April 2023 - Lowveld

TRUDY ZULU
Smashing
glass ceilings
Loving local
with the
iconic padstal
Windows
of wonder
& colour
Brave, young
Lowvelders
making a
difference
An EASTER
pIcnIc TO
REMEMBER
HAPPY EASTER!
SHOPPING, PEOPLE AND LIFESTYLE IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD
ApRIL 2023

contents
GET IT
Editorial
Phone 013 754 1600
Lowveld Media
12 Stinkhout Crescent, Mbombela
Facebook Get It Lowveld
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Website getitmagazine.co.za/lowveld/
Editor
Mellissa Bushby
mellissa@getitlowveld.co.za 084 319 2101
Photographers
Tanya Erasmus 083 778 7725
Belinda Erasmus 082 567 0596
Layout
Wessel Cöhrs
Subeditors
Jess Steyn • Wahl Lessing
Sales
Colletha Noppé Rattray
colletha@lowvelder.co.za 082 745 2387
GET IT NATIONAL
National Group Editor and
National Sales
Kym Argo
kyma@caxton.co.za 082 785 9230
Facebook and Instagram:
Get It National Magazines
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’ 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
Lowveld within 10 days or they will be forfeited.
Prizewinners names are published on our
Facebook page monthly.
Why don’t you ...
02 Attend an oil painting workshop, watch a live show
or enjoy an Easter fair
04 With two long weekends this month, there is plenty
of time to lose yourself in our great book club reads
WISH LIST
06 From to-die-for fridge cake to sublime Irish whiskey, overindulge
with our OTT April must-haves
people
08 We chat to the gorgeous Trudy Zulu about
blooming with grace
BEAUTY
12 Sumptuous Autumn textures and shades of coffee,
chocolate and sienna
HEALTH
14 Brave, young couple Robin and Jolandie Lewis on
travels, true love and saving lives
FOOD
22 Keep calm and enjoy a picnic with our
Easter foodie ideas
ART & DECOR
26 Appreciating the beautiful and delicate
age-old art of stained glass
TRAVEL
30 The padstal is an iconic feature of the Lowveld,
we visit a few to find out more
Win
32 A bottle of heavenly Montblanc
Signature Absolue
COVER LOOK
Trudy Zulu.
Make-up: Goitsimang Nthithe.
Photographer: Mbongo Keswa.
Stylist: Busisiwe Mavuso.
Shot on location at Arise Films.
april 2023
April 2023 Get It Lowveld 01

A hot date!
Pencil these events into your April diary right now
We’re so keen for a gorgeous oil
1 painting workshop hosted by
Marian Jagger. Held at Casterbridge
Lifestyle Centre, from 10am to 1pm,
tickets cost R600. Payment secures
your booking. Details: Marian on
083 479 3323
Pop in at the Mbombela Farmers
1 Market in the Lowveld Botanical
Garden from 10am to 7pm. Treats
include food, cocktails, craft beer, live
music and a kids’ corner. Tickets available
through Webtickets or at the gate. Don’t
miss out! Details: 079 651 6613
15
Enjoy a natural soap-making
workshop with Denise de
Villiers of Lowveld Soap and the
Crafted Cosmetics team. Hosted at
Little Amsterdam at Alkmaar, the
event is from 9am to 3pm. Tickets
cost R850. Details: 084 205 9522
1
Hip, hop, hooray! Join us for the Cotton Tails & Carrot Tops Easter Fair at Miz Gooz Berry, Kaapsehoop.
Browse through delightful arts and crafts, artisanal treats, jewellery, home decor, artwork and much, much
more. There will be something for everyone at this fun-filled family event. Stall fees will be in aid of Grace
Baby Haven. 9am to 4pm. Free entry. Details: 082 883 6192
02 Get It Lowveld April 2023

If you have a date for our diary, email the info at least a month in advance to jess@lowvelder.co.za
14
Get swinging at the Ramps-to-Runway Golf
Day at Mbombela Golf Club. Format is a fourball
alliance. Registration begins at 8:30am with a
shotgun start at 10am. The fourball costs R2 000
(includes halfway house and prize-giving). Dinner,
an auction and prize-giving are from 5:30pm.
Details: Niki Viljoen on 066 107 0889
The ever-enigmatic Koos Kombuis will take to the
21 stage at The Pub in 10 Jones Street, Mbombela.
Forget about life’s worries and enjoy the live entertainment
and fun. Tickets cost R200. The band strikes up at 7pm.
Details: 013 755 4861
29
Don’t miss the chance to see a South African film
legend, the spectacular Lizz Meiring, perform at
Suikerbossie Tea Garden outside Mbombela. She will
grace the Lowveld stage with her latest project, Een keer
’n week is genoeg. The show starts at 2pm and costs R200
(includes snack box). Details: 082 813 3390
29
Get active as Legogote Villagers host the Screaming
Monster Fun Run. Join the run or just bring the
family for a fun day out and a post-run picnic as food, a
beer garden and swimming pools will be available. Held
at Mankele Adventures, it costs R50 for the fun run, R110
for the 10km, and R210 for the 21.1km. The event begins
at 6:30am. Details: Ada Stroh on 082 417 1637, or 078 801 0453
(accommodation)

Book club
Two long weekends this month, so plenty of time to catch up on your reading.
And with loads of amazing new titles on the bookshelves, you’re spoilt for choice.
Imagine, when your child is
a year old, discovering there
may have been a switch at
the fertility clinic. She may
not be yours. Imagine, too,
a year after your daughter
is stillborn, getting a call to
say there may have been a
mistake ... your egg may have
been given to the wrong
person, and your daughter is
alive. Worst. Nightmare. Ever.
Charlene Carr’s hold My Girl
is a rollercoaster of a read ...
tender, thought-provoking,
emotional. Two women.
Two eggs. One life-changing
switch and a custody battle
fought to the bitter (and it is
bitter) end. Welbeck
Compiled by: KYM ARGO
04 Get It Lowveld April 2023
Two Dogs, a Peacock and a Horse walk into a bar ... and
everyone lived happily ever after. We’re all for a sense of
humour. And a great glass of Sauv. Put the two together
and what’s not to love! This is the 10th vintage of Black
Elephant Vintners & Co’s Two Dogs, a Peacock and a
horse Sauvignon Blanc 2022, and the vintage, they say, has
shown up for the celebration. The Cheerleader (the wine’s
nickname) is smooth and fruity (think melon, tropical fruits,
gooseberry) and, the wine makers say, doesn’t mess with
you ... no acidic heartburn after a few glasses. It is, they boast,
perfect for pool parties (and we think book clubs) and 1000
of your closest friends ... and pairs best with Mango Groove’s
Dance Some More. Around R92.

