

deserves a medal!” Caro says. “It has 

really brought home how privileged 

I am to have a family who I love, and 

who supports me.” Her two older 

siblings are her biggest cheerleaders 

and friends, and Dwain’s family is a 

wonderful and close-knit group of 

people, fiercely loyal and supportive. 

Caro’s father sadly passed away when 

she was 26, but she is deeply thankful 

to still have her mother. “Anybody 

who knows my mom will testify she 

is just incredible,” says Caro. “She is a 

tremendous emotional support to 

me, and she has been a very valuable 

mentor for me in both my personal 

and professional life. Frankly, if I 

could only be half the mother to my 

children she’s been to me, I would be 

very proud!” 


The new look of 

RIVERSIDE 


Text: MELLISSA BUSHBY. Photographers: SVEN MUSICA, HENNIE HOMANN AND BELINDA ERASMUS 

Not many know the history behind 

the Riverside area, even though they 

experience it in some way or another 

on a daily basis, by driving through 

it or visiting one of the well-known 

companies or retail outlets situated 

along or within its boundaries. Now, 

after nearly 30 years, the Riverside 

model is going through some 

changes, and the brand that has been 

known as both Riverside Industrial 

and Riverside Precinct is going to 

merge and become one, falling under 

the new brand, Riverside. 

Conceptualised in the early ‘90s, the 

Riverside node came about when 

Halls Properties saw the potential in 

the land and the possibilities it held. 

At that time, the then Nelspruit was 

competing for capital status at the 

dawn of our new democracy, and 

Halls was approached to find out how 

it could assist. The company offered 

to donate land for the provincial 

government complex which would 

be located in Nelspruit should the 

town successfully achieve capital 

status, which it did, after which the 

real planning of Riverside Precinct 

started. The vision was to create a 

mixed-use regional node, one that 

would attract investment and bring 

development into the new capital 

city, leaving an urban legacy for future 

generations. 

While Riverside Park was still in 

the planning stages, the city also 

required additional land for industrial 

development, which resulted in 

two townships being approved in 

1995 - Riverside Park and Riverside 

Industrial. The former was kick-started 

and anchored by three significant 

developments, namely, the provincial 

government complex after the 

James Aling, Executive Director, Spaces Places & Partnerships 

The vision was to create a mixeduse 

regional node, one that would 

attract investment and bring 

development 

site was selected through a competitive bid process, Riverside Mall and Tsogo 

Sun casino and hotels. These three complexes still form significant anchors 

of the precinct, but it has grown considerably from 1995 to what it is today, a 

significant mixed-use regional node, serving both the city and the region. In May 

2000, the City of Mbombela promulgated a by-law for the establishment of city 

improvement districts (CIDs), which was (and still is) the only local legislation 

relevant and prevalent for the establishment and management of urban areas. 

In October 2004, Riverside Park was established and registered as a non-profit 

property owners association (POA), and in 2008, the POA collectively decided 

to start providing supplementary services that required the introduction of 


levies payable on a voluntary basis. 

This marked the start of Riverside Park 

becoming a managed urban node. 

Given the POA’s decision to introduce 

supplementary services, it was only a 

natural progression for the Riverside 

Park POA to formalise the intervention 

and adopt the CID operational model. 

Following a successful application 

in November 2004, Riverside Park 

Phase 1 became a legislated CID, 

but only became operational in 

2009. In March 2010, the council 

approved an amended business 

plan, which essentially expanded 

the previously legislated Riverside 

Park CID boundaries to include both 

Phase 1 and 2, with Phase 1 being 

east of Madiba Drive and Phase 2 

west thereof. With the signing of a 

service level agreement in November 

2010, the partnership between the 

City and the Riverside Park CID was 

cemented. As part of the conditions 

of approval to the expansion in 2010, 

the City requested the Riverside Park 

CID to explore the establishment of a 

CID in Riverside Industrial, adjacent to 

Riverside Park. The Riverside Industrial 

one was then created as a separate 

CID in 2015 after the application for 

CID establishment was approved by 

the City. 

Property owners’ levy contributions 

fund the CID, which also includes 

a 10% rebate from rates and taxes 

paid back to the CID by the City in 

recognition of the services rendered 

and investment made in the public 

areas. The aim is to preserve and 

enhance property values in the 

medium to long term. Attracting 

new business and retaining tenants 

is of paramount importance to 

landlords. Many people don’t realise 

the significance of CIDs, which are 

effectively urban management entities 

that work in partnership with the local 

municipality to manage the public 

space in a defined precinct or area. 

Urban management and place-making 

consist of several interventions, actions 

and services to secure, enhance and 

promote the various developments 

and activities in the precinct. In the 

case of the two Riverside precincts, this 

would include: 

• Daily cleaning, including litter and 

graffiti removal, sweeping of sidewalks, 

etc. 

• Landscaping establishment and 

maintenance in public areas. 

• Security with camera surveillance in 

and around the precinct and a reaction 

vehicle to ensure the area is safe and 

secure for visitors and business owners. 

• Marketing and hosting of events in 

and around the precinct, such as the 

recent Eggstravaganza held in the 

Lowveld Botanical Garden for families 

over the Easter weekend. 

• Other interventions to turn an 

ordinary place into an exceptional one 

where visitors, shoppers, residents and 

business owners want to be. 

Fundamentally a CID focuses on 

“clean, green and safe”. Once that is 

achieved, it looks deeper at aspects 

like programming, promotion, 

environmental impact as well as 

special capital projects that will boost 

the area even more by turning it into a 

welcoming space. This year the CID is 

looking at the theme of our combined 

area and the experience it offers to the 

public upon visits. 

The reality is that you feel different 

when you drive into Riverside. The 

roads are swept and the landscaping is 

maintained, and in some public places 

even installed by the CID(s). There are 

licence plate recognition, PTZ and 

infrared cameras in predetermined 

places, along with a dedicated 

response vehicle in the area, 24/7. 

We market the area as a whole and 

will focus on our pillars of offerings to 

enhance this even further. Water leaks, 

streetlights and any other municipal 


Jessica Prim: Marketing Coordinator, Avhatakali Mamaatsharaga: Riverside Park Precinct Association CID Board 

Chairman, Shivon Wiggins: Riverside Park Precinct Association CID Manager, Derek Todd: Riverside Industrial CID 

Board Chairman and Lihandri Maritz: Riverside Industrial CID Manager 

infrastructure damages are reported 

to the respective departments. We 

want the public to spend its time 

here, so we look at anything that can 

possibly benefit the area… from big 

bunnies and nice gardens to take 

pictures, to rubbish bins to keep 

litter down. Bollards keep vehicles 

from wrecking property owners’ 

landscaping and chicanes slow traffic 

down. Basically, we identify a need 

and address it in the best possible 

way to lead to long-term solutions. 

