KIDS - July 2021

Kids
This month we’re...
meeting an inspiring, young
musical maestro and reviewing
some wonderful new kids’ reads!
winter
spoils
WIN
a toy hamper
worth R3000

Text: Bronwyn forbes-hardinge | Photo: Patrick Royal
50 Get It • Ballito Umhlanga July 2021

Young musical
prodigy
A young Durban North musician is making waves in the music industry with a song he
wrote and produced during lockdown aimed at helping people focus on the positive.
As his young fingers work the
fretboard and he strums his Ibanez
electric guitar, Ethan Briggeman is a
quiet, ‘no drama’ performer. But still
waters run deep.
The 12-year-old musician attracted a
great deal of attention after writing
and recording his inspiring song,
titled ‘Change Your Mind’, during the
Covid lockdown. The song focusses
on optimism for the future and sees
Ethan on lead vocals and rap, as he
delivers some impressive electric
guitar work. “Like most kids, I had a
toy guitar when I was very young,
but I think my parents must have
seen something more in me than
just a little kid jamming, because they
bought me my first acoustic guitar
when I was just five years old.”
At the age of nine, a family member
gave Ethan his first electric guitar
and from there things just took off!
“I am really passionate about playing
guitar and grateful to be part of a
family of musicians who are also my
biggest supporters. My sister, Emily,
plays the keyboard very well and
my dad, Edwin, plays the trumpet
as a hobby. He was in a cover band
in the Netherlands called Zenith of
Zeal for a few years until he moved
to South Africa. He also played in a
Glenn Miller-style big band before
conducting that band and he still
plays for fun now and then. My mom,
Eloise, is our organiser and greatest
support when my dad, sister and I
sometimes perform as the Briggeman
Band.”
In 2018 Ethan started weekly lessons
at Destiny Music Academy (DMA) in La
The first song I mastered on guitar was
Apache by The Shadows. It’s uploaded to my
YouTube channel along with a number of
other covers I have enjoyed trying my hand at.
Lucia. That same year, he played his electric guitar at a solo jam and was part of a
band in the show, ‘The Greatest Show’, where he played electric guitar and sang
a duet. The Grade 7 Reddam House Umhlanga learner was also recently asked to
sing an inspiring song for their junior executive induction ceremony and he sang
Hall of Fame by The Script.
“The first song I mastered on guitar was Apache by The Shadows. It’s uploaded to
my YouTube channel (which was launched in July last year) along with a number
of other covers I have enjoyed trying my hand at. I really enjoy music that’s catchy
or funky to play like the music from the Beetles. I’m a huge Lenny Kravitz fan
because he does a variety of songs and his technical ability with solos is amazing
and inspiring, so naturally when it comes to the ultimate guitar I’d like to own…
it’s a Gibson Les Paul… because Lenny has one!”
Speaking of inspiration, during the first lockdown Ethan desperately wanted to
inspire the world and encourage people to focus on a brighter future. He began
to play around on the keyboard (yes he can do that too!) and his guitar and
composed the tune to the song he titled Change Your Mind.
“It took only a few hours to match the words with the music, but two months to
fine-tune the song before it premiered on his YouTube channel in December last
year.
The video was choreographed and edited by Patrick Royal and features
appearances by Ethan’s family and a few close friends.
Apart from becoming a successful song writer, singer and guitar player, Ethan,
who has more than just musical talents, would like to be an Olympic champion
for track and field athletics and a successful businessman to show people that
hard work does pay off.
The cross country champ, who belongs to Aspire Athletics, has competed in the
Tinman Triathlon Series Mini and is a two-time SA Judo gold medallist. A big feat
for a little kid!
Change Your Mind is available for download on various platforms and the promo
video can be viewed on Ethan’s YouTube channel: Ethan Briggeman. He can be
followed on FB: @EthanHBriggeman and IG: @ethan.briggeman
July 2021 Get It • Ballito Umhlanga 51

