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Esti du Plessis<br />
Blooming from<br />
the heart<br />
The importance<br />
of wetland<br />
conservation<br />
Win a case of<br />
marvellous<br />
Muscato<br />
Bee- and butterflyfriendly<br />
gardening<br />
Fun, sizzling & saucy<br />
… it’s braai time!<br />
Celebrating Spring<br />
in style!<br />
SHOPPING, PEOPLE AND LIFESTYLE IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD<br />
september 20<strong>24</strong>
contents<br />
GET IT<br />
Editorial++<br />
Phone 013 754 1600<br />
<strong>Lowveld</strong> Media<br />
12 Stinkhout Crescent, Mbombela<br />
Facebook Get It <strong>Lowveld</strong><br />
Instagram Get It <strong>Lowveld</strong><br />
Website getitmagazine.co.za/lowveld/<br />
Editor<br />
Mellissa Bushby<br />
mellissa@getitlowveld.co.za 084 319 2101<br />
Photographer<br />
Belinda Erasmus 082 567 0596<br />
Layout<br />
Wessel Cöhrs 074 801 4477<br />
Subeditors<br />
Wahl Lessing<br />
Ida de Wet<br />
Annica Fourie<br />
May Nel<br />
Sales<br />
Colletha Noppé Rattray<br />
colletha@lowvelder.co.za 082 745 2387<br />
GET IT NATIONAL<br />
National Group Editor and<br />
National Sales<br />
Kym Argo<br />
kyma@caxton.co.za 082 785 9230<br />
Facebook and Instagram:<br />
Get It National Magazines<br />
Distribution<br />
Get It <strong>Lowveld</strong> is distributed free of charge.<br />
For a full list of where to find a copy,<br />
phone Monya Burger on 083 555 4992<br />
Published by CTP Limited<br />
Competition rules<br />
The judges’ decision is final. Prizes cannot be<br />
transferred or redeemed for cash. Competitions<br />
are not open to the sponsors or Caxton<br />
employees or their families. Get It Magazine<br />
reserves the right to publish the names of<br />
winners, who will be contacted telephonically<br />
and need to collect their prizes from Get It<br />
<strong>Lowveld</strong> within 10 days or they will be forfeited.<br />
Prizewinners names are published on our<br />
Facebook page monthly.<br />
Why don’t you ...<br />
02 Attend a wine show, walk your dog, or enjoy<br />
a market on the village green<br />
04 Revel in love stories, murder and revenge,<br />
washed down with great wine<br />
WISH LIST<br />
06 Warm days, green shoots, birds and bees.<br />
Everything is blooming!<br />
SOCIALS<br />
08 Music, great food and coffee galore<br />
at the <strong>Lowveld</strong> Coffee Festival<br />
09 An excellent array of wine at the<br />
WineX Mpumalanga Wine Show<br />
people<br />
10 Esti du Plessis is living life<br />
in full bloom<br />
12 The importance of wetland<br />
conservation<br />
BEAUTY<br />
14 Colour me beautiful<br />
FOOD<br />
16 A taste of Italy in Mbombela<br />
20 Light up the fire for a sizzling <strong>Sep</strong>tember<br />
... it’s braai time!<br />
GARDENING<br />
28 Make your Spring garden beeand<br />
butterfly-friendly<br />
Win<br />
32 The snazziest suitcase covers ever.<br />
Case closed!<br />
COVER LOOK<br />
Esti du Plessis.<br />
Photographer: Belinda Erasmus - Belle Grace Photography.<br />
Make-up: Zuandri Jonker - Edge Beauty.<br />
september 20<strong>24</strong><br />
<strong>Sep</strong>tember 20<strong>24</strong> Get It <strong>Lowveld</strong> 01
A hot date!<br />
Pencil these events into your <strong>Sep</strong>tember diary right now.<br />
1It’s time for the White River Animal<br />
Hospital Annual Dog Walk, held at<br />
The Plantsman Eatery. There are loads of<br />
fun things to do, and best of all, the event<br />
raises funds for the welfare fund that is<br />
used throughout the year to help animals<br />
in need. The event starts at 7:30am and<br />
continues to 2pm. Details: 013 751 3866<br />
Get ready for the unforgettable<br />
5-7experience that is the<br />
Mpumalanga Show. Explore the wonders<br />
of agriculture, wildlife, forestry, mining and<br />
tourism all in one place. Don’t miss Dinosaur<br />
World, life-size animatronic dinosaurs,<br />
including the colossal tyrannosaurus rex<br />
and Austrolotitan. Enjoy live entertainment,<br />
delicious food stalls and so much more.<br />
There is something for everyone, so bring<br />
the whole family for a day filled with fun<br />
and excitement. Details: www.facebook.com/<br />
mpushow<br />
7Get ready for a day of medieval-themed<br />
fun at the unforgettable Spring Frenzy<br />
Picnic, held at Castle Rock, Sabie. Expect<br />
thrilling activities, amazing food and<br />
feasting, and great fun with loved ones in<br />
a unique and festive setting. Tickets will be<br />
sold at the gate, so mark your calendars and<br />
get ready to join the frenzy!<br />
7<br />
Calling all wine lovers! It’s time for the Unwined Local Food<br />
& Wine Show, held at the Mbombela Golf Club. There is a<br />
great line-up of well-known estates, live bands, artinasal treats,<br />
gourmet foods and an amazing vibe. Tickets cost R250 and are<br />
available from tickets@un-wined.co.za. Details: 082 789 4401
It’s almost time for the<br />
14Mpumalanga Marathon!<br />
Tickets start at R650 for South<br />
Africans and the distance is 42.2km.<br />
The starting point is Dayizenza<br />
Plaza and the end point is the<br />
Riverside Mall. Entries are capped at<br />
16 000 and there are plenty of prizes<br />
to be won!<br />
Bring the whole family for a<br />
28wonderful day in Kaapsehoop<br />
at the Spring into Summer Fair.<br />
There will be amazing food stall, crafts<br />
galore, homemade lemonade, boozy<br />
fudge and much more. Be sure to<br />
bring along a basket! The fair starts<br />
at 9am till 2pm on the village green.<br />
Details: 082 883 6192<br />
If you have a date for our diary, email the info at least a month in advance to mellissa@getitlowveld.co.za<br />
5 October<br />
Ignite the passion and put White River on the map at this year’s Water<br />
Fest @ Klipkopjes Dam. There will be something for everyone from<br />
incredible food, amazing products, handmade goods and crafts, a<br />
Makro potjiekos challenge, and much, much more! This is an incredible<br />
opportunity for the White River community to show the world what<br />
it’s made of, so come and join in the celebration! Details: Mantoine on<br />
072 278 4526, info@waterfest.co.za, www.waterfest.co.za
Book club<br />
Love stories and murders and revenge! And a great wine.<br />
Every great love story deserves a great ending. And how, exactly, will Amy Neff’s debut<br />
novel, The Days I Loved You Most, play out? It’s the story of a couple who’ve known and<br />
loved each other for more than sixty years, who gather their three children to tell them of<br />
