28 Apr2021

Pop-in to Rotunda's pop-up shop - open to end May 2021

rotunda apr28This weeks specials and some exciting news about our pop-up shop...
The pop-up shop will be carrying on for the month of May in 2021.
 
On special until 2 May 2021 or while stocks last;
? Oranges
? Broccoli
? Red Apples
? Apple bake
? Spinach
 
Find Rotunda Farm Stall at 1 Cedara Road, Hilton.
26 Apr2021

Corduroy Dreams, Matt Gardiner and Serrotone at MiTH on 28 April 2021

Matt Gardiner 1Space is limited - Entry is strictly first-come, first-served.

PLEASE ARRIVE EARLY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT.

ALL COVID-19 PROTOCOLS OBSERVED

INFO: 082 331 7271
ENTRANCE: R75.00 - Cash or Zapper at the Door
VENUE: The Knoll Historic Guest Farm

9pm: SERROTONE
SERROTONE is an exciting collaboration project initiated by two established SA radio play artists: Pete Guthrie (Spoonfeedas) and James Robertson (Cubic Inch) and Billy Kruger. Guthrie and Robertson have both written and performed as part of Spoonfeedas, a multi-charting SA group, Robertson until 2001 and Guthrie from 2002 onwards. Robertson’s band Cubic Inch has also enjoyed radio popularity and between them they have performed alongside artists like Metallica, Muse, Ronan Keating and Bryan Adams. Kruger has performed in Europe with MIC at Holland’s Ajax stadium, also having shared the stage with UK band Delirious.

SERROTONE recently performed with some of South Africa’s finest acts on their Western Cape tour sharing the stage with Prime Circle and Wonderboom in Plettenburg Bay, and then Freshly Ground at the Inverroche Summer Series in Stilbaai. They are currently tracking two singles which have already gained popularity at their live performances and are due for release within the month, with filming of their first music video to follow.

8pm: MATT GARDINER
Matt is a young musician, singer, songwriter and producer born and bred in Pietermaritzburg – but already deeply embedded in local music. It has always been a dream of his to turn his passion for music into his career. He began by partaking in musical productions at his school, Maritzburg College, and has since moved on to being one of the acts on the line-ups to open for the likes of Matthew Mole, Prime Circle, Desmond and the Tutus, Josh Wantie, Majozi, Shortstraw, Mi Casa, December Streets, Just Jinjer and Arno Carstens. He describes his music as acoustically written and transformed into a uniquely different pop sound with electronic production with deep and melodic basslines, with a few of his influences being Ed Sheeran, Matthew Mole, Jeremy Loops, Jon Bellion, Dean Lewis and Dan+Shay.

7pm: CORDUROY DREAMS
Two robust teenagers who know a lick or two, a few you might know and two you probably won’t. Cole Baker on keys and vocals, and Isaac Nicols on guitar and drum-box, they blend a unique sound of jazz, blues and pop—using two completely different tastes in music to create something new and fresh. With a repertoire ranging from 70s rock to modern day blues, they have something everybody can enjoy.

ABOUT MiTH: Arguably the KZN Midlands’ best-loved music venue, Music in The Hills (MiTH) is an opportunity for beginners, professionals, and passionate music fans to share the joy of music at The Knoll Historic Guest Farm. Visit www.mith.co.za for more details and directions. Musicians can contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for slots.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: MiTH takes place every second Wednesday at The Knoll Historic Guest Farm, Knoll Drive, Hilton. Doors open at 6pm and the music will kick off at 7pm. Entrance is R75, payable at the door with cash or Zapper. Bring your own booze. Food and soft drinks are available for sale.

DIRECTIONS TO MiTH: Take the N3 to Hilton, take the Hilton turnoff and go South into the Village (away from Hilton College). Travel 5,2km along Hilton Avenue (past two sets of traffic lights and Crossways Pub) and keep going straight as Hilton Avenue turns into Dennis Shepstone Drive. At the 5,2km mark, Knoll Drive will be on your right – the entrance to MiTH is the *second* entrance on your left into The Knoll Historic Guest Farm.
22 Apr2021

Cricket talent sparks at Laddsworth Primary School

Lubanzi Dlamini Grade 1 laddsworthLaddsworth Grade One and Two pupils enjoyed their first Mini Cricket matches last week against Howick Preparatory School. The Grade Twos played on Tuesday 13 April and the Grade Ones played on Thursday 15 April. The boys and girls had lots of fun, with some pupils showing major cricket talent!

