Let’s face it: braces aren’t the most attractive things to have in your mouth as a teenager. Luckily, we’ve got the solution! Clear braces are an excellent choice if you’re not keen on traditional braces. They’re called Active Aligners™️, and in February we’ve tagged in Sharks captain, Phepsi Buthelesi, to help us promote our new active aligners for teens! Active Aligners™️ are known in the dental industry as clear aligner therapy, which are custom trays worn in sequence that move your teeth in stages. So, if you want to increase your confidence while ensuring that your teeth are being looked after, Active Aligners™️ might be for you. Let’s take a look at four benefits for teens:

Aesthetics
The biggest benefit of clear braces for teens is that they are almost invisible. This means that nobody is even going to know that you have braces in place unless they get really, really, really close to your face!
Oral hygiene
Another major benefit of using clear braces for teens is that your oral hygiene is much easier to maintain than when you’re rocking traditional braces. Also, Active Aligners™️ are easier to clean because they are removable.
Comfort
How comfortable are clear braces? Extremely comfortable, that’s how! Not only are Active Aligners™️ pain free (unlike traditional braces) but they are more comfortable and can be removed and replaced whenever.
Convenience
Active Aligners™️ for teens are way more convenient than traditional braces. Not only are they removable, so you can take them out when needed, but you don’t have to change your eating habits when choosing clear braces.

Frequently asked questions about clear braces
How are Active Aligners™️ made?
The first step is to take a 3D scan of your mouth and teeth. Then, your clear braces are made to suit your mouth out of FDA-approved BPA-free dental materials.
How long do you need to wear clear braces?
On average, your Active Aligners™️ treatment will last 6 and 7 months. However, sometimes you might need to wear them for longer. It really does depend on your teeth.
Will Active Aligners™️ make you talk funny?
Most teens who wear clear braces don’t report any changes in the way they sound while wearing Active Aligners™️. But some people report a slight lisp when first wearing them, until their tongues get used to having the aligners in their mouths.
Can you eat with clear braces in?
Unfortunately not. You’ll need to remove your Active Aligners™️ whenever you eat food or drink. It’s important to floss and brush after you’ve eaten and before you reinsert your braces.

More about Hilton Family Dental Care

This amateur production of “Animal Farm (Hall)” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd. on behalf of Samuel French Ltd. www.concordtheatricals.co.uk

George Orwell’s Animal Farm is a compelling exploration of the dangers of power and authority, and how these can corrupt even the most well-intentioned individuals. Through the story of the animals' revolution, the play delves into the psychology of mass formation, examining the ways in which propaganda, manipulation, and fear can be used to control a population and subjugate others.

Drawing on ideas presented in Mattias Desmet's ground-breaking book, The Psychology of Totalitarianism (2022, Chelsea Green Publishing), the play will examine the psychological factors that contribute to the emergence of authoritarian regimes and offer a thought-provoking exploration of the dangers of groupthink and the importance of individual agency.

The production of this classic work promises be visually interesting and emotionally resonant, incorporating acted performance with songs, audio visual elements, a live soundscape and live streaming. With its timely and thought-provoking themes, Orwell’s Animal Farm is one of the most important and influential works of the 20th century.

The production is directed by Lynn Chemaly, with technical design by Marcus Henning and musical direction by Andri Potgieter.

“When all are guilty, no one is; confessions of collective guilt are the best possible safeguard against the discovery of culprits, and the very magnitude of the crime the best excuse for doing nothing.”
Hannah Arendt

NOTES
Prof. Dr. Mattias Desmet (MSc, Phd) is recognized as the world’s leading expert on the theory of mass formation as it applies to the COVID-19 pandemic and is a professor of clinical psychology in the Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences at Ghent University (Belgium) and a practicing psychoanalytic psychotherapist.