their plans. One has a severe case of rapidly worsening Parkinson’s, and the other won’t<br />
live without her. They are, they tell the children, in a year’s time going to end their lives<br />
together on their own terms ... this final year is for the family to make new memories. A<br />
keep-the-tissues-handy love story. Bloomsbury Publishing • The school run can be murder.<br />
Things aren’t going well for Beth. Her husband left her. The other school mums judge<br />
her for swearing. Now she’s stuck in A&E on the first day of school. Plus ... her best friend<br />
Charlotte - the only person to ever run an interesting PTA meeting, was hit by a car when<br />
out jogging and died. But was that really an accident? Beth thinks perhaps not ... and with<br />
a newfound purpose and a glass of wine in hand, she sets out to discover what really<br />
happened to Charlotte. Once she’s put the kids to bed, obvs. The Dead Friend Project by<br />
Joanna Wallace ... a dark, funny murder mystery! Viper • A modern day fairytale. Jenny is not<br />
looking forward to her Class of 2007 reunion. Everyone’s done brilliantly ... except her. It’s<br />
as if she didn’t get the memo. As it turns out, she didn’t. But now back at the university for<br />
the dreaded union, she’s given the memo she missed the first time around, and a second<br />
chance. One to rewrite her past and fix her life. But at what price? The Memo by Lauren<br />
Mechling and Rachel Dodes ... funny, quirky, relatable. Little Brown<br />
04 Get It <strong>Lowveld</strong> <strong>Sep</strong>tember 20<strong>24</strong><br />
Lanner falcons gracefully soar over Fairview. And 50 years after Cyril<br />
Back bottled his first Shiraz under the Fairview label, this new cool<br />
climate Lanner Hill Syrah has been launched as part of the Fairview<br />
Single Vineyard range. Dark red with a bright red rim in the glass, it’s all<br />
wonderfully aromatic ... generous red berries, herbal notes of rosemary,<br />
lavender and hints of cracked black pepper. Serve with cheese, pâté,<br />
charcuterie and freshly baked bread, grilled lamb with herb sauce or<br />
earthy flavoured veggies. R500 from fairviewmarketplace.co.za
Five couples. Two weeks. A luxury,<br />
albeit isolated, resort on an Indian<br />
Ocean Island. It’s the latest reality<br />
TV show - One Perfect Couple. All<br />
the couples have to do is survive<br />
the week. All sun, sea, and flirting.<br />
Until the storm arrives ... cutting<br />
them off from everything. Tension<br />
runs high, water runs low ... and one<br />
person is playing this game for real,<br />
and will stop at nothing to win. Ruth<br />
Ware’s books are always massively<br />
entertaining, and this one doesn’t<br />
disappoint. Simon & Schuster<br />
How well do you really know your<br />
husband? Not very well indeed, in<br />
Martha’s case. All’s lovey dovey, until<br />
her new husband’s mask slips ... and<br />
she’s suspicious that the conferences<br />
he travels the country to attend may<br />
be a cover for something far more<br />
sinister. There’s the string of dead<br />
women she discovers, and the dark<br />
side of the friend she enlists to help<br />
her discover if her lovely husband is, in<br />
fact, a serial killer. Cat and mouse stuff<br />
... Peter Swanson’s A Talent For Murder<br />
is all thrills and twists and chills. Faber<br />
Detective Inspector Helen Grace is<br />
back in M.J. Arlidge’s Forget Me Not.<br />
In this 15th novel to feature DI Grace,<br />
(each one more thrilling than the<br />
last) she’s helping a woman trying<br />
to find her missing daughter, Naomi.<br />
However, with the police force under<br />
fire from all sides as a gang war grips<br />
the city, Helen will have to defy direct<br />
orders to search for the missing girl.<br />
Her secret investigation takes her<br />
down a dark path, one where she<br />
uncovers more people disappearing<br />
from the city streets. Orion<br />
If you’ve read Sarah Pearse’s The<br />
Sanatorium and The Retreat, you’ll<br />
know that with this third novel, The<br />
Wilds, you’re in for a rollercoaster of<br />
suspense. A woman escapes her dark<br />
and scarred childhood to live her life<br />
on the road. But she and her twin<br />
have never lost contact. Until on a trip<br />
in a national park, she disappears. A<br />
detective, visiting the park at the same<br />
time, hears about the disappearance,<br />
and discovers a disturbing map she left<br />
behind. The few strangers at the camp<br />
close ranks against her questions, and<br />
the park’s wild beauty turns sinister. “A<br />
one-sitting read,” says Jeffery Deaver,<br />
and who are we to argue! Sphere<br />
All books available at<br />
Exclusive Books<br />
A man released from jail after eleven<br />
years, served for causing the death<br />
of a young boy in a hit and run. The<br />
boy’s mother. Out for revenge. The<br />
boy’s father, who knows what is wife is<br />
planning, and is determined to save her<br />
from herself, even if it means protecting<br />
the man who killed their son. Jack<br />
Jordan’s Redemption ... a heartbreaking<br />
thriller. Simon and Schuster<br />
Compiled by: Kym Argo<br />
<strong>Sep</strong>tember 20<strong>24</strong> Get It <strong>Lowveld</strong> 05
Wish list<br />
Warm days, green shoots, everything’s blooming!<br />
Change is great. It presents new opportunities, exciting ventures.<br />
And the De Krans team are no strangers to change. From when they<br />
first launched the Premium White Moscato Perlé in South Africa in<br />
2012 (instant popularity!), to changing the name from Die Krans<br />
to De Krans, they’ve stayed open to new innovations. The latest<br />
... brand-new De Krans Premium Moscato Perlé labels. It’s more<br />
modern, fresh, sophisticated. The wine itself hasn’t changed (thank<br />
heavens) ... great quality, delicious fruit flavours, a slight fizz, and<br />
affordable pricing, these are fabulous everyday wines for weekend<br />
brunch with the girls, a romantic date night, Monday evening just<br />
because ... Monday. For newbies, the De Krans Premium White<br />
Moscato Perlé has delicious fruit flavours of muscat, litchi, apricots<br />
and hints of honey and exotic spice, the Premium Red Moscato<br />
Perlé has 15 per cent Pinotage added to give it the red colour,<br />
which changes the fruit profile considerably to flavours of berries,<br />
litchi, soft prunes and muscat, with strawberries, blackcurrants<br />
and exotic spice on the palate, while the De Krans Premium Rosé<br />
Moscato Perlé dazzles with a beautiful, pink blush colour – a result<br />
of a touch of Pinotage added to the Muscadel and Hanepoot ... this<br />