Pictured here; Lubanzi Dlamini, Grade 1, keeping his eye on the ball.

Pictured below; Gemma Nicholson, Grade 2, aiming at the wickets and Daniel Donkin, Grade 1, bowling.
 
News supplied by Laddsworth Primary School.
 
cricke2021 ladds
14 Apr2021

Debbie Preston reflects on her journey with the UCSI security camera network

ucsiWe thank you, Debbie!
 
After investing 6 years into the vison, establishment and founding of the Umngeni Community Safety Initiative (UCSI), Debbie Preston moves back into the educational space of making a difference in the lives of our youth.
 
The UCSI was born from the vision of Debbie Preston, then the Business Manager of Knight Security Solutions (KSS), and her husband Gary (owner of KSS). Their visualisation was to create a safer community using technology. In consultation with local municipal authorities and Safe City in Pietermaritzburg, the plan began taking shape in 2015. With insight from SA CAN (now TrackBox Technologies), the formulation of a monitored camera system in our uMngeni Municipal space began developing on paper. Persistence and the continued increase in crime drove Debbie to make this plan a reality. In late 2017 Brian Jones from TrackBox Technologies introduced Debbie to Grant Hancock, the CEO of Gatebook and SNIPR, and so the incredibly positive journey of the UCSI began!
 
After serious brainstorming discussions at Municipal level, it became evident that for a community project of this nature and scale to be established, it needed to be set up through a not-for-profit structure that could be run by the community, and endorsed by the Municipality. In June 2018, Debbie, together with local businessman Terence James, set up the legal structure and registered the UCSI as a Not-for-Profit Company (NPC). The UCSI has seen many successes and a vibrant, active Board of Directors over the past 3 years. The focus being the safety and well-being of our community! The support from authorities, primarily SAPS has been unquestionable, and the financial input and investment by the community from both urban and rural avenues has been instrumental in getting the UCSI network established. The UCSI continues to make headway and a positive impact on our local and surrounding communities. Partnerships with local and provincial authorities, business entities, the safety and security industry, community safety Initiatives, locally driven Community Police Forums and private individuals have been cemented since the UCSI inception almost 3 years ago. Says Brian Jones “I believe that the UCSI has and will continue to be the arrowhead community project that is the model for our nation. This unity between community, government and technology is something very positive, and with results that stand-alone, speak for themselves”.
 
Our gratitude to Debbie for her enormous energy and for creating an established, functional and sustainable UCSI. Our appreciation is heartfelt. We know her ultimate passion lies in education and community engagement, but we can never undervalue the considerable dynamism and value that Debbie has invested into the safety of our community space.
 
Debbie is an accomplished teacher, currently teaching at Epworth High School, and author of numerous textbooks and study guides for Shuter and Shooter. She is involved in active leadership of our youth, and in community upliftment and social justice awareness projects. Debbie has made the decision to step down from the Board of Directors of the UCSI, but remains involved in an advisory capacity. The Current Board of Directors, under the competent and invested leadership of Mr Themba Ndulini, founding member Terence James, together with Krish Ramkuber, Thandeni Zondi and Captain Myeni continue to make headway. The appointment of Shannon Naudé in August 2020, as the Director of Operations, was another positive move for the UCSI, which continues to engage and grow the UCSI network of SNIPR enabled gantry mounted CCTV cameras in our local and greater community.
 
Thank you Debbie for your vision, your vested interest and for all you have contributed to the UCSI and our community to date. You have touched more lives than you realise. We know this is not goodbye and that you remain invested, interested and passionate about community safety and the UCSI. Your valuable input will always be appreciated, respected and worthwhile.
 
Contributions from: Themba Ndulini (UCSI Chairman), Shannon Naudé (UCSI Operations Director), Kevin Wright (UCSI Board member 2019/20), Brian Jones (TrackBox Technologies), Grant Hancock (SNIPR), Renee Lanzoni (KSS) and Gary Preston (KSS).
 
From Debbie:
I give everything I do 110% and have been in education since 1997. In 2014 I dived into the security industry to support my husband, Gary. I always believed and still do, that teachers can do anything, but my eyes were opened and I was almost not prepared for what I was diving into. A world of petty crime, organised crime, murder, the rape of women and children, planned “hits”, threats, hi-jacking, domestic violence, gun shots, car chases, fires, suicide, lies, deceit, cheating, trespassing, vandalism, undercover surveillance, physical abuse, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, animal abuse, poaching, theft, possession of illegal or stolen goods etc.. You name it, I walked into it.
 
