Oct 24 - Ballito Umhlanga
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BALLITO • Umdloti • UMHLANGA<br />
WORTH<br />
THE HYPE<br />
Discover a new<br />
restaurant in<br />
<strong>Ballito</strong><br />
EXPLORE A<br />
private GAME<br />
RESERVE IN<br />
ZULULAND<br />
WIN!<br />
A fragrance<br />
from Lacoste<br />
THINK PINK<br />
Our favourite<br />
beauty treats<br />
Dr Portia Mazabane talks about<br />
mental health<br />
SHOPPING, PEOPLE AND LIFESTYLE IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD<br />
october 20<strong>24</strong>
GET IT<br />
Editorial<br />
Phone 032 946 0276<br />
Email jennifer@getitnc.co.za<br />
<strong>Ballito</strong> Business Centre • <strong>Ballito</strong> Drive<br />
<strong>Ballito</strong> • KwaZulu-Natal<br />
Like and Follow us<br />
Get It Magazine <strong>Ballito</strong>.Umdloti.<strong>Umhlanga</strong><br />
@GetItMagNC<br />
@getitmagnc<br />
www.getitmagazine.co.za/ballito-umhlanga/<br />
Editor Jennifer Campbell<br />
jennifer@getitnc.co.za<br />
Layout and Design<br />
Jessmica Depalal<br />
Triveshni Poonsamy<br />
ads@northcoastcourier.co.za<br />
Advertising<br />
Natalie Bertram<br />
Natalie@getitnc.co.za | 082 434 3442<br />
Janine Nyce<br />
janine@getitnc.co.za | 072 709 6673<br />
Online Co-ordinator /<br />
Sales & Admin Support<br />
Lisa Smith | lisa@getitnc.co.za<br />
GET IT NATIONAL<br />
National Group Editor and Sales<br />
Kym Argo<br />
082 785 9230 | kyma@caxton.co.za<br />
Distribution<br />
12 000 copies monthly<br />
Get It <strong>Ballito</strong> • <strong>Umhlanga</strong> is distributed<br />
free of charge in <strong>Ballito</strong>, Salt Rock, Umhlali,<br />
Umdloti, <strong>Umhlanga</strong> Rocks, <strong>Umhlanga</strong><br />
Ridge, Gateway and La Lucia<br />
Published by The North Coast Courier<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 <strong>Ballito</strong><br />
branch within 10 days or they will be forfeited.<br />
Prize winners’ names are published on our<br />
Facebook page monthly.<br />
contents<br />
THIS MONTH<br />
3 Dates to diarise this month<br />
4 Our must-read books<br />
6 Books, beauty treats and wine<br />
8 See who we’ve spotted out and about<br />
people<br />
14 Dr Portia Mazabane talks about mental health<br />
16 Bruce Renken reflects on the last 21 years<br />
20 Discover a hidden gem in <strong>Ballito</strong><br />
22 Workshops you won’t want to miss at The Fair with Flair<br />
26 Tarryn Futter keeps her family’s love for floristy alive<br />
HEALTH & FITNESS<br />
28 Zakithi Nene shares his Olympics experience<br />
30 Rochelle van Staden gets ready for the Masters Hockey World Cup<br />
36 Ella Coppola tells us how she navigated breast cancer<br />
Food & DRINKS<br />
40 Butcher Boys <strong>Ballito</strong> is all about the steak<br />
44 Where to get the best coffee in town<br />
KIDs<br />
48 Mangaliso Mthembu shines in a Showmax series<br />
50 Understanding different learning styles<br />
52 A mentorship programme with a difference<br />
54 Take care of young eyes<br />
56 How to raise avid readers<br />
home & decor<br />
58 Country living near <strong>Ballito</strong><br />
62 Garden tasks for <strong>Oct</strong>ober<br />
travel<br />
66 Visit a luxury bush lodge in Zululand<br />
win<br />
68 Our <strong>Oct</strong>ober spoil: a fragrance from Lacoste<br />
Cover details:<br />
Dr Portia Mazabane<br />
Shot by: Shren Media, shren.ramlal@gmail.com;<br />
@shrenmedia<br />
Makeup: Michelle Haywood, 061 492 2321,<br />
@brush_makeupbymich<br />
Location: Weylandts, <strong>Ballito</strong> Lifestyle Centre;<br />
www.weylandts.co.za<br />
OCT 20<strong>24</strong><br />
40<br />
11975 copies distributed (April to June 20<strong>24</strong>)<br />
<strong>Oct</strong> 20<strong>24</strong> Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> • Umdloti • <strong>Umhlanga</strong> 01
17<br />
YEARS<br />
DUAL MANDATE<br />
R 2 950 000<br />
BALLITO | FAMILY HOME IN A GATED ESTATE<br />
Private with views over Simbithi. Double garage at entrance to this level<br />
property. Pet friendly.<br />
3<br />
2<br />
2<br />
170m 2<br />
SHEFFIELD BEACH | VACANT LAND<br />
BUILD YOUR DREAM HOME<br />
Build your own lock up and go in this beautifully manicured and sought<br />
after country estate in a quiet and progressive part of the Dolphin Coast.<br />
Stunning communal areas and facilities. No transfer duty payable.<br />
396m 2<br />
EXCLUSIVE MANDATE<br />
R 800 000<br />
R 15 900 000<br />
BALLITO | EXTRAORDINARY LIVING<br />
Ideally positioned family home almost on the beach. Could be utilised as a<br />
guest house. Solar, ample garaging and more…<br />
6<br />
6<br />
4<br />
550m 2<br />
Invest. Intelligently.<br />
032 946 1439 / 082 551 2607<br />
073 106 6010 - Rental Specialist<br />
www.fionacrago.co.za
A hot date!<br />
Padel, shopping and birthday celebrations this <strong>Oct</strong>ober.<br />
Join the Get It team for a tropical<br />
paradise-themed, ladies’ padel<br />
tournament! Dress in your best floral<br />
prints and bright colours for a fun-filled<br />
morning on the court. The tournament<br />
will be split into two sessions: join the<br />
8am-10:30am slot if you’re a newbie,<br />
beginner or intermediate; or sign up<br />
for the 10:30am-1pm session if you’re<br />
feeling a little more competitive. Each<br />
lady will receive a drink and light snack,<br />
and will leave with a fabulous goodie<br />
bag. There are also wonderful prizes<br />
up for grabs. A portion of the proceeds<br />
will go to The North Coast Courier<br />
Orphan Fund, which raises funds for<br />
food parcels for NGOs, child-headed<br />
households and grandmothers who<br />
care for orphaned and vulnerable<br />
people, as well as subsistence bursaries<br />
for deserving students who qualify<br />
for financial aid but cannot support<br />
themselves. Details: The tournament<br />
will take place on 12 <strong>Oct</strong>ober at Karibu<br />
Padel in Umhlali; and tickets cost R280 per<br />
person. To book, contact Lisa on<br />
lisa@getitnc.co.za or 032 946 0276.<br />
The Beverly Hills Hotel is hosting an<br />
17 31<br />
elegant luncheon to inspire, empower<br />
and raise awareness about breast cancer. Enjoy<br />
a sublime culinary experience while gaining<br />
valuable insights that can make a difference in<br />
the fight against breast cancer. Guests can expect<br />
a three-course lunch, a gift from Estee Lauder<br />
and the opportunity to hear keynote speaker<br />
Rabia Bibi Cozjin, a breast cancer survivor and the<br />
founder of Anixi Health, a community-driven app<br />
for supporters, warriors and survivors.<br />
Details: The event starts at 12pm and costs R990 per<br />
person. Tickets are available on www.quicket.co.za<br />
12<br />
The annual Fair with Flair<br />
will take place from 31<br />
<strong>Oct</strong>ober to 2 November at Manor<br />
House in Sheffield. The event<br />
promises fabulous shopping and<br />
delicious food, as well as a number<br />
of workshops, including wreathmaking<br />
and silk screening your<br />
own wrapping paper. The fair is the<br />
biggest annual fundraising event<br />
of the Christmas Fair Fund, and<br />
proceeds are channelled to various<br />
ongoing community projects on<br />
the North Coast.<br />
Details: www.fairwithflair.co.za<br />
<strong>Oct</strong> 20<strong>24</strong> Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> • Umdloti • <strong>Umhlanga</strong> 03
Book club<br />
A handful of the best books on the shelves this <strong>Oct</strong>ober<br />
Set in the 1970s in a summer camp<br />
in the Adirondack mountains, The<br />
God of the Woods is part mystery,<br />
part family drama. When a girl goes<br />
missing from the camp, it’s tragic. But<br />
the fact that she’s gone missing in the<br />
same woods as her young brother<br />
did 14 years ago makes it somewhat<br />
suspicious. The boy was never found,<br />
the locals didn’t all agree with the<br />
person finally found guilty, stories are<br />
murky and characters not all terribly<br />
likeable. Liz Moore’s book is brilliantly<br />
thrilling, couldn’t put it down! The<br />
Borough Press • An all-female boarding<br />
house. A new glam and mysterious<br />
arrival. Unlikely friendships. Add one<br />
deadly secret and an unexpected<br />
shocking act of violence and you’ve<br />
a thrilling read ... The Briar Club<br />
by Kate Quinn - queen of historical<br />
fiction. Harper Collins<br />
‘The exact number of German women raped during the dying days of<br />
world war two is unknown, but it is possibly as high as 2 million (and<br />
many were raped multiple times).’ So writes Josie Ferguson, whose<br />
incredible debut novel The Silence In Between is dedicated to ‘those<br />
whose stories deserved to be heard’. A heart-breaking historical fiction<br />
story of family, fear, hope and the atrocities of war. The story opens on<br />
August 12, 1961. Lisette’s baby is ill, and she’s left him overnight in a<br />
hospital in the West, going back to her home in the East to get clean<br />
clothes and some rest. When she wakes, early on August 13, everything’s<br />
changed. Overnight, the border between East and West Berlin has been<br />
closed and there’s no way she can get to her child. From this shattering<br />
start, the tale jumps to and from 1961, with Lisette’s teenage daughter,<br />
Elly, desperately trying to find a way to get her baby brother back and<br />
hopefully receive the love she longs for from her mother, and 1938, and<br />
what Lisette and her family endured through the war. It’s fiction based on<br />
fact … and the most far-fetched events which are seemingly unrealistic<br />
are all horribly true. As the author points out, the East West border was<br />
closed overnight. Rape victims offered themselves to a single officer so<br />
as to escape multiple rapes. Hitler Youth members really did hand out<br />
cyanide pills, and husbands were separated from wives, mothers from<br />
babies. It’s not an easy read, but it’s beautifully written, compelling, and<br />
will stay with you long, long after you turn the last page. Penguin<br />
04 Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> • Umdloti • <strong>Umhlanga</strong> <strong>Oct</strong> 20<strong>24</strong>
Home interiors influencer Elle’s<br />
life is the envy of thousands. And<br />
when her producers tell her about<br />
a dilapidated chateau in the French<br />
countryside, she’s delighted. Social<br />
media content of sprawling vineyards<br />
and tasteful interiors will surely take<br />
attention away from the cracks that<br />
are beginning to show in her life,<br />
and the risk of past secrets being<br />
revealed. After all, it’s what’s in front of<br />
the cameras that’s important. As she<br />
well knows, dark and dirty behindthe-scenes<br />
flaws can be filtered out.<br />
Amanda Cassidy’s The Perfect Place ...<br />
a first-class thriller. Canelo<br />
From John Boyne - author of The Boy<br />
in the Striped Pyjamas, the second in<br />
his four interlinked novels named<br />
after the elements. The first, Water,<br />
looked at a wife’s complicity in her<br />
husband’s sexual abuse of minors.<br />
This second book, Earth, is about two<br />
football players on trial. One accused<br />
of rape. The other an accessory ... who,<br />
as the trial unfolds, reflects on the<br />
events in his life that have led him to<br />
this moment. A beautifully written,<br />
haunting read. Penguin<br />
The Paris Muse is the story of Dora<br />
Maar and Pablo Picasso’s love affair<br />
... dubbed the greatest love affair in<br />
art history. It’s the story about Dora<br />
- artist, creative genius and muse<br />
- who inspired some of Picasso’s<br />
greatest work. And their love affair<br />
that destroyed her. Author Louisa<br />
Treger says the book is based on the<br />
biographical facts of Dora’s life, but is a<br />
work of fiction ... she’s taken liberty with<br />
facts, characterisations and particularly<br />
chronologies. Bloomsbury Publishing<br />
All books available at<br />
Exclusive Books<br />
The recently released 2023 La Motte<br />
Chardonnay’s nectarine and citrus<br />
fruit flavours are complemented<br />
by hints of cashew nut and freshly<br />
baked bread. A polished, medium-full<br />
wine with exceptional freshness and<br />
a lively length. Really food-friendly<br />
... superb with creamy cheese and<br />
egg dishes (think quiche and soufflé),<br />
subtle spice and curry dishes and<br />
for those splashing out, with caviar,<br />
snails, crayfish and mussels. R170<br />
from la-motte.com<br />
<strong>Oct</strong> 20<strong>24</strong> Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> • Umdloti • <strong>Umhlanga</strong> 05<br />
Compiled by: Kym Argo
Wish list<br />
Life’s a (garden) party this <strong>Oct</strong>ober<br />
Great recipes and a good cause. It’s<br />
all win win with the launch of Love<br />
Lives Here - Vegan Food from a Farm<br />
Sanctuary. Compiled by Rima Geffen, it’s<br />
a collection of recipes from volunteers at<br />
Greyton Animal Sanctuary, a non-profit<br />
farm animal rescue centre, which provides<br />
a home for more than 250 animals.<br />
Volunteers from around the world - from<br />
Azerbaijan to Zambia - spend time at the<br />
sanctuary to help with the animals’ care.<br />
Every evening, the visiting and resident<br />
caregivers take turns to cook a shared meal<br />
... and so this carefully curated selection of<br />
volunteers’ favourite recipes was born. R350,<br />
with a percentage of the profits going to<br />
the sanctuary. Rockhopper Books<br />
From seed to celebration!<br />
Garden Day is an annual day of<br />
celebration by South Africans in<br />
honour of our gardens and green<br />
spaces. It’s a day to show off our<br />
hard work and relish the joy gardens<br />