natural sweet wine is packed with fresh tropical fruit, strawberry<br />
and candy floss flavours, with exotic spice and muscat aromas and<br />
a balanced, fresh acidity. R90 a bottle from your local wine stockist<br />
or from dekrans.co.za. We’ve a case to give away ... pop over to<br />
@getitnationalmagazines on Instagram and follow the prompts.<br />
06 Get It <strong>Lowveld</strong> <strong>Sep</strong>tember 20<strong>24</strong><br />
Patrick Watson is arguably South Africa’s most innovative and<br />
versatile landscape architect ... with a pioneering approach<br />
the restoration of degraded land and his use of indigenous<br />
species, he’s created hundreds of gardens, from glorious small<br />
private home gardens to quiet spaces for restoration such<br />
as at the Apartheid Museum in Joburg to extensive megasites<br />
like The Lost City at Sun City ... even an entire Indian<br />
Ocean Island! With incredible photographs by Elsa Young and<br />
specially commissioned artwork by Heidi Fourie, the book is<br />
just page after page of extraordinary gardens ... of North Island<br />
in the Seycheles, Nirox Estate in the Cradle of Humankind, the<br />
astonishing Clivia House in Khyber Rock, Peninsula House in<br />
Llandudno. There’s a marvellous biographical sketch where<br />
author Gareth van Niekerk chats to Patrick about this childhood,<br />
career and legacy projects, and about his own garden in<br />
Greenside, as well as a full plant list of seven of the projects<br />
showcased in the book. Veld - The Gardens and Landscapes<br />
of Patrick Watson features 23 of his gardens and landscapes,<br />
and is an amazingly beautiful book ... a tribute to a talent who<br />
has had a profound influence on his profession. Penguin, R650
The Bordallo Pinheiro’s Flora<br />
collection is a joyful celebration of<br />
nature ... vibrant pops of colour with<br />
plant and insect designs to bring<br />
the outdoors into your dining areas.<br />
With handcrafted plates and bowls<br />
and platters and jugs, it’s best to mix<br />
for a riot of colour and texture ... just<br />
marvellous! Look for bowls like this<br />
Flora small yellow bowl (R310). You’ll<br />
find the range on vidabela.co.za<br />
We are obsessed - OBSESSED -<br />
with the Birds and Botanical range<br />
from Hannah Claire Creations. A<br />
riot of nature’s feathered friends<br />
and lush botanicals ... all intricate<br />
patterns and vibrant colors and<br />
luxurious velvet coin purses, vanity<br />
and cosmetic bags, stationery<br />
bags and really eye-catching sling<br />
bags. Quirky, locally made, female<br />
owned (ticking all the right boxes)<br />
there are a dozen or so other<br />
ranges to look at too ... equally<br />
as desirable! Buy online from<br />
hannahclairecreations.com<br />
Compiled by: Kym Argo<br />
<strong>Sep</strong>tember 20<strong>24</strong> Get It <strong>Lowveld</strong> 07
Lastborn and Lindo Mvubu<br />
Event organisers Coetzee Smit and Wynand le Roux<br />
Celebrating<br />
coffee in style<br />
The <strong>Lowveld</strong> Coffee Festival was a great success, with guests<br />
enjoying interesting workshops, a great vibe, amazing food and,<br />
of course, coffee in abundance!<br />
JP le Grange and Isabelle Bach<br />
Back: Chanelle de Kock, Ann-Marie Rutherford and<br />
Jacques de Kock. Front: Jacques’s brother, Henk<br />
Carin Badenhorst, Robert Snyders and Johan van der Merwe<br />
Ninette Cilliers, Hanlie Lombard and Martin Cilliers<br />
Magdaleen and Hendrik Louw and Nandia van Heerden<br />
behind the counter<br />
08 Get It <strong>Lowveld</strong> <strong>Sep</strong>tember 20<strong>24</strong>
Tasty tipples<br />
at WineX<br />
From bubbles to delicious reds, a large variety of beautifully<br />
crafted wines were on offer at the WineX Mpumalanga Wine<br />
Show, which was held at the Emnotweni Arena.<br />
Erin van der Vyver and Bea Haumann<br />
Ilana Hattingh, Lianda Wells, Jenny de Klerk and Natasha Kleynhans<br />
Michael and Janice Fridjhon
From a young age, Esti<br />
du Plessis knew she<br />
wanted to work with<br />
people and make a<br />
difference in their lives.<br />
Esti says being a pastor’s daughter<br />
gave her some insight into valuable<br />
life lessons and people skills, which<br />
stood her in good stead for her chosen<br />
profession, occupational therapy. “I love<br />
uplifting people, developing skills and<br />
being a part of someone’s journey in<br />
life,” she smiles, “making occupational<br />
therapy the perfect choice for me. I<br />
graduated from the University of the<br />
Free State in 2005 and didn’t look back.”<br />
Esti’s journey in the <strong>Lowveld</strong> started<br />
in 2006, after she was placed at<br />
Tonga Hospital near Malalane for<br />
her community service year. “That is<br />
where I met my amazing husband,<br />
HJ, and we got married in 2007. I<br />
worked as an occupational therapist at<br />
Flamboyant School in White River for<br />
many years before I started my own<br />
private practice in Malalane. I loved<br />
empowering and nurturing the skills I<br />
recognised in my young clients; it was<br />
so rewarding,” she says.<br />
In 2011, beautiful Leilah was born,<br />
but it wasn’t plain sailing from then<br />
on, as the couple found themselves<br />
struggling with infertility. “We went<br />
through a line of fertility treatments,<br />
and had two miscarriages,” Esti explains.<br />
“And then, in 2014, we received the<br />
best news - we were pregnant again!<br />
With twins! Identical twin boys. We<br />
were so happy, we named them Henk<br />
and Ruben.” Unfortunately, at thirteen<br />
weeks, Esti’s doctor told her he had<br />
concerns about Henk, that he didn’t<br />
seem to be growing as he should.<br />
The couple were referred to a line<br />
of specialists in Pretoria and Cape<br />
Town to try and figure out what the<br />
problem was. “At 27 weeks we got the<br />
devastating news that Henk’s umbilical<br />
cord was no longer functioning<br />
correctly, and he was in great danger<br />
of dying in utero. We only had one<br />
choice; the boys had to be born. Their<br />
best chance was to survive outside<br />
of the womb. We were scared and<br />
10 Get It <strong>Lowveld</strong> <strong>Sep</strong>tember 20<strong>24</strong><br />
Where<br />
FLOWERS<br />
bloom
Text: MELLISSA BUSHBY. Photographer: BELINDA Erasmus<br />
uncertain of what would happen<br />
next, but we put our trust in the Lord.<br />
Our tiny babies were born, with Henk<br />
weighing only 790g and Ruben 1.1kg.<br />
We braved the long journey in the<br />
NICU with determination and hope,<br />