BOOKINGS NOW OPEN: https://forms.office.com/r/1DjbdBwv92

FRUIT TREES - WE HAVE THE FOLLOWING GRAFTED FRUIT TREES IN STOCK AT PRESENT. Eureka Lemon, Navel Orange, Bearrs Lime, West Indian Lime, Thai Lime, Minneola, Calamondin, Macadamia Nut. All are R185 each. Enquiries Ros 0845561306

 

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South African students taking the SAT this year will be part of the first cohort to complete the tests digitally. The shift from written to digital tests comes into effect in March, alongside other key changes, including significantly shorter wait time for results, and the use of an adaptive question model. For local high school students looking to study in the United States, taking note of these changes is essential as they prepare for a new testing format that they have not been exposed to before.

“The SAT is a standardised tests that acts as a student’s benchmark against other applicants. International students, like South Africans, can benefit from taking them to increase their chance of admission, as they are a well-recognised scoring system for many US universities – and a common prerequisite to entry,” says Rebecca Pretorius, Country Manager at Crimson Education, a global mentorship company that helps students with the complex application process to top universities abroad.

While digital testing opens up a number of possibilities, it does not mean that students will be able to complete their SAT at home. The tests will still be conducted at designated testing centres across the country, where they can be monitored by examiners. Those sitting their SAT will have the option to either use a supplied device, or to bring their own. Having all students sit the test in one venue also decreases the chance of load shedding causing issues.

“Technical issues are likely a big concern for local students, with load shedding stages often shifting quickly, and without advance notice. The digital SAT has catered for this, by including a fail-safe that saves data in case of technical problems. This means students can take the tests, with the peace of mind that their progress won’t be lost if load shedding hits,” says Pretorius.

Along with the shift from written to digital, there are a number of other changes to the SAT format. The most notable is that the test will only be two hours long, instead of the standard three hours, and it will be adaptive. This means that certain questions will be based on each student’s answers in previous sections. While the content will not be changing, the questions will be quite different to previous SATs.

“There will be four sections – two reading and writing sections, and two maths sections. The second section of each topic will be based off of the previous answers each student gave. Not only will this make the results more precise, but it will also mean students receive their answers in a matter of days, instead of waiting weeks,” says Pretorius.

With the changes coming into effect in March, it is fundamental that students remember how important preparation is. “Strong academics is the most important component of successful admission. The SAT showcases a student’s problem-solving abilities, and are unlike tests that South African students have experienced before. Unique test-taking strategies, and preferably working with a tutor, are needed if local students want to get a top score on the SAT,” says Pretorius.

The registration deadline for the next sitting of the SAT is the 7th of April, 2023, with the test taking place on the 8th of May. Students looking to prepare can download Crimson’s free Mini SAT Practice Test, which includes sample questions, answers, and explanations. The practice test helps students get a better understanding of what they’ll encounter on the SAT and how best to strategise for each section. Crimson also hosts regular events with expert speakers and regular, free SAT Masterclasses.

Crimson’s personalised mentoring approach is designed to help students gain admission into the Ivy League, Oxbridge, and other top universities around the world. Their university admissions and application counselling model connects students to the world’s best tutors and mentors to deliver individualised support to students to reach their personal education and career goals. For more information, visit www.crimsoneducation.org/za.

Every week this newsletter is shared with loyal lovers of Hilton, uMngeni, KZN Midlands. Welcome to this week's suggestions for loving local!  

Every month thousands of browsers choose Hilton businesses, products and services from these online pages, subscribe here to join a community that is mad about local, Hilton local. A tribe that excels at loving Hilton real hard!

Read the newsletter online if you have not yet subscribed.

When you #LoveLocalRealHard you spread smiles in your backyard, and it feels so good!

Would you like to grow beautiful roses? - The MIDLANDS ROSE SOCIETY and Linda from TARR ROSES will be presenting a demonstration on planting and caring for roses.

 

Together, we help, we share ideas, and we learn from each other.

 

Pictured here: Gail Birss of the Midlands Rose Society on the left and Linda Tarr on the right.

 

 

KZN Midland’s own Mrs Zama Keswa can now add Mrs South Africa semi-finalist to her impressive resume as she joins the class of 2023.

Keswa received the happy news on Friday, 03 February after the National Casting event at Emperors Palace, in Johannesburg. Following the announcement, the semi-finalists took part in a jam-packed two-day conference filled with motivational talks, workshops, upskilling sessions, socialising and networking opportunities, and an introduction to the famous Mrs SA sisterhood.