It was the impact that crime has on our community, especially our women, children and families that was the driving force behind the establishment of the UCSI. The vision that “technology feeding the right information to the right people can have a profound impact on keeping our community spaces safe” was at the forefront of what I wanted to achieve. I wasn’t really prepared for the “red tape” but managed to navigate those waters. Today we have a successful, community driven UCSI NPC working in our community space. My prayer is that the UCSI continues to make progress, grow and always strive to align itself with the intentions with which it was established; those of integrity, ownership and inclusivity.
 
I have to be part of the proactive solution in South Africa, and that starts at grassroots level, with our youth. I may not make a huge or profound impact, but if I can make a difference in just a few young people’s lives to go out there and be adults who are “game changers”, then I have done my job. Thank you uMngeni community for your support and investment in the UCSI – together we created something really good!
 
More about UCSI.
 
12 Apr2021

There is freedom to make mistakes at Capulum College

capullumThe small classes (8 children per class) at Capulum College give the opportunity to grow self-esteem and gives the learners the freedom to make mistakes and not get judged for what they don’t know or with what they struggle.
 
The children work one on one with their teachers which gives everyone the opportunity to achieve what they need to both scholastically and emotionally and allows teachers to work at the level of the learner rather than that of the entire group. Teachers really learn to know and understand each child in their classes.
 
We follow the caps curriculum but with small classes, it allows us to be less rigid when following the curriculum so we can adapt where necessary to individual needs and therefore can follow the IEP’s.
 
Educational assessments from psychologists, occupational therapists and speech therapist are imperative to guide us so we can develop the IEP’s for a unique and individual learning experience.
 
More about Capulum College.
08 Apr2021

Enter to win a R3000 giveaway from Bella Donna Hair and Beauty in Hilton

bella donna giveawayAll of the businesses at Bella Donna Hair and Beauty have teamed up to give you this AWESOME giveaway, worth R3000!!

This is what you could win:
* A half head foils or full colour, cut or trim, in salon treatment and blow wave or iron with Kyra
* A Dermaplaning facial,
lash lift and tint,
brow wax, tint and lamination with Lauren.
* An ESSE facial with Tanya.
AND
* A brow and lash tint and Lola lee gel hands and feet with Kayleigh.

All you have to do is follow
@belladonnahnb
@hairbykyrapope
@laurenculverwell_aesthetics
@dragonfly_nails_and_beautysa
@lashesandlace2020

And tag 3 friends, each 3 friends equals one entry.

Winner will be drawn on the 8th of May 2021.

T's and C's: The winner must reside in Hilton or be willing to travel to Hilton.
 
Find these handles on Facebook or Instagram.
 
28 Apr2021

Bella Donna Hair and Beauty in Quarry Road is a drop-off point for God's Warehouse

give receiveWe believe this in every sense of the meaning.
 
We believe in supporting local small businesses, we believe in giving back to the community, we believe in encouraging and lifting each other up. We believe in kindness, giving and helping wherever we can.
 
The NGO that has a special place in our heart is @godswarehousesa @gods_warehouse @gods.warehouse, we are a drop off point for them and we are appealing to you all to please donate the following needed items.
 
*sugar
*longlife milk
*bully beef
*jungle oats
*2min noodles
 
This will help battling single moms feed their hungry children. Even a single item will help. Please just add an extra item to your shopping basket this week and drop it off with us.
 
24 Apr2021

Solving plastic – One Green Desk at a time

a green desksWILDLANDS, a programme of the WILDTRUST in partnership with Solving7, a registered Not-for Profit organisation, handed over 100 green desks to local primary schools, Ndlelayabasha (50) and Hlangeni (50) Primary schools in the Willowfontein and Taylours Halt communities respectively, in Pietermaritzburg, Kwa-Zulu-Natal (South Africa) yesterday. The Green Desk initiative was launched in 2016 by WILDLANDS and to date, over 10 000 school children have benefitted from these desks that have been distributed across South Africa including Limpopo, KZN, Gauteng and the Western Cape. According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) there are as many as 95 million school children who do not have access to a school desk in Africa. In Southern Africa, the statistics are equally alarming, with over four million scholars requiring desks.
 