A heavily armed counter-assault
team. Sedatives strong enough for
large animals. A hood. A mouthguard.
And Secret Service Agents asking
for selfies. Not your average meeting
with the President. But Orphan X
is not your average guest. The last
survivor of the off-the-books Orphan
programme, Evan was trained to do
his government’s dirty work. Until he
escaped. Now the President makes an
offer: kill a man, or be executed. If you
haven’t yet discovered The Orphan X
books by Gregg Hurwitz, you’re in for
a treat. And for fans of Evan Smoak,
The Last Orphan has all the high
tension you’d expect, particularly in
this one ... since putting Orphan X in
an impossible spot only makes him
more dangerous. Penguin
Gil knows his nephew, Matthew, is
dangerous. The signs were there ...
on a family holiday Gil’s daughter
was discovered nearly drowning at
the bottom of a pool, while Matthew
looked on. Now 17, Matthew is
orphaned and has to leave his Upper
East Side Manhattan life behind to
live with Gil, his wife and daughters
in rural Vermont. To Gil, he appears
insolent, bored, disconnected. To the
women he’s charming, intelligent,
wry. But when he joins Gil’s writing
classes, Matthew’s fiction shows a
vivid and macabre imagination ... he
is clearly announcing his intentions
to Gil, taunting him before he does
something awful to his family. Nathan
Oates’ A Flaw in the Design is
creepily thrilling. Profile
All from Exclusive Books.
A new production company. A
tough reality show. A camera
woman who needs to start her
career afresh. Add errors and
mishaps on set, tempers among
the cast and crew fraying and
then a death, and the tension
in Freeze by Kate Simants
becomes real! Profile
A compulsive liar. Except when it
comes to murder. His concerned
psychologist, who fears another
girl may be in danger, calls in an
anonymous tip. A detective who
loves nothing more than a cold
case. All wrapped up in Cold
Blooded Liar, the first in Karen
Rose’s new romantic drama
suspense series. Headline

Wish list
Should be called The Over-Indulge List
since we are, quite unashamedly, going OTT this month
The Legendary Dark Silkie Irish
Whiskey is rich, smoky and super soft,
with hints of apple, pipe tobacco and
salted-caramel sweetness, as well as
dark chocolate and oak, with a smooth
peat-smoked finish. Superb neat or
over ice but equally delicious in this
Espresso Martini, which we plan to
enjoy this Easter weekend. You’ll need
50ml Dark Silkie Irish Whiskey, 30ml
chilled espresso, 15ml coffee liqueur
and 10ml simple syrup. Simply shake
vigorously with ice in a cocktail shaker,
then strain into a chilled coupe glass.
Garnish with chocolate powder. The
Legendary Dark Silkie Irish Whiskey
costs R610 from cutlerdrinks.co.za
and bottle stores.
06 Get It Lowveld April 2023

Chocolate Easter Fridge Cake
This rich, indulgent chocolate fridge cake recipe is from Woolworths.
A. Maz. Ing! It serves 10, takes half an hour or so to put together, then just
chill until it’s time to serve.
You’ll need: 200g chopped milk chocolate, 200g chopped dark chocolate,
2 1/2 cups cream, 220g vanilla shortbread, chopped into pieces, 100g
shelled and chopped pistachios, and speckled eggs or Chuckles, to
decorate
To make: Line the bottom of a 20cm springform cake tin with baking paper.
Place the chocolate in a glass or metal bowl over a pan of
simmering water. Stir until the chocolate has melted. Warm
the cream slightly in a saucepan and stir into the melted
chocolate. Mix in the shortbread and nuts, and spoon into
the tin. Chill for two hours. When ready to serve, place a
hot cloth around the sides of the tin for three minutes to
melt the edges. Unmould onto a platter and decorate with
speckled eggs or Chuckles.
Wine suggestion: Woolworths Ken Forrester Chenin Blanc
Noble Late Harvest 2016
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Red wine hot chocolate?
Yip ... it’s a (delicious) thing!
What’s better than chocolate with wine? Chocolate
in wine of course! A rather indulgent hot drink.
You’ll need: 375ml milk, 250ml Spier Cab Sauv/Merlot/
Shiraz Signature, 90g dark chocolate chunks, and
whipped cream for serving (optional).
To make: Combine milk and dark chocolate in a
saucepan over medium heat. Whisk until chocolate
is melted and you have a thick, creamy chocolate
milk. Pour in red wine and heat until everything
is hot. Pour into two mugs or six to eight smaller
glasses and top with a dollop of whipped cream.
Spier Cab Sauv/Merlot/Shiraz Signature is around
R89 a bottle from bottle stores.
Ts and Cs apply. Full offer available at
Customer Service Desk
With panels in different shades, our
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Orders yours today from Anlea
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Enjoy Responsibly. Not for persons
under the age of 18 years