“I felt ecstatic and obviously blessed” says Keswa upon receiving the news.

Mrs South Africa is foremost a self-discovery and empowerment programme that celebrates diversity, ambition, and confidence while showcasing some of the country’s most phenomenal and talented women and giving them the skills and tools needed to achieve their dreams.

Joani Johnson, CEO of Mrs SA, says, “We are proud to work alongside so many strong, formidable, and inspirational married women, and to empower them through our pillars of community, self-development, and networking to be the leaders and social game-changers that we need in this country.

“Our experienced mentors teach leadership, entrepreneurship, marketing, self-promotion, and self-discovery throughout the year to ensure that all participants have a truly life changing experience.”

Sharing more about her decision to enter, Keswa says, “I believe anything is possible as long as your mind to it with dedication and commitment’.

As part of her journey, she hopes to share her experience and motivate young people in achieving their goals their set themselves to attain as well is instil confidence in them irrespective of their background.

“We are blown away by the number of high-quality entries that we received this year, and we are deeply appreciative to have met so many wonderful women from all walks of life. The National Casting day was exceptionally difficult, as a substantial number of entrants have what it takes to make a success of this programme,” notes Johnson.

This year, the casting panel was looking for women who have a keen interest in empowering others, display strong family values, and are passionate about making a difference in their community and the world.

Keswa fully embodies the values that Mrs SA holds most dear and is representative of our tagline for the year: #EveryWoman. We look forward to going on this journey with her and her fellow sisters,” concludes Johnson.

Be sure to follow Keswa’s journey on the Mrs South Africa Instagram and Facebook pages.

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'The beautiful weather today showed Harrington House in its best light for our second corporate event of the week. Thank you Black Coffee for the stunning set up and sound; and Hamblins Catering for the delectable treats. Another seamless event!' shared Harrington House.

 

Harrington House is named after Caroline Harrington, Jen's great-grandmother who was the third wife of the Mayor of London. Caroline Harrington’s home was a very formal one, but because she was 20 years her husband’s junior, she added a great element of relaxation, fun and laughter.

Harrington House aims to emulate the dynamic of the Harrington household - a high standard of service and amenities in a relaxed, happy, and fun environment.

Call: 066 473 8699
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

MARCH DENTAL SPECIAL‼️

It's that time of year again for our annual 3️⃣0️⃣% off dentals.

R1100 excluding teeth extractions.

Offer valid from 1st of March 2023 until 31st of March 2023.
Terms and Conditions Apply:
▪️Payment on the day.
▪️Discount only applies to the dental scale and polish, not teeth extractions.
▪️The free nail trim and anal gland expression are only included if the pet is having a dental.

Give us a ring to book your appointment for your pet today.

To book call, 033 343 4316.

More about Umgeni Vet Clinic

Join our award winning rental teams in our PMB, Hilton and Howick offices.

We are looking for a dynamic person to join our rental department. Experience in residential property would be an advantage.

For further details please email your CV and a covering letter to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

More about Pam Golding Properties

Having a ball. Dates for the 2023 SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge have been drawn up with the tournament travelling to ten regions in KZN beginning in the first week in March.

The tournament that began in 2011 has fast become a highlight fixture in the schoolgirls’ hockey calendar. Close to 75 high school girls’ first teams will be taking to the various hockey fields around KZN in the tournament’s 13th year.

The ten regionals will take place over three months early in the year, with a two-month break before the highly contested Grand Finals that will take place at St Mary’s DSG on the weekend of 22 and 23 July. The ten crowned 2023 regional champions will head to Kloof to duel it out on the astro for the highly coveted winning title of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge. The trophy has only three names engraved on it over the ten years that it has been played. They are Durban Girls’ College - Durban Central Regional Winner -2013, 2014, 2015, 2022; St Anne’s College – Pietermaritzburg North Regional Winner – 2011 and St Mary’s D.S.G. – Highway Regional Winner - 2012, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019.