but also not really knowing what<br />
would happen next.”<br />
Having recently moved from Malalane<br />
to Mbombela, the family didn’t have<br />
a lot of time to settle in and find their<br />
feet. Leilah was only three. “It was a<br />
very stressful and traumatic time for<br />
us as a young family,” Esti remembers.<br />
“Thirteen days after their birth, Henk<br />
was in trouble. He suffered heart<br />
failure and had bleeding on his<br />
brain, his life support was switched<br />
off. It felt like a bad dream, or rather<br />
a nightmare. The only time I got to<br />
hold my precious boy was in his dying<br />
moments, cradled in my neck. I sang to<br />
him, prayed for him and held him. He<br />
was gone. I will cherish those moments<br />
with him for always.”<br />
Esti and HJ didn’t have much time to<br />
grieve or to work through their trauma.<br />
They had to carry on for Ruben, who<br />
was still fighting for his life in the room<br />
next door. They also had to care for<br />
Leilah, who didn’t understand much<br />
of what was going on at that time.<br />
When Ruben was discharged after<br />
65 days in ICU, they tried to get their<br />
lives back together and carry on. “I was<br />
heartbroken and overwhelmed,” says<br />
Esti. “Our faith carried us through.”<br />
As time went on, Esti found she had<br />
an intense urge to pour her heart and<br />
emotions into something tangible<br />
and to create beauty. “God led me to<br />
flowers,” she smiles. “I have always loved<br />
arranging flowers for my home and for<br />
friends. In 2016, I attended a wedding<br />
arrangement course at Zavion Kotze,<br />
which equipped me with so many<br />
skills. I discovered flowers made me so,<br />
so happy.”<br />
Five years down the line, in 2021,<br />
Hartsblom was born. “My flower design<br />
business rooted deeply in my heart,<br />
hence the name ‘Hartsblom’. I could<br />
pour my absolute heartache and grief<br />
into beautiful arrangements, each<br />
one meaning something special to<br />
someone. Flowers create happiness;<br />
they carry emotions, either happy<br />
or sad. I love creating these feelings<br />
in arrangements and being part<br />
of it, especially when it comes to<br />
Leilah, Esti, HJ and Ruben<br />
weddings and special occasions. Each<br />
arrangement is a unique opportunity<br />
to create beauty and memories. I just<br />
love doing that.”<br />
Esti’s love of flowers is evident in the<br />
way she describes her work with them,<br />
the exciting and beautiful colours,<br />
aromas and textures. “Each one is so<br />
unique in its own way,” she smiles, “but<br />
if I have to choose a favourite flower,<br />
it will have to be the peony. This<br />
delicate flower only blooms for a<br />
month or two every year and changes<br />
colour from the time it opens to when<br />
it eventually dies.”<br />
The family is a close-knit one, and they<br />
love spending as much time together<br />
as possible. Esti says she has been<br />
blessed with the most wonderful inlaws.<br />
Life consists mainly of arranging<br />
flowers in her Mbombela studio and<br />
afternoons with the kids, then winding<br />
down with a glass of wine in front of<br />
Birthday celebration with friends<br />
the fireplace.<br />
“My husband is my very best friend in<br />
the world,” she laughs. “We love to go<br />
camping. One of my absolute favourite<br />
things in life is to wake up in nature,<br />
cook on the open fire and laugh with<br />
my family. Given a whole day to do<br />
absolutely anything or go anywhere,<br />
I would choose to stay at home. Our<br />
home is our happy place, our haven.<br />
We have so much fun just relaxing and<br />
being there.”<br />
This year marks the 10th anniversary<br />
of little Henk’s death. Esti faces the<br />
loss of her baby boy with the solace of<br />
knowing that so much has blossomed<br />
in that time. “I do believe there is light<br />
in the darkness,” she smiles. “There is<br />
hope when all seems hopeless and<br />
there is beauty in pain. My favourite<br />
motto is written by Gemma Troy: ‘Her<br />
heart bloomed sunflowers, so she<br />
would always face the light’.”<br />
<strong>Sep</strong>tember 20<strong>24</strong> Get It <strong>Lowveld</strong> 11
Colour me<br />
beautiful<br />
Just in time for spring, Revlon’s new<br />
Illuminance Gel Serum Blush ... an innovative<br />
blush that goes beyond ordinary makeup.<br />
It provides sheer colour while visibly<br />
plumping your cheeks with a<br />
healthy-looking glow.<br />
Lightweight and hydrating,<br />
it glides on evenly and gives a<br />
dewy, luminous flushed effect and<br />
comes in four happy shades<br />
- Enchanting Mauve,<br />
Striking Rose, Beaming<br />
Coral and Brilliant Berry.<br />
R2<strong>24</strong>.90 from Mopani.<br />
Baby Got Blush ...<br />
Essence is all about<br />
making beauty fun,<br />
and it is with these<br />
versatile liquid blush<br />
shades. Look out for Baby<br />
Got Glow highlighters, too.<br />
R69.90 from Mopani.<br />
All eyes on me!<br />
Give a wink to Revlon’s ColorStay<br />
Xtensionnaire Lengthening<br />
Mascara. Infused with serum and<br />
Pro Vitamin B5, which nourish and<br />
condition, the mascara promises<br />
extension-like length, bold<br />
definition, and intense durability. <strong>24</strong><br />
hours of smudge-proof, flake-proof<br />
gorgeousness! In Blackest Black,<br />
Black Brown and Waterproof Black,<br />
R229.90. Mopani.<br />
Compiled by: Kym Argo<br />
14 Get It <strong>Lowveld</strong> <strong>Sep</strong>tember 20<strong>24</strong><br />
There’s a straggler. Oh pluck it!<br />
The Precision Brow Tweezer<br />
by RefectoCil is a high-quality,<br />
professional tweezer made from<br />
stainless steel with an ergonomically<br />
perfect shape. The bevelled tip<br />
makes it easy to grip and remove<br />
even very short or fine hairs at the<br />
roots, which not only allows for the<br />
most precise work but also makes<br />
plucking faster and less painful.<br />
R440 from takealot.com<br />
Take inspiration, this month, from the Chanel 20<strong>24</strong><br />
Summer Collection - Jardine Imaginaire. It’s a fantasy<br />
portrayal of nature and an audacious collection in<br />
vibrant colours ... think flowers of summer gardens and<br />
the colourful fluttering wings of butterflies gathering<br />
nectar. All gold and peach, light and berry, sparkling<br />
shades with depth and warmth. Heading up our lust<br />
list is this Le Vernis Reveuse metallic golden green<br />
nail lacquer, but we’re also coveting the blush and<br />
highlighter duo. Very swanky!