Blooming with
GRACE
Businesswoman, clothing designer, chat show host,
friend, mother … Trudy Zulu balances life like a pro.
Text: MELLISSA BUSHBY. Photographer: MBONGO KESWA
08 Get It Lowveld April 2023
Growing up in White River, Trudy explains that her formative years were
an incredible experience, shaping her outlook on life in so many positive
ways. “There were three siblings,” she recalls, “and emphasis was always
placed on the importance of serving and sharing with others.” Trudy
decided early on that she wanted to help improve the lives of others,
especially young people. “The environment you grow up and live in is
everything,” she says. “My ultimate goal was to know enough about key
industries that would have a positive influence on the future. I’ve studied
admin, green technology and data analytics, and I am currently doing my
MBA in entrepreneurship and innovation.”
Trudy has always nurtured a love of the music industry, seeing herself
involved in it someday. Following her heart in that direction led to her
starting up a production company with friend and business partner
Triumph Lubisi. T & T Media was the fulfilment of a dream, creating uplifting,
inspiring local content to which people could relate. Another one of
Trudy’s passions was clothing. In high school, she loved being creative,
and fashion was the ideal outlet. In that vein, she decided to start her own
fashion brand, Zapporrah, which offers high-end designs at an affordable
price. “What inspired me to start the brand was the problem I found I had
finding clothing that fit my body as a young, tall African woman with curves
and a particular waist,” Trudy explains. “I wanted to create a clothing brand
whose name spoke of the beauty of African women, which realistically
catered for people like me around the world. Actually, any woman who
wants to embrace the beauty of their uniqueness.”
It doesn’t end there, however. Trudy’s latest and most fulfilling endeavour
to date is the development of female entrepreneurs in Africa, which
she does through STEM and ESD programmes, as well as speaking
engagements done in conjunction with an organisation she has founded
called Bloom with Grace, which focuses on empowering individuals,
especially women. “I never realised this project would take up so much of
my time,” she smiles. “The reality is that our country has many challenges,
which actually presents a great opportunity for entrepreneurship. What’s
also important to note is the high level of unemployment, especially
among the youth. Entrepreneurship is the lifeblood of SA’s economy,
contributing to about 40% of the country’s GDP. It just makes sense that
we need more entrepreneurs, which will result in more job opportunities
for the unemployed. I believe it is crucial that we make sure entrepreneurs
receive the tools they need in order to have a fighting chance in this very
volatile economy.”

Trudy Zulu

Noah and Umi with their mum
She goes on to say that there is
a significant gap in terms of how
information and resources are made
available to the marginalised and less
fortunate, and Bloom with Grace is
aimed at giving access to information
and resources wherever possible.
“To facilitate this, we’ll be hosting
entrepreneurship events for the next
couple of months, which will provide
mentorship, skills transfer, networking,
community and value-add in terms
of financial, legal and technological
access to information and resources
available to us. We also have partnered
with a financial institution by hosting
events that provide guidance in
the areas of personal finance. This
is for everyone, whether you are an
entrepreneur or work a 9-to-5. Lastly,
we will also be addressing the social
and personal challenges we face as
women in our society.”
She adds that it is important to reach
communities with whatever resources
we have at our disposal, because of
the shortage of access to some of the
things mentioned. “Business is tough
in general. I think a lot is being done
to ensure inclusivity for women, but
we are far from where we desire to be
in terms of opportunities and gender
equity, especially in male-dominated
industries. I salute the women in
10 Get It Lowveld April 2023
the Lowveld and South Africa alike,
who are breaking glass ceilings and
cementing themselves in our society.
They are making it that much easier
for the next generation of women. It’s
Trudy and Triumph lubisi
important to remember that there’s no
need to be apologetic about being in
the spaces we find ourselves in. If you
know you deserve to be there, then
thrive in that area unapologetically.
I think we also have to realise the
opportunity that exists in working
together as women. We need to stick
together to ensure more women are
in places of influence and decisionmaking
in order to improve the
conditions for other sisters in society.
Ultimately, we all have to pull together
to make our country better for the sake
of the generations that come after us.”
At home, Trudy is mum to two
gorgeous children, Umi (2) and Noah
(5), who she says are the absolute
blessing and highlight of her life, and
despite having a hectic schedule, she
tries to spend as much time as possible
with them. “They inspire me every
day. The word of God encourages
living a quiet life, and I’m very private
when it comes to anything personal,
especially family,” she says, “but on the
other hand, life is busy. I am intentional
about balancing out time with them so
that they don’t feel the distance; I think
intentionality is key in everything I do.”
She adds that she isn’t convinced a
100% work-life balance really exists, but
she does, however, firmly believe that
you can thrive when you understand
how to prioritise. “Not everything will
be important every single time,” she
says. “There’s a time to work and a time
to play and a time to spend with family.
It is important to be fully present in
each one. That is how I manage to
make it all work.”
Inspired by women who do
groundbreaking work, such as Emma
Grede, those who are constantly
trying to improve themselves, and the
endless potential of this continent
we call home, Trudy says she is also
motivated by God, the ultimate
creative. “I mean, just look at the world!”
she laughs. “I love to have people
around me who constantly help me
to understand the importance of
discipline, character and hard work.”
Ultimately, Trudy is all about smashing
those glass ceilings and being the
best version of herself that she can,
and doing it with style, elegance and
a strong will to make life better. As she
is so fond of saying, wherever you are
planted, live with grace.

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These 100 per cent natural
Superfood Make-up
Foundation Set balms from
SA skincare brand Eco Diva
Natural are a first. Packed with
power superfoods, vitamins
and antioxidants (so your skin
is consistently being hydrated,
rejuvenated and recharged
when you wear it), the silky
textured foundation glides on,
lasts a good eight hours and
leaves you looking like you
aren’t wearing make-up at all.
Just flawless, silky-smooth, eventoned
glowing skin. Because
it looks like you’re make-up
free, they’re popular with men
who want to hide blemishes,
too, and can be worn by those
suffering from skin conditions
like psoriasis, pigmentation,
premature ageing, acne, rosacea
and eczema. Four base shades,
which you can blend to get
the perfect shade for your skin,
and they’re packaged with a
washable bamboo artist palette,
two wooden artist scraper tools
and a shading and highlighting
tutorial. R1495 from ecodiva.co.za
RICH
BEAUTY
Sumptuous textures and shades
of coffee, chocolate and sienna
The latest in the
Moroccanoil Body
Line is this lush
Moroccanoil hand
Cream with argan oil
and hyaluronic acid.
Lightweight,
fast absorbing,
non-greasy, and in six
gorg Mediterraneaninspired
scents. From
R180 from salons and
spas or online on
splush.co.za
All over coverage without creasing and
caking. Lancôme Teint Idole ultra Wear
Concealer is a shortcut to a perfect
complexion. Hydrating, lightweight, easy to
apply, it brightens dark under-eye circles and
covers imperfections. Loads of skin-loving
ingredients, too. Wear it alone or with Teint
Idole Ultra Wear 24H Longwear foundation. It
comes in 15 shades, costs R510 and you’ll find
it at Edgars, Woolworths, Foschini, Truworths
and Superbalist.
12 Get It Lowveld April 2023