Another way in which the CID 

benefits the community, and 

especially the neighbourhood, is 

its preservation of the wetlands. 

A significant part of Riverside’s 

vision of leaving a legacy for future 

generations, is conserving and 

protecting our environment in and 

around the precinct. This includes 

preserving and rehabilitating 

wetlands in the precinct and 

investigating ways of integrating our 

green spaces around the precinct 

with the developed space. In this 

regard, Riverside and several other 

key stakeholders, such as Halls 

Properties, the township developers, 

the botanical garden and University 

of Mpumalanga, are working on the 

Greater Riverside Biodiversity Initiative 

It became a natural progression 

to give the two areas one strong 

identity that offers a range 

of experiences and unique 

destinations 

(GRBI) which aims to rehabilitate and integrate the green riverine areas and 

other green spaces in and around Riverside and the botanical garden into one 

integrated green space that will become available to the residents of Mbombela 

to enjoy. The first phase of the GRBI to kick-start this very exciting initiative is 

expected to be rolled out over the next six months. 

Merging the two precincts makes sense on many levels, such as giving the 

two areas one strong identity that will be home to many offerings. Given the 

adjacency of the two CIDs, the overlap of land uses the existing synergies that 

already exist and the strong geographical sense of place, namely, Riverside. It 

became a natural progression to give the two areas one strong identity that 

offers a range of experiences and unique destinations. Riverside is a growing 

node and, in this regard, the recent boundary expansion of the Riverside Park 

CID to include the new Phase 3 townships to the west and north of the existing 

CID, is testament to the continued growth and expansion of the node. The 

first developments in the new Phase 3 townships include Curro Academy and 

a planned residential development adjacent to the new school, which will 

strengthen the residential offering in the precinct. 

We envisage Riverside becoming synonymous with convenience, excitement, 

enjoyment and success, as it transitions from a great place to a truly exceptional 

urban one. One that we as citizens of the city can be proud of, and know that we 

have created an urban legacy for future generations. 


Autumn 

hues 

As the weather cools down, we turn to 

shades of soft fawn and mushroom, of 

lush chocolate and cappuccino … with 

rich textures to nourish and protect. 

An uplifting scent for the season … Elizabeth 

Arden My Fifth Avenue EDP, R925 from 

Mopani • Brand new Clarins Everlasting 

Foundation and Everlasting Concealer – 

24-hour wear, matte finish, high coverage but 

super lightweight, and with skincare benefits. 

Not much you can ask for, really. R520 and 

R385 from Mopani 

We love this East India Islands range for men from EarthSap … 

there’s a body wash, R109, and hand and body lotion, R79. Both from 

madebynature.co.za • Intense, affordable skincare … win-win. 

Skin Oil from Africa’s Coconut Oil Intensive Skin Care moisturises 

hydrates, is geat on scars and stretch marks and is excellent for dry and 

ageing skin. R75 from takealot.com • Just because the weather’s cooler, 

doesn’t mean you can go without suncare. Sothys Sensitive Zones 

Protective Fluid SPF50 gives high protection against solar radiation … 

wear it every single day. R675. For stockists, ring 021-701-2900. 

Play up your eyes with 

Elizabeth Arden High 

Drama Eyeliner in 

Espresso, R265, from 

Mopani • Staying with 

the matte look, and with 

ingredients that nourish, 

hydrate and protect, 

we’re loving this 

RVBLAB Matt & Velvet 

Lipstick in No 33, R330. 

Stockist details: 

021-701-2900 


Mini bottles of nail perfection. These 

Mavala varnishes are perfectly sized 

… just 5ml, so you’ll finish the bottle 

before you get bored with the shade. For 

Autumn, we’ve chosen Brown Break. R85 

from Mopani. • NUXE Reve de Miel Lip 

Balm is concentrated and full of benefits. 

It combines honey, vegetable oils and 

Propolis, a rare and precious ingredient 

from the hive, and immediately relieves, 

intensely nourishes and repairs very 

dry and damaged lips. Lovely melting 

texture and grapefruit 

scent, too. 

R250 from Woolworths, 

Truworths and Foschini. 

Neutral tones work 

well for dressing 

between seasons. 

Great relaxed styling, 

too, for WFH and 

school lifts and 

coffee dates with a 

girlfriend. R799 from 

poetrystores.co.za 

This Bodycare range from Africa Savanna Shea is one 

of our new top buys. The range includes body scrubs, 

lotions and butters, hand and body washes, and bath salts. 

With shea butter and vitamin E, they are top quality, and 

really affordable (priced from R49.95 to R84.95). You’ll find 

them at selected Pick n Pay and Checkers stores, or online 

bodycarefromafrica.co.za 



EASE into 

WINTER 

and save on style 

Start the season on the right foot with easy to 

wear and pair essentials that give you the comfort, 

femininity and style you love. Shop your favourites up 

to size 50, in-store and online. 

When you need easy winter looks, reach 

for comfort with soft knits, cosy tracksuits 

and tees that you can layer with ease. 

BUY 2 & SAVE R100 ON 

SOFT KNITWEAR 

Offer valid 23 April - 9 May 2021. 

While stocks last. Ts and Cs apply. 

Super-Stretch 

Leggings 

from only 

R 

299 

Knitwear 

from only 

R 

299 

Shop Miladys fashion online at www.miladys.com

GET R50 OFF YOUR NEXT 

ONLINE PURCHASE 

USE CODE GETIT1 AT CHECKOUT 

Offer valid online only from 30 April to 9 May 2021. Ts and Cs apply. 

Tees 

from only 

R 

149 

BUY 2 & SAVE R50 ON VERSATILE TEES 

While stocks last. Ts and Cs apply. 

Open a Miladys account 

& get R1000 in vouchers 

3 easy ways to apply: 1. Visit www.miladys.com 2. Apply at 

your favourite store 3. Call us on 0861 066 639 

Ts and Cs apply. 

Denim 

from only 

R 

299

Text: Kym Argo 

& 

We’ve mastered meat-free Mondays. Now let’s take it a step further. 