bring to our communities and lives.<br />
On Sunday 20 <strong>Oct</strong>ober join in the<br />
green fun. Plant something. Wear a<br />
flower crown. Throw a garden party.<br />
It could be a lavish lunch on the lawn,<br />
platters on the patio, or tea for two<br />
under your fave tree. The Garden<br />
Day crew have plenty of materials to<br />
help you prepare for the day ... from<br />
posters to customisable invitations<br />
and guidelines to make your own<br />
flower crown ... visit the Toolkit tab<br />
on gardenday.co.za. On the day, share<br />
your garden party pics on social media<br />
#GardenDaySA.<br />
Key lime and Tuberose<br />
and Gardenia. A gorgeous<br />
floral collection from<br />
Sh’Zen. Cleansing gel with<br />
vanilla and ginger (R259),<br />
luxury soy massage candle<br />
(R349) and Sparkling Mist<br />
with neroli and Mandarin<br />
(R239), from shzen.co.za<br />
06 Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> • Umdloti • <strong>Umhlanga</strong> <strong>Oct</strong> 20<strong>24</strong>
Farmer Angus organic wine<br />
Farmer Angus is Spier Wine<br />
Farm’s new flagship organic<br />
wine range. The collection is<br />
the fruit of a shared journey<br />
between the farm’s awardwinning<br />
winemaking team<br />
and Angus McIntosh, a<br />
passionate champion of<br />
regenerative agriculture who not only calls Spier his home<br />
but is also renowned for his commitment to ethically farmed<br />
meat, chicken and pork. At the heart of these wines lies a<br />
profound respect for the soil and its role in nurturing healthy<br />
vines and exceptional grapes. Regenerative agriculture is his<br />
life’s work, Angus says, adding he believes all health stems from<br />
the soil. The range, made with grapes grown without synthetic<br />
herbicides, fungicides, pesticides, or fertilisers, has three limitedrelease<br />
wines. Farmer Angus Chenin Blanc - all butterscotch<br />
and apricots, followed by a palate of citrus and caramel, it<br />
pairs perfectly with prosciutto (R595); a vibrant, freshing rosé<br />
showcasing strawberry and vanilla on the nose, with strawberry<br />
and coriander on the palate (R495), and Farmer Angus Red<br />
Blend - a classic Stellenbosch Red Blend boasting a nose of<br />
blackberry and chocolate, complemented by a palate of vanilla<br />
and blackcurrant, brilliant with a grass-fed beef steak (R695). We<br />
love the labels, too. Angus used the vine leaves he collected<br />
from the very vines that make these wines in the label design.<br />
His mother taught him this leaf-rubbing art form as a boy, he<br />
shares, saying it connects the wines right back to their origins<br />
among the vines. Buy online from spier.co.za<br />
Let’s keep things real. Sustainable sandals for<br />
summer. Made from recycled materials, these<br />
sandals are vegan, colourfast and designed<br />
to last. As they would be, since at the heart of<br />
Nomadic State of Mind is a commitment to<br />
preserving both the planet and the people who<br />
call it home. The company’s journey began in<br />
a 1969 VW van, which embodied the nomadic<br />
lifestyle, a concept that still resonates today<br />
– whether you’re walking, driving, exploring<br />
the web, or venturing into new territories. Get<br />
these original six strap lightweight, adjustable,<br />
super comfortable JC rope sandals for R1865 on<br />
nomadicstateofmind.za.com<br />
Compiled by: Kym Argo<br />
<strong>Oct</strong> 20<strong>24</strong> Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> • Umdloti • <strong>Umhlanga</strong> 07
A feel-good<br />
showcase<br />
The Change in Action NPO Fair took place at<br />
Gateway Theatre of Shopping in <strong>Umhlanga</strong>.<br />
The fair, supported by The Hollywood<br />
Foundation (HWF) and We Are Durban, an<br />
NPO that aims to empower social dignity<br />
organisations in eThekwini to excel in their<br />
mandate, featured 20 local NPOs. The NPOs<br />
were given the opportunity to showcase their<br />
work and share more information about their<br />
causes with the public. Change in Action is a<br />
platform for non-profit organisations in Durban<br />
and surrounds to strengthen their capacity and<br />
reach out to the public, bringing community<br />
needs and resources together.<br />
Nqobile Mahlaba, Nontobeko Ntaka,<br />
Thandi Mahlaba and Ndalo Majola<br />
Jo and Tatum Teunissen<br />
Charles and Wandile Khumalo<br />
Trinisha Bachoo and<br />
Nonjabulo Ngcobo<br />
Thobeka Memela and<br />
Zanele Mtshali<br />
08 Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> • Umdloti • <strong>Umhlanga</strong> <strong>Oct</strong> 20<strong>24</strong>
A wholesome feast<br />
Invited guests had the pleasure of<br />
trying the old-fashioned farm house<br />
harvest table at Yoli’s Bakery at<br />
<strong>Ballito</strong> Lifestyle Centre…and what<br />
a treat it was! The new menu is all<br />
about wholesome, scrumptious<br />
dishes made with seasonal<br />
ingredients, all available on a weigh<br />
and pay basis – think fresh salads,<br />
savoury pies and roast veggies.<br />
Xoliswa Ntombifuthi<br />
Sityata and Kuda Muzarini<br />
Keziah Panagiotopoulos, Justine Douglas, Yoli’s Bakery owner and<br />
chef Nicky Cooper, and Tamsin Coertzen<br />
Priyanka Chanderdeo<br />
and Samantha Subban
Mel and Cole Peters<br />
Charl and Vasti McLeod, Tash and Andre Barnard<br />
New<br />
foodie<br />
gem<br />
Jennifer Campbell, Andrew Thomas, James Anderson<br />
and Katherine Gardiner<br />
North Coast locals gathered to<br />
celebrate the much-anticipated<br />
launch of Butcher Boys in <strong>Ballito</strong>.<br />
Guests enjoyed a memorable<br />
evening of great food, drinks and<br />
company, marking the beginning<br />
of what promises to be a vibrant<br />
addition to <strong>Ballito</strong>’s dining scene.<br />
Keketso Motsoene, Melanie Powell<br />
and Lesego Motsoene<br />
Natalie Bertram, Jason Powell and Lizzie Mlongo<br />
10 Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> • Umdloti • <strong>Umhlanga</strong> <strong>Oct</strong> 20<strong>24</strong>
Kritush, Aarav and<br />
Pam Boola<br />
Jack van Schalkwyk<br />
and Sienna Falconer<br />
Anna, Kian, Calum and Teshan Moodley<br />
Family fun<br />
The Gold Coast Estate Clubhouse, set<br />
within the Sibaya coastal precinct, was<br />
buzzing with excitement at the first Gold<br />
Coast Estate Family Fun Day. From the<br />
morning run to the kids’ activities and<br />
live music, it was a day full of energy,<br />
laughter and community spirit.<br />
Brad, Jessica, Hayley and Ashton Winstanley
Classic cars<br />
and fashion<br />
Bianca Warren and<br />
Michelle Davidson<br />
L’Atelier Paris Concours d’Élégance was held in<br />
Chris Saunders Park in <strong>Umhlanga</strong>. The event was a<br />
celebration of classic cars, haute couture and diverse<br />
culinary delights. Guests enjoyed the opportunity to<br />
view an impressive collection of classic cars, as well<br />
as a fashion show and live art performances.<br />
Jean Philippe Avenel<br />
and Siphiwe Mpye<br />
Tracey Ferguson<br />
and John Aritho<br />
Menzi Mbonambi and Simone Carolissen<br />
Casual<br />
Day fun<br />
Nurture iLembe, a rehabilitation facility in<br />
<strong>Ballito</strong>, hosted their annual sports day in<br />
support of Casual Day. The Nurture iLembe<br />
team, along with their patients, friends and<br />
family, gathered for a day of fun and games.<br />
Casual Day takes place on the first Friday of<br />
September each year and is an opportunity<br />
to show support for people with disabilities.<br />
Sthe Shiyezana, <strong>Oct</strong>avia<br />
Mthimkhulu, Phakamani<br />
Nguse, Nonsikelelo Hadebe<br />
and Nontokozo Sibaya<br />
Thashmil Ooka and<br />
Londiwe Masikane<br />
Wanita Peko and<br />
Nomusa Dlamini<br />
Simone Moodley,<br />
Saishna Bakool and<br />
Samashnie Naiker
A voice for<br />
mental health<br />
Text: Jennifer Campbell Photograph: Shren Media Makeup: Michelle Haywood Location: Weylandts <strong>Ballito</strong><br />
Clinical psychologist, Dr Portia Mazabane, dedicates her days to helping others<br />
navigate life’s challenges while breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and<br />
encouraging open conversations on the topic.<br />
Dr Mazabane is a well-known and respected clinical<br />
psychologist who works in private practice in <strong>Umhlanga</strong>.<br />
Originally from Johannesburg, she now calls <strong>Ballito</strong> home,<br />
where she loves spending time outdoors. Alongside her<br />
work, she is passionate about mentoring young professionals<br />
who aspire to become psychologists, and is also committed<br />
to raising awareness surrounding mental health.<br />
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO PURSUE A CAREER IN<br />
PSYCHOLOGY?<br />
My desire to pursue a career in mental health originated<br />
from my childhood experiences. Losing my mother early<br />
on exposed me to the deep effects of grief and trauma<br />
on my family, especially on my only uncle, who faced<br />
significant emotional challenges. His struggles ignited a<br />
curiosity in me about the human mind and the various<br />
ways it copes with adversities.<br />
I was also inspired by a compassionate teacher during my<br />
formative years who provided me with unwavering support<br />
and encouragement. This guidance helped me recognise<br />
the profound impact that empathy and understanding<br />
can have on someone's mental and emotional well-being.<br />
The resilience I witnessed in those around me, combined<br />
with my journey of healing, motivated me to delve into<br />
psychology. I wanted to help others in navigating their<br />
mental health challenges, providing them with the tools<br />
and support needed to thrive. This sense of purpose and<br />
the desire to make a meaningful difference in people's lives<br />
ultimately led me to become a psychologist.<br />
HOW DO YOU MANAGE YOUR OWN MENTAL HEALTH<br />
WHILE SUPPORTING OTHERS?<br />
As a mental health professional, it’s essential to manage your<br />
own mental health and well-being to effectively support<br />
others. I believe that strength comes from within and, as<br />
a Christian, I rely on my spirituality to stay grounded, gain<br />
hope and feel confident in helping others.<br />
I also depend on regular supervision and peer support,<br />
which provide a safe space to discuss challenging cases and<br />
receive feedback and emotional support from colleagues.<br />
I prioritise self-care activities as they rejuvenate me. I strive<br />
to exercise five or six times a week, engage in hobbies,<br />
meditate and spend time with loved ones. These activities<br />
help reduce stress and prevent burnout.<br />
WHAT DO YOU FIND MOST REWARDING ABOUT YOUR<br />
WORK?<br />
My primary motivation stems from the belief that healing<br />
is achievable and that, with adequate support, humans can<br />
demonstrate remarkable resilience. Witnessing my clients'<br />
journeys from a place of struggle to a place of hope and<br />
progress is incredibly rewarding.<br />
One of the most inspiring aspects of my work is observing<br />
clients regain their sense of self and empowerment. Their<br />
determination to overcome obstacles and their courage to<br />
face deep-seated issues head-on is profoundly moving. It’s<br />
a powerful reminder that, even in the darkest times, there is<br />
always a possibility for renewal and growth.<br />
I have come to understand that a person’s identity<br />
should not be defined or limited by their challenges.<br />
This perspective shift enriches my approach to therapy,<br />
allowing me to see and celebrate the individual beyond<br />
their struggles. I find immense inspiration in the stories of<br />
triumph that emerge from the therapeutic process. Clients<br />
often share moments of breakthrough that not only validate<br />
their efforts but also underscore the collective human<br />
capacity for change. These narratives of resilience and<br />
recovery motivate me to continue refining my skills and to<br />
approach each session with a renewed sense of vigour and<br />
compassion. It is a privilege to walk alongside my clients as<br />
they rediscover their strengths and build a fulfilling life.<br />
Details: www.pmm-clinicalpsychologist.co.za; 031 562 1570 /<br />
063 993 6265; info@pmm-clinicalpsychologist.co.za;<br />
IG: @drportia_mm<br />
14 Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> • Umdloti • <strong>Umhlanga</strong> <strong>Oct</strong> 20<strong>24</strong>
<strong>Oct</strong> 20<strong>24</strong> Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> • Umdloti • <strong>Umhlanga</strong> 15
Building<br />
community<br />
If there’s one thing Bruce Rencken knows,<br />
it’s that a little perseverance, a lot of<br />
passion and a dash of boldness can go<br />
a long way. 21 years ago, he took a leap<br />
of faith and opened the <strong>Ballito</strong> Lifestyle<br />
Centre – changing the landscape of the<br />
<strong>Ballito</strong> community in the process - and<br />
it’s been a wild ride.<br />
16 Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> • Umdloti • <strong>Umhlanga</strong> <strong>Oct</strong> 20<strong>24</strong>
Born and bred on the North<br />
Coast, Bruce is a true local. A<br />
dedicated husband and dad to<br />
three grown kids, he loves the<br />
KZN outdoors, spending much<br />
of his free time on the beach<br />
or in the bush. A qualified chartered<br />
accountant, he began his career as<br />
a shopkeeper when he joined the<br />
family’s retail business, following in<br />
his dad’s footsteps. Together with his<br />
brother and business partner, Paul,<br />
they decided to expand their retail<br />
footprint, with SPAR stores in Stanger,<br />