Indulge in Enzyme
peel, the powerful
and potent fruit
enzyme formulation
that sweeps away
the pore-clogging
skin cells that conceal
your natural glow.
The super formula
removes dead and
damaged skin cells in
minutes. From Aniska
Skin and Art,
082 686 6295.
What if red could talk. Would it shout wear me
proudly, or whisper slip me on discreetly? Either way,
this collection from Chanel works. Two oversized
eyeshadow palettes with matte and satin shades
(both include the wonderful matte sienna red shade),
eyeliner in rose, nails in watermelon. Red rises to a
crescendo on the lips with Rouge Allure Velvet in soft
mauve beige, delicate dusty orange, deep sienna red,
and iconic and bold dusty red. Available in Chanel
stores or online at woolworths.co.za
New Estée Lauder Pure Colour Lipsticks are
the ideal statement-making addition to your
make-up collection. Beautiful colour glides
on effortlessly, creating a smooth, luxurious
crème finish that covers lips in an unbelievably
comfortable, dreamy texture. With eight-hour
wear, Pure Colour is designed to complement all
undertones and skin tones. R545, from Mopani.

Giving new meaning to ‘intrepid adventurers’, Robin and
Jolandie Lewis have decided to put their normal, everyday
lives on hold for a while, throwing caution to the wind
and living like there’s no tomorrow.
Robin and Jolandie met at Innibos
in 2015, and both agree there
was an instant connection. At
the time, Jolandie was studying
law in Pretoria, while Robin was
running his carpentry business in
Mbombela. After a year of longdistance
dating, she decided to
put her career on hold and moved
down to the ‘Spruit. She joined
Robin at Manshed Carpentry, and
many great joint projects later, things
were going along swimmingly. Life
was good.
But things were about to take an
unexpected turn. Robin started to find
that everyday tasks were becoming
harder and harder to perform. Even
picking up his toolbox or walking up
the stairs was difficult. The couple
decided to make a quick stopover at
Mopani for a general check-up. The
sister on call took one look at Robin
and told him to get to a doctor,
which he did.
He was sent for a few relevant blood
tests, expecting to get the results
back in a day or two. Instead, he
received a phone call that same
evening to say he would need to
go to hospital immediately. “We
were cooking dinner, and joking
around, not a care in the world,” he
remembers. “I had to explain that we
didn’t have medical aid at the time,
but the doctor convinced me to go
to Rob Ferreira’s casualty ward.”
Robin ended up staying in Rob for
a month. “That was a whole story
on its own,” he says. “I won’t go into
details, but let’s just say that my
stay there was quite the adventure,
and we hope to never have to go
there again. While I lay in one of
the forgotten wards, Jolandie was
running our business along with
our guys. Meanwhile, doctors were
struggling to find a diagnosis, but
whispers of cancer were heard in
Text: MELLISSA BUSHBY
Beloved, brave Betsy, an ex-fire rescue truck
14 Get It Lowveld April 2023

the hallway …”
At the time, the man lying opposite
Robin was fighting a serious heart
condition. At one point, he was
pleading with the nurses to bring him
a glass of water, but they paid him
absolutely no attention, Rob recollects.
“So I got up and fetched him a glass of
water, a seemingly meaningless task
that would change our way of doing
things for the rest of our lives. The man
was so grateful, and thanked me with
tears in his eyes. The moment inspired
me to make an oath to our Creator that
if it was cancer and he would spare me
for another 10 years, I would do my
part in paying it forward and making a
difference. I phoned up Jolandie and
told her about my experience, and she
agreed to start up an NPO with me.
She named it Numinous Expeditions.”
The doctors couldn’t do much for
Robin at Rob Ferreira, and after
three painful bone marrow biopsies,
they referred the pair to Steve Biko
in Pretoria, giving the diagnosis of
aplastic anemia (bone marrow failure).
“They eventually told us that the only
possible chance of surviving would be
to undergo a stem cell transplant, and
the only government facility that was
able to do it is Groote Schuur in Cape
Town,” he explains. So they hopped
on a flight, and Groote Schuur did a
final bone marrow biopsy to try to get
behind the diagnosis. One of the main
issues was to find a match that would
be compatible for the transplant, but
there wasn’t a single 100% match for
Rob in the world. “My sister was found
to be a 50% match - not ideal, but it
was my only chance,” he says.
On top of all this, the couple were
engaged to be married and had
already started planning their wedding.
The doctor at Groote Schuur told
them to go home, get married, and
prepare to move down to Cape Town
for the duration of the treatment
and recovery. Their wedding came,
a beautiful day filled with laughter
and joy despite all the uncertainty
surrounding them. Then, two days
later, Robin’s phone rang. “I should
have chucked it in the river by then,”
he laughs. It was the doctor from
Cape Town and she had bad news.
“She said she wanted to wait until we
had gotten married to tell me I had
been diagnosed with blood cancer
- leukemia (MDS). We had to get to
‘I smiled, knowing
that I had been given
the decade I had asked
for. A strange calmness
came over me’
Cape Town ASAP, making the difficult
decision to close up our business and
sell off our possessions.”
With the support of friends and family,
the couple headed off. On arrival, they
were disappointed to find out that
one more test needed to be run, and
they’d have to wait another week for
the outcome. They kept themselves
busy with Numinous Expeditions,
Jewellery that is sold at markets
Robin and Jolandie Lewis
which had by now become a passion.
When the diagnosis came, it wasn’t
good. “The doctor explained that I
had been diagnosed with a rare and
incurable disease called Fanconi
anaemia,” Robin says, “which causes
cancers throughout a person’s life and
was ultimately the cause behind the
leukaemia. She said if I were to survive
the transplant process, I would only
have a life expectancy of another 10
years. I smiled, knowing that I had
been given the decade I had asked
for. A strange calmness came over me,
unusual under the circumstances, but
it felt right.”
They booked in for the transplant the
following week, never imagining what
they would have to go through. The
doctors said they would have to be
in Cape Town for six months, but they
ended up having to stay for two years
as a result of complications. “I’m not
going to go into much detail about
the treatment itself, but I invite anyone
who is going through something
similar to contact us. Jolandie nursed
me for five months in isolation, and
when I finally got discharged with my
new stem cells, I was pretty weak and
unable to work,” Rob says.
Realising they had to find a way of
earning an income, Jolandie came
up with the idea of sustainable
jewellery to sell at the local markets.
As a result of Robin’s condition, they
also started exploring alternative
diets, transitioning to a plant-based
April 2023 Get It Lowveld 15