Love plants 

Embracing a plant-based lifestyle 

The daughter of a goat farmer, Tammy Fry saw 

how, day after day, the goats were sold for 

slaughter. But she realised that if she named 

the individual goats, they crossed the line from 

being ‘units of currency’ to pets. So she started 

naming as many of them as possible. 

The same goat farmer, many years later, swore 

off meat forever, and in the early 1990s, he and 

his wife started The Fry Family Food Company, 

known internationally for its range of plantbased 

food products. 

Tammy, recently named as one of the top eight 

women changing the world through food, 

and founder of Meat-Free Mondays here and 

in Australia, knows all too well the challenges 

of choosing a plant-based lifestyle … and 

discusses them, and the solutions, in her first 

book Made with Love and Plants. More than a 

recipe book, it’s full of really useful, thoughtful 

information … from why you should choose a 

plant-based diet to transitioning (don’t go cold 

turkey!), answering questions – where do you 

get your iron (beans and legumes and broccoli 

and dates), and giving essential tips (navigating 

the supermarket and decoding labels). 

There are nearly six dozen really great recipes, 

that quickly dispel the idea that this diet is 

boring or restrictive. 

There’s a breakfast carrot cake (Carrot cake. 

Breakfast. Swoon) and glazed, grilled fruit 

skewers with chocolate sauce to get your 

day off to a sweet start, the prettiest, tastiest 

Vietnamese rice paper rolls with hoisin-peanut 

dipping sauce or loaded homemade nachos 

for midday Summer snacking, and a West 

African coconut curry that’ll have you dishing 

up seconds in no time. 

Tammy suggests you milk coconuts, not cows, 

and so there are recipes for rice, coconut, 

almond and cashew nut milk, and a whole 

section on treats and lunch box ideas. 

If you’re thinking of going the plant-based 

route, we bet this book will sway you; if not, it’s 

worth a buy for recipes for you to keep meatfree 

Mondays interesting. Simple. Delicious. 

Healthy. All you want, really. For more from 

Tammy, visit seed-blog.com. 


Vanilla nice cream with cookie crumble 

This one makes the nice list. Nice to eat, nice to make, nice ’n’ healthy too. 

You’ll need: 3 frozen bananas; 1 Tbsp maple syrup; a few drops natural 

vanilla extract; 1 Tbsp cocoa powder (optional for making chocolate ice 

cream); quarter cup coconut milk (if necessary); crunchy oat and choc 

cookies (recipe in the book, or use any other vegan cookie, crumbled) 

To make: Add the bananas, maple syrup, vanilla extract and cocoa 

powder (if using) to a powerful blender and blitz until smooth. Add 

small amounts of the coconut milk, if required for a smoother texture. 

Serve in a bowl or a cone, topped with crumbled cookies.

Breakfast carrot cake 

Not all puddings are equal. Take this one for example, 

technically a cake, eaten at breakfast, no refined sugar, 

no dairy and nutrition in every spoonful. Breakfast 

doesn’t get better than this. This makes enough for two. 

You’ll need: 1 cup each of coconut milk, water and rolled 

oats; 2 cups peeled and grated carrots; 2 bananas, 

mashed; 4 Tbsp raisins or dried goji berries; 2 Tbsp 

maple syrup; 1 tsp each of ground cinnamon and vanilla 

spice/essence; half a tsp each of ground ginger, ground 

nutmeg, ground cloves; and half a cup coconut cream 

For the toppings, you’ll need: shaved coconut; maple syrup 

(to taste); and pineapple pieces 

To make: In a small pot over a medium heat, bring the 

milk and water to a simmer. Add the oats and bring to a 

slow boil, then reduce the heat and allow to simmer for 

3 minutes. Add the grated carrots, bananas and raisins or 

berries, as well as the maple syrup, vanilla essence and 

spices. Cook for another three to five minutes. Pour in 

the coconut cream and stir well, allowing to simmer for 

approximately five minutes until the liquid is absorbed 

and a thick consistency is reached. Add the toppings 

and decorate as desired. Enjoy the ‘cake‘ warm. 

We admit. We’ve 

taken the three 

sweetest options 

from Made with 

Love and Plants. 

But trust us … 

there are loads 

of savoury dishes 

that are equally 

as delicious. 

Yum. Yum. Yum. 

Penguin, R290. 

Cinnamon not only tastes amazing when added to 

desserts, smoothies and savoury dishes, but it’s one of 

nature’s superfoods. This spice has powerful medicinal 

benefits as a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. 

Just a quarter teaspoon a day can lower the risk of some 

chronic diseases. Tammy admits she might be trying 

too hard here to make muffins look like health food. 

But who could blame her? These cinnamon and walnut 

muffins take less than half an hour from start to finish 

… you’re meant to leave them to cool on a rack before 

eating. We didn’t. Get the recipe on getitmagazine.co.za. 

You’re welcome. 



Well. Mum certainly is the word this month … with our massive Mother’s 

Day giveaway hamper. It’s crammed – overflowing – with everything 

we think would make our mum very happy indeed. And it’s valued at 

a whopping R7220. Just look what we’ve got … • An on-trend Kubu 

rectangular basket (R299) from Biggie Best, which is great for storage 

in your home, and to store all these goodies. Biggie Best has also 

added a white orchid (R79), from their particularly exceptional 

collection of faux flowers and plants. Details: volpes.co.za • From Lou 

Harvey, SA’s homegrown designer and decorator, a Gusset Vanity 

(R435) and Long Tom Cooler (R460) in the brand new Python print 

(which is giving the ever-popular Leopard a run for its money). It’s 

one of the new collection of designs … which also includes iconic 

paisleys and florals so loved by LH fans. Details: louharvey.co.za • A 

duo of Densitium Skin Care essentials. This anti-ageing range from 

French skincare brand SVR is dedicated to slowing down and treating 

ageing skin (not, Mum, that we think you’re ageing … you’re beautiful!). 

There’s a Densitium Bi-serum, formulated for the face and neck for the 

treatment of sagging skin, wrinkles and dryness (R954) and Densitium 

Crème Riche, which targets dryness, thinning skin, lack of elasticity 

and loss of definition (R424). Details: info@filorga.co.za, or buy online at 

absoluteskin.co.za / riekiemedaesthetic.co.za • Sunnies for the coolest mum 

on the block. Our hamper includes a pair of Baker Eyewear sunglasses 

(R1499), which is exclusively available at Execuspecs … it’s a 

quality, stylish range for people who see the world differently. 