Wartburg and another in the old <strong>Ballito</strong><br />
village. That was just the beginning of<br />
their entrepreneurial adventure.<br />
A BOLD MOVE<br />
Running those stores for nearly a<br />
decade was no small feat, but Bruce<br />
and Paul had bigger dreams. Dreams<br />
of creating a local shopping hub to<br />
service the <strong>Ballito</strong> community. When<br />
they bought a piece of land that was<br />
nothing more than a sugar cane field,<br />
they had no idea what the future<br />
held. “We were optimistic—and a little<br />
ignorant,” Bruce laughs. But that mix of<br />
confidence and curiosity set them on<br />
a path to create what would become<br />
the <strong>Ballito</strong> Lifestyle Centre, and the<br />
core of the <strong>Ballito</strong> district.<br />
AN EVOLVING SPACE<br />
“I’ve always loved building things,”<br />
Bruce reflects. “Even as a kid, playing<br />
with Lego was my favourite thing to<br />
do. Building the Lifestyle Centre felt<br />
like a grown-up version of that.” What<br />
started as a modest 8,500-squaremetre<br />
neighbourhood shopping spot<br />
<strong>Ballito</strong> Lifestyle Centre under construction.<br />
21 years later, <strong>Ballito</strong> Lifestyle Centre remains<br />
a space that feels distinctly North Coast.<br />
has transformed over the years, now<br />
sprawling across 30,000 square metres.<br />
But for Bruce, it’s never been just<br />
about the size. It’s about the feeling –<br />
the vibe. The centre isn’t just a place<br />
to shop; it’s an experience. In the early<br />
days, its distinctive ‘sail’ dominated<br />
the landscape, welcoming people to<br />
<strong>Ballito</strong>. With its unique architecture<br />
and design, the open-air centre feels<br />
more like a lively street scene. Bruce<br />
wanted to blend international trends<br />
with local flair, and in doing so, he’s<br />
created a space that’s become a<br />
cornerstone for the <strong>Ballito</strong> community<br />
– a place where both locals and<br />
visitors can meet, connect and feel<br />
at home.<br />
UPS AND DOWNS<br />
Of course, it hasn’t all been smooth<br />
sailing. As <strong>Ballito</strong> has grown, so has<br />
the competition. In 2017, with the<br />
evolution of The <strong>Ballito</strong> Junction into<br />
a regional shopping mall, Bruce and<br />
his team faced a tough reality: a 60%<br />
vacancy rate. “That was a wake-up call,”<br />
Bruce admits. But instead of giving<br />
up, they saw it as a chance to reinvent<br />
themselves.<br />
“We had to rethink everything,”<br />
Bruce shares. “The retail world was<br />
changing, and we needed to change<br />
with it. We focused on what makes<br />
us special—our personal touch, our<br />
deep connection to this community<br />
and our knack for offering something<br />
a little different. Many of our bespoke<br />
stores and restaurants are now owned<br />
and managed by local entrepreneurs,<br />
talented local musicians create a<br />
fantastic atmosphere over weekends,<br />
and the centre’s incredible support<br />
staff are driven by providing an<br />
exceptional customer experience.”<br />
Now, the centre is thriving once<br />
again. Bruce admits that this journey<br />
has been a rollercoaster—full of<br />
ups and downs, and a whole lot of<br />
learning along the way. But if there’s<br />
one thing that’s stayed the same,<br />
it’s his commitment to bringing<br />
people together in a space that feels<br />
distinctly North Coast. Celebrating 21<br />
years of Lifestyle Centre, he is grateful<br />
that this intentionality has resulted in<br />
a place that reflects everything that<br />
is good about what he terms “life the<br />
<strong>Ballito</strong> way”.<br />
Details: www.ballitolifestylecentre.co.za<br />
<strong>Oct</strong> 20<strong>24</strong> Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> • Umdloti • <strong>Umhlanga</strong> 17
Rosy hues<br />
Summer’s looking<br />
jolly pretty!<br />
Bramley Pink<br />
Blossom Tissue Oil,<br />
R29.99 from Clicks,<br />
Dis-Chem, Checkers,<br />
SPAR and PEP<br />
Morlage and Yorke<br />
Apothecary Wild Rose &<br />
Sandalwood nourishing<br />
hand and nail cream, R69.95<br />
from morlageandyorke.<br />
co.za<br />
Diego dalla Palma Professional Body Cracker,<br />
R495 from orleanscosmetics.co.za<br />
New Summer<br />
Birkenstocks ... Arizona<br />
Birko-Flor Embossed<br />
Purple Fog. R2399,<br />
available from<br />
early November.<br />
Details: bashafrica.com<br />
Compiled by: Kym Argo<br />
Ruched midi dress with slim<br />
silhouette, fully lined with<br />
internal corset detailing, R2999<br />
from Witchery at Woolworths.<br />
18 Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> • Umdloti • <strong>Umhlanga</strong> <strong>Oct</strong> 20<strong>24</strong>
February 2022 Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> <strong>Umhlanga</strong> 19
A treasure trove for<br />
book lovers<br />
Nestled in the The Studios at <strong>Ballito</strong><br />
Lifestyle Centre is a hidden gem,<br />
a pre-loved bookshop run by<br />
Sbusiso Mnguni.<br />
lthough he now describes himself as a passionate<br />
bibliophile, books were not always a part of<br />
Sbusiso’s life. Growing up in an environment<br />
where reading was uncommon, his love for<br />
literature only blossomed after high school.<br />
Seeking purpose and solace, he found himself<br />
spending countless hours in the library,<br />
exploring the vast world of books. “I have<br />
anxiety, and books became a way to cope<br />
with life,” he reflects.<br />
Text: and photograph: Jennifer Campbell<br />
SEEKING CHANGE<br />
Sbusiso started studying journalism and media<br />
studies, but his life took several unexpected turns.<br />
After experiencing some personal setbacks, including<br />
a difficult relationship with his abusive stepfather and<br />
a struggle with substance abuse, he found himself at<br />
a crossroads. “I made a lot of bad decisions and<br />
ended up not having money to pay rent,” he says.<br />
However, with the support of his sister and a newfound<br />
determination to change his life, he began<br />
searching for a new direction.<br />
FINDING PURPOSE<br />
During this period of self-reflection and search for<br />
stability, Sbusiso discovered Street Lit, an award-winning<br />
initiative by the Denis Hurley Centre, one of<br />
Durban’s leading NGOs focused on assisting the<br />
homeless. Street Lit provides individuals who have<br />
experienced homelessness, or those on the verge<br />
20 Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> • Umdloti • <strong>Umhlanga</strong> <strong>Oct</strong> 20<strong>24</strong>
of it, with an opportunity to rebuild their lives through<br />
books. The project trains participants to run their own<br />
micro book businesses, fostering financial independence<br />
and a renewed sense of purpose.<br />
Inspired by Street Lit’s mission, Sbusiso reached out<br />
to the organisation last year and soon became part of<br />
their community. He began by selling books at various<br />
locations, including taxi ranks, often facing challenges<br />
such as low sales and the competitive nature of book<br />
dealing. But his determination never wavered. “I was<br />
willing to find a way. I was determined just to make it<br />
work,” he says.<br />
I was willing to find a way.<br />
I was determined just to<br />
make it work.<br />
A NEW BEGINNING<br />
Together with Street Lit co-ordinator Illa Thompson, he<br />
spent months looking for a better location to sell his<br />
books. Illa helped him promote his business on social<br />
media, and a few months ago, he was offered a<br />
permanent space at The Studios at <strong>Ballito</strong> Lifestyle Centre.<br />
“I was very surprised that they would want to work with<br />
me. It felt too good to be true,” he shares, still in awe of the<br />
opportunity. Since opening his bookshop, the response<br />
from the community has been overwhelmingly positive.<br />
“The people around here are very supportive,” he says. The<br />
shop caters to a diverse clientele, with a focus on classic<br />
literature, historical biographies and collectables.<br />
WRITING THE NEXT CHAPTER<br />
Beyond running his bookshop, Sbusiso is also an aspiring<br />
writer. He has published several short stories in online<br />
journals and is currently working on a novel. Being surrounded<br />
by artists and creative individuals at The Studios<br />
has provided him with a nurturing environment to develop<br />
his craft. “It’s very stimulating, being around artists. I<br />
consider myself an artist, so it’s inspiring,” he says.<br />
Details: Street Lit, The Studios, <strong>Ballito</strong> Lifestyle Centre.
4<br />
WORKSHOPS YOU<br />
DON’T WANT TO MISS<br />
Get ready for the annual Fair with Flair set to take place from<br />
31 <strong>Oct</strong>ober to 2 November at Manor House in Sheffield.<br />
This year, the event promises more than just fabulous shopping,<br />
delicious food, and refreshing drinks. It also offers a variety of<br />
hands-on workshops on Friday, 1 November that will inspire<br />
your creativity and help you prepare for the holiday season.<br />
WIN!<br />
We have 10 VIP tickets,<br />
2 workshop tickets and 10<br />
regular tickets to give away.<br />
To enter, go to @getitmagnc<br />
on Facebook or<br />
Instagram<br />
1. LEARN TO MAKE A WREATH<br />
Kickstart the festive spirit by crafting your own holiday<br />
wreath. This workshop will guide you through the steps<br />
of creating a beautiful decoration that will welcome your<br />
guests with style.<br />
2. SILK SCREEN YOUR OWN WRAPPING PAPER<br />
Unleash your inner artist by making your very own<br />
wrapping paper. This session hosted by Gail of Pop n<br />
Jay, allows you to design your own prints, which can be<br />
transferred to paper. Take your stencil home to make more<br />
wrapping paper!<br />
3. CREATE A CHRISTMAS MENU<br />
Join a culinary workshop focused on crafting a delicious<br />
and festive Christmas menu. Learn new recipes and<br />
cooking techniques that will impress your guests.<br />
4. DECORATE A FESTIVE TABLE<br />
This workshop will be hosted by the fair’s creative team<br />
who are currently creating products at the Karibu Nursery<br />
Workshop. If you would like to join the creative team in<br />
preparation for the event, get in touch to join in every<br />
Tuesday from 9am to 1pm.<br />
Details: www.fairwithflair.co.za;IG: @thechristmascountryfair<br />
22 Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> • Umdloti • <strong>Umhlanga</strong> <strong>Oct</strong> 20<strong>24</strong>
ADVERTORIAL<br />
Unscripted conversation<br />
with<br />
Candice<br />
PRACTICAL FINANCE ADVICE FOR<br />
BUSINESS OWNERS<br />
Candice Davis is a finalist in the Mrs.<br />
South Africa pageant, as well as the<br />
owner of Perfect Ledger Strategic<br />
Finance, an accounting firm she’s<br />
been running for the last six years.<br />
She answered some frequently asked<br />
questions from our readers…<br />
HOW CAN I MANAGE MY BUSINESS<br />
CASHFLOW BETTER?<br />
To manage your business cash flow<br />
better, start by creating and regularly<br />
updating a cash flow forecast to<br />
plan for future inflows and outflows.<br />
Tighten credit control with clear<br />
payment terms, follow up on overdue<br />
invoices and offer discounts for early<br />
payments. Negotiate better payment<br />
terms with suppliers and manage<br />
inventory efficiently to avoid excess<br />
stock. Regularly review expenses<br />
and cut non-essential costs, speed<br />
up the sales cycle, and consider a<br />
line of credit for emergencies. Use<br />
accounting software to monitor cash<br />
flow, review your pricing strategy, and<br />
explore options like invoice factoring<br />
or instalment plans. Build cash<br />
reserves during peak seasons if your<br />
business is seasonal.<br />
HOW DO I CUT COSTS WITHOUT<br />
SACRIFICING QUALITY?<br />
To cut costs without sacrificing<br />
quality, optimise operations<br />
by streamlining processes and<br />
automating tasks. Negotiate better<br />
supplier terms, use technology for<br />
efficiency, and focus marketing on<br />
high-return channels. Evaluate and<br />
prioritise profitable products or<br />
services, monitor inventory to reduce<br />
waste, and consider cross-training<br />
employees. Use data and customer<br />
feedback to maintain quality, and<br />
explore partnerships or outsourcing<br />
for non-core activities. These<br />
strategies can help reduce costs while<br />
maintaining high standards.<br />
HOW DO I DRAFT A BUSINESS<br />
BUDGET, AND WHAT TIPS DO YOU<br />
HAVE FOR ESTIMATING BUSINESS<br />
VARIABLE EXPENSES?<br />
To draft a business budget,<br />
identify revenue streams,<br />
estimate income, and<br />
categorise fixed costs<br />
(e.g., rent, salaries). Estimate<br />
variable expenses based<br />
on historical data or sales<br />
projections, include onetime<br />
expenses, and build a<br />
contingency fund. Regularly<br />
review and adjust your<br />
budget. For variable<br />
expenses, use historical<br />
data, benchmark against<br />
industry standards,<br />
consider seasonality, and<br />
consult suppliers about<br />
price changes. Create bestcase<br />
and worst-case scenarios<br />
to stay flexible.<br />
Details:<br />
www.empowermentvogue.com;<br />
candice@davisdbn.com;<br />
IG: @candice_davisdbn;<br />
FB: Candice Davis Mrs<br />
South Africa Finalist 20<strong>24</strong><br />
Next month,<br />
Candice will talk<br />
about how to prepare for<br />
a pageant. She would love<br />
to hear from you!<br />
Email your question to<br />
candice@davisdbn.com
Blooming<br />
through<br />
generations<br />
Fifty years ago, Elizabeth Porteous opened a florist at<br />
La Lucia Mall. Today, her granddaughter, Tarryn Futter<br />