<strong>Sep</strong>tember 20<strong>24</strong> Get It <strong>Lowveld</strong> 15
advertorial<br />
Buonissimo!<br />
Well-known restaurant Doppio Zero has stolen the hearts of discerning <strong>Lowveld</strong>ers with its freshlybaked<br />
artisanal breads and exceptional modern Mediterranean cuisine.<br />
Doppio Zero’s journey began with a<br />
passion for authentic artisanal breads<br />
and baked goods, and a desire to create<br />
a relaxed café experience. Founded<br />
in Greenside, Johannesburg in 2002, the<br />
restaurant was conceived as a bakerycafé<br />
that would serve high-quality<br />
breads, pastries and pizzas. The name<br />
‘Doppio Zero’ itself, meaning ‘double<br />
zero’ in Italian, refers to the finest grade<br />
of flour used in traditional pizzamaking,<br />
symbolising the restaurant’s<br />
commitment to quality and authenticity.<br />
The founders aimed to create a space<br />
where people could enjoy the simple<br />
pleasures of good food made from<br />
the finest ingredients. The initial vision<br />
was to offer not just food, but an entire<br />
experience rooted in the Mediterranean<br />
way of life - emphasising family, friends<br />
and the joy of sharing meals. Over the<br />
years, Doppio Zero has grown from its<br />
humble beginnings into a well-known<br />
brand with multiple locations across<br />
South Africa and beyond. The menu<br />
expanded to include a wide variety of<br />
Mediterranean-inspired dishes, catering<br />
to diverse tastes while maintaining the<br />
core values of quality and authenticity,<br />
with a flair for South African palates.<br />
The dream behind Doppio Zero was<br />
always to create more than just a<br />
restaurant - it was to build a community<br />
hub where people could connect over<br />
delicious food, experience warmth<br />
and hospitality, and feel at home. This<br />
vision has driven the brand’s growth<br />
and continues to inspire its evolution,<br />
staying true to its roots while embracing<br />
innovation and change.<br />
With a network of 28 restaurants, Doppio<br />
has flourished in a region where many<br />
restaurants struggle to sustain long-term<br />
success. Timothy Michael, the operating<br />
partner and general manager of Doppio<br />
Zero in i’langa Mall, explains that this is<br />
due to Doppio’s combination of quality,<br />
Gina Khumalo, Timothy Michael and Alfred Potgieter<br />
authenticity, adaptability and community<br />
focus, which is what helps it stand out<br />
and thrive.<br />
“Our menu, hospitality and what we offer<br />
compared to our fellow restaurateurs<br />
and competitors are what set us apart,”<br />
he smiles widely. “We pride ourselves<br />
on creating memorable experiences<br />
through our friendly service, good<br />
food and by offering our community<br />
something different, whether it be our<br />
freshly baked breads, pastries, cakes and<br />
our speciality gelatos, or our wood-fired<br />
oven and coal grill that we use to prepare<br />
some of the tastiest pizzas and grills<br />
around town.”<br />
Doppio’s recent revamp has been a<br />
huge success, adding even more to the<br />
ambiance of the much-loved eatery. “We<br />
focused our attention on upgrading our<br />
furniture to create more comfort and<br />
an improved atmosphere,” explains Tim.
“We designed booths, some banquette<br />
seating and benches along our outside<br />
seating area, and we lowered our ceiling<br />
to create a warmer feel for our dinner<br />
service. We also added some new and<br />
exciting elements such as our gelato<br />
fridge and coal grill.”<br />
It is this blend of appealing features<br />
paired with incredible food that make<br />
Doppio such a popular choice among<br />
diners. Major drawcards are the<br />
authentic Mediterranean-inspired<br />
dishes, wood-fired pizzas and freshly<br />
made pastas, the coffee options and<br />
freshly made juices. Every dish is<br />
prepared fresh and with care, from<br />
presentation to flavour, ensuring a<br />
memorable dining experience. The<br />
menu is regularly updated, keeping<br />
the dining experience exciting, and the<br />
carefully selected range of wines and<br />
creative cocktails perfectly complement<br />
the menu.<br />
Doppio’s staff are attentive, friendly<br />
and well trained, and provides prompt,<br />
courteous and knowledgeable service.<br />
“We focus on ensuring that every guest<br />
leaves satisfied, enhancing the overall<br />
dining experience, and our diverse menu<br />
caters to all tastes, including vegetarian<br />
and vegan options. The cosy yet stylish<br />
setting makes it perfect for both casual<br />
and special occasions,” Tim says, adding<br />
that whether indoors or on the patio,<br />
the seating arrangements are designed<br />
for comfort and relaxation. There is also<br />
a Doppio loyalty and customer rewards<br />
program that offers promotions and<br />
discounts to encourage regular visits.<br />
If you’re looking for a place where<br />
every meal is crafted with care, where<br />
you can experience the warmth of true<br />
hospitality, and where every visit feels<br />
like coming home, then Doppio Zero is<br />
where you need to be.<br />
“Come for the food, stay for the<br />
experience, and leave with a new<br />
favourite place to dine,” Tim smiles.<br />
“Doppio Zero isn’t just a restaurant; it’s<br />
an experience that blends the best of the<br />
Mediterranean with the heart of South<br />
Africa. Once you step through our doors,<br />
you’ll understand why our guests keep<br />
coming back time and time again.”
Revelling in our<br />
cultural tapestry<br />
Get It <strong>Lowveld</strong> caught up with well-known local<br />
dad, businessman and entrepreneur Marius Nel<br />
to pick up a few braai tips and find out what<br />
Heritage Day means in his household.<br />
Text: MELLISSA BUSHBY<br />
Get It (GI): Tell us a bit about yourself?<br />
Marius Nel (MN): My name is Marius Nel, and although my roots are in chartered<br />
accountancy, I’ve branched out into a diverse range of ventures. From property<br />
management to co-owning a vibrant restaurant, and even involvement in a<br />
record company, my career is anything but conventional. These pursuits not<br />
only keep me busy, but also reflect the many facets of my personality, as do the<br />
various boards I serve on.<br />
GI: Do you think Heritage Day is important?<br />
MN: Absolutely! Heritage Day is a celebration of South Africa’s incredible cultural<br />
tapestry - a chance for each unique thread to shine brightly while allowing others<br />
to marvel at and participate in the rich traditions that define us.<br />
Marius Nel<br />
20 Get It <strong>Lowveld</strong> <strong>Sep</strong>tember 20<strong>24</strong>
GI: What does Heritage Day mean to you?<br />
MN: For me, Heritage Day is more<br />
than just a date on the calendar; it’s a<br />
vibrant celebration of who we are and<br />
where we come from. I’m passionate<br />
about preserving our cultural heritage,<br />
and this day gives us the perfect<br />
excuse to dive deep into our traditions.<br />
Yet there’s something profoundly<br />
beautiful about stepping outside our<br />
own culture to embrace and enjoy<br />
the festivities of others. It’s a reminder<br />
that beneath our differences lie shared<br />
experiences and values - only if we<br />
take the time to explore them.<br />
GI: How often do you have a braai?<br />
MN: In a perfect world, where work and<br />
social commitments didn’t exist, we’d<br />
be braaiing every day! But realistically,<br />
we make sure to fire up the grill at least<br />
twice a week, indulging in that smoky<br />
goodness as often as we can.<br />
GI: Do you normally have a braai on<br />
Heritage/Braai Day?<br />
MN: Without a doubt! Heritage Day<br />
wouldn’t be complete without a braai.<br />
We like to get creative, experimenting<br />
with new recipes and techniques to<br />
make the day extra special. And if we<br />
can gather family and friends around<br />
the fire, it becomes a true celebration.<br />
GI: Do you prefer gas, wood or charcoal?<br />
MN: The traditionalist and true purist<br />
in me will always lean towards wood,<br />
particularly the kind you find in the<br />
bushveld - there’s just something<br />
mesmerising and magical about it.<br />
That said, I’ve embraced the art of<br />
Weber (charcoal) braaiing, and when<br />
time is short on a weeknight, I’m not<br />
above firing up the Weber gas braai for<br />
a quick and tasty meal.<br />
Marius Nel with his friend Zirk Spruyt<br />
GI: What is your speciality on the braai?<br />
MN: If you ask my family, they’d<br />
probably tell you that I’m known for my<br />
perfectly cooked fillet and steak. And<br />
then there’s my bread, lovingly baked<br />
in my ‘varkie’ - it’s become something<br />
of a legend in our household.<br />
GI: Favourite spices or spice mix?<br />
MN: I’m a firm believer that sometimes<br />
simplicity is best, so I often stick to just<br />
salt and pepper. But when I’m in the<br />
mood to mix things up, Worcestershire<br />
spice is my go-to, especially for chops.<br />
And I have to mention Rooibaard<br />
sauces and spices - they add a little<br />
something extra that really elevates<br />
the dish.<br />
GI: In your opinion, what are the most<br />
crucial accompaniments to a braai?<br />
MN: It’s all about the atmosphere.<br />
You could have the finest prime cuts<br />
of meat and the most delicious side<br />
dishes, but without good music and<br />
great company, it just doesn’t feel the<br />
same. A braai without homemade<br />
potato salad and braaibroodjies can<br />
very easily be termed half a braai ...<br />
I still remember my very first braai like<br />
it was yesterday. I was in Grade Two,<br />
and a friend and I pooled our measly<br />
pocket money to buy a packet of<br />
boerewors from the local butcher. We<br />
snuck behind their garage to braai<br />
it on a makeshift grid balanced on<br />
stones, and let me tell you, that was the<br />
best-tasting wors I’ve ever had, all the<br />
better because I shared the experience<br />
with my best friend at the time.<br />
GI: Do you have a favourite braai recipe?<br />
MN: I do have a few tricks up my sleeve,<br />
but I’ll let you in on one: I’m a big fan<br />
of using sous vide to prepare my steak<br />
and fillet before they hit the braai. It’s<br />
practically foolproof - the meat comes<br />
out tender and perfectly medium-rare<br />
every single time. It’s a game changer.