Building momentum to the Grand Finals, the first regional tournament tips off with defending champions in the Durban North Regional, Our Lady of Fatima welcoming teams on Saturday 11 March at their ‘home turf’, the Riverside Sports Club. Thomas More College hosts the fierce and fiery Highway Regional on Sunday 12 March at their grounds.

Kuswag Hoërskool opens up the April diary with the Durban South Regional that they will host at the 3 Schools Trust Astro in Glenwood on Saturday 15 April. The following day – Sunday 16 April - Durban Girls’ High School welcomes teams from the Durban Central Regional back to their home ground at the 3 Schools Trust Astro. Heading up the road, teams around Hilton will converge at St Anne’s College for the Pietermaritzburg North Regional on Saturday 22 April. And in the final back-to-back weekend in 2023, the challenge heads down the South Coast to Creston College for the Sisonke and Ugu Regional on Sunday 23 April.

On Saturday 6 May, St Dominic’s School will see teams from around Newcastle and surrounds taking to their astro for the KZN Northern Regional. The tournament heads inland to Wartburg Kirchdorf School on Saturday 13 May for the uMvoti and oThukela Regional. For the penultimate regional Epworth School hosts the Pietermaritzburg Central Regional on Sunday 14 May. And in its familiar spot, Grantleigh College in Empangeni rounds off the 2023 Challenge with teams partaking in the Northern KZN Coastal Regional on Saturday 20 May.

For spectators that are unable to get to the side of the pitch, the ten regionals and the Grand Finals will be live streamed by SuperSport Schools on their mobile app or website.

For more info on the tournaments, like the Facebook page, or follow on Instagram.

 

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LITTLE LOCALS: Keep your little one allergy-free this summer.

This summer, keep your little one allergy-free by avoiding triggers and stocking up on the appropriate allergy medications. Ask your trusted pharmacist about our wide range of antihistamines, nasal sprays, eye drops and topical treatments. We’re here for you!

More about The Local Choice Pharmacy

With the chaos of January out of way, we are now well and truly settled into the rhythm and routine of a brand-new year. A new year is always a good time to set new resolutions, targets, and goals that you hope to achieve over the next few months.

In a corporate environment, creating lasting change is crucial if managers want to maintain sustainable growth. Lasting change is essentially modifications that are widely accepted by and fully integrated into the organisational culture and processes, resulting in a new status quo.

Not only does it ensure that the business remains consistent in their processes and management structure, but lasting change also provides for a constant review of how you approach and prepare to tackle challenges.

Mariet Visser, coach, trainer, and the co-founder of We Do Change - is on a mission to empower others to transform and enrich their work lives with lasting change. She shares six invaluable tips on how businesses can do exactly that during this year.

1. Stay abreast of technology
The business and economic landscape is constantly evolving, fuelled by a growing emphasis on digital transformation and globalisation. Added to this are the needs and expectations of your customer which are also changing with the pace of technology. To remain relevant and retain a competitive edge, organisations must adapt and respond as quickly and efficiently as possible to meet the fast-paced changes that come with living in an inter-connected world.

2. Be deliberate andmeasured
Approach change in phases or incrementally, rather than all at once. This will lessen the shock and not overwhelm the organisation and its people, and thus mitigate the likelihood of change fatigue. Lasting change is more likely to be sustainable if the changes that have been introduced are accepted and adopted by the people in your organisation. This will help create a sense of positivity and excitement, and lead to increased performance and a retention of talent.

Remember to regularly reflect on the changes and refine and adjust where necessary to ensure that they are sustainable and are achieving the desired results.

3. Avoid a culture shock
The last few years have presented us with unprecedented and unusual challenges, leading to a fundamental shift in our working habits and lifestyle. Many businesses have embraced the convenience of remote work, but it is now crucial that we pause and reflect on its effects and understand and evolve our ways of working. Organisations will require a fresh collaborative approach to employee engagement, fostering connection and a sense of belonging, to accommodate these shifts.

4. Adopt a safe-to-fail manner
Lasting change can be established by gaining agreement on the opportunities for improvement, brainstorming small yet measurable experiments to achieve the desired results, and executing such experiments in a safe-to-fail manner.