What do teens want?
great looking skin
52 Get It • Ballito Umhlanga July 2021
PROMOTION
And they can, with RITES, a fuss-free, local brand that’s perfect for boys and girls
Great skin ... in five easy steps
Prevention’s better than cure
Rather than trying to cure acne, teens should rather
preempt it ... starting a skincare routine early to prevent
acne and blemishes. RITES is a small, easy-to-use South
African brand, which is cruelty-free and is brilliant for
boys and girls.
Your 10 minute RITES routine
Being a teenager can be stressful, so the last thing you need
to be worrying about is your skincare regime. To save you the
hassle, RITES has put together the ultimate 10-minute routine
to combat everything from pimples to oiliness. All you need
is five minutes in the morning and five minutes again in the
evening to marvel at your skin! Ready. Set. Go!
Cleanse and Exfoliate: 1 minute
Start your routine off by cleansing and exfoliating your
skin. Gently massage the Foam Fighter foaming face
wash over your skin. It is the ultimate daily face wash that
fights to remove impurities while leaving your skin feeling
fresh, renewed, and matte. You can also combine the
Power Powder exfoliating powder to gently buff away the
unhealthy cells for a noticeably smoother, clearer, and more
refined complexion.
1
2
3
4
5
Cleanse carefully. At least twice a day.
Wash off make-up before bed. Allow your skin
to breathe at night without clogging your pores.
Control oil. Even if your skin is oily, you still
need to moisturise. Think hydration rather than
excessive oil production.
Exfoliate. You need to exfoliate once or twice
a week with a gentle, oil-free exfoliator.
Keep your hands clean. Every time you touch
your face, you are spreading oil, dirt, and
bacteria that can turn into a breakout! Always
wash your hands before touching your face
and regularly clean and disinfect surfaces that
touch your face, like your phone!
Treat: 3 minutes
Next, you will tone the skin with our refreshing toning
wipes. The Fresh Crusader wipes provide intensive
cleaning for problem areas such as the pesky T-zone.
Infused with witch hazel, cucumber and aloe vera, these
wipes help to unclog the pores and provide hydration in
one simple swipe. After toning, apply Disappearing Act
to specific problem areas and allow time for the product
to penetrate the skin. It has been designed to remove
excess oil and bacteria, while using natural elements to
reduce inflammation.
Moisturise and Protect: 1 minute
Whether you are off to school, or getting ready to hit the
sheets, you will want to make sure your face is moisturised.
In the morning, use RITES Control Freak SPF30 to
moisturise and protect the skin. At night, use the Smart
Hydrator to repair your skin while you sleep. Be sure to
apply the moisturiser to the face and neck, starting on the
cheeks and spreading outwards and upwards, and if you are
fast, then you may just have a few seconds to spare!
Get into the habit of following the above steps each day for
a solid and effective skincare routine.
For RITES stockists, visit www.rites.co.za • 0860 01 80 22
FACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM @ritesskinsolution