Dish covers by Earthling Sa
one that did wonders for his health,
but also inspired them to live a
more sustainable and eco-conscious
lifestyle. “We couldn’t help but notice
all the plastic packaging and wasteful
products, and the impact they had on
the natural world around us,” explains
Jolandie. “We loved the idea that our
business concept would be sustainable
and less harmful to the environment.”
While all of this was going on, they
were still working on their non-profit.
They found and bought Betsy, an
old fire department rescue truck,
to convert into a home on wheels.
“The plan was to build our business
around the idea that we could earn
a living at markets, while doing our
non-profit work on the road,” explains
Jolandie. “We also came across the
idea of running the truck on a more
sustainable fuel type, and started the
process of converting Betsy to run
on used cooking oil (it took us a long
time to get that right!). It’s a timeconsuming
project, and it definitely
ready to hit the road!
16 Get It Lowveld April 2023
breaks the bank. But, all the blood
and sweat that go into it make it
worthwhile when you are building a
house that can go anywhere!’”
Finally, after two years, Robin was free
to return to Mbombela, but as life
would have it, a national lockdown
was announced. His father had also
just been diagnosed with cancer, so
they raced back (at 65km/h, he laughs),
trying desperately to get home. Covid
made the couple realise they had to
broaden their range of products. “Our
jewellery was a luxury item, and folks
were trying to hold on to their money,”
he says. “We added locally made,
sustainable alternative products to our
range, and survived by selling at the
local markets. And Earthling SA was
born. We were thrilled that we could
reinvent our income to suit our ecoconscious
lifestyle. In the meantime,
it was still full steam ahead with the
restoration of our ‘house on wheels’,
but now the scope of the journey had
expanded.”
Meanwhile, Robin was asked to be
the support group’s contact person
for families in South Africa affected
by Fanconi anaemia. Through this he
noticed how many children and young
adults needed transplants, and were
still without matches. Sadly, often one
would pass away as a result of not
finding a match. He decided to put
together a stem cell donor recruitment
drive in Mbombela, signing up as
many people as possible from the
local community. “The purpose of
our journey now became intensely
apparent; our mission was to find
matches for people who were given
the same fate as me, and a chance at
life,” he says. “Matches on the Map was
founded and we started working on
the project night and day.”
With Earthling SA now being quite
well established at the local markets,
the couple can put the finishing
touches to their plans for the future.
Robin explains that both the business
and the mission have been far more
challenging than originally expected,
and has now developed into a
10-year/60-country expedition. “We
plan on leaving Mbombela soon, and
will set off towards eSwatini, KwaZulu-
Natal, around the SA coast down to
Cape Town,” he says, “making our way
towards Namibia. Our journey will
take us through East and West Africa,
Europe, over the Himalayas, and
through the jungles of Cambodia. Our
60th country is Vietnam. Our ultimate
goal is to create awareness about the
importance of becoming a stem cell
donor and to add donor diversity to
the registry.”
Living every moment as if it may be
the last does have certain benefits.
Not letting a day go to waste and
seeing the true beauty of life in full
technicolour detail is just a small part
of it. While some days can be tough,
there are others that make everything
worthwhile. Together, this remarkable
couple will continue to pack as much
as they can into every day and live
like there’s no tomorrow ... and if
they happen to save a few lives along
the way, well, that’s all part of their
grand plan.
Details
YouTube: @NuminousExpeditions,
Facebook: @numinousE, website:
www.earthlingshop.co.za, and email:
l.robinlewis@gmail.com

ADVERTORIAL
Robotic advances in recent years have revolutionised the field
of surgery, and none more so than ROSA, the first-ever Robotic
Surgery Assistant to become operational in the Lowveld, based in
Busamed Lowveld Private Hospital.
In a remarkable first for Mpumalanga,
ROSA promises to take surgical innovations
to the next level. Developed by
Zimmer Biomet, the ROSA, along
with orthopaedic surgeons Dr Alex
Kuhn and Dr Dimitri Dimitriou, performed
the initial cases with the assistance
of Dr Kevin Steyn. To date, this dynamic
team have successfully performed
20 knee replacement surgeries since the
ROSA’s installation early in February.
The ROSA’s capabilities were showcased
at a recent demonstration held at
Busamed Lowveld Private Hospital, highlighting
how it supports the surgeons in
their work. Johan Zwiegelaar, Zimmer
Biomet’s connect sales manager, also
discussed the role robotics will play in
the future of orthopaedics.
“There are over 700 ROSA Robotic
Assistants globally,” explained Johan,
“14 of which are currently being used in
South Africa. The ROSA has assisted in
over 700 knee replacements in 2022 in
South Africa alone, as well as performing
Johan Zwiegelaar explains what the rOSa does