runs the shop, carrying on the family’s love for floristry<br />
and preserving her grandmother’s vibrant vision for<br />
future generations.<br />
Over half a century ago, Tarryn’s<br />
grandmother, Elizabeth,<br />
managed a thriving florist in<br />
Durban North. As La Lucia<br />
Mall was being developed,<br />
she was approached to open a store<br />
in the new upmarket centre. Seeing<br />
the potential of this opportunity,<br />
Tarryn’s dad, John, eagerly joined<br />
the family business and took on the<br />
challenge of establishing a second<br />
store. After two years of meticulous<br />
planning and selecting the perfect<br />
location, Elizabeth’s Florist at La Lucia<br />
Mall was born. The store was founded<br />
on a simple yet powerful vision: to<br />
offer customers the best service and<br />
experience using only the highestquality<br />
flowers.<br />
“My dad recently shared with me that<br />
he and my mom often wondered<br />
about the future of the store,” Tarryn<br />
recalls. “Both my sister, Lauren, and I<br />
pursued our own careers after school.<br />
Lauren is an audiologist in Canada,<br />
and I completed a BCom degree<br />
before starting my own career. But<br />
after a few years in the corporate<br />
world, I realised my heart and passion<br />
were always with Elizabeth’s Florist.<br />
26 Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> • Umdloti • <strong>Umhlanga</strong> <strong>Oct</strong> 20<strong>24</strong><br />
Growing up around flowers, it was<br />
just in my blood.” Returning to her<br />
roots, Tarryn decided to join the family<br />
business, much to her dad’s relief. “He<br />
was happy to have family continuing<br />
the legacy,” she says.<br />
While working with beautiful blooms<br />
may seem idyllic, the life of a florist<br />
is not without its challenges. Tarryn<br />
recalls some of the more memorable<br />
moments. “One time, a client ordered<br />
a huge arrangement with a stunning<br />
piece of driftwood as the centrepiece.<br />
We were so proud of it, but the driver<br />
couldn’t fit it into the van. So, he broke<br />
the driftwood in half and placed it back<br />
in the arrangement!” She adds, “Another<br />
time, we delivered a live Christmas tree<br />
to a customer. After decorating it, she<br />
discovered a thin green snake slithering<br />
up through the branches. Who says a<br />
florist’s life is dull?”<br />
Reflecting on the longevity of<br />
Elizabeth’s Florist, Tarryn attributes<br />
much of it to her dad’s unwavering<br />
dedication to his craft. “Dad loved<br />
what he did so much that we had to<br />
beg him to take a day off,” she shares.<br />
Just before he passed away in June,<br />
Tarryn’s dad left her with some final<br />
words of wisdom. “He jokingly called<br />
me a ‘rottweiler’ and said, ‘You know<br />
what to do. Listen to the customer<br />
and give them what they want.’” Tarryn<br />
is committed to fulfilling her father’s<br />
legacy, while enjoying her own flower<br />
crafting journey. “I get to chat to so<br />
many people daily, and some have<br />
even become great friends,” she shares.<br />
Details: Elizabeth’s Florist; Shop <strong>24</strong>,<br />
La Lucia Mall; 031 572 4310;<br />
IG: @elizabethsfloristkzn
Additional<br />
prizes from
Chasing dreams<br />
on the global stage<br />
Text: Jennifer Campbell<br />
28 Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> • Umdloti • <strong>Umhlanga</strong> <strong>Oct</strong> 20<strong>24</strong>
Professional runner Zakithi Nene recently returned from the Olympics in Paris where he<br />
competed in the 400-metre sprint. We chatted to him about life as an athlete…<br />
Zakithi’s love for running was<br />
sparked when his mom<br />
bought him his first pair of<br />
spikes (shoes designed for<br />
track running) at the age<br />
of eight. He attended Monument<br />
Primary School in Ladysmith, where<br />
he played various sports, but it was on<br />
the athletics track that he truly shined.<br />
At age 15 he bettered the KwaZulu-<br />
Natal 400-metre record, a milestone<br />
that marked the beginning of his<br />
serious commitment to the sport.<br />
A PROFESSIONAL COMMITMENT<br />
Zakithi moved to Durban as a teenager<br />
and attended Glenwood High School<br />
where he refined his athletic skills<br />
and decided to pursue running<br />
professionally. Now based in <strong>Umhlanga</strong>,<br />
he trains rigorously, with a schedule that<br />
includes six days of training each week,<br />
often with multiple sessions per day.<br />
“It’s a nine-to-five job,” he explains. “But<br />
every day I get to wake up and do what<br />
I love. It’s a full-on blessing.” When the<br />
domestic season is over, he travels to<br />
Europe where he trains and competes<br />
for three months at a time each year.<br />
MEMORABLE MOMENTS<br />
Recently, Zakithi competed in his<br />
second Olympics. Reflecting on the<br />
experience, he mentions that it felt<br />
different compared to his first Olympic<br />
experience in Tokyo. “Tokyo had an<br />
amazing Olympic village vibe,” he says.<br />
In contrast, the atmosphere in Paris<br />
was less intense, yet still exhilarating<br />
thanks to the presence of spectators.<br />
“Having a crowd there and seeing<br />
South African flags in the stands<br />
was amazing,” he says. Despite the<br />
excitement, he admits that he didn’t<br />
experience the usual nerves or thrills.<br />
“I was just focused on making it to the<br />
finals and fighting for a podium finish.”<br />
NAVIGATING THE FIELD<br />
Zakithi’s journey hasn’t been without its<br />
challenges. He points out the difficulties<br />
faced by track and field athletes in<br />
South Africa, where the sport is often<br />
seen as amateur. Many athletes juggle<br />
their careers with jobs or studies, unlike<br />
their international counterparts who are<br />
often full-time professionals. “Only about<br />
30% of the track and field athletes at the<br />
Olympics are actually professionals with<br />
sponsorship deals and funding,” he says.<br />
Despite these obstacles, Zakithi<br />
remains steadfast in his pursuit of<br />
excellence. His goals for the future are<br />
clear: to become a regular contender<br />
in international finals and to secure<br />
podium finishes. “I’m settled into the<br />
circuit now,” he says. “But it’s time to<br />
start challenging for podiums.”<br />
LOVE AND SUPPORT<br />
A key part of Zakithi’s success is<br />
his strong support system, which<br />
includes his family who have been<br />
with him every step of the way.<br />
“They’re the ones that pick me up<br />
when I’m at my lowest,” he shares. His<br />
team of professionals, including his<br />
coach, physiotherapist and strength<br />
and conditioning specialist, also plays<br />
a crucial role in keeping him in peak<br />
physical and mental condition.<br />
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE<br />
Looking back on his journey, Zakithi<br />
reflects on how far he has come. As a<br />
self-described “late bloomer,” he didn’t<br />
make a national team until he was a<br />
senior athlete, a fact that has fuelled<br />
his drive to succeed. “I was never the<br />
fastest growing up, but I think that<br />
pushed me to work harder,” he admits.<br />
Now, he is focused on closing the gap<br />
and making his mark on the global<br />
stage.<br />
Although he has travelled the world,<br />
his heart remains on our shores. “I love<br />
travelling, but when I’m abroad, I miss<br />
the chaos of home,” he laughs. “It’s the<br />
little things. We have so much life in<br />
this country.”<br />
Details: IG: @zakithi_nene
Set to defend<br />
This month, Cape Town will host the Masters Hockey World Cup. <strong>Ballito</strong><br />
businesswoman Rochelle van Staden will proudly represent South Africa as the<br />
goalkeeper for the women’s 35A team.<br />
Text: Jennifer Campbell<br />
espite a lifelong love for<br />
sport, Rochelle never<br />
imagined she would<br />
one day wear the South<br />
African colours in hockey.<br />
“To me, this was not even<br />
a possibility,” she reflects.<br />
Though she played hockey<br />
in her youth and dabbled in several<br />
sports, including action cricket<br />
and javelin, life took over, and she<br />
stepped away from competitive play,<br />
opting instead for social club hockey<br />
just for fun.<br />
In <strong>Oct</strong>ober 2022, Rochelle received a<br />
phone call that changed everything.<br />
“I was asked if I’d be interested in<br />
playing for SA Masters. I didn’t even<br />
know it existed!” Masters hockey<br />
is split into five-year age groups<br />
from the age of 35 upwards, and<br />
Rochelle seized the opportunity. She<br />
began by playing in a tournament<br />
in Johannesburg where the national<br />
teams were drafted. After showing<br />
her mettle playing as a goalkeeper<br />
for both the A and B teams, Rochelle<br />
was selected as the keeper for the SA<br />
Masters 35A side.<br />
“It was surreal,” she says, recalling<br />
the moment she was called up to<br />
the A team. But the real work had<br />
only begun. Balancing a demanding<br />
training schedule with coaching junior<br />
hockey players, her job, and family life<br />
proved to be a challenge. Yet, Rochelle<br />
embraced the grind, crediting her love<br />
for coaching and the joy of working<br />
30 Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> • Umdloti • <strong>Umhlanga</strong> <strong>Oct</strong> 20<strong>24</strong>
with eager young players as one of the things that kept her<br />
going. “They’re so willing to learn, and it’s amazing to see their<br />
excitement when they achieve something.”<br />
With just weeks to go before the tournament, Rochelle has<br />
been honing her skills with personal coaching sessions to<br />
ensure she’s in top form. “It’s a big responsibility,” she admits. “As<br />
a goalkeeper, there’s always pressure, but I’ve learned not to let<br />
it get to me. It’s a team effort, and I know we’re ready.”<br />
The SA Women’s Masters team boasts a roster filled with talent,<br />
including several former national players with hundreds of caps<br />
between them. But despite the experience and high stakes,<br />
the team remains grounded and supportive of one another.<br />
Rochelle laughs as she describes the dynamic between the<br />
players. “We spend so much time together, and the team is full<br />
of characters! At the end of the day, we’re all here to achieve<br />
one goal.”<br />
The opening ceremony is set for 11 <strong>Oct</strong>ober at Cape Town’s<br />
V&A Waterfront, and Rochelle and her team will play their first<br />
game the following day. It’s been a whirlwind, but her passion<br />
for hockey and determination to succeed are stronger than<br />
ever. “It’s never too late to wear your colours,” she says.<br />
As she prepares for the World Cup, Rochelle’s focus is clear:<br />
“We’ve put in the preparation, and now it’s time to enjoy<br />
the moment.”<br />
Details: Catch Rochelle and the South African Women’s Masters<br />
team live streamed in action from 12 <strong>Oct</strong>ober on<br />
www.samastershockey.co.za<br />
Above: Team members Genevieve Chisholm, Shelley<br />
Jones, Lauren Glossop, Rochelle van Staden, Danielle<br />
Robert-Hardman, Joanne Le Roux and<br />
Jaclyn Capazario<br />
As a goalkeeper, there’s<br />
always pressure, but I’ve<br />
learned not to let it get<br />
to me. It’s a team effort,<br />
and I know we’re ready.<br />
<strong>Oct</strong> 20<strong>24</strong> Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> • Umdloti • <strong>Umhlanga</strong> 31
ADVERTORIAL<br />
Meet the Cardiologist<br />
Dr Connel Barnabas<br />
Dr Connel Barnabas is a partner at<br />
the practice of Drs Y T Singh, Connel<br />
Barnabas, Aveen Mahabal & Deya<br />
Ramachandran, based at Netcare’s<br />
<strong>Umhlanga</strong> Hospital.<br />
He joined the practice in 2009 and has been<br />
in private practice for over 15 years with Dr<br />
YT Singh and partners. “I was fortunate to<br />
join a well-established and highly respected<br />
practice. Over the years I have had numerous<br />
opportunities to further my skills and attend<br />
many international conferences.”<br />
From the outset, Dr Barnabas knew his chosen field of<br />
medicine would be cardiology.<br />
He attended Michaelhouse where he matriculated as a top<br />
achiever. After obtaining his MB ChB from the University of<br />
Natal, he completed his internship, community service and<br />
physician training in various provincial hospitals in Kwazulu-<br />
Natal. He subsequently practised in the United Kingdom<br />
and is still registered with the British Medical Council. He<br />
returned home to Durban to complete his cardiology<br />
training at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital.<br />
Cardiology was a discipline which always made perfect<br />
sense to him. The logic of it appealed strongly, and the<br />
numerous advances in cardiology made it a very exciting<br />
and challenging field which is constantly changing. In<br />
particular, it is the practical aspects of cardiology which<br />
he finds especially rewarding. “As a cardiologist, I not<br />
only treat patients medically, but have the opportunity<br />
to perform invasive surgical procedures as well. I enjoy<br />
complex angioplasty, inserting stents, pacemakers, and<br />
structural heart interventions. It’s very gratifying spending<br />
time in the cardiac catheterisation lab performing<br />
advanced procedures.”<br />
Dr Barnabas is experienced in complex angioplasty, a more<br />
advanced form of traditional cardiac stenting. This is made<br />
possible by new technology combined with high technical<br />
skill. He has trained with various local and international<br />