Text: MELLISSA BUSHBY<br />
Braaibroodjies<br />
Ingredients<br />
• 1 panini, sliced lengthwise<br />
• 200g brown mushrooms,<br />
sliced • 2 tbsp olive oil • 1 garlic<br />
clove, minced • Salt and pepper<br />
to taste • 1 cup cheese, grated<br />
(e.g. mozzarella or cheddar)<br />
• Fresh thyme<br />
Method<br />
In a pan, heat the olive oil over<br />
medium heat. Add the minced<br />
garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes<br />
until fragrant. Add the sliced<br />
mushrooms, season with salt<br />
and pepper, and cook until the<br />
mushrooms are soft and slightly<br />
browned about 5-7 minutes.<br />
Set aside. Spread the sautéed<br />
mushrooms evenly over the<br />
cut sides of the panini. Sprinkle<br />
the grated cheese over the<br />
mushrooms. Place the panini<br />
halves on a grill over the fire,<br />
cheese side up. Toast for about<br />
5-7 minutes, or until the cheese<br />
melts and the panini is crispy<br />
and slightly charred. Remove<br />
from the fire, sprinkle with fresh<br />
herbs, and serve hot.<br />
celebrating<br />
flavour!
National Braai Day is more than just a public holiday;<br />
it’s a vibrant celebration of our diverse heritage and<br />
culture, with the braai taking centre stage.<br />
Just about every South African loves nothing more than lighting a fire, cracking<br />
open a beer and relaxing in the great outdoors. You can opt for a gas braai, which<br />
is convenient and easy to use. If space and/or time is limited, this is the way<br />
to go. The wood braai is the most traditional and beloved method. It involves<br />
using wood as fuel, which imparts a distinctive smoky flavour to the food and<br />
the crackling of the fire is what makes this the favourite way to braai. Charcoal<br />
is somewhere between the two, and most <strong>Lowveld</strong>ers use a mix of wood and<br />
charcoal to make a fire.<br />
A braai is about more than just cooking food over a fire; it’s a social event that<br />
brings family and friends together to share stories, laugh and generally have a<br />
good time, whether it’s watching the rugby or keeping an eye on the kids in the<br />
pool on Saturday afternoons.<br />
The braai is also versatile when it comes to what you can cook over the coals.<br />
From fruit (charred pineapple marinated in rum and caramel sugar is to die for),<br />
to vegetables to meat. Char-grilled peppers, courgette and aubergine, chicken<br />
sosaties with mushroom and cherry tomatoes, fish marinated in apricot jam, and<br />
the ubiquitous steak, burgers, boerewors and chops are a few examples, not<br />
to mention everyone’s favourite - potatoes wrapped up in foil and cooked to<br />
perfection in the coals, and of course braaibroodjies.<br />
The amazing thing about the braai culture is that it transcends race, ethnicity and<br />
socio-economic status, making it a unifying force in the <strong>Lowveld</strong> and in South<br />
Africa. It’s a place where people stand shoulder to shoulder; sharing in the joy of<br />
good food and good company in the beautiful place we call home.<br />
Black bean & beetroot burgers<br />
Ingredients<br />
• 1 x 410g can black beans, drained<br />
and rinsed • 1 large beetroot, peeled<br />
and grated • ½ cup breadcrumbs<br />
• ½ cup rolled oats • ½ cup grated<br />
carrots • ¼ cup finely chopped onion<br />
• 2 cloves garlic, minced • 2 tbsp<br />
chopped fresh cilantro or parsley<br />
• 1 tsp ground cumin • 1 tsp paprika<br />
• ½ tsp chilli flakes (optional) • ½ tsp<br />
salt • ¼ tsp black pepper • 1 tbsp soy<br />
sauce • Olive oil for brushing • Burger<br />
rolls and toppings of your choice<br />
Method<br />
In a large bowl, mash the black beans<br />
with a fork or potato masher until<br />
mostly smooth. Add the beetroot,<br />
breadcrumbs, oats, grated carrots,<br />
chopped onion, minced garlic,<br />
chopped cilantro or parsley, cumin,<br />
paprika, salt, black pepper and soy<br />
sauce. Mix until well combined.<br />
Using your hands, form the mixture<br />
into patties. You should get about<br />
6-8 patties, depending on the size.<br />
Brush each patty with a little olive oil<br />
to prevent sticking. Grill the patties<br />
for about 5-7 minutes on each side,<br />
until they are heated through and<br />
have nice grill marks. Serve the quinoa<br />
burgers on burger rolls topped with<br />
toppings of your choice, such as<br />
guacamole, rocket, sun-dried tomato,<br />
red onion or gherkins.