a number of hip replacements.” He also
said that by the end of 2023, Busamed
Lowveld Private Hospital surgeons will
be making use of the ROSA for hip and
shoulder surgery as well.
Dr Kuhn and Dr Dimitriou placed emphasis
on the fact that the ROSA does not
replace or take over from the surgeon,
but rather assists in the correct placement
of the knee based on the prompts of the
surgeon. The doctors at Busamed Lowveld
Private Hospital have received specialised
training on the exact procedures required
to operate the ROSA effectively.
Dr Kuhn explained how the doctors
teach the ROSA the position of the leg
that is being operated on, the degrees
of movement and alignment, and what
these should be post-surgery.
“Data on the unique anatomy and
anatomical defects of the relevant patient
is fed to the robot by sensors,” he continued,
“data that is then used to evaluate
the precise bone cuts, balancing the
knee joints’ ligaments to optimise the
positioning of the prosthesis. The
robotic arm then assists the surgeon in
performing the bony resection.”
He stressed that while the operation is
done with the technical assistance of the
ROSA, the surgical procedure itself is still
performed by the surgeon. Dr Dimitriou
added that the ROSA continuously
assesses the accuracy of the surgical steps,
making use of a model to demonstrate
the point. “The arm makes sure that the
surgeon’s expected outcome at the end of
the surgery is in fact the outcome that he
achieves,” said Dr Kuhn.
Having the ROSA at Busamed Lowveld
Private Hospital is a momentous advancement
in the field of orthopaedic surgery in
the Lowveld, and represents a significant
step forward in our understanding of
replacement surgery. It puts the possibility
of rapid recovery and possible sameday
or even overnight discharge within
reach, all of which results in an improved
and positive outcome for the patient.
Details: www.busamed.co.za/Lowveld
Dr Dimitri Dimitriou
Dr alex Kuhn and Dr Dimitri Dimitriou during the rOSa demonstration

of
Keep calm and have a
picnic
April means the long lazy days of Summer are coming
to an end and Autumn’s spicy, warm colours and
comfort food flavours are coming into their own.
End-of-Summer Lowveld days are
balmy and wonderful. Still warm,
but not sweltering, and the nights
have just a slight chill to the air,
not enough to make you cold, but
enough to enjoy a mug of steaming
hot chocolate.
It’s also time for school holidays,
which means it’s the perfect
occasion to gather a few friends,
family, kids or dogs, pack a basket
chock full of delicious (portable)
goodies, spread a picnic blanket
somewhere pretty and relax, soaking
up the tail end of Summer and the
glorious Lowveld weather.
There’s no need to venture too far
afield. Your own back garden - or
living room if the weather’s bad - will
do. The idea is to get into the spirit
a laid-back lifestyle, stopping to
enjoy the smell of the coffee, even if
it is only few a day or two here and
there. We have to eat, and with the
bounty available to us, there is no
reason why we can’t eat well, even on
a tight budget. Tasty snacks, decadent
choccies and refreshing, zesty drinks
can be whipped up in almost no time
using local, fresh produce and a little
elbow grease.
Get the kids involved. We’ve put
together a few recipes that are easy
and will make everyone ask when the
next picnic day will be. Also, with it
being Easter, it’s also time to indulge
your inner child (and sweet tooth!)
and hide a few chocolate eggs for an
Easter egg hunt. Is there a better way
to spend the day? We think not! So
don your sun hat, put on comfy pants
and haul out your picnic blanket.
One of the most basic foods, both
to eat and make, is bread. There is a
huge variety of types, flavours, shapes
and sizes, but home-made is always
best. And not nearly as difficult or
time-consuming as you may think.
Make a loaf, wrap it in a tea towel
and add it to the basket to snack on
while watching the kids play or to
Text: MELLISSA BUSHBY
22 Get It Lowveld April 2023

accompany a fine, crisp white.
Flat bread is the ideal addition to any
picnic basket. Every culture in the
world has their own version of this
versatile staple, which is perfect as a
quick nibble, a small side, or a hearty
main, depending on with what you
pair it. Add whatever toppings you
fancy, drizzle with a little olive oil or
dressing and wrap it up into a little
parcel. Or simply dip into a tasty bowl
of fresh hummus, guacamole or baba
ganoush. Perfect on the go food!
If making your own isn’t an option, pita
breads work in a pinch. Quarter, drizzle
with a little oil, add salt and lightly
toast, then wrap up and add to your
basket.
A few topping ideas include sundried
tomatoes, olives, roast chicken
slivers, rocket, radicchio (or any type
of lettuce), cucumber, shaved carrot,
radish, pickles, cottage cheese, feta,
cherry tomatoes, or cold meats.
Or you can add the previously
mentioned spreads along with
toppings of your choice. Other great
options are potato salad, green salad,
cheese, muffins, quiche, Scotch eggs,
pastries, nuts and fruit.
Turkish flat bread
Ingredients
• 2 cups all-purpose flour • A hefty pinch of salt • ½ tsp aniseed (optional)
• 1 cup tepid water • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
Method
Whisk the salt and aniseed, if using, into the flour. Make a well in the middle
and add the water and oil. Using a spatula, slowly stir the water into the flour,
scraping the excess off the sides. Once it has started coming together, lightly
oil your hands and knead until the flour and water are well combined. Pat the
dough into a ball and place in a bowl, then cover with a tea towel. Leave to
rest for around 20 minutes. Break the dough up into golf ball sized balls, rolling
in your hands until smooth. Using a rolling pin, flatten until you have a circle
with a diameter of roughly 12 to 15cm. Heat a non-stick frying pan and toss
your flat bread into the dry pan. Leave for a few minutes until the bottom is
starting to crisp up and turn golden brown, then flip over and do the same on
the other side. Be careful, they burn quite quickly.
Note: The aniseed can be replaced with dried herbs, chilli flakes, sesame or
poppy seeds, ground pepper or cumin. The flat breads can also be left plain,
the toppings make all the difference.
If you want something a little more
robust than flatbread, the ubiquitous
sandwich is always a winner. From
paninis and baguettes to dainty finger
sandwiches, the choices are endless. You
can opt for whole wheat, sourdough,
ancient grain or rye bread, and be as
simple or as over-the-top as you like.
Topping ideas include avocado, cherry
tomato, red onion, mayo, mustard,
gherkins, rocket, sautéed mushrooms,
sliced aged Cheddar or Gouda,
cucumber, smoked chicken or ham.
The much-loved old favourite of freshly
sliced tomato, salt, pepper and a splash
of olive oil on whole grain is always
a winner, as is peanut butter, jam or
Marmite for the less fussy.