experts: “Today, there are new non-invasive ways to treat<br />
high-risk patients which previously would have been<br />
impossible,” he says.<br />
“In a practice such as ours with four partners,” says<br />
Dr Barnabas, “patients are always assured of continuity<br />
of care. It is very important that there is always a partner<br />
on call who can access the patient’s records and ensure<br />
the best, most appropriate medical care for that specific<br />
patient. We are a strong team.”<br />
For Dr Barnabas, it is crucial to have a solid family support<br />
system. He is married to Nishani, a medical doctor, and<br />
has two children, with whom he loves spending time,<br />
particularly in the outdoors.<br />
Details: www.cardiologists.co.za; 031 566 1600;<br />
reception@cardiologists.co.za
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ADVERTORIAL<br />
Leading the way in<br />
advanced cancer care<br />
Located in the heart of <strong>Umhlanga</strong>, Busamed Gateway Oncology Centre is<br />
revolutionising cancer treatment by offering cutting-edge technology. The highly<br />
skilled team bring their expertise and experience together to deliver the highest<br />
standard of care to every patient.<br />
STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNOLOGY<br />
The Hypersight technology at<br />
Busamed Gateway Oncology Centre<br />
is a game-changer in Radiotherapy.<br />
This high-resolution imaging system<br />
provides detailed, real-time views<br />
of cancerous tissues, enabling early<br />
detection and precise treatment<br />
planning, as well as adaptive<br />
treatment that can be customised<br />
throughout a patient’s treatment<br />
journey. The Hypersight centre is<br />
the first of its kind in Africa, placing<br />
Busamed at the forefront of cancer<br />
care innovation.<br />
COMPREHENSIVE CARE FOR ALL<br />
TYPES OF CANCER<br />
Busamed Gateway Oncology Centre<br />
is equipped to treat a wide array of<br />
cancers, including but not limited<br />
to breast cancer, lung cancer,<br />
prostate cancer, colorectal cancer<br />
and head and neck cancers. With a<br />
multidisciplinary team of specialists,<br />
the centre offers personalised<br />
treatment plans that incorporate the<br />
latest treatments and technologies,<br />
ensuring the best possible outcomes<br />
for patients.<br />
Akshay Budhram, the Group<br />
Radiotherapy Manager, emphasises the<br />
centre’s dedication to providing toptier<br />
care, supported by a highly skilled<br />
team and state-of-the-art treatments.<br />
The facility offers advanced techniques<br />
such as Deep Inspiration Breath Hold<br />
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cancer treatments, Surface Guided<br />
Radiotherapy that supports tattooand<br />
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advanced IMRT and VMAT treatments<br />
that provides targeted treatment<br />
whilst sparing surrounding healthy<br />
tissue. With the integration of
Hypersight technology, the centre also delivers<br />
offline adaptive radiotherapy, further improving<br />
treatment precision and patient outcomes<br />
WHY CHOOSE BUSAMED GATEWAY<br />
ONCOLOGY CENTRE?<br />
Busamed Gateway Oncology Centre is<br />
the preferred choice for cancer treatment<br />
in <strong>Umhlanga</strong> and beyond because of its<br />
commitment to excellence. By combining<br />
the latest technology, with a patient-focused<br />
approach, the team offers a comprehensive and<br />
cutting-edge treatment experience.<br />
Dr Diana Pillay, one of the centre’s specialised<br />
oncologists says:<br />
“The discipline of oncology has always been<br />
regarded as an art and a science. The application<br />
of science to eradicate cancer, or reduce the<br />
symptoms of the disease, in the most humane<br />
way has always been desired by healthcare<br />
professionals. In the past, the biggest challenge<br />
in oncology has been to improve patient<br />
outcomes whilst reducing toxicity of cancer<br />
treatments. This balance has been successfully<br />
achieved with the new radiotherapy machine at<br />
Busamed Gateway hospital.<br />
The Hypersight technology at Busamed Gateway<br />
Oncology Centre offers my patients state-of-theart<br />
technology to treat their cancer. Scientific<br />
advances such as the Deep inspiration breath<br />
holding technique, surface guided radiotherapy<br />
and adaptive real-time treatment, complements<br />
the precision of intensity modulated<br />
radiotherapy and volumetric modulated arc<br />
therapy to accurately target the malignancy<br />
whilst minimising dose to normal tissues. I am<br />
reassured that improved survival with meaningful<br />
quality of life outcomes is guaranteed in my<br />
patients through the use of such technology.<br />
I have been present when my patients were<br />
treated and have seen their satisfaction in the<br />
treatment process, professionalism of the staff<br />
and the aesthetically pleasing environment.<br />
Overall, the Busamed Gateway radiotherapy<br />
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Details: Busamed Gateway Private Hospital;<br />
Medical Suites 36-38; Aurora Drive; <strong>Umhlanga</strong> Rocks;<br />
www.hopelands.co.za; 031 492 4411
Text: Ella Coppola<br />
36 Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> • Umdloti • <strong>Umhlanga</strong> <strong>Oct</strong> 20<strong>24</strong>
Loss, hope and<br />
healing<br />
Seven years ago, <strong>Umhlanga</strong>-based wife, mom and life coach Ella Coppola<br />
received a shocking diagnosis – she had breast cancer. In an effort to give others<br />
hope, she shares her story…<br />
During my journey with cancer, I felt<br />
a profound shift within myself—a<br />
need to do more. I wanted to share,<br />
teach, assist and guide, but most<br />
importantly, offer support and<br />
understanding to others, not just<br />
related to cancer or illness. After a few<br />
years of being a stay-at-home-mom, I<br />
decided to study again and become<br />
a life coach. Now, I work with a variety<br />
of clients and closely collaborate<br />
with Reach 4 Recovery, a non-profit<br />
organisation and international<br />
breast cancer support group. This<br />
programme is designed to support<br />
and encourage patients with breast<br />
cancer, as well as their families.<br />
THE DIAGNOSIS<br />
One morning in January 2017, while<br />
showering, I discovered a lump in<br />
my left breast. Despite my tendency<br />
not to overreact, I monitored the<br />
lump daily for four months, believing<br />
it to be nothing but a harmless<br />
calcium deposit. In April, a friend<br />
suggested I get it checked, leading<br />
me to reluctantly schedule my first<br />
mammogram at Parklands Women’s<br />
Hospital. Following the mammogram,<br />
an ultrasound was performed,<br />
and a biopsy was scheduled for<br />
a few days later. It was only the<br />
evening before the biopsy that<br />
I told my family and sister about the<br />
situation. Two days after the biopsy,<br />
my gynaecologist called with the<br />
results: I had breast cancer.<br />
I felt confused<br />
and overwhelmed,<br />
knowing very little<br />
about my diagnosis<br />
or breast cancer.<br />
THE TREATMENT<br />
The following week, I met with the<br />
surgeon, who was ready to perform<br />
a lumpectomy or a unilateral<br />
mastectomy within days. I felt<br />
confused and overwhelmed, knowing<br />
very little about my diagnosis or<br />
breast cancer. I didn’t know what<br />
questions to ask or what options I<br />
had; I felt like I had no control over<br />
my body. Sensing my discomfort, the<br />
surgeon arranged an appointment<br />
with an oncologist the next morning,<br />
and thankfully so.<br />
My oncologist instructed, “No surgery<br />
until we know what is going on inside<br />
your entire body.” This led to a barrage<br />
of tests and scans. The shocking result<br />
was that the cancer was on both<br />
sides, and both breasts needed to<br />
be removed. A mammogram hadn't<br />
detected cancer in my right breast,<br />
so if I had undergone the initial<br />
surgery, I wouldn’t have known about<br />
the cancer on the right side. This<br />
experience taught me the importance<br />
of listening to my instincts, taking<br />
time to absorb the information, and<br />
always consulting an oncologist when<br />
dealing with cancer.<br />
I had my double mastectomy three<br />
months later, believing that would be<br />
the end of it. However, my oncologist<br />
insisted on a Mammoprint test,<br />
which showed I had an 85% chance<br />
of the cancer reoccurring. I received<br />
this news on a Monday and started<br />
chemotherapy that Thursday,<br />
enduring treatment every week for<br />
three months. It was a very dark and<br />
challenging time, followed by another<br />
two years of a different treatment.<br />
Two years after my mastectomy, I<br />
began the reconstruction process.<br />
My plastic surgeon warned that it<br />
would be a long and difficult journey,<br />
and he was right. Two years and six<br />
surgeries later, I faced complications,<br />
pain and numerous hospital visits. At<br />
one point, I wanted to give up, but<br />
with the honesty and encouragement<br />
of my plastic surgeon and oncologist,<br />
I made it to the end.<br />
When people ask about the most<br />
challenging moments, I always say,<br />
“All of it.” There was a constant stream<br />
of bad news, and just when I thought<br />
it was over, I was told it wasn’t quite<br />
finished.<br />
<strong>Oct</strong> 20<strong>24</strong> Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> • Umdloti • <strong>Umhlanga</strong> 37
HOW CANCER CHANGED ME<br />
Those first weeks after my diagnosis<br />
were incredibly overwhelming, but<br />
I kept telling myself and others that<br />
cancer wouldn’t change me. I had<br />
always been health-conscious, eating<br />
well and working out five days a week,<br />
and I maintained these habits even<br />
after my diagnosis. However, following<br />
my oncologist's advice, I saw a<br />
dietician to ensure my nutrition was<br />
appropriate for my cancer journey,<br />
and I underwent genetic testing.<br />
When faced with cancer, you have<br />
two options: to fight or not to fight.<br />
What I’ve learned is that cancer does<br />
change you—how could it not? As a<br />
woman, I lost a fundamental part of<br />
myself: not only my breasts but also<br />
my hair, eyelashes and eyebrows. I<br />
was thrust into early menopause,<br />
and each of these losses made me<br />
feel like I was losing parts of what<br />
made me a woman. This is a real grief,<br />
and it's important to allow time to<br />
mourn. While we may not change<br />
fundamentally, we must at the very<br />
least, learn to accept our physically<br />
changed selves, which requires a<br />
complete shift in mindset.<br />
I’ve always been a deep person,<br />
but cancer pushed me to crave<br />
more genuine, honest and deeper<br />
relationships. I no longer had the<br />
emotional or physical capacity for<br />
anything superficial, which a lifethreatening<br />
illness tends to do.<br />
Some people close to me couldn’t<br />
understand how the experience<br />
changed me, bringing mood swings,<br />
grief, chemo-related aggression,<br />
exhaustion and a newfound<br />
intolerance for trivial matters.<br />
However, those who stayed with me<br />
through it all became closer and more<br />
meaningful in my life.<br />
One of the toughest parts of<br />
my journey was dealing with<br />
relationships. I found that some of<br />
the people I expected to support<br />
me weren’t strong enough to handle<br />
the changes I was going through,<br />
and I ended up losing those close<br />
connections. I initially believed that<br />
nothing would change in my life, but<br />
I came to realise that when things<br />
change inside you, they also change<br />
around you.<br />
MY SUPPORT SYSTEM<br />
As someone who works in an<br />
emotional support environment, I<br />
am quick to recognise those who<br />
supported me throughout my<br />
cancer journey. My family, friends, my<br />
daughters' school, their teachers, my<br />
kids' friends and their moms, plus my<br />
doctors, all played vital roles.<br />
From family who cooked meals,<br />
friends who picked up my kids from<br />
school, teachers who reassured<br />
me they were looking after my<br />
girls, my husband who held my<br />
hand during difficult doctor<br />
consultations, to those who sat with<br />
me through chemo sessions, and<br />
to my daughters who were very<br />
patient with me after treatments, I<br />
am grateful for this support when I<br />
couldn’t be at my best.<br />
Often, I didn’t know what I felt or<br />
needed, with each surgery, chemo<br />
round, treatment, and my healing;<br />
I just focused on showing up each<br />
day. While healing requires a lot of<br />
introspection, it’s not something<br />
you can always do alone. Three years<br />
after my diagnosis, I started therapy<br />
to find a safe space to process my<br />
experience. As lonely as the cancer<br />
journey can be, I was never truly alone.<br />
INSPIRED TO FIGHT<br />
My greatest inspirations throughout my<br />
fight against cancer were my two girls.<br />
Having lost my own mother four years<br />
before my diagnosis, I knew the pain of<br />
missing a mom, especially during tough<br />
times. My daughters were young and<br />
feared the worst, so no matter how I felt,<br />
I kept going to reassure them that they<br />
would not lose me.<br />
Cancer is a unique journey for each<br />
person, with no one-size-fits-all<br />
experience. Our treatments, emotions<br />
and healing are all personal. As a<br />
cancer survivor and someone who<br />