Chargrilled peppers on the fire<br />
Ingredients<br />
• 4 large bell peppers (red, yellow,<br />
orange, or green) • 2 tbsp olive oil<br />
• 1 tsp sea salt • ½ tsp black pepper<br />
• 1 tsp balsamic vinegar (optional)<br />
• Fresh basil leaves for garnish<br />
(optional)<br />
Method<br />
Wash and dry the bell peppers. Cut<br />
the peppers in half lengthwise and<br />
remove the seeds and membranes.<br />
Toss the pepper halves in olive oil, sea<br />
salt, and black pepper until evenly<br />
coated. Place the pepper halves on<br />
the braai, skin-side down. Grill for<br />
about 8-10 minutes, or until the<br />
skins are charred and blistered. Turn<br />
the peppers over and grill for an<br />
additional 2-3 minutes until tender.<br />
Once the peppers are grilled, drizzle<br />
them with a little balsamic vinegar<br />
for added flavour. Transfer the chargrilled<br />
peppers to a serving platter<br />
and garnish with fresh basil leaves.<br />
Tips: These can be served as a side dish,<br />
added to salads, or used as toppings<br />
for burgers and sandwiches.<br />
You can also marinate the peppers in<br />
olive oil, garlic and herbs after grilling<br />
for an extra layer of flavour.<br />
Homemade braai spice<br />
Ingredients<br />
• 2 tbsp paprika • 1 tbsp garlic powder<br />
• 1 tbsp onion powder • 1 tbsp dried<br />
oregano • 1 tbsp dried thyme • 1 tbsp<br />
ground coriander • 1 tbsp ground<br />
cumin • 1 tsp salt • ½ tsp black pepper<br />
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional for<br />
extra heat)<br />
Method<br />
Combine all the ingredients in a small<br />
bowl and mix well. Store in an airtight<br />
container. Use this spice blend to<br />
season your meats, vegetables, or<br />
sprinkle it on your quinoa burgers<br />
and chicken kebabs for an extra burst<br />
of flavour.<br />
Marinated chicken kebabs<br />
Ingredients<br />
• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into<br />
cubes • ¼ cup olive oil • ¼ cup soy sauce<br />
• 2 tbsp lemon juice • 2 cloves garlic, minced<br />
• 1 tsp dried oregano • 1 tsp dried thyme<br />
• ½ tsp black pepper • Wooden or metal skewers<br />
Method<br />
In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, soy<br />
sauce, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, thyme and<br />
black pepper. Add the chicken cubes to the<br />
marinade, making sure they are well coated.<br />
Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably<br />
overnight. Preheat your braai to medium-high<br />
heat. Thread the marinated chicken cubes<br />
onto the skewers, alternating with veggies of<br />
your choice such as chunks of peppers, onion,<br />
mushrooms or cherry tomatoes. Grill the kebabs<br />
for about 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until<br />
the chicken is cooked through and slightly charred<br />
on the edges. Serve hot with your favourite sides.<br />
<strong>Sep</strong>tember 20<strong>24</strong> Get It <strong>Lowveld</strong> 25
advertorial<br />
Revel in a Front-Row Seat to<br />
<strong>Lowveld</strong> living<br />
From the veranda of this unparalleled five-bedroom residence, you can hear the whispers of the nearby<br />
dam while watching a duiker rest under the shade of a fever tree.<br />
Situated on a hectare and adjoined by the<br />
estate’s varied terrain - including open<br />
savannas, wetlands, wooded areas and<br />
dense thickets - this is <strong>Lowveld</strong> Living<br />
at its finest. Set against the backdrop<br />
of the prestigious Brightside Eco and<br />
Aero Estate, renowned for its squash and<br />
tennis court and exceptional lifestyle, this<br />
home captures the essence of elegant,<br />
secure and nature-integrated living.<br />
Here, residents enjoy a serene<br />
environment where children can play<br />
freely and families can explore scenic<br />
trails along the dam with complete<br />
peace of mind. The estate’s emphasis<br />
on safety and community allows for<br />
an unparalleled quality of life, where<br />
the natural beauty of the surroundings<br />
complements a secure and welcoming<br />
atmosphere.<br />
Situated just 12km from Uplands, one<br />
of the <strong>Lowveld</strong>’s top schools, a stone’s<br />
throw from White River Country Estate<br />
and only 40 minutes from the iconic<br />
Kruger National Park, this property offers<br />
the perfect blend of convenience and<br />
natural beauty.<br />
Many Artists, One Masterpiece<br />
At the core of this stunning residence is<br />
the architectural genius of Reiner Förtsch<br />
of Förtsch and Associates Architects.<br />
Commissioned by the homeowners to<br />
design a space that seamlessly blends<br />
security with sophistication, Förtsch<br />
crafted a home that exudes elegance<br />
and charm. The design features sash<br />
windows with protective shutters,<br />
enhancing both safety and style, while<br />
a wrap-around veranda, inspired by<br />
traditional farmhouses, invites the serene<br />
beauty of the outdoors inside. Positioned<br />
to take full advantage of its elevated,<br />
north-facing location, the house offers<br />
sweeping views over the expansive<br />
100-hectare White River Estate, making<br />
it a true reflection of <strong>Lowveld</strong> Living at<br />
its finest.
Complementing Förtsch’s architectural<br />
vision is the artistic legacy of renowned<br />
<strong>Lowveld</strong> ceramists and others. In the<br />
kitchen, a combination of tiles from the<br />
Bosch Studio and other ceramists creates<br />
a harmonious blend of contemporary<br />
artistry. Throughout the rest of the home,<br />
bold and unique floor tiles add a touch<br />
of functional art, each piece meticulously<br />
handcrafted to reflect the rich heritage of<br />
the region’s ceramic tradition. Together<br />
the architecture and the art transform<br />
this residence into a masterpiece of<br />
design and craftsmanship.<br />
A Lifestyle Beyond Compare<br />
Living in Brightside Eco and Aero<br />
Estate extends beyond the walls of this<br />
exquisite home. Inside, you’ll find elegant<br />
living areas perfect for entertaining,<br />
complemented by a well-appointed<br />
kitchen. The residence also boasts three<br />
spacious garages and a beautifully<br />
landscaped garden that enhances the<br />
outdoor living experience. The estate’s<br />
expansive grounds offer a lifestyle rich<br />
in natural beauty and outdoor activities.<br />
Residents can enjoy serene walks along<br />
the estate’s well-maintained trails, take<br />
leisurely strolls around the large dam,<br />
or engage in friendly matches on the<br />
tennis and squash courts. For aviation<br />
enthusiasts, the private 450m grassed<br />
runway provides a unique feature of<br />
allowing easy access for light aircraft.<br />
The home itself spans an impressive<br />
964m² on a 10 000m² stand, featuring<br />
beautifully landscaped gardens with<br />
indigenous trees that attract local birdlife.<br />
The residence includes five spacious<br />
bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms, providing<br />
ample space for family and guests.<br />
Eco-friendly features, including a solar<br />
system and efficient grey and black<br />
water management systems, align with<br />
sustainable living practices. Picture yourself<br />
enjoying the large patio, perfect for<br />
entertaining and taking in the breathtaking<br />
views of the surrounding hills.<br />
From Dream Home to Your<br />
<strong>Lowveld</strong> Living<br />
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to own<br />
a piece of the <strong>Lowveld</strong>’s magic. For more<br />
information or to schedule a viewing,<br />
please contact Eduan van der Walt at<br />
Century 21 Nelspruit/White River. You can<br />
reach Eduan on 083 652 3095 or via email<br />
at eduan.vanderwalt@century21.co.za.<br />
Experience the allure of this exceptional<br />
home and the tranquil lifestyle it offers.