Details: execuspecs.co.za • Kids have their school packs. Mum 

needs a stylish Thule Achiever Backpack 20L (R1399). It has 

much-needed organisational solutions for mums on the go, 

protects your laptop, loads of space for your other daily gear, 

great colours (think Asphalt Camo, Black, Burgundy or Seneca 

Rock), and is really durable and tough, so built to last in the urban 

jungle. Details: thulestore.co.za • A bottle of Fluere (R269) … a 

distilled ‘spirit’ without a trace of alcohol. It’s a blend of botanicals, 

based on essential oils of juniper, lavender, coriander and lemon 

peel, and is perfect to create non-alcoholic long drinks and 

mocktails. For mum, we’ve got the Spiced Cane option, 

lovely notes of chocolate and coffee with a sweet, complex, 


earthy palate. Details: available from takealot.co.za • 

Staying with the non-alcoholic theme (homework 

nights!), there’s also a bottle of Abstinence (R229) 

in the basket. Locally produced, sophisticated and 

showcasing some of Cape Town’s finest indigenous 

flora, there’s not only no alcohol but also no sugar, no 

colouring, no flavouring, so it gets full marks from us. 

Details: available from takealot.co.za • Friday night … so 

no school lifts in the morning. Time for a G&T. Mum’ll 

love Bloedlemoen (R395). Pronounced Blue’d Le Moon, 

it’s an award-winning handcrafted, small-batch local gin 

made from 10 natural botanicals; a quintessentially 

South African gin made from the delicious Tarocco 

blood orange, and proudly boasts as the first blood 

orange gin in the World. The fruit is sourced locally 

from our growing partners in the Western Cape of 

South Africa. Details: Available at takealot.co.za • Mum will 

think you’ll have whisked her off to a tropical island with 

this one. She can imagine sitting on a beach, sipping 

on her Don Papa rum (R499) cocktail. This premium, 

small-batch, single-island, aged rum from Negros in 

the Philippines, is aged for seven years to produce a 

light and fruity, amber coloured rum that is perfect 

for sipping alone or as the key ingredient in epic 

cocktails. Details: available from takealot.co.za 

• And at the end of a long day … a soft, fluffy towel to 

wrap around you after a long, scented bubble bath. 

From Volpes, we’ve got a set of Indulge White Towels 

(R329) … 100 per cent cotton, highly absorbent, super 

luxurious and with a double-stitched hem for durability. 

Heaven. Details: volpes.co.za • Whether your mum’s a 

homemaker or a board member, stressed from no sleep 

with a toddler or a teen (both, we know, cause sleepless 

nights), a young new mum or an experienced gran, a careful 

teetotaller or a lover of exotic cocktails … we know one 

thing – she’ll be a jolly spoilt mum if you win this hamper for 

her. To enter, simply visit our Facebook or Instagram page 

(getitnationalmagazines), find the Mother’s Day post, and 

follow the instructions. Entries close May 28.

treat mum 

There’s no-one quite like mum. And there’s nothing 

quite like this month’s give away. We’ve got a hamper, 

overflowing with stylish goodies from our favourite 

brands, worth more than R7000, to give away. 

Happy Mother’s Day, with 

love from Get It. 


Indulge 

yourself! 

Put a smile on your face 

At van der Walt dental practice we strive to provide our patients with quality dental 

treatment at affordable prices. Our focus is to treat the whole family and to make it a 

fun and positive experience. 

Quality dentistry medical aid rates 

• Dr Liezl van der Walt • Dr Kiewiet Pienaar • Dr Dylan Jenkins • Dr Nadia Rust • Dr Abigail Ferreira 

One lucky reader will receive teeth whitening to the value of R2 600! 

To enter, go to Van Der Walt Dental Practice on Facebook, and send a 

message with your contact details and the words “Get It Lowveld”. 

Details: van der Walt dental practice. 71 Van Wijk Street, Mbombela. 

013-744-3520. www.vdwdental.co.za / info@vdwdental.co.za 

Brush up your pearly whites 

Healthy, beautiful teeth are an essential part of a healthy 

person. Teeth and gums that are unhealthy will have a 

direct effect on the entire body, causing pain and 

discomfort when you least expect it. Teeth 

that are well looked after and healthy 

are a major boost to your appearance, 

improving your confidence and 

overall quality of life. Between 

them, Dr Auke van der Meulen and 

Dr Karen Kromhout have many 

years of experience, and offer all 

dental services including implants, 

orthodontics, aesthetic dentistry and 

CEREC cad-cam dentistry at their 

practice. 

Cause a scent-sation 

Explore more than 70 quality French 

fragrances, and discover why South Africa 

loves and uses our products. Fragrant 

House has sourced the finest scents from 

the most discerning perfumers in France. 

Our suppliers are all professionals who 

are recognised as leaders in their field. 

Together we are committed to excellence 

and strive to provide our clients with the 

very best in generic fragrances. 

Spend R580 and you’ll be entered into the 

draw to win a supply of perfume for six months 

(terms and conditions apply). 

Details 

Shop G4-5, Casterbridge 

Lifestyle Centre, White River. 

013-751-3144 or 081-487-3443. 

admin@mysmile.co.za/ 

www.mysmile.co.za 

Details 

i’langa Mall, Shop UG 27, 

Mbombela. 013-742-2005. 

www.fragranthouse.co.za

RM-MOPA0519M

Mothers are timeless 

Nelspruit Watchmakers & 

Manufacturing Jewellers is your 

one-stop shop when it comes to 

design, manufacture and repairs 

to all types of jewellery, including 

engraving and valuations. We also 

do all your watch repairs, services, 

batteries, glasses, straps, etc on all 

types of watches. 

Details: 013-752-6539 or 

watchandjewelsnst@gmail.com 

Love your locks 

Get a professional hair treatment, blowout or styling 

done on the go. No cuts or colour - just wash, blow 

and style. Details: Crossing Centre, cnr Madiba Drive & N4, 

Mbombela. 013-755-5536 or mopani.co.za 

i’langa Mall – home of the perfect Mother’s Day gift 

On Sunday May 9, we celebrate the mother of the family, 

as well as motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence 

of mums in society. Fortunately, you are spoilt for choice at 

i’langa Mall with over 140 stores, 11 restaurants and a full 

complement of entertainment to make mum’s day beyond 

special. From fragrance to flowers, chocolates to charms - 

i’langa Mall has the perfect Mother’s Day gift for you. Create 

magical moments and spoil her with a delightful breakfast, 

lunch, or dinner at one of the restaurants in the piazza or food 

and entertainment court. You might even be the lucky winner 

of a R1 000 shopping voucher. Keep an eye on the i’langa Mall 

Facebook page for Mother’s Day gift ideas and giveaways. 

i’langa Mall would like to wish all the mums out there a calm 

and relaxing Mother’s Day. 