These are essentially small experiments which are tested in a low risk-controlled environment, to reduce the chance of fear holding us back from trying and not getting it right the first time around. Once an idea has been tested and possibly enhanced through the testing process, applying this to a larger portion of the organisation will be easier as people will already know what potential results to expect from adopting this change.

5. Don’t leave anyone out
We already know that communication is key when implementing any form of change but so too are the people in an organisation. People want to know they have job security, and opportunities to upskill and train so they have the necessary capabilities to effectively implement and adopt the changes.

People in the organisation play a crucial role in the success of lasting changes so make sure you are communicating to all stakeholders, including employees, customers, and partners, who may either be affected by the change, or have influence over it. Clarity in the process creates certainty which aid in people embarking on the change.

6. Lead by example
Not doing so will severely impact the change becoming lasting or make it short-lived. Effective leadership can help to build buy-in, create a transparent and shared vision for the change, and drive successful implementation and adoption.

To achieve lasting and impactful change, it is imperative to take people on the journey, connecting them with the why and involving them in the how.

To read more about WE DO CHANGE or to engage with one of their experts visit: www.wedochange.io or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Teach abroad to pay off student loans

The graduate class of 2022 is ready to kick off their professional lives, but for many, the first priority will be paying off their student loans. With the pressure to meet repayment deadlines, combined with a dwindling supply of entry-level positions, graduates are eager to jump at the first opportunity to make some money. For those who are not keen to spend the next year scraping by on an internship salary, teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) overseas presents an alternative option to earn a decent income, gain experience, and pay off a student loan, relatively quickly.

“With countries like China reopening their borders, we are seeing TEFL teaching opportunities increasing to pre-pandemic levels. Whether graduates decide to teach for six months or three years, TEFL can put them on a path to financial freedom, and help them accumulate the experience and skills they need to stand out in a competitive job market,” says Rhyan O’Sullivan, Managing Director at The TEFL Academy, South Africa’s leading provider of TEFL courses and qualifications.

Qualified teachers can expect to earn between R190 and R560 per hour, based on experience. In addition to being higher than the usual hourly salary for an entry-level job in South Africa, there is the added benefit of choosing to live on a beach in Bali, or a forest village in Indonesia. For graduates that need to start paying off their loans within six months of their graduation, a TEFL qualification – which can be completed in four to six weeks – can help ease the pressure to meet the first repayment deadline. Based on the cost of living in their country of choice, there might even be a little left over to save.

In terms of getting overseas, graduates will have an easier time securing a work visa, which is an essential prerequisite for entry to most countries. “In many of our most popular teaching destinations, a tertiary qualification in any discipline – whether it is in the humanities or engineering – is a requirement for entry to the country. This means they have a higher chance of securing a teaching post at their top location,” says O’Sullivan.

In addition to paying back student loans, graduates will gain invaluable work experience that they can take to their desired fields. “There are multiple career benefits to TEFL, such as the development of strong communication and organisational skills, but it can also be incredible for personal growth. Moving to another country teaches individuals to become self-sufficient and self-reliant, while contributing to the growth of another country’s population. All these skills are transferable, valued in the workplace, and can help further a career in any field,” says O’Sullivan.

Offering accessible and cost-effective ways to get TEFL-qualified, The TEFL Academy provides internationally accredited and regulated online courses. The company hosts a jobs board on their website where potential teachers can browse through over 1 500 international teaching opportunities. They also offer internships, which provide a higher level of support than standard TEFL jobs, to help teachers kick-start their TEFL careers. For more information, visit theteflacademy.com.

Last year Laddsworth held an inter-class competition to make and collect Ecobricks.

Ecobricks are made with any clean, non-recycable packaging and have been used to make water tanks, vegetable gardens, skate parks, furniture, houses, walls and preschools.

With the competition being tightly contested, a huge number of ecobricks were made.

Grade 5F and 4B ended up coming tied for first place, with over 30 ecobricks each.

Well done to the Eco-Club for a great way to promote recycling at Laddsworth.

More about Laddsworth Primary School