works with cancer patients, my advice<br />
to those on this journey is to embrace<br />
your strength and bravery. Allow<br />
yourself to be vulnerable, express your<br />
needs and prioritise your healing.<br />
Details: www.reach4recovery.org.za;<br />
IG: @reach_for_recovery_rsa;<br />
FB: Reach4RecoverySA<br />
HOW TO CHECK YOUR<br />
BREASTS FOR SIGNS OF<br />
BREAST CANCER<br />
Regular self-exams can help you<br />
detect changes in your breasts<br />
early on, which can be crucial for<br />
effective treatment. Follow these<br />
five tips to check your breasts for<br />
signs of breast cancer.<br />
1. KNOW YOUR NORMAL<br />
Take note of how your breasts<br />
usually look and feel. This helps<br />
you identify any unusual changes,<br />
such as swelling, dimpling, or<br />
changes in the skin texture.<br />
2. USE A MIRROR<br />
Stand in front of a mirror with<br />
your arms by your sides and then<br />
raised. Look for visual changes<br />
such as differences in size, shape<br />
or skin appearance like redness or<br />
puckering.<br />
3. FEEL FOR LUMPS<br />
Use the pads of your fingers to<br />
check each breast, moving in a<br />
circular motion from the outside<br />
in. Be thorough by examining all<br />
areas, including the armpits, where<br />
breast tissue extends.<br />
4. CHECK IN DIFFERENT<br />
POSITIONS<br />
Perform your self-exam while lying<br />
down, standing, and even in the<br />
shower, where soapy hands can<br />
help you feel for subtle lumps or<br />
thickened areas.<br />
5. MONITOR DISCHARGE<br />
Any nipple discharge, particularly<br />
if it's clear or bloody, could be a<br />
warning sign. Contact your doctor<br />
if you notice any unusual leakage.<br />
Early detection saves lives, so<br />
make breast self-exams a regular<br />
part of your health routine!<br />
38 Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> • Umdloti • <strong>Umhlanga</strong> <strong>Oct</strong> 20<strong>24</strong>
Flavour<br />
& style<br />
Text: Jennifer Campbell Photographs: alexis diack & @Stories_by_Goya_weddings<br />
The North Coast has a new<br />
contender on the culinary<br />
scene and we were excited<br />
to try it for ourselves.<br />
Butcher Boys <strong>Ballito</strong> is<br />
all about the steak – but<br />
there’s plenty more to try<br />
on their menu.<br />
40 Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> • Umdloti • <strong>Umhlanga</strong> <strong>Oct</strong> 20<strong>24</strong>
THE STARTERS<br />
We couldn’t resist starting with a few dishes<br />
from the table tasters’ menu – the pickled<br />
jalapeños, generously stuffed with cream<br />
cheese, cheddar and spices, were crumbed<br />
and baked to perfection and paired with<br />
fresh lime and sour cream.<br />
Next up was the duck prosciutto, a<br />
sophisticated starter of salt and orange<br />
cured duck breast, thinly sliced and served<br />
with cream cheese, fresh rocket, pickle salsa<br />
and crostini. The brie and wild mushroom<br />
cigars were a standout – think crispy phyllo<br />
pastry and flavourful herb pesto.<br />
THE MAIN EVENT<br />
Butcher Boys is all about great steaks,<br />
and there’s an impressive choice of<br />
cuts available. We tried the wet-aged<br />
fillet with a wild mushroom and red<br />
wine sauce, served with chips tossed<br />
in truffle oil, parmesan and parsley.<br />
Another highlight was the sirloin<br />
with chimichurri butter, with a side<br />
of fresh vegetables. The chimichurri<br />
butter, which is torched at the<br />
table, added a layer of richness that<br />
elevated the perfectly grilled sirloin.<br />
Although meat takes centre stage<br />
on the menu, there are loads<br />
of other options available. The<br />
deboned flame-grilled chicken,<br />
infused with lemon and herb, was<br />
a juicy and flavourful offering, while<br />
the Mozam-style prawns and fresh<br />
fish of the day were just delicious.<br />
<strong>Oct</strong> 20<strong>24</strong> Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> • Umdloti • <strong>Umhlanga</strong> 41
FINE WINES<br />
Besides the delicious food, there’s also an<br />
impressive wine selection, perfect for pairing<br />
with their hearty meals. We tried the Anthonij<br />
Rupert Cape of Good Hope Riebeeksrivier Syrah<br />
2020, a captivating blend of fynbos, prunes and<br />
berries with hints of liquorice and cocoa. Its<br />
velvety, smooth texture was the perfect addition<br />
to our meal.<br />
A SWEET FINALE<br />
No meal at Butcher Boys<br />
would be complete<br />
without indulging in<br />
their unique desserts. The<br />
layered key lime pie with<br />
tequila cream was the<br />
perfect end to the meal.<br />
Equally tempting was the<br />
apple crumble topped<br />
baked cheesecake—a<br />
delicious blend of sweet,<br />
tart and cream that left us<br />
wanting more.<br />
42 Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> • Umdloti • <strong>Umhlanga</strong> <strong>Oct</strong> 20<strong>24</strong>
COASTAL ELEGANCE<br />
It’s not just the menu that’s been beautifully<br />
curated – the restaurant interior, designed<br />
by Rupert Spence and Chelsey Hillier of<br />
Sphere Design and Architecture, also makes<br />
an impact.<br />
The design brief was clear: blend New York<br />
upmarket steakhouse sophistication with the<br />
laid-back elegance of <strong>Ballito</strong>. The result is a<br />
space that feels both welcoming and refined.<br />
Textures and finishes like corroded steel, raw<br />
and polished concrete, terracotta, timber and<br />
coloured glass converge into a toned-down,<br />
appealing aesthetic. The attention to detail<br />
is evident, with bespoke furniture, stitched<br />
leather, and plants rounding out the design.<br />
Lighting plays a crucial role in setting the<br />
mood, shifting from casual during the<br />
day to a more sophisticated ambiance in<br />
the evening. The oversized, custom-made<br />
pendants are a striking feature, visible<br />
from both inside and the street below.<br />
The integration of the open-style kitchen,<br />
signature aged meat locker and glass wine<br />
cellar adds interest to the space. The bar,<br />
with its corroded panelling and pressed tile<br />
bulkhead, serves as a stunning focal point.<br />
Details: <strong>Ballito</strong> Steps, Jack Powell Road, <strong>Ballito</strong>;<br />
087 711 0973; IG: @butcherboysgrill<br />
031 312 5133<br />
www.spheredesign.co.za
Promotion<br />
Sip and<br />
Savour<br />
Raise your cup to International Coffee Day<br />
with our round-up of the best coffee shops<br />
on the North Coast. Whether you’re a latte<br />
lover or a cappuccino connoisseur, enjoy your<br />
next caffeine fix at one of these lovely spots.<br />
1<br />
THE ORANGE TREE<br />
If you haven’t had coffee at<br />
The Orange Tree in Umhlali, you’re<br />
missing out! Just 10 minutes from<br />
<strong>Ballito</strong>, this charming café offers<br />
Colombo coffee, a beautiful deck<br />
and a small play area. Enjoy all-day<br />
breakfasts, wraps, burgers and<br />
more. Also located at Africa Padel<br />
<strong>Ballito</strong> and <strong>Ballito</strong> Farmers Market.<br />
Mention Get It Magazine for a<br />
regular coffee at R25 until the end<br />
of <strong>Oct</strong>ober (Ts & Cs apply).<br />
Details: 084 074 9880;<br />
@theorangetree_sa; @makersyard_sa<br />
TOAST<br />
Toast is loved for its freshly roasted coffees, homestyle breakfasts<br />
and delicious lunches. Enjoy coffee and cake for only R60 from<br />
2–5pm daily. Visit Toast at Lifestyle Centre, <strong>Ballito</strong>, open from<br />
7:30am. Here’s to life, good food, and great company!<br />
Details: Lifestyle Centre, <strong>Ballito</strong>; www.toastballito.co.za;<br />
032 648 0030; info@toastballito.co.za<br />
2<br />
B.L.A.C.K OCEANS MALL 3<br />
Enjoy freshly brewed coffee, breakfast,<br />
signature dishes and exotic cocktails in a beautiful setting.<br />
Details: Shop 1; Oceans Mall, 7 Lagoon Drive, <strong>Umhlanga</strong>;<br />
082 7367721; IG: @blackoceansmall; FB: @BLACK
FOOD FUNDI CAFÉ<br />
Everyone loves the “out-of-town” farm<br />
vibe at Food Fundi Café, just 5kms<br />
from <strong>Ballito</strong>. They no longer charge for<br />
alternative milks, so enjoy your almond<br />
latté without breaking the bank. Their<br />
new neighbour and long-standing coffee<br />
supplier, BruStar Coffee, features Africa’s<br />
only wood-fired cast-iron roasting oven.<br />
Visit Food Fundi Café at Sugar Rush<br />
Park, Esenembe Road.<br />
Details: www.foodfundi.co.za;<br />
IG:@food.fundi<br />
4<br />
FÁBRICA<br />
Find Fábrica in Sunningdale, Glen Ashley and Salt Rock. With an<br />
extensive food and drinks menu, there’s something for everyone.<br />
Enjoy a daily special of a regular cappuccino from 6:30-8am. Join<br />
monthly wine and whisky tastings at the Sunningdale location.<br />
Details: www.fabricacoffee.com; IG: @fabricacoffeesa;<br />
FB: Fabrica<br />
6<br />
SALT ROCK COFFEE COMPANY 5<br />
Salt Rock Coffee Co is a comfy spot where<br />
the coffee is fa-brew-lous and the locals are lekker! A place<br />
to meet for friendly catch-ups and of course – the much<br />
needed caffeine fix. #COFFEE – BECAUSE ADULTING IS HARD!<br />
Details: Salt Rock Centre, 61 Basil Hulett Drive, Salt Rock,<br />
Mon – Sat 6:30am to 4:00pm, Sun: 6:30am to 2:00pm,<br />
IG: @saltrockcoffee; FB: @Salt Rock Coffee Company;<br />
www.facebook.com/saltrockcoffeeco<br />
8<br />
7 THE FOREST CAFÉ<br />
Get your caffeine fix this month at The Forest Café powered<br />
by Bike & Bean, nestled in the tranquil uMhlanga Lagoon Nature<br />
Reserve. Look out for exciting developments coming for Summer!<br />
Details: www.bikebeandurban.com; IG: @bikeandbean_durban;<br />
FB @BikeandBeanDurban<br />
AMICI<br />
CAFÉ<br />
Amici Café offers<br />
hearty breakfasts<br />
and light<br />
lunches. Enjoy<br />
the best coffee<br />
at this familyowned<br />
favourite.<br />
Details: Shop 8,<br />
La Lucia Mall;<br />
031 572 2695;<br />
IG: @amici_cafe_;<br />
FB: Amici Café
Kids<br />
Understand learning styles,<br />
protect young eyes and encourage<br />
reading in little ones.<br />
<strong>Oct</strong> 20<strong>24</strong> Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> • Umdloti • <strong>Umhlanga</strong> 47
Stars in<br />
her eyes<br />
Mangaliso Mthembu is a<br />
bright, bubbly girl<br />
with big dreams.<br />
Text: Jennifer Campbell Photograph: @ZIYANA_MEDIA<br />
“When I was five, I used to watch a soap opera called<br />
Isibaya and dream of seeing myself on TV,” smiles<br />
Mangaliso. That dream became a reality in 2022 when<br />
her mom, Zama, told her about a casting call for a<br />
child actor in One Weeks, a family comedy series. After<br />
a video audition, she anxiously awaited the outcome,<br />
praying daily for the role. Her perseverance paid off<br />
when she received the life-changing news – she got<br />
the part.<br />
MAKING MEMORIES<br />
The young actress, who is now in Grade 6 at Reddam<br />
House <strong>Ballito</strong>, was bursting with excitement as she<br />
prepared for her first role. “I was so happy! My mom<br />
gave me the script, and I practiced all day,” she says.<br />
Her first taste of professional acting took her to<br />
Johannesburg, where she filmed for two months. The<br />
experience was beyond anything she had imagined.<br />
“I expected strict people on set, but everyone was<br />
so fun and supportive,” she says. Among her many<br />
memorable moments on set, one stands out: filming<br />
a wedding scene in Soweto. “We were flower girls<br />
in big dresses, dancing and singing despite the<br />
thunderstorm outside. It was unforgettable,”<br />
she beams.<br />
48 Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> • Umdloti • <strong>Umhlanga</strong> <strong>Oct</strong> 20<strong>24</strong>
EMBRACING THE ROLE<br />
Mangaliso plays Angie, a sharp-witted, sarcastic, yet<br />
kind-hearted ten-year-old girl. Preparing for the role<br />
was a mix of practice and instinct. "I’d practice my<br />
lines every day and stay in character between takes,"<br />
she says. The guidance from the show’s writer, Chris<br />
Q Radebe, who also took on the role of producer and<br />
director, was invaluable. “He was the one who loved<br />
me the most on set,” she adds with a laugh.<br />
STRIKING A BALANCE<br />
Despite the demands of filming, Mangaliso managed<br />
to balance her schoolwork with her budding acting<br />
career. Filming wrapped just in time for her to focus<br />
on her studies, though she admits it was a busy<br />
period. Yet, she wouldn’t have it any other way.<br />
"It’s a dream come true," she says. Looking ahead,<br />
Mangaliso dreams of continuing her acting career,<br />
possibly venturing into singing and rapping, and<br />
even writing.<br />
Mangaliso’s parents have been supportive<br />
throughout the experience, but encourage her to<br />
stay humble. "My mum and dad always tell me not<br />
to let the fame get to my head," she says. Zama is<br />
extremely proud of her daughter’s accomplishments<br />
and overall approach to life. “She’s teaching me to<br />
manifest my dreams and put them out into the<br />
universe,” she says.<br />
Details: One Weeks is streaming on Showmax:<br />
www.showmax.com; IG: @mthembu_princess;<br />
Tiktok: @mthembuprincess<br />
We were flower girls in<br />
big dresses, dancing<br />
and singing despite the<br />
thunderstorm outside.<br />
It was unforgettable.<br />
WATCH THE SHOW<br />
One Weeks is a family comedy about Fana, a<br />
charming high-school dropout from Soweto.<br />
He can’t believe his luck when he finds himself<br />
dating Lihle, a very successful lawyer.<br />
He has to rely on the help of Lihle’s 10-year-old<br />
daughter, Angie, to avoid losing her to rich men.<br />
New episodes are released every Monday<br />
on Showmax.