Solving7 recently joined forces with WILDLANDS to continue to make a difference in the disadvantaged communities across the country in addressing the acute shortage of desks in schools and provide a sustainable solution to the plastic waste problem. “Solving7 is a socio-environmental and educational NPO that seeks to make a difference in cleaning up the environment from the scourge of No. 7 plastic film waste whilst showing the consumers, manufacturers and producers of this plastic film waste that there is indeed a valuable end use solution for their waste and that is into much needed, literally indestructible, school desks,” says Nabila Wissanji and Sophia Ladha, the two main drivers behind Solving7.

Solving7, along with their recycling and extrusion partners are able to recycle dirty post-consumer multi-layered plastic film waste (previously considered unrecyclable) and convert it into durable, sturdy, environmentally friendly and much needed, school desks. Over 80 million single use plastic packages have so far been collected and recycled by Solving7 and WILDLANDS for their Green Desk projects.
 
While it is no secret that plastic is destroying our environments, rivers and oceans; through this partnership, we hope to address a multitude of issues and provide solutions for our communities which include poverty alleviation, job creation, educational upliftment and general wellbeing of these communities.
 
Ndlelayabasha and Inhlangeni Primary Schools are part of a Grade R training and mentorship programme run by Singakwenza, a local NPO, that uses resources made solely from recycling to help educators provide fun, educational activities that enable young children to learn through play. “These schools stood out from the rest as they showed dedication and commitment to our programme. Their budgets may be limited but they proved that our vision, which aims to build sustainable early childhood education programmes, in economically disadvantaged communities is possible,” added Julie Hay, CEO and Founder of Singakwenza, which means ‘we can do it” in isiZulu. “Huge thanks to WILDLANDS and Solving7 for these desks,” Hay concluded.
 
“WILDLANDS has played a leading role in facilitating the delivery of green desks into schools across South Africa helping over 10,000 school children. We collected waste, through our various partners, in sensitive ecological areas (rivers, communities, mangrove forests) and are now very excited to be partnering with Solving7 as a way of dealing with the plastic that we collect that cannot be recycled. This partnership fits in perfectly with our vision of a thriving and resilient world,” comments WILDTRUST CEO, Dr Roelie Kloppers.
 
Both schools were elated to receive these much-needed desks for their learners and thanked WILDLANDS, Singakwenza, Solving7 and their partners for making these desk donations possible. “During this time of uncertainty, we are comforted, encouraged and humbled by your generosity. We are so excited to receive this donation and extremely thrilled to have your support. You have truly made the difference for our leaners and the community at large,” concludes Mr Mosiea, Principal of Inhlangeni Primary school.
 
Pictured top:
The jubilant learners of Inhlangeni Primary School in the Vulindlela District – South Ward
 
Pictured bottom:
Front Row (L-R): WILDTRUST CEO, Dr Roelie Kloppers, WILDLANDS Marketing & Communications Deputy Director, Buyi Makhoba-Dlamini, Singakwenza Facilitator, Sthe Magwaza
Back Row (L-R): Solving7 Sophia Ladha, Solving7 Nabila Wissanji and Singakwenza CEO, Julie Hay
 
More about WILDTRUST
 
More about Singakwenza
 
News supplied.
 
aa desks julie hay
 
22 Apr2021

World Surf League Announces WILDOCEANS as Recipient of WSL PURE Grant Program

ocean apr 2021 earth dayIn celebration of Earth Day, the World Surf League (WSL) announces WILDOCEANS, a programme of the WILDTRUST, as one of the five recipients of the inaugural WSL PURE (the WSL’s non-profit) grant program, which has been awarded to organizations in key WSL regions whose work is in support of We Are One Ocean, WSL’s campaign to protect and conserve the global ocean.

WILDTRUST is a non-profit environmental organisation working towards a more resilient future in 40-plus communities in South Africa, Tanzania, and Comoros. It works “for the WILD”, creating opportunities to empower and restore social-ecological resilience and the balance between humankind and nature, for a just and healthy planet.

WILDOCEANS, the marine arm of the Trust, in partnership with Youth4MPAs, an active youth movement with the vision of generating awareness about ocean protection, plan to use the grant to run a virtual African Ocean Youth Summit. The Summit will engage African youth change-makers in the field of marine protection, discuss innovative solutions to current ocean related challenges, and the importance of protecting and conserving the ocean around Africa.