BEE SPRING<br />
BUTTERFLY-READY<br />
As Winter fades and Spring returns to the<br />
<strong>Lowveld</strong>, it’s time to prepare your garden for a<br />
burst of new life.<br />
<strong>Sep</strong>tember is the perfect opportunity<br />
to cultivate a garden that is not only<br />
visually appealing, but also beneficial<br />
for local wildlife, which includes bees<br />
and butterflies. Additionally, with water<br />
scarcity being a common issue in<br />
many parts of South Africa, embracing<br />
water-wise gardening practices is<br />
essential.<br />
Start by planning your garden layout<br />
and cleaning up the remnants of<br />
winter. Remove dead plants, fallen<br />
leaves and debris to give your garden a<br />
fresh start. This clean-up helps prevent<br />
diseases and pests from overwintering<br />
in your garden. Evaluate your garden<br />
space, considering areas that receive<br />
the most sunlight and those that are<br />
shaded, to decide where to plant<br />
various species.<br />
A thriving garden relies on healthy<br />
soil. Test your soil’s pH levels and<br />
nutrient content to determine if<br />
any amendments are needed. Add<br />
compost or well-rotted manure to<br />
enrich the soil with organic matter,<br />
improving its texture and fertility. If<br />
you have soil that is sandy or clayey,<br />
incorporating organic matter helps<br />
retain moisture and provides essential<br />
nutrients for plant growth.<br />
Sustainability in gardening involves<br />
minimising environmental impact<br />
and promoting biodiversity. Use<br />
organic fertilisers and avoid chemical<br />
pesticides. Compost kitchen scraps<br />
and garden waste to create a nutrientrich<br />
amendment for your soil. Regular<br />
maintenance is key to a flourishing<br />
garden. Prune dead or damaged<br />
branches, deadhead spent flowers<br />
to encourage new blooms, and keep<br />
an eye out for pests and diseases.<br />
Regularly inspect your irrigation system<br />
to ensure it’s functioning efficiently.<br />
Creating a garden that attracts<br />
bees and butterflies is beneficial<br />
for pollination and biodiversity and<br />
always looks beautiful! Also encourage<br />
beneficial insects like ladybugs and<br />
predatory wasps to take up residence<br />
in your garden. These insects control<br />
pests naturally, negating the need<br />
for chemical pesticides (which are<br />
not good for the earth and animals).<br />
Planting herbs such as dill, fennel and<br />
parsley attract these helpful insects.<br />
There is also a large variety of plants<br />
that you can incorporate into your<br />
garden that will entice both.<br />
Water conservation is crucial in South<br />
Africa, where droughts can be a<br />
significant concern. Implementing<br />
water-wise gardening practices<br />
ensures your garden remains lush<br />
and healthy without wasting precious<br />
resources. There are a number of<br />
ways that you can reduce water<br />
consumption while still maintaining a<br />
healthy and lush garden. These include:<br />
Mulching<br />
Apply a layer of organic mulch, such as<br />
bark chips or straw, around your plants.<br />
Mulch retains moisture in the soil,<br />
suppresses weeds and regulates soil<br />
temperature.
Drip irrigation<br />
Install a drip irrigation system to deliver water directly<br />
to the roots of your plants. This method reduces water<br />
wastage through evaporation and run-off.<br />
Rainwater harvesting<br />
Collect rainwater in barrels or tanks to use for garden<br />
irrigation. Free of chemicals, rainwater is best for plants.<br />
Drought-tolerant plants<br />
Choose native and drought-resistant plants that can thrive<br />
with minimal water. Succulents, such as crassulas and<br />
agaves, are excellent options.<br />
Preparing your garden for spring involves thoughtful<br />
planning and sustainable practices, but doesn’t need to<br />
be a high-maintenance affair. By focusing on bee- and<br />
butterfly-friendly plants and implementing water-wise<br />
gardening techniques, you can create a vibrant, ecofriendly<br />
garden that both supports sustainability and<br />
conserves water.<br />
Text: MELLISSA BUSHBY<br />
Bee and butterfly-enticing plants<br />
Aloe<br />
Aloes are hardy, drought-resistant plants that<br />
produce nectar-rich flowers, attracting both bees and<br />
butterflies. Varieties like Aloe ferox and Aloe marlothii<br />
are particularly effective.<br />
Lavender<br />
Known for its aromatic scent and beautiful purple<br />
flowers, lavender is a magnet for bees and butterflies. It<br />
thrives in well-drained soil and full sun.<br />
Cape honeysuckle (Tecoma capensis)<br />
This fast-growing, evergreen shrub produces vibrant<br />
orange-red flowers that are highly attractive to<br />
sunbirds, bees and butterflies.<br />
Wild dagga (Leonotis leonurus)<br />
Also known as lion’s tail, this plant produces bright<br />
orange flowers that are a favourite among pollinators.<br />
It’s drought-tolerant and easy to grow.<br />
African daisy (Arctotis)<br />
These cheerful, colourful daisies are not only beautiful,<br />
but also resilient and water-wise. They attract a variety<br />
of pollinators, including birds, bees and butterflies.<br />
Plumbago<br />
Adored by birds, butterflies and bees, plumbago is a<br />
magnificent blue indigenous scrambling shrub (there<br />
is also a white variety). It’s drought-resistant and grows<br />
well in full sun or semi-shade.<br />
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Spoil<br />
<strong>Sep</strong>tember<br />
Celebrate the many joys of Spring<br />
with Bruce Jack Bumble Bee Moscato<br />
All enticing<br />
aromas of an<br />
exotic flower<br />
garden, Bruce<br />
Jack Bumble<br />
Bee Moscato<br />
is a light, low<br />
alcohol and truly wonderfully<br />
refreshing sparkling wine ... a<br />
harmonious blend of peaches and<br />
cream, tangy tangerine and sweet<br />
honey, perfectly complemented by a<br />
refreshing acidity. Made from Muscat<br />
d’Alexandrie grapes - also known as<br />
Hanepoot in South Africa - it’s the perfect<br />
drink for an easy going get together. Light,<br />
refreshing, bubbly and fun ... this is a very easy<br />
wine to love. Love the bumble bee too ... this choice<br />
as this Moscato’s namesake highlights Bruce Jack’s<br />
commitment to biodiversity and the essential role of bees<br />
in the ecosystem. Serve this well chilled on its own as a<br />
sundowner ... but it’s also fabulously food-friendly. Try it with<br />
oysters, mussels and grilled fish or spicy Asian cuisine, and it’s a<br />
sensational partner to creamy desserts. For a special treat, whip up<br />
your own cocktail by adding a touch of grenadine, a sprig of fresh thyme<br />
to Bumble Bee and garnish with sliced strawberries. Or opt for a simpler option<br />
with fresh orange juice topped with a slice of orange. You’ll find it at your local<br />
Tops at SPAR, or buy online for R90 a bottle from brucejack.com.<br />
Follow on Instagram and Facebook @brucejackwines<br />
For a proper Spring celebration, you’ll need a<br />
case. Luckily, that’s exactly what we’re giving<br />
a reader this month. For a chance to win,<br />
pop over to @getitnationalmagzines on<br />
Instagram or Facebook, where you’ll<br />
find our Bruce Jack Spoil, and<br />
follow the prompts. Entries<br />
close <strong>Sep</strong>tember 25.<br />
32 Get It <strong>Lowveld</strong> <strong>Sep</strong>tember 20<strong>24</strong>