No picnic is complete without something sweet, and our orange drizzle cake will
have everyone clamouring for more. This is a fool-proof recipe, and it’s fresh, zesty
flavour is the perfect treat to round off a lovely afternoon spent outdoors, just
relaxing and enjoying family (or me) time.
Orange loaf
Ingredients
• 300g all-purpose flour • 2 tsp baking
powder • 185g caster sugar • 125ml
vegetable oil • 200ml milk • Juice of
2 oranges (around 130ml) • Zest of
2 oranges (around 3 tbsp) • 1 tsp
vanilla essence
Icing
• ½ cup icing sugar • 2 tbsp orange
juice
Method
Loaf
Preheat oven to 180°C. Line and
grease a 23x13cm loaf tin. Whisk
the flour, baking powder and sugar
together. Mix the oil, milk, orange
juice, zest and vanilla together
in a separate bowl. Pour the wet
ingredients into the dry and stir until
just combined, don’t overmix. Pour
the mixture into the loaf tin, then
place in the oven for 45-55 minutes.
The loaf should be starting to turn
golden brown around the edges. Test
by inserting a butter knife into the
cake, if it comes out clean, its ready. If
not leave it in for a few more minutes.
Icing
Mix the icing sugar and orange juice
together until a thick glaze forms.
Drizzle over the cake once it has
cooled. Top with extra orange zest
and serve.
Easter is synonymous with chocolate,
and what better excuse (not that we
need one!) is there to delight in in
everyone’s favourite indulgence? But
instead of the usual shop-bought stuff,
we are doing things in style with homemade
fudge. We’ve added nuts and
dried fruit to ours to liven things up
and we promise, you won’t be
disappointed.
RM-RIV0414NC

Fudge
Ingredients
• 3 cups chocolate chips • 1 can
condensed milk • ¼ cup butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract • ½ cup
chopped mixed nuts • ½ cup
mixed dried fruit • Pinch of salt
Method
Line a 20x20cm baking tin
with foil or cling wrap. Place
chocolate chips, condensed
milk, butter, salt and vanilla in
a large microwaveable bowl.
Microwave on medium until
the chips are melted, stirring a
few times in between. Remove
from microwave and stir in the
nuts and dried fruit. Pour the
mixture into the baking tin and
refrigerate until set. Cut into
squares and enjoy.
To wash it all down, we recommend fresh, zesty home-made
lemonade, along with our twist on the classic Paloma for the grownups.
We also recommend taking along our swicy popcorn, pre-packed
in tubs or brown paper bags as an in-between snack. It’s the perfect
blend between sweet and spicy, and all the rage at the moment.
What exactly is swicy? Well, it’s when sweet meets spicy! Merging these
contrasting tastes results in astonishing taste sensations. The key is to
understand the subtle nuances between the different flavours, and getting
the balance right. Too sweet is cloying, while too spicy overpowers everything
else. Swicy caramel corn is one of those things that hits the taste buds just so, a
moreish jumble of sweet and spicy yumminess.
Swicy popcorn
Ingredients
• ½ cup kernels • ¾ cup sugar • 3 tbsp
unsalted butter • 1 tsp kosher salt
• ½ tsp baking soda • ¼ tsp cayenne
pepper
Method
Preheat the oven to 150°C. Lightly oil a
large bowl and line a baking sheet with
baking paper. Add the popcorn kernels
to the bowl. Add ¼ cup of water and
¾ cup of sugar to a medium saucepan.
Bring to a boil over medium heat,
swirling occasionally to help dissolve
the sugar. Cook until the mixture
turns a light amber colour, then
remove from the heat and carefully
stir in the butter. Add the salt, baking
soda and cayenne pepper, then
pour the caramel over the popcorn
immediately. Toss with a spatula to
evenly coat the kernels. Transfer to the
prepared baking sheet and spread out
into an even layer. Bake until dry and
crunchy, about 10 to 15 minutes.
Classic Paloma
Ingredients
• 3 shots (75ml) of tequila • Juice of
a ruby grapefruit • About 150ml of
sparkling water
Method
Firstly, rim a tall glass with salt. It’s
not absolutely necessary, but looks
pretty and really does enhance the
overall flavour of the drink. Fill the
glass with ice. Stir the ingredients
together and pour over the ice, then
top with sparkling water. Add a sliver
of fresh lime and enjoy.

Through
glass
rose-tinted
Creating incredibly lovely and extraordinary things
is something Kaapsehoop’s Merle ter Bruggen is
rather good at.
Merle’s particular talent is not
something you come across every day.
She is a master craftsman in the ageold
art of stained glass in the quaint
and quirky little village of Kaapsehoop,
where she has lived for almost 30
years. “I moved here from Pretoria with
my partner at the time to work in the
horse trail business, and just never left,”
she smiles. “It’s such a captivating place.
The beauty here lures you in, and its
community embraces you, making it
difficult to leave this historical village.”
‘Restoring these
much-loved pieces to
their original beauty
is the greatest
inspiration of all’
In her spare time, Merle used to
visit a friend who owned a glass
shop, and was so taken up with his
creations that in 2010, she started her
‘apprenticeship’ with the founder of
Deliteful Glass Worx, Kim Dias. “Kim
is a self-taught master of the art, and
was quite a gruelling boss/teacher,
for which I’m exceptionally grateful
today,” she laughs. Kim decided to go
into semi-retirement in 2013 (he had
started the business in 1997), so Merle
gladly bought it from him. Paulinah
Madonsela, Merle’s assistant, has been
working with her for over 12 years now,
and together they make a great team.