“As we pursue the protection of Africa's oceans and pave the way for young change-makers, Youth4MPAs South Africa are proud to be a part of the World Surf League's PURE Grant Program,” said Merrisa Naidoo, Youth4MPAs spokesperson. “As an active youth movement, with the vision of generating youth voices that educate and create awareness about ocean health, protection, and sustainability - we are inspired to forge an African network of young people that take charge in shaping the future of our oceans.”

The African Youth Summit is set to take place on 19 and 20 August 2021, reaching at least 500 youth across the African continent. The goal of this virtual session is to build ownership and stewardship of the global ocean conservation agenda among African youth. In addition the Summit hopes to facilitate meaningful conversations with local communities, to build mutually beneficial relationships between marine ecosystems and individuals whose livelihoods have been dependent on these resources and provide a platform for cross collaboration across sectors, both formal and traditional.

WILDOCEANS Project Manager, Rachel Kramer, said: “Young people represent the largest population group on the African continent. The youth have the potential to become a formidable force if they are equipped with the tools to engage in the ocean conservation conversation. We believe that engaging youth fulfils their right to participation and ensures the continued survival of Africa’s magnificent marine biodiversity and the ecosystem services the ocean provides. This is the ocean they will ultimately inherit – we all need to do our part in better-protecting it.”

"The WSL PURE grant program is really important to us because it allows us to deepen our connection to those communities where the WSL holds events across the world," said Emily Hofer, Executive Director of WSL PURE. “We are thrilled to partner with and support the incredible work of these five organizations as our inaugural grantees. We are committed to working at both the global and grassroots level to protect and conserve the global ocean and, in particular, investing in youth as stewards of the global ocean."
 
This Earth Day, and throughout this season, the WSL is striving to preserve the future of our sport with the We Are One Ocean petition. The WSL is calling on world leaders at the 2021 UN Convention on Biological Diversity to protect and conserve at least 30% of the global ocean by 2030, including global waters. The WSL urges world leaders to be led by science and an inclusive process that embraces all stakeholder communities and considers the ocean’s value to the peoples of every nation.
 
The WSL encourages ocean lovers around the world to celebrate Earth Day by learning more and signing the petition at weareoneocean.org.
 
We Are One Ocean is supported by Shiseido, Gillette Venus as part of their ongoing commitment to using fewer resources by 2030, the all-new Jeep 4xe hybrid electric vehicle, and Chamisal Vineyards.
 
If you would like to receive any updates or attend the African Youth Summit, please get in touch by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
SOCIAL MEDIA - @wsl | @wildoceanssa | @oceanimpactsa | @y4mpas_sa
 
 
About the WSL
Established in 1976, the World Surf League (WSL) is the home of the world's best surfing.

A global sports, media and entertainment company, the WSL oversees international tours and competitions, a studios division creating over 500+ hours of live and on-demand content, and via affiliate WaveCo, the home of the world's largest high performance, human-made wave. Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, the WSL has regional offices in North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific, and EMEA.

The WSL annually crowns the men’s and women’s surfing World Champions. The global Tours and Competition division oversees and operates more than 180 global contests each year across the Championship Tour, the development tiers, including the Challenger, Qualifying and Junior Series, as well as longboard and big wave properties.

Launched in 2019, WSL Studios is an independent producer of unscripted television projects, including documentaries and series, which provide unprecedented access to athletes, events, and locations around the world. WSL events and content are distributed on linear television in over 743M+ homes worldwide and across digital and social media platforms around the world, including WorldSurfLeague.com.

WaveCo includes the Surf Ranch Lemoore facility and the utilizing and licensing of the Kelly Slater Wave System.

The WSL is dedicated to changing the world through the inspirational power of surfing by creating authentic events, experiences, and storytelling to inspire a growing, global community to live with purpose, originality, and stoke.

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
 
About WSL PURE
PURE stands for Protecting, Understanding, and Respecting the Environment, and is the non-profit of the WSL. Founded in 2016, WSL PURE is on a mission to inspire, educate, and empower ocean protection, starting with the global surf community. WSL PURE is specifically focused on addressing the climate crisis, marine plastic pollution, and ocean health.
 
PURE leverages the WSL’s incredible platform to shine a light on the people making a difference -- environmentalists, athletes, advocacy organizations