Understanding different learning styles<br />
Children, like adults, have unique ways of processing and understanding information.<br />
Recognising these diverse learning styles can help educators and parents tailor their<br />
approaches to meet each child’s needs. We chatted to Justin Paynter, the principal<br />
at Crawford International North Coast Preparatory, to find out more.<br />
Some of the most common learning styles include:<br />
1. VISUAL LEARNERS<br />
These children grasp information best through visual aids.<br />
They benefit from diagrams, charts and images that help<br />
them visualise concepts. Incorporating colourful materials,<br />
videos and interactive whiteboards can enhance their<br />
understanding and retention.<br />
2. AUDITORY LEARNERS<br />
For auditory learners, hearing information is key. They excel<br />
with discussions, lectures and audio recordings. Engaging<br />
them in storytelling, verbal instructions and read-aloud<br />
sessions can boost their comprehension and recall.<br />
3. KINESTHETIC LEARNERS<br />
These learners thrive on movement and hands-on activities.<br />
They absorb information through physical activity,<br />
experiments and manipulation of materials. Incorporating<br />
games, role-play and physical activities into lessons can be<br />
particularly effective for them.<br />
4. READING/WRITING LEARNERS<br />
This style involves a preference for reading and writing<br />
as primary means of learning. These children excel<br />
with written instructions, notes and written exercises.<br />
Encouraging journaling, reading assignments and written<br />
reflections can support their learning.<br />
5. INTERPERSONAL LEARNERS<br />
These children learn best through interaction with others.<br />
They thrive in group work, discussions and collaborative<br />
projects. Creating opportunities for teamwork, peer<br />
feedback and social learning can help them engage more<br />
deeply with the material.<br />
6. INTRAPERSONAL LEARNERS<br />
Intrapersonal learners are more self-reflective and independent.<br />
They benefit from personal reflection, self-paced tasks and<br />
activities that allow them to connect learning to their own<br />
experiences. Providing options for individual projects and<br />
personal goal setting can support their learning style.<br />
At our school, diversity<br />
is viewed as a resource<br />
that enriches the<br />
learning experience.<br />
“As educators, our role is to dedicate ourselves<br />
to preparing young people for the challenges<br />
of the future, through forward-thinking and<br />
inclusive educational practices,” explains Justin.<br />
“Our philosophy is rooted in a set of core<br />
beliefs that guide our approach to learning,<br />
namely that every student has the ability to<br />
learn, and that students learn at different rates<br />
and in different ways.”<br />
Understanding and accommodating these<br />
learning styles can help create a more inclusive<br />
and supportive educational environment. By<br />
tailoring teaching strategies to match each<br />
child’s preferred style, educators and parents<br />
can enhance learning outcomes and foster a<br />
lifelong love of learning.<br />
“A dynamic learning environment embraces<br />
multiple perspectives and approaches to<br />
knowledge,” says Justin. “<br />
Details: www.crawfordinternational.co.za/<br />
north-coast; IG: @crawford_northcoast<br />
50 Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> • Umdloti • <strong>Umhlanga</strong> <strong>Oct</strong> 20<strong>24</strong>
Empowering education leaders<br />
Leaders for Education is a programme run by Citizen Leader Lab (CLL), a non-profit<br />
organisation that aims to strengthen leadership capability by pairing business leaders<br />
with their counterparts in the public sector. The programme aims to transform school<br />
leadership and make a positive impact in schools and communities. We chatted to<br />
Jeanne Hayley, facilitator for CLL, about the programme.<br />
THE LEARNING JOURNEY<br />
Jeanne explains that the Leaders<br />
for Education programme offers<br />
a 12-month journey designed to<br />
equip school principals with essential<br />
leadership skills. The programme<br />
stands out for its unique approach<br />
to bridging the gap between<br />
business and education by fostering<br />
a collaborative relationship. The<br />
journey begins with the “Time to<br />
Think” workshop, a pivotal first step<br />
in this year-long process where a<br />
business leader is partnered with a<br />
school principal.<br />
THE “TIME TO THINK” WORKSHOP<br />
The “Time to Think” workshop, based<br />
on Nancy Kline’s influential book of<br />
the same name, is a one-day event<br />
where principals and their business<br />
leader partners come together to<br />
start building their relationship.<br />
Nancy Kline’s research emphasises<br />
the importance of creating the<br />
right thinking environment to foster<br />
independent thinking and help<br />
people perform at their best. Through<br />
her work, she has identified ten<br />
components essential for creating this<br />
environment, which the workshop<br />
participants are introduced to.<br />
EMPOWERING PRINCIPALS<br />
THROUGH INDEPENDENT<br />
THINKING<br />
These components are particularly<br />
accessible and beneficial for school<br />
principals, many of whom come<br />
from a teaching background with<br />
limited exposure to the rigours of<br />
formal management and leadership.<br />
The workshop empowers them to<br />
52 Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> • Umdloti • <strong>Umhlanga</strong> <strong>Oct</strong> 20<strong>24</strong><br />
think independently and create<br />
a conducive environment for<br />
their stakeholders, whether it be<br />
their school management team,<br />
governing body, or educators.<br />
The emphasis is on collaboration,<br />
allowing multiple voices to tackle<br />
complex challenges and come up<br />
with creative solutions together.<br />
INTRODUCING THE “THINKING<br />
COUNCIL”<br />
Beyond the initial workshop, the<br />
programme introduces various<br />
formats for meetings, such as the<br />
“Thinking Council.” In this setting,<br />
principals bring challenges they face,<br />
such as budget cuts, to their learning<br />
community. This community is made<br />
up of eight to ten partnerships,<br />
each consisting of a principal and a<br />
business leader. Instead of offering<br />
direct advice, which can stifle<br />
creativity, the partners share their<br />
lived experiences, which can provide<br />
new perspectives and insights. This<br />
format fosters co-learning, where both<br />
principals and business leaders gain<br />
valuable skills and insights.<br />
SHIFTING THE MINDSET OF<br />
SCHOOL PRINCIPALS<br />
The programme also encourages<br />
principals to shift their mindset from<br />
relying solely on external help to<br />
utilising their available resources.<br />
By working with their community,<br />
including parents and local<br />
businesses, they learn to start with<br />
what they have and build from there.<br />
This approach not only empowers the<br />
principals but also strengthens the<br />
entire school community.<br />
Jeanne Hayley<br />
THREE PHASES OF THE<br />
PROGRAMME<br />
The 12-month journey is divided<br />
into three phases: relationship<br />
building, visioning and planning, and<br />
community building. The second<br />
phase, which involves defining a vision<br />
for the school, is supported by the “The<br />
Awakened Leader” workshop, focusing<br />
on conscious leadership. The final and<br />
longest phase, community building,<br />
is where the principals and business<br />
leaders put their plans into action,<br />
implementing changes and projects<br />
that directly impact the school.<br />
THE ROLE OF THE BUSINESS LEADER<br />
Throughout the programme, the role<br />
of the business leader is crucial. They<br />
bring a wealth of knowledge, resources<br />
and networks that can help the<br />
school in various ways. However, the<br />
programme also emphasises that real<br />
change starts from within the school<br />
itself, with the principal and their<br />
team taking the lead in addressing<br />
challenges and finding solutions.
FACILITATOR’S PERSPECTIVE<br />
For facilitators like Jeanne, who<br />
has been involved in<br />
the programme for<br />
over two years and is<br />
currently facilitating<br />
her third learning<br />
circle, the experience<br />
is incredibly<br />
rewarding. The<br />
programme<br />
not only helps<br />
to develop<br />
leadership<br />
skills in school<br />
principals but<br />
also fosters<br />
a sense of<br />
community<br />
and shared<br />
purpose<br />
among all<br />
participants.<br />
Whether it’s<br />
seeing the<br />
transformation in a<br />
principal’s approach<br />
to leadership or the<br />
positive changes in a<br />
school’s environment,<br />
she believes the<br />
impact of the Leaders<br />
for Education<br />
programme is<br />
profound and<br />
lasting.<br />
Sbu Nkolothi and Sipho Ncengwa<br />
A LOCAL COLLABORATION<br />
Sbu Nkolothi, owner of Coffee Lab at <strong>Ballito</strong> Lifestyle Centre, has been involved in the<br />
Leaders for Education programme for the last seven months. He is partnered with<br />
Sipho Ncengwa, a principal at Kearsney Primary, a farm school near Stanger.<br />
During this time, Coffee Lab has become a hub of CLL activity.<br />
Sbu is committed to making a lasting impact through the<br />
programme. He believes that education should be treated<br />
like a business, where the goal is to uplift and drive results<br />
through consistent motivation and leadership. "We need<br />
to inspire the educators so they can inspire those they<br />
educate," he says. “The first thing you want to do is to<br />
understand people. When you understand them, then<br />
you know how to treat them."<br />
Sbu is particularly passionate about instilling leadership<br />
skills and values in the school’s staff, but his ultimate goal<br />
is to introduce basic business skills in schools, recognising<br />
the importance of practical skills like plumbing and bricklaying,<br />
which are often overlooked in favour of more academic pursuits.<br />
Over the last few months, he has learnt the importance<br />
of building people on a personal level. “We need to pay<br />
attention to educators’ mental state,” he says. “Everyone needs<br />
motivation; we can’t treat people like machines.”<br />
Details: www.citizenleaderlab.org;<br />
kate@citizenleaderlab.org.za / audrey@citizenleaderlab.org.za<br />
STCW ‘10<br />
& DSD<br />
Junior<br />
STCW Deckhand ‘10<br />
Courses<br />
GUEST<br />
Junior<br />
Stew<br />
Course<br />
Work on a<br />
Superyacht<br />
www.trilogyluxtraining.co.za<br />
Food<br />
Hygiene<br />
Level 2
Protecting<br />
young eyes<br />
54 Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> • Umdloti • <strong>Umhlanga</strong> <strong>Oct</strong> 20<strong>24</strong>
On 10 <strong>Oct</strong>ober, World Sight Day will shine<br />
a spotlight on the importance of eye care<br />
in young people, encouraging children<br />
worldwide to love their eyes. Dr Yavische<br />
Reddy, an ophthalmologist based in<br />
<strong>Ballito</strong>, shares essential tips to help<br />
prevent eye-related issues in children and<br />
ensure a future of healthy vision.<br />
1. EAT WELL<br />
Good eye health starts with good nutrition. A diet rich<br />
in omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins C and E supports<br />
overall well-being, reduces the risk of obesity and<br />
prevents associated conditions like type-2 diabetes,<br />
which can affect vision.<br />
2. PROTECT LITTLE EYES<br />
Children should wear sunglasses to shield their eyes<br />
from harmful UV rays. Additionally, protective eyewear<br />
is vital during sports to prevent accidental injuries that<br />
could lead to permanent vision loss.<br />
3. REDUCE SCREEN TIME<br />
Extended exposure to screens can cause eye strain,<br />
blurry vision, dry eyes and refractive errors. It’s essential<br />
to limit screen time to protect developing eyes.<br />
4. GO FOR REGULAR EYE CHECKS<br />
Untreated refractive errors in children may result in<br />
amblyopia, or “lazy eye,” a condition where the pathways<br />
between the eyes and brain fail to fully develop. Early<br />
detection through regular eye tests can prevent this,<br />
ensuring that corrective measures like glasses are<br />
introduced at the right time.<br />
5. KNOW YOUR FAMILY HISTORY<br />
Certain eye conditions, such as keratoconus, can be<br />
hereditary. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent<br />
vision loss and reduce the need for more serious<br />
interventions.<br />
6. DISCOURAGE EYE RUBBING<br />
Frequent eye rubbing, often due to allergies or digital<br />
eye strain, can damage the cornea and lead to refractive<br />
errors. Encourage the use of eye drops for allergies and<br />
discourage this harmful habit.<br />
7. WATCH FOR WARNING SIGNS<br />
Symptoms like red or watery eyes, squinting and<br />
difficulty reading school boards or completing closeup<br />
tasks should never be ignored. These could indicate<br />
vision problems that need immediate attention.<br />
Expert eye care for<br />
bright futures<br />
Do you have the<br />
following problems?<br />
• Blurred vision<br />
• Seeing floaters in the eye<br />
• Double vision<br />
• Sudden loss of vision<br />
• Redeyes<br />
• Cataracts<br />
• Hypertension<br />
• Heart disease<br />
• Diabetes<br />
• Keratoconus<br />
Treatment offered for:<br />
• Age related macular<br />
degeneration<br />
• Cataracts<br />
• Glaucoma<br />
• Diabetic eye disease<br />
• Dry eye<br />
• Watery eye<br />
Suite 3, The Well, Corner Kirsty Close & Albertina Way <strong>Ballito</strong><br />
Suite 4, Adams Medical Centre, 106 Hullett Street, Stanger<br />
Netcare Alberlito Hospital<br />
Ribumed Day Hospital<br />
Mediclinic Victoria Hospital<br />
KwaDukuza Private Hospital<br />
032 586 0040 061 434 0191<br />
ballitoeye@gmail.com<br />
Contracted to most major medical aids
Raising<br />
avid readers<br />
Raj M. Isaac, a retired senior education specialist based in Umdloti, shares his tips for<br />
encouraging meaningful reading among children.<br />
ith the explosion of<br />
knowledge in the 21st<br />
century, it is imperative<br />
that we keep ourselves<br />
informed, whether it is for<br />
social interaction or study purposes. And<br />
because a large volume of knowledge is<br />
in written form, it’s important to be able to<br />
understand what we are reading.<br />
Writers sometimes try to persuade readers<br />
to accept a point of view; therefore, we<br />
cannot accept everything we read at face<br />
value. What is important is that we read<br />
for meaning, while critically interrogating<br />
what we read. Of course, all this does not<br />
prevent reading for enjoyment, when we<br />
immerse ourselves in the written word while<br />
marvelling at the creative use of language.<br />
Parents play a significant role in instilling<br />
a love of reading in our children. Here<br />
are some ideas of what you can do to<br />
encourage your child not only to love<br />
reading, but to read meaningfully and<br />
critically from an early age.<br />
1. Let them see you read<br />
Children are great imitators. Therefore, if<br />
they see you read, whether it a newspaper,<br />
magazine, or book, they will imitate you.<br />
It is not uncommon to see very young<br />
children pretending to read, even if they<br />
are holding the book upside down!<br />
Text: Raj M. Isaac<br />
2. Create a reading-friendly<br />
environment at home<br />
Reading material should be an integral part<br />
of the home environment. Whether children<br />
see a study or a reading shelf full of books,<br />
they will begin to understand that reading is<br />
an important part of their parents’ lives and<br />
should therefore be a part of theirs.<br />
56 Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> • Umdloti • <strong>Umhlanga</strong> <strong>Oct</strong> 20<strong>24</strong>
3. Create a cozy reading space<br />
Many children like their parents to read to them at<br />
bedtime. The bed is a particularly comforting space for<br />
them. It is also a good idea to create other cozy reading<br />
spaces. Make these spaces inviting – with comfortable<br />
seating, pillows, blankets and good lighting –<br />
somewhere both of you can relax and get lost in a book.<br />
4. Choose engaging books<br />
If your child is old enough to show preferences, choose<br />
books with characters (real or make-believe, animal<br />
or human) and themes which are familiar to them.<br />
Choose interactive books when you can, e.g. books with<br />
pop-up characters and pictures, books with lift-the-flap<br />
reveals and touch-and-feel activities. In short, choose<br />
books which provoke wonder, surprise and excitement.<br />
Children like a sense of ownership, so buy books for your<br />