Merle smiles as she remembers her
first creation, a white table lamp. “I
was so flabbergasted when it was
complete... And that was just the
beginning!” she says, the passion
for her work evident. From there
on, seeing the joy and delight
on customers’ faces when they
purchased a glass item became the
most rewarding part of her job. “To
know whatever they purchase will
be going to a new home,” she says,
explaining that a lot of the work done
is on a commission basis, meaning
that customers are happy with the
product, knowing it will blend in and
perfectly complement their home.
There are various ways of creating
lead glass items. Merle’s work entails
either kiln (fusing) and/or foil with
lead (solder) work, and a very specific
imported glass must be used for
optimum results. The making of a
lampshade could take a day or up
to a couple of weeks, depending
on the number of glass pieces that
need to be precisely cut, grinded
to fit the design perfectly and then
joined together. “It’s a fairly easy
process once you have the knack,”
Merle explains, “and every now and
then you need to give yourself a
gentle reminder that there are no
shortcuts; undivided concentration is
paramount.”
Her range consists of chimes, which
vary in size from small to ‘rather
large’, lightcatchers, jewellery, home
decor, lampshades and lead glass
doors and windows. “Personally,
the completion of a door or ornate
lampshade is extremely rewarding
for me,” she laughs, “and the most
challenging part of a project would
be the making of very large windows
or doors, such as the 14-metre window
I made for a local lodge.”
As with so many carefully crafted,
specialised artforms, stained glass
making is becoming a dying craft. “It
must be revived and passed on to the
next generation so the true art of it
can be appreciated,” Merle exclaims.
“You only need to go back in time to
see the immense beauty of it. There are
recorded masterpieces in monasteries
and churches from as far back as the
7th century.”
Merle describes stained glass work
as a very diverse medium, and
recommends that anyone who loves
colour, being creative and working
with their hands give stained glass
making a try. “It is such a wonderful
medium to work with, and being
Merle ter Bruggen and Paulinah Madonsela
surrounded by inspiration on every
corner, especially from my customers,
family and friends all sharing ideas,
keeps me busy,” she laughs, adding
that she produces her best work when
she has new challenges.
“The process of successfully
completing a difficult project is
incomparable, especially if the item is a
family heirloom such as cabinet doors.
Restoring these much-loved pieces
to their original beauty is the greatest
inspiration of all.”
Details: Find the recently relocated
Deliteful Glass Worx on the corner
of Kruger and Kantoor streets in
Kaapsehoop, next to the windmill and
steam engine.
Shop hours are 8:30am to 4pm Fridays to
Mondays, as well as holidays.
Text: MELLISSA BUSHBY
April 2023 Get It Lowveld 27

GET IT DIREcTORY

GET IT DIREcTORY
C U T O U T C O U P O N
Bring it along with your visit and receive
20% OFF
O N A N Y T R E A T M E N T
V A L I D U N T I L 3 0 M A Y 2 0 2 3
Not Valid on Specials. www.bodycure.co.za 0137523739/4864

Text: MELLISSA BUSHBY
Joubert & Seuns padstal’s employees
There’s plenty to do at the Orchid Farm Stall
Padstal pleasure
Farm stalls, or as they are better known in South Africa,
padstalle, are a unique feature of our country’s rural
landscape. These small roadside shops offer a wide range of
locally produced foods, beverages, plants and crafts, making
them a popular stop for travellers and tourists alike.
Usually run by farmers and/or their
families, these charming stores are
the perfect opportunity to showcase
farm produce and locally made or
sourced products while connecting
with customers directly. Lowveld
padstalle are well-known for their fresh,
local fruits, such as avos, mangoes
and oranges, along with macadamia
nuts. Vegetables, orchids, preserves,
juices and the ubiquitous curios are
also something they have in common.
Most of our well-known farm stalls are
situated on busy thoroughfares and
scenic routes such as the N4, where
locals and tourists alike can stop over
ORCHID
FARM STALL
& COFFEE SHOP

PADSTAL
for a refreshing cup of tea or ice-cold
drink and stock up on the necessities,
and yes, that includes avos!
Visiting a padstal is about more than
just a shopping trip or stopover. It’s
an opportunity to sample a variety of
locally made products, many of which
are produced using traditional recipes
passed down from generation to
generation, so the marula jam you find
at one padstal will not be the same as
the one you find at another. Visitors
can sample anything from biltong and
boerewors to pies, freshly baked bread
or smoked trout. Freshly squeezed
juices and dried fruit are also common.
You’ll also find locally made crafts and
souvenirs. This includes handwoven
baskets, jewellery, pottery and art.
Supporting these local artisans means
money is brought into the local
economy and tourists get to take away
a small part of the Lowveld. These
farm stalls are indeed an important
source of income for many farmers
and their families. By selling their wares
and produce directly to the public,
they bypass the middle man and
corporations that often take a large
chunk of the profits. A win-win for
everyone; the customers get a slice of
home-made, local fare and the farmers
get a fair price for their goods, allowing
them to maintain a sustainable
livelihood.
asia Zwane and Khelina Mkhonza are
among the friendly staff at Orchid
Farm Stall
Lowveld padstalle have always
been popular among tourists and
locals alike. They offer a unique and
authentic experience that isn’t easy
to find in sometimes characterless
supermarkets and general stores, and
many travellers have a favourite stall
they especially include on their
itinerary, planning their route to
include a stopover. Despite this,
these little gems face a number of
challenges. For one thing, they are
often situated a little out of the way,
and are bypassed by new roads,
and the influx of larger commercial
retailers limits growth potential.
Having said this, they remain an iconic
part of the South African and Lowveld
lifestyle. Their warm friendliness is a
testament to the hospitality the area
is well known for and offers a glimpse
into the agricultural traditions of the
region, which enables the farmers to
connect with consumers on a oneto-one
basis. Tourists get to sample
food and drink specific to the area
or farm, and take home keepsakes
to remind them of a place or event,
returning for a specific product or
item (for example, orchids) time and
time again.
So next time you feel like freshly
squeezed orange juice or a bottle of
home-made chutney, plan a trip to
one of the many local padstalle we
know and love. We guarantee you’ll
leave with far more than you went
there for, and you’ll probably make a
few new friends into the bargain!

In 2020, Montblanc embarked on an exciting new chapter with the
introduction of its new feminine fragrance line - Montblanc
Signature. Its ambition was to give women a different
way to express themselves and their exceptional
character. Anchored in Montblanc’s heritage in the
culture of writing, the name of the fragrance was a
reminder that few things are more personal, unique
and expressive than her signature.
Pen in hand, ink on paper ...
it’s the lasting imprint of her
personality and identity for
others to remember her by.
This year, the story
continues with the
launch of Montblanc
Signature Absolue.
Sparkling, radiant
and intense, this new
fragrance is all fresh
mandarin and pear, tuberose
and ylang, along with sensual
woody tonka bean, cedarwood
and golden amber. This new and
glorious scent is available in 50ml
bottles and 30ml travel size
bottles, as well as a 90ml
bottle from R1599.
Spoil
April
We’re giving away a bottle of this Montblanc Signature Absolue. Simply pop over to our Facebook or Instagram page
(getitnationalmagazines) and follow the prompts. Entries close April 25.
32 Get It Lowveld April 2023