Treat yourself at BUCO 

BUCO Nelspruit has an exciting range of DIY, decor 

and craft products that will convince you that 

hardware stores are not just for dads! Be sure to visit 

the paint department or choose a new mirror for 

your bathroom. BUCO stocks cleaning, Rooibaard 

and outdoor products and there is a hairdresser and 

coffee shop, too. We are giving away a BUCO hamper 

to the value of R1 000! To stand a chance of winning, 

head over to BUCO Nelspruit on Facebook and like 

and share the post. All products are available online. 


Editor’s 

choice 

A swoon-worthy treat for any 

mum, our editor simply loves the 

divine SkinCeuticals’ advanced 

professional skincare range, 

available exclusively from 

The Aesthetic Doctors, 

Mbombela. 

SkinCeuticals’ mission is to improve skin health. Dedicated to this 

purpose, they make one simple promise - to provide advanced skincare 

backed by science. Born from decades of skin cancer research that led 

to pivotal breakthroughs in antioxidants, their high potency formulas are 

concentrated in pure actives and proven to penetrate optimally into skin. 

SkinCeuticals’ skincare philosophy centres on three main pillars: Prevent. 

Protect. Correct. These principles work synergistically to correct signs 

of ageing, protect healthy skin, and prevent future damage. They have 

recently introduced the Silymarin CF, a breakthrough vitamin C serum for 

oily and blemish-prone skin. This oil-free formula is clinically demonstrated 

to reduce oil oxidation by up to 76%, as well as reduce oiliness, refine skin 

texture, and visibly improve skin clarity and fine lines. 

• Provides advanced antioxidant protection from environmental aggressors 

• Helps prevent oil oxidation that can lead to breakouts 

• Reduces oiliness 

• Minimises pore appearance and refines skin texture 

• Improves skin clarity, radiance, and uneven skin tone 

• Improves the appearance of fine lines 

Tried and tested at The Aesthetic Doctors. Follow us on Instagram to 

see its incredible results. 

Here at The Aesthetic Doctors we believe in exceptional skincare for each 

patient’s individual skin needs and that is why we have SkinCeuticals’ 

advanced professional skincare as part of our cosmeceutical skincare 

range. We are indeed privileged to be an exclusive stockist of SkinCeuticals’ 

advanced professional skincare in the Lowveld. Details: The Aesthetic 

Doctors on 072-893- 6132 

RM-THE0519A

Celebrate in style 

Fiesta Farm Restaurant at El Roi 

Guest Lodge outside White River 

is offering each mum a free gin 

and tonic when they book for 

Mother’s Day lunch. The cost for 

the lunch is R200 per adult and 

R100 per child and will include a 

plated starter, main course and 

dessert. Details: 082-774- 9455 or 

www.elroiguestlodge.com 

Scan for more photos 

A meal made with love for mum 

Comfortably set on the picturesque banks of the 

Gladdespruit, Kingfisher Country Kitchen & Smokehouse 

outside Mbombela is surrounded by serene bushveld 

and beautiful birdlife. We offer a true country-dining 

experience, where fresh food is cooked from the heart, so 

come and spoil mum for Mother’s Day with our threecourse 

carvery feast at R195 per person. Our kiddies play 

area will keep the little ones busy while live music will 

keep mum entertained. Details: Kyro on 066-320-5556 or 

Neale on 071-625-9661 

It’s fiesta time! 

Hey, amigo! Your Mami 

deserves to be spoilt this 

Mother’s Day, and what 

better way than with a 

fiesta at Salsa Mexican Grill 

in i’langa Mall. Order one 

of our delicious main meals 

and her first watermelon 

frosé will be on us! Now that’s 

how you say I love you in 

Mexican! Happy Mother’s Day, 

Mami’s. Ts & Cs apply. Only 

available on Sunday May 9. 

Details: 064-686-8817 

Get It 

Lowveld 

wishes all our amazing mums 

a very happy Mother’s Day, 

with treats and spoils galore!

Scan for more photos

We have two bottles 

of Primos Gin to give away! 

One Citron and one Arandano. 

To enter, send your details to 

competitions@getitlowveld.co.za 

with “Primos” in the 

subject line to reach us by 

May 28. Good luck! 

Deliciously refreshing, deliciously Primos 

In Spanish, “primos” means “cousins”. In Italian, it 

means “first”. This intriguing combination makes 

it the perfect name for a lemon-fermented gin 

that’s the first of its kind in South Africa, expertly 

crafted by two cousins: Marnus and Rossouw 

Kruger. As third-generation citrus farmers, their 

families have been perfecting the art of growing 

grapefruit, oranges and lemons for decades. 

Surrounded by this juicy, vibrant bounty, they 

took some of the lemons they’d harvested and did 

something completely unexpected: they decided 

to make gin. But Primos is not your ordinary gin. 

Instead of fermenting grain, they ferment lemons 

harvested from their farm to produce the alcohol, 

which is then double-distilled with a Brazilian 

strain of juniper berry. This means that it is lemonfermented 

instead of lemon-infused, with the 

fruit forming the very foundation of the spirit. As 

a result, Primos Gin’s lemon flavour is intrinsic, 

rather than simply layered on top. Expect subtle 

aromas of spicy juniper and fresh citrus zest, with 

a dry finish. Not too sweet, not too bitter – Primos 

is perfectly balanced, a true tribute to the cool 

clear waters of the Blyde River and the dramatic 

Drakensberg Mountains. 

High G&T 

Join us for a high G&T 

every Saturday and 

Sunday this May from 

11am to 2pm, and 

indulge in the tinklings 

of our pianist. Our gin 

bar stocks more than 

30 different gin brands, 

craft beer, bubbly, wine, 

rum and whisky. Limited 

high tea platters are 

available which include 

a selection of savoury 

and sweet treats so 

book in advance to 

avoid disappointment. 

Details: 013-750 -1969. 

www.gincompany.co.za. 

Gin & Co, Casterbridge 

Centre, White River

Keeping mums full of beans 

Kaybee Malele’s working environment might leave you green with envy. As the 

manager of the new Swing Café and chief barista at the Graskop Gorge Lift Co, 

Kaybee loves interacting with guests while expertly brewing cups of locally grown 

coffee and says he never tires of the endless views of mountains, trees and, of 

course, the Motitsi Waterfall. A Graskop resident, Kaybee has the touch when it 

comes to creating foam art. “I love that when I turn cappuccino froth into artwork, it 

makes customers smile and even photograph their coffee to share on social media,” 

says Kaybee. His other great passion is music. “I love making music, writing my own 

lyrics and recording my songs. I also shoot, direct and edit music videos and have 

been doing so for years.” The barista has a quick smile and great sense of humour. 

“Here’s an anonymous but very true quote for all the moms out there,” he laughs, 

“‘May your coffee be stronger than your toddler’!” 

WIN! Mums, indulge in Graskop Gorge 

Lift Co’s aromatic coffee while enjoying 

the unforgettable views. To celebrate the 

Lowveld’s mums this Mother’s Day, Graskop 

Gorge is giving away four Lift Experience 

tickets, along with a cup of local coffee, 

lovingly brewed by Kaybee, and a slice of 

cake for each winner. To enter, send an 

email to competitions@getitlowveld.co.za 

with “Kaybee Coffee” in the subject line. The 

closing date is May 28 and the prize is valid 

for six months, excluding public holidays. 

WIN 

ME 

1 

How to enter: 

2 

RM-MOPB0519M

Attie 

Raymond 

Sonette and Hugo 

Small changes, 

Sonette de Beer’s story began with retrenchment in lockdown... and a big dream. 

Upon her retrenchment at the end of May 2020, her husband, Hugo, said, “Now, 

you will do you!” And she decided to do just that. 

The first thing she did was to phone 

up Sakhile Madonsela. “Sakhile and I 

worked on a project together more 

than three years ago,” she says. “It was 

creative, satisfying and a huge success, 

and back then we both knew this 

could become something. So, the two 

of us decided to join forces, and that 

was the start of a new dream.” 

During this time, Sonette joined a 

paint group on Facebook, TjhokoPaint 

#tjhokocrations, where she shared her 

decor projects. “The community was 

unbelievably supportive and boosted 

our ideas, and we reckoned, why not? 

Let’s go for it! I became a Tjhokopaint 

ambassador, and being part of such 

an incredibly supportive community 

is a blessing in itself,” Sonette enthuses. 

“From there, I immediately sent the 

message to all my friends, telling them 

that for any project they had in mind, 

to buy the material - we woud do the 

work. At no charge!” She laughs, saying that she and Sakhile made the decision to 

hang in there, stick together and to push through no matter the outcome – good 

or bad. “It was for our families, mainly, but also to do what we loved, what we 

wanted to do. We soon realised that our getting together was a blessing from day 

one. And so Nitali Re-Invented Decor began!” 

They started their first project on June 15, 2020, woodworking with Tjhokopaint. 

“We loved it! Now all we needed to do was to take photographs of our first official 

makeover and get ourselves on the map.” The duo completed three fairly large 


projects in June and August, bringing in more oppurtunities. By 

then they realised they needed a bit of help, and Sakhile brought 

in his nephew, Given. “He decided there were other things I could 

be doing, instead of assisting him while he was busy building,” she 

smiles. “The three of us completed a few more projects, and by the 

end of October/November we needed another pair of hands to 

help us out, especially with painting, as we had now added painting 

walls and ceilings to our repertoire. That’s when Dumisani joined the 

team.” 

During November, Sonette had the opportunity to meet the people 

from Paintmaster/Tjhokopaint in person, inspiring even more new 

ideas and plans. “Our projects grew,” she muses, “and we eventually 

just ran out of space as time passed. Also, rainy weather kept us 

from being 100% productive. We had to make a decision – go 

big or go home. At the end of January, we made the decision to 

find premises to work from; quite a leap of faith, because we went Sakhile 

from no rent to rent, and of course everything that that entails. But 

we took the leap and were rewarded with more shop. None of these people had employment due 

blessings - the team has grown to 11 people to Covid, but they all had plenty of hope and big 

in 2021! The new premises in Mbombela will dreams. And now, every one of them is happy to help 

house a woodworking and upholstery factory, with all your reinvented decor ideas.” 

workshop space for classes, a paint shop 

Trading hours: Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm. Sat: 9am-1pm. 

(Paintmaster and Tjhokopaint), and a decor Details: Sonette on 082-569-6588 

big differences 

Photographer: LUME REITER PHOTOGRAPHY 

Biyosi Lolo Lumé 

Sipho 

Given Matthew Dumsani 


It is a dreaded event in anyone’s life. And one that often hits the hardest at 

the most inconvenient of times! A burst geyser or suprise fountain in your 

kitchen is a matter that cannot wait. You’d want it sorted out, swiftly! 

o would Lasea 

Swift, owner and 

manager of local 

plumbing, electrical 

and construction 

company Swift 

Group. Her motto 

in life is simply 

to serve and make 

a difference. For this 

reason, Swift is your best bet when 

a plumbing or electrical disaster hits 

the moment you’re least prepared. 

It has a 24-hour call-out service that 

guarantees customer-focused service 

365 days a year. 

Swift is a treasured company in the 

Lowveld that has had Lasea at the 

helm for over 10 years now. She’s a 

strong woman with a heart full of 

kindness who believes that business 

is a vital avenue for upliftment. Swift is 

involved with numerous community 

outreaches and educational initiatives 

that give learners an opportunity 

to improve their circumstances. 

These community projects are often 

conducted with the support of 

BUCO Nelspruit. 

Lasea herself is a force to be reckoned 

with and disproves the notion that 

women cannot have it all. While 

building the company, she also raised 

two daughters. The eldest, Lonita, has 

just started her vocal career and we’re 

sure to see a lot of her in the future. 

Younger sister Bianca is not far behind, 

and is already performing with her 

older sibling. 

It has not always been plain sailing, 

however. A few years ago, the 

company fell on hard times. It was 

then the local community which it had 

served with so much passion returned 

the favour. Lasea tells of the helping 

hand that BUCO lent during this time, 

and she credits Pottie Potgieter and his 

team for playing a vital role in Swift’s 

survival. 

Since then, it’s been a relationship of 

mutual understanding and Swift Group 

can be proud of the gusto it showed in 

overcoming trying times. 

The company’s services include 

any plumbing and electrical repairs, 

maintenance and services. It also 

does minor construction work and 

renovations. It currently manages 

more than 600 call-outs per month. 

All of which are wholeheartedly 

supported by BUCO Nelspruit and 

its sales representative, Ollie Oliver. 

Their willingness to help surpasses 

the clients’ usual expectations and the 

company has been there every step of 

the way. Swift’s 24-hour service is 

a success because it has a supplier 

which cares. 

Lasea is a formidable woman and 

Swift Group is a formidable company. 

Suddenly you realise that living in the 

Lowveld has yet another a great perk: 

when the proverbial pawpaw hits the 

proverbial fan in the middle of the 

night – and it seems you may both sink 

and swim in an electrical storm – you 

will not have to fear, because Swift is 

just a phone call away. And if it needs 

to bring in some extra reinforcements, 

it’ll have BUCO on its side. 

Lasea Swift and Ollie Oliver 


A force to be 

reckoned with 


Magical 

Mdluli 

Traversing a bumpy road on the southern border of 

the Kruger National Park is always a highly anticipated 

adventure, especially when the end destination is 

Mdluli Safari Lodge. Mellissa Bushby tells us more 

about her recent trip into the heart of tranquillity. 

Mdluli Safari Lodge is accessed via a 

tree-lined private road after you enter 

the park through the Numbi Gate. On 

arrival, you are greeted by the superefficient 

and incredibly friendly team 

members at reception, who advise you 

to park your car and check in. We were 

assisted by Audrey Malomane, whose 

warm smile and friendly manner 

immediately made us feel at home, 

along with operations manager Lisa 

Soine, who was on hand to personally 

welcome us to Mdluli. A petite and 

bubbly woman who clearly loves what 

she does (and really, who wouldn’t? 

This pod chair is just heavenly 


The place is magnificent!), she 

explained the story behind Mdluli 

to us while our luggage was being 

offloaded onto a golf cart, ready to 

be taken to our tent. 

Just below the reception area 

a rather large statue of a 

distinguished gentleman 

with his hand 

outstretched awaits 

guests, as if personally 

receiving them into 

his home. Which, in a 

way, he is. This is Inkhosi 

MZ Mdluli, whose vision 

was to see the Mdluli 

community benefiting 

through employment, 

education and communal 

development. After a long 

land restitution journey, this 

dream was realised, resulting 

in the Mdluli community 

having the freehold title of 

850 hectares of land inside 

the borders of the Kruger 

National Park. The lodge was 

established with the purpose 

of sustainably developing the 

infrastructure and lives of the 

Mdluli community, which receives 

financial, social and economic 

benefits from the daily running 

of the lodge. Unfortunately, the 

chief has passed away, but his 

legacy is alive and well in his son 

Inkhosi MI Mdluli, who picked up 

where his father had left off. Apart 

The statue of Inkhosi MZ Mdluli

from generating numerous other business 

opportunities, such as beading and artwork, 

the lodge itself employs nearly 200 men and 

women, 90% of whom are from the local 

community. 

“This is something we are very proud of,” Lisa 

smiles. “Our chief is a huge part of our success 

story. Our staff are completely invested in the 

success of Mdluli; we are like a family here.” 

She proudly shows us the beautiful beadwork 

displayed on the walls, all created by local 

craftspeople, as well as the wire artwork 

that runs across the entire back wall of the 

restaurant. “This is something interesting,” she 

explains. “At first it seems to be an abstract 

sculpture, but it is actually a representation of 

the granite rock that we have on the property, 

just behind the lodge.” Interesting indeed; 

we jump at the offer to see the granite rock 

after offloading the luggage and unpacking. 

At Mdluli, you can walk to wherever you are 

going within the camp or you can opt for a 

ride. You cannot drive your car to your tent, 

but the pathways are wide enough for a casual 

stroll or a golf cart, the main mode of transport. 

Luggage is taken to your tent and offloaded, 

and from there it’s up to you. We chose to hop 

on the cart; who doesn’t love a jaunt on one, 

especially through indigenous bush? The tent 

itself is beautiful, a welcome respite from the 

midday heat, and with a lovely view over the 

surrounding bush. An envelope with Mellissa 

and family greeted us when we unlocked the 

door, propped against a silver ice bucket with 

two glasses and a bottle of excellent red wine; 

tempting indeed and a lovely touch. 

The attention to detail inside the tent is 

impressive, from the white bedecked bed, 

a rather massive affair with a voluminous, 

delicate mosquito net draped over the corners, 

to the strategically placed - and plumped - 

cushions. The outdoor shower was particularly 

intriguing, and I promised myself that before 

I left, I would make use of it, with its quirky, 

vintage-style bronze taps and open-air appeal. 

Apart from the view, the deck boasts a pod 

Welcome to Mdluli 

The ever-so spectacular infinity pool 


chair, hotly contested between the kids. Not that I blame 

them; who can resist the gentle, swaying motion of a 

hammock-style chair on a long, lazy afternoon? I guarantee 

it will keep you within its embrace far longer than you 

expect, especially with an ice-cold beverage in hand and 

the wind sighing through the trees. It was tempting… but 

the stunning, azure infinity pool I spotted earlier beckoned, 

and besides, it was time to explore a bit. 

The pool didn’t disappoint. The water was icy cold at first, 

but soon warmed up to an enticing temperature. After 

rather a lot of splashing about (that was the kids) and 

gazing over the edge into the surrounding grasslands, 

picturing the romance of a bygone Africa (that was me), 

time – and sunsets, alas – waited for no one. It was time 

to dry off and to head out for a trip up to the famous rock 

with Lisa. This specific area in the Kruger is well-known 

for its granite rocks, especially around Pretoriuskop Rest 

Camp. They were formed around 3 500 million years ago 

when molten rock pushed its way up through the crust 

of the earth. The wire artwork on the back wall of the 

restaurant immediately makes sense; little swirls of rock, 

small, unformed boulder shapes and hollow cups of stone 

all tumble together in an amalgamation of shape and form 

unique to the earth. Walking up the rock and looking over 

the camp was an incredible, breathtaking moment, the 

view forever compelling me to stay, to sit down on the 

warm granite and to soak in the last rays of the sun and 

the wisdom of the world that surely dwells in the trees that 

stretch into infinity before me. I turned and watched the 

sun as it slowly sank behind the canopy of trees. This is the 

ideal spot for a sundowner, perhaps a G & T, to celebrate 

the aforementioned romance of a bygone time. 

After heading back to camp, we returned to our tent to 

anticipate dinner, which was to be held at the boma. In 

the restaurant, weekend dinners are usually held under the 

stars, weather permitting. Fires are lit, lanterns ignited and 

Out of Africa-style chairs placed in the soft sand. Braziers 

burn high as the night sounds surround the camp and the 

meal is served under the watchful gaze of the Milky Way. 

The food was well-prepared and there is something for 

everyone to enjoy. Lisa and her husband, Etienne, kept a 

watchful eye on the proceedings, making sure everyone 

was well fed and happy. It’s the perfect end to the day. 

Except in our case it wasn’t quite the end. 

We took a leisurely stroll along the pathway back to 

our tent while the children ran ahead. After the day’s 

excitement and a hot shower, it was time for them to wind 

down a bit before wandering off to the world of dreams. 

And it was time for me to open the bottle of red, climb into 

the pod and sway quietly in the cool air, listening to the 

earth sigh and the trees whisper their night-time secrets 

to one another. At times like these, life makes perfect 

sense, as it always does in this ancient land of wonder and 

enchantment, among nature. Here, the earth seems to 

share a few of her secrets and reveal a little of her mystery. 

The Mdluli clan certainly have a treasure here, but then I 

suspect they’ve known that all along. 

Details: 087-980-0431, info@mdlulisafarilodge.co.za or 

www.mdlulisafarilodge.co.za 

Luxury awaits you 

Sit back and relax 


Win! 

We are giving away one 

night’s accommodation for 

two adults, on a dinner, 

bed and breakfast rate, and 

it includes a game drive. 

To enter, send an email to 

competitions@getitlowveld. 

co.za with “Mdluli” in the 

subject line to reach us by 

noon on May 28. 

Please note: Rate 

will exclude the KNP 

conservation levy, 

community levy, beverages 

and any other personal 

items. 

The prize is valid for six 

months. Good luck! 


Treasures of Africa 

We’ve got wild flower reserves and red-necked spurfowls. Walking safaris and the 

most trafficked wild mammal in the world. And we’ve got big sky country. Explore the 

treasures of Africa though the pages of these great books. 


Walking safaris are one of the best ways to explore our 

parks and reserves, and Walking Safaris of South Africa 

is a great place to start. With close to 60 guided walks, 

there’s everything from short dawn and dusk walks to 

multi-day backpacking trails, from ultra-luxurious to 

wild camping under the stars. There are stories by hikers 

Hlengiwe Magagula and Denis Costello of tracking lions 

and elephant snacks (to inspire or scare) and masses of 

jolly useful info. Struik. • Gamebirds of Africa boasts being 

the definitive field guide, and this full-colour handbook 

includes everything you need to know to identify the 

89 species, and is a useful addition to the libraries of bird 

enthusiasts. Jacana. • In Pangolins – Scales of Injustice, 

Richard Peirce blends facts with fiction – keeping the story 

as close as possible to what’s likely to have happened on 

a journey of a pangolin poached in Zimbabwe and taken 

to Joburg to be sold to a waiting trafficker. He includes 

methods and stats of the trade, explains the links between 

wildlife and Covid-19, and details China’s response to the 

unfolding drama of the pandemic. Struik. • Beginning at 

Melkbosstrand just north of Cape Town, and ending where 

the Orange River meets the Atlantic Ocean, The West 

Coast explores a captivating part of South Africa, and 

reveals a bounty of treasures that give the West Coast, or 

Weskus as locals call it, its particular allure. Leon Nell takes 

you on a trip through seaside villages and inland towns, 

exploring the history, fauna and flora and interesting 

attractions along the way. Struik.

Big skies. Vast plains. Scrubby bushes and hardy trees. Flat-topped mountains and conical hills 

and secluded valleys. The Karoo. A place where dreams are born, legends are made, and outcasts find sanctuary. 

A place where human lineage predates any written history, whose story is revealed through geology, fossils 

and artefacts. Those of us who’re lucky enough to have travelled through and stayed in the Karoo know its 

beauty … a beauty that’s been captured through a series of astonishing photo-essays in Hidden Karoo. 

This coffee-table book offers readers a snapshot of the region, with a glimpse into towns and villages, farms 

and churches, public buildings and private homes, all against a backdrop of awe-inspiring landscapes. 

Patricia Kramer and Alain Proust’s book will delight fans of the area … and tempt those who’ve never been to 

explore the incredible Karoo (which derives from the Khoekhoe word karus, meaning dry, barren or thirsty land). It’s 

a book you’ll spend hours reading, with fascinating new facts on every page. Magnificent! Struik. 

May 2021 Get It Lowveld 45 

Compiled by: Kym Argo

GET IT DIRECTORY 

FILB0519NH

GET IT DIRECTORY 

VALE0519R 

available

Spoil 

May 

New feminine fragrance 

from Guess – Bella Vita 

Inspired by Southern California 

and the Mediterranean, the truly 

luscious new Guess Bella Vita scent 

is all Italian lemon, black cherries, and 

blackcurrant, blended into a floral heart of 

jasmine, tuberose, and vanilla orchid, with a 

warm amberwood, tonka bean, musk, and sweet 

praline finish. The fruity floral gourmand fragrance 

is glamorous and feminine and sexy … and you’ll 

find it at all leading retail outlets from R899. We’ve got a 

bottle to give away. To enter, pop over to our Facebook page 

(GetItNationalMagazines), find the Bella Vita 

competition post and follow the rules. Entries close May 28. 


Connect to a vibrant 

lifestyle in Nelspruit 

2 bedroom, freestanding homes from R1 499 000 



Matumi Valley is an exclusive new residential development within Nelspruit’s 

Valley View precinct. Designed to connect residents to all of life’s essentials, 

each of these freestanding duplex homes boasts exceptional craftsmanship 

with spacious floorplans, quality fittings, private gardens, automated garages 

and solar geysers. Beyond the superb estate features such as a clubhouse 

and top security infrastructure, Matumi gives buyers the choice of upgrading 

all 2 and 3 bedroom homes to a more spacious 3 or 4 bedroom home. 

To view or buy your home online visit crafthomes.co.za or call 08600 CRAFT. 

RM-CRAF0519M

THE BISTRO TABLE 

CREATE YOUR OWN 

GLOBAL DESIGN, 

ROOTED IN AFRICA 

RM-WEY0519M 

WEYLANDTS NELSPRUIT | 010 900 4551 | N.DEBRUIN@WEYLANDTSHOME.CO.ZA

Lowveld - May 2021

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