Little reads
Looking for some great books to motivate reading? Here
are a handful of fabulous kiddies reads (with giveaways)
written by local authors that will open the doorway to
turning your little one into a voracious reader.
My Family of Superheroes
“Every child, irrespective of gender or
race, will find themselves in situations
that test their self-confidence and
courage,” says author Zinhle T.
Matthews. “Wouldn’t it be amazing
if they had a fool-proof, lifelong tool
to use in these circumstances? A
potent mantra which could lift them
above self-doubt and fear into a
position of power, well equipped
to take on the world – and win!” Her
beautifully illustrated book, My Family
of Superheroes, focuses on how
positive phrases can help children
realise their inner strength and
potential. It tells the story of Precious
who, inspired by her mother, uses
positive affirmation to overcome her
insecurities and doubts. The book is
available at Amazon, Ethnikids, Book
Circle Capital and other selected
bookstores and is set to be translated
into various languages, and to be
converted into an audio book.
Details: FB: Zinhle Superheroes IG: @
myfamilyofsuperheroes
WIN: ONE OF TWO COPIES (VISIT
@gETITMAGNC AND ENTER ON
THIS POST) Photo: Brendon Croft
Luna Learns About Viruses
Learning about the coronavirus and
coping with lockdown has been
overwhelming for us all, especially
children. With this in mind, Hillcrest
mother of two, Shareez Bagaria,
used her spare time to write about
viruses, as she educated her curious
children Luna (4) and Shay (11). Her
handwritten notes have been turned
into an exciting book titled, Luna
Learns About Viruses. Aimed at the
foundation phase age group, the
book is written in a simple rhyming
style, is easy to read and remember
and is designed to be both a teacher’s
aid and a parental guide. The book’s
big, bold, beautiful illustrations are
the artwork of Shareez’s niece, Gianna
Naidoo. The book is also being
printed in isiZulu. It can be bought
online at www.madeindurban.co.za
for R175 and delivery is free across
South Africa.
WIN: ONE OF TWO COPIES (VISIT
@gETITMAGNC AND ENTER ON
THIS POST)
Gone Little Cat
Gone Little Cat is Blythedale author,
Gustav Preller’s fifth book. But it’s
his first for children. Aimed at 10 to
15-year-olds, the book (which tells
the story of a highly-pedigreed,
pampered cat who gets lost in a
forest and has to learn to live in the
wild) has been very well received by
both children and adults who’ve been
the storytellers to little ones. All the
animals in the story have names and
personalities. They all talk and the
dialogue is great! Their very existence
is threatened by powerful predators
... humans … and the animals
embark on a fateful course of action.
While the environmental theme of
deforestation is contemporary and
relevant, Gone Little Cat is also about
growing up, understanding that one
doesn’t have to be the same to be
friends and, through courage and
resilience, finding one’s self in a world
that contains both good and bad.
It’s beautifully illustrated by a Kenyan
artist, David Wachania, the book is
available at all Ballito book stores and
most book stores nationwide for R195.
WIN: ONE OF TWO COPIES (VISIT
@gETITMAGNC AND ENTER ON
THIS POST)
July 2021 Get It • Ballito Umhlanga 53

GET IT KIDS DIRECTORY
July-Animal farmyard.indd 1
6/15/2021 11:47:26 AM
ril-Jennifer Gaul.indd 1
3/8/2021 2:38:09 PM
GET
LOCAL MAGAZINES
IT
TO ADVERTISE IN OUR MAY ISSUE
& GET IT KIDS
Contact: Bev Delew
Phone: 071 276 0926 Office: 031 716 4464
Email: bevd@dbn.caxton.co.za
July-kzn tennis.indd 1
2021/06/15 12:24:07 PM

There was a time, not so long
ago, when childhood offered
the space and freedom for
children to explore their world.
To be curious, creative and bold.
To just be. Today, our overscheduled
and overstimulated
children are using their
imaginations less than ever and,
for this reason, we have fallen
in love with educational toy
brand, Melissa & Doug. Since
it’s founding, more than 30
years ago, the people behind
the Melissa & Doug brand have
been committed to making
products that inspire openended
thinking, encourage kids
to see new possibilities and
offer countless ways to play. It’s
all part of a bigger vision to take
back childhood. From classic,
wooden toys to crafts, pretend
play and games, Melissa &
Doug products provide a launch
pad to ignite imagination and a
sense of wonder in all children
so they can discover themselves,
their passions and their
purpose. For more information
visit @atoyforyou on Facebook.
Treat
July
A world of playtime possibilities
WIN! We’re giving away a fabulous Melissa & Doug hamper loaded with
the following items: Magnetic Matching Picture Game (R330), Suspend
(R300), Sea Life Scissor Skills (R125), Mosaic Sticker Pad - Safari Animals
(R125), Play, Draw, Create - Farm Fun (R295), Fun Activity Pad - Under the
Sea (R125), Poke-A-Dot: Old MacDonald (R250), Water Wow - Adventure
Deluxe (R180), Super Smile Dentist Play Set (R525), Innovation Academy -
Planetary Orbiter (R380), Scratch Art Deluxe Party Pack (R330) and Cutting
Food Box (R395). Enter on our social media platforms (@GetItMagNC)
where you see this post!
July 2021 Get It • Ballito Umhlanga 55