child and let them see you write their names in them,<br />
even if they are not yet able to read on their own.<br />
5. Establish a reading routine<br />
While anytime is a good time to read to your child, it is<br />
also a good idea to establish a regular routine, like at<br />
bedtime or after dinner. Children will soon get used to<br />
the idea and will specifically ask that you read to them at<br />
a particular time.<br />
6. Visit the library with your child<br />
If you borrow books for your children from a library, take<br />
them with you. Get them their own personal membership<br />
card as soon as they are allowed to. Most public libraries<br />
have a section set aside for children. Let them browse<br />
through books on the shelves or while seated at the<br />
tables and chairs set aside for them. Let them see you go<br />
through the routine of borrowing books.<br />
7. Read actively<br />
When reading aloud to your child, make sure that<br />
you engage actively with them. By doing this, you<br />
are training them to engage actively with the text,<br />
even when they read silently. While reading, point to<br />
words and pictures, identify them, ask questions and<br />
encourage discussion.<br />
Raj M. Isaac is<br />
a retired senior<br />
education specialist<br />
who has researched<br />
the teaching of<br />
reading for his<br />
Master’s degree in<br />
Education.<br />
February 2022 Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> <strong>Umhlanga</strong> 57
COUNTRY LIVING<br />
This beautiful home near <strong>Ballito</strong> was inspired by a classic barn, with a modern twist.<br />
We chatted to Jarryd Murray and Julian Mentz of MAP Architects about the design and<br />
what it was like working on the project.<br />
Text: Jennifer Campbell Photographs: CHRIS ALLAN PHOTO & @Stories_by_Goya_weddings<br />
58 Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> • Umdloti • <strong>Umhlanga</strong> <strong>Oct</strong> 20<strong>24</strong>
With a blend of classic and<br />
contemporary design, this home is<br />
perfectly suited to its stunning setting<br />
on an estate just outside <strong>Ballito</strong>,<br />
surrounded by nature. Designed as a<br />
luxury lock-up-and-go holiday house,<br />
the space balances comfort with<br />
functionality without losing its farm<br />
style charm.<br />
FORM MEETS FUNCTION<br />
In coming up with a design concept,<br />
Jarryd and Julian wanted to create a<br />
home with plenty of storage space,<br />
while maintaining the aesthetic of<br />
a farm house. The homeowners are<br />
outdoorsy and active, and needed<br />
ample space for their bikes and ATVs,<br />
so half the home is a workshop and<br />
storage area. The other half serves as a<br />
living space with an open-plan lounge<br />
and kitchen, as well as two bedrooms<br />
and ensuite bathrooms upstairs. The<br />
architects describe the overall look as<br />
sleek and modern and agree the home<br />
fits in well with the estate’s boutique<br />
agricultural setting.<br />
<strong>Oct</strong> 20<strong>24</strong> Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> • Umdloti • <strong>Umhlanga</strong> 59
BRINGING THE OUTDOORS IN<br />
In choosing materials, Julian wanted<br />
to emphasise the modern barn<br />
aesthetic. The main structure consists<br />
of steel A-frames set on a rectangular<br />
floor plan and clad in corrugated steel<br />
sheets. For the living space, large fullheight<br />
glass curtain walls and sliding<br />
doors were used to bring the natural<br />
beauty of the surroundings indoors.<br />
The sliding doors can be opened<br />
on all sides to seamlessly blend the<br />
indoor and outdoor spaces.<br />
WORKING WITH THE ENVIRONMENT<br />
The chosen site for the barn<br />
presented a challenge: the best views<br />
faced west, offering stunning sunsets<br />
over the estate’s green hills but also<br />
exposing the glass-fronted home<br />
to direct sunlight. In a sub-tropical<br />
climate, this could turn the house<br />
into a hothouse. To address this, the<br />
team added a veranda with dropdown<br />
blinds on the western side,<br />
connecting to the open-plan living<br />
room and kitchen. This allows the<br />
homeowners to enjoy the valley<br />
views without the sun becoming<br />
too intrusive.<br />
A SENSE OF CONNECTION<br />
On the side of the barn that serves as the home, the team used glass to fill the<br />
entire A-frame structure. This created a spacious area with double volumes in<br />
the open-plan living and kitchen spaces. The bedroom lofts are connected to<br />
this space, providing a sense of connection between the upper and lower levels.<br />
Additionally, the bedrooms open onto a balcony on the northern side, which<br />
simultaneously acts as a sunshade for the lower level and a viewing platform for<br />
the upper level.<br />
Jarryd Murray of MAP Architects<br />
Details: MAP Architects; Shop 21, <strong>Ballito</strong><br />
Centre, 25 Sandra Road, <strong>Ballito</strong>; www.<br />
mapgroup.co.za; jarryd@mapgroup.<br />
co.za; IG: @map_architects_<br />
60 Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> • Umdloti • <strong>Umhlanga</strong> <strong>Oct</strong> 20<strong>24</strong>
SUNNY DAYS<br />
Colourful blooms, fiery capsicums and a fresh lick of paint<br />
Text: ALICE COETZEE and KYM ARGO<br />
We’re planting …<br />
Zinnia Zesty because it<br />
displays huge, vibrantly coloured<br />
flowers throughout summer into<br />
autumn. The fully double blooms are<br />
reminiscent of traditional zinnias. These sunloving<br />
plants are neat and upright, growing<br />
up to 60cm tall, and will brighten borders<br />
and mixed plantings as well as looking good<br />
in containers. Pollinators love their flowers.<br />
Plant in soil that drains well, water regularly<br />
but don’t over-water and fertilise<br />
once a month during summer.<br />
Details: ballstraathof.co.za<br />
<strong>Oct</strong>ober garden tasks<br />
• Plant new roses, summer annuals<br />
and perennials this month. Annuals<br />
that grow quickly from seed are<br />
alyssum, cosmos, lavatera, portulaca,<br />
California poppy, and nasturtium.<br />
They all do best in full sun. • Fertilise<br />
perennials with a granular fertiliser<br />
like Vigorosa 5:1:5 or 3:1:5, and<br />
annuals with a liquid fertiliser. Use<br />
either pink or blue hydrangea food<br />
for hydrangeas. • Mow lawns at least<br />
once a week, but if it is very hot and<br />
dry mow less frequently and set<br />
blades higher • Water regularly and<br />
spread a layer of mulch over beds to<br />
conserve water and keep the roots<br />
cool. • Keep flowering roses neat<br />
by cutting off dead blooms, fertilise<br />
with a rose fertiliser by the middle<br />
of <strong>Oct</strong>ober and water deeply during<br />
hot, dry weather. Control pests with<br />
an organic insecticide like Ludwig’s<br />
Insect Spray or Margaret Roberts<br />
Organic Insecticide.<br />
There is something so summery<br />
about Peperomia Watermelon . Its<br />
rounded leaves look as crisp and<br />
cool as mini-watermelons and plants<br />
stay rounded and compact, perfect<br />
for table tops, counters and office<br />
desks. Bright, indirect light is perfect<br />
for these plants. Water when the<br />
surface of the soil feels dry but don’t<br />
let the pots stand in water. Feed with<br />
a liquid fertiliser once a month in<br />
summer to encourage new leaves.<br />
Details: lvgplant.co.za<br />
This is the month for chilli-heads<br />
to sow some heat. Capsicums<br />
germinate best in warm soil<br />
(minimum temperature 20C) and the<br />
varieties available from seed are mind<br />
boggling. For newbies in the chilli<br />
stakes, a good variety to start with<br />
is Hungarian Hot Wax - they won’t<br />
burn your mouth to smithereens, or<br />
the mild to hot Cubanelle, Chinese 5<br />
Colour or Shishito green chilli pepper.<br />
Only the very daring should opt for<br />
Trinidad Scorpion or Carolina Reaper.<br />
The names are a warning!<br />
To grow: Sow seed into small 10cm<br />
pots to allow seedlings to grow<br />
into sturdy plants before being<br />
transplanted into a bigger pot or<br />
into the ground. Sow two to three<br />
plants per pot. Seeds will germinate<br />
within seven to 20 days (depending<br />
on variety) and the soil must be kept<br />
moist during germination. When the<br />
first true leaves appear and are big<br />
enough to handle, transplant the<br />
seedlings into bigger pots or into the<br />
soil spaced 40cm apart.<br />
Chillies need full sun, well-drained soil<br />
and regular watering, especially when<br />
flowering so that they don’t drop<br />
their flowers (which means no fruit).<br />
Most chillies grow 50 to 60cm tall and<br />
the fruit should be ready for harvest<br />
within 120 to 160 days.<br />
Details: kirchoffs.co.za or rawliving.co.za<br />
62 Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> • Umdloti • <strong>Umhlanga</strong> <strong>Oct</strong> 20<strong>24</strong>
WIN<br />
Give your home a paint-over!<br />
This month we’re getting ready for summer. And since<br />
summer in South Africa is all about being outdoors,<br />
we’re going to get our home’s exterior in ship shape. We’ve<br />
discovered the new and incredible Neuklad Range from<br />
Prominent Paints. Specifically crafted to endure our harsh<br />
climate, this professional-grade paint offers exceptional quality and<br />
durability, making it the perfect choice for everyone from seasoned contractors to<br />
meticulous homeowners. Available in white, pastel tint base and clear tint base,<br />
this weather-resistant range includes Neuklad Alkali-Resistant Sealer, Cool Roof,<br />
Ultra Shield, and Earth. Details: prominentpaints.co.za<br />
To celebrate the launch, we’re giving one reader a fab prize,<br />
worth R8 000 ... a chance to choose their favourite paint<br />
colours from any of the Prominent Paint ranges. Imagine<br />
the possibilities for your home! Entering is a breeze. Just<br />
head over to @getitmagnc on Instagram or Facebook, find<br />
our <strong>Oct</strong>ober Spoil post, and follow the prompts. Entries<br />
close 25 <strong>Oct</strong>ober, and the winner will be selected from<br />
entries across all Get It platforms.<br />
<strong>Oct</strong> 20<strong>24</strong> Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> • Umdloti • <strong>Umhlanga</strong> 63
GET IT DIRECTORY<br />
LASER CUTTING<br />
FORMING<br />
TUBE CUTTING<br />
CUSTOM CUTTING<br />
CONTACT DETAILS:<br />
Contact Number: 082 338 5719 (Rob)<br />
E-mail: info@laserform.co.za<br />
Website: www.laserform.co.za
Thanda Safari<br />
Luxury safaris. Big Five.<br />
Brilliant birding.<br />
With the added attraction<br />
of supporting a lodge<br />
with exceptional<br />
conservation practices.<br />
Out in the middle of nowhere, where there’s nothing as<br />
far as the eye can see bar bushes, trees, gently rolling<br />
hills and watering holes ... this is where you’ll find<br />
Thanda Safari. A private game reserve in the northern<br />
reaches of Zululand, where the Great Rift Valley meets<br />
the Lebombo Mountains, it’s home to an abundance<br />
of wildlife, including Africa’s Big 5 and more than 400<br />
different bird species.<br />
It’s a destination which offers an authentic South African<br />
wildlife experience. There’s exceptional game-viewing<br />
all year, it’s a brilliant option for families, honeymooners,<br />
groups of friends, and perfect for those who’re wanting<br />
something extra over and above the game drives ...<br />
think specialised bush walks, photographic safaris, and<br />
Zulu cultural tours in the rural community.<br />
The term room with a view is particularly apt here ...<br />
it’s been said that there are no bad rooms at Thanda –<br />
and we couldn’t agree more. Guests are offered a few<br />
options ... each as magnificent as the other.<br />
The Thanda Safari Lodge is a circular structure<br />
reminiscent of a traditional Zulu rondavel, with nine<br />
suites, each with a spacious lounge area, a plunge pool,<br />
a private boma and a game-viewing deck offering<br />
panoramic views of the surrounding game reserve.<br />
There’s also a spa, open for all Thanda guests, housed in<br />
the heart of the lodge.<br />
Or, for those who want to go for the ultimate in bush<br />
opulence, there’s the splendid Villa iZulu – a stunning<br />
safari hide-away for families, groups, even wedding<br />
parties, wanting privacy with their luxury. With five<br />
gloriously appointed suites and its own heli-pad, this<br />
extravagantly-sized villa, which has a fenced garden and<br />
lush green lawns, is available on an exclusive-use basis.<br />
A third, super luxurious hospitality option, is The Royal<br />
Thanda Club by Thanda Safari ... where you’ll find the<br />
exclusive-use Royal Residences. Enclosed within a high<br />
security, access-controlled, estate in the central part of<br />
the reserve, these massively spacious Royal Residences<br />
sleep between eight and ten guests.<br />
66 Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> • Umdloti • <strong>Umhlanga</strong> <strong>Oct</strong> 20<strong>24</strong>
Since the opening of Thanda Safari some 20 years ago, it has embraced<br />
various aspects of responsible and sustainable tourism practices. Everything<br />
the team does is centred around responsible environmental development<br />
and management.<br />
The many conservation programmes have included protection programmes<br />
for the endangered cheetah and, most importantly, the endangered black<br />
rhino protection programme and elephant breeding programmes. Other<br />
conservation initiatives include ...<br />
The identification and tracking of elephants at Thanda Safari, and the tracking<br />
and monitoring of cheetah using telemetry equipment.<br />
The identification of hyena and leopard via the use of camera traps, as well as<br />
rhino monitoring - due to rampant poaching in South Africa it is imperative<br />
that a close watch be kept on Thanda’s rhinos.<br />
Bird Atlasing - a hotspot of birdlife diversity Thanda Safari, as a member of<br />
Birdlife South Africa and an acknowledged landowner within the Zululand<br />
Important Bird and Biodiversity area, keeps detailed records of all bird species<br />
using Bird Atlasing.<br />
Rehabilitation - Thanda Safari has been at the forefront of land rehabilitation<br />
in KwaZulu-Natal, transforming overgrazed cattle farms into pristine game<br />
viewing land and re-introducing species that used to freely roam the area,<br />
including the Big Five.<br />
Vegetation monitoring - a thorough assessment is conducted annually as<br />
to the carrying capacity of the reserve, taking into account the rainfall, veld<br />
condition, grass cover and herbaceous biomass. Also habitat management -<br />
which includes a controlled burning programme, road maintenance, erosion<br />
control and alien plant control.<br />
Under the auspices of Thanda Foundation Trust, established to focus attention<br />
on the socio-economic needs of the three tribal communities surrounding<br />
Thanda, there’s also a flagship Star for Life Educational programme that<br />
functions under its own NGO, the Inkanyiso and Masisambisane crèche<br />
projects, and Football for Life through the amateur football club, Thanda Lions,<br />
that uplifts local unemployed youth in sport and empowers young girls to<br />
play football.<br />
Thanda Safari has its own dedicated anti-poaching unit, wildlife team and<br />
rhino monitors and it is a founding member of Project Rhino KZN - an antipoaching<br />
collaboration with local conservation agencies and game reserves.<br />
Details: www.thanda.com<br />
<strong>Oct</strong> 20<strong>24</strong> Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> • Umdloti • <strong>Umhlanga</strong> 67
Spoil<br />
<strong>Oct</strong>ober<br />
A rosy fragrance from Lacoste<br />
Unbound. Radiant. Confident. The Lacoste woman is<br />
all three. In her world, every detail is intentional, and<br />
this includes the fragrance she selects. This month<br />
we’re celebrating the L.12.12 For Women range ...<br />
inspired by the iconic Lacoste polo shirt, and boasting,<br />
obviously, that crocodile! Three timeless classics,<br />
each with French finesse and within in the framework<br />
of Fashion Sport aesthetic. The range includes an<br />
ambery fruity Rose Sparkling, a floral woody<br />
Rose eau Intense, and Rose eau de Parfum ...<br />
an elegant, fruity floral fragrance - all green mandarin<br />
and mint, musk and rose, cedarwood and ambrox.<br />
Delicate but empowering ... like the woman who<br />
wears it! From R999.<br />
To stand in line to win our lovely <strong>Oct</strong>ober Spoil, pop<br />
over to @getitmagnc on Instagram and Facebook,<br />
look for the Spoil post and follow the prompts.<br />
68 Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> • Umdloti • <strong>Umhlanga</strong> <strong>Oct</strong> 20<strong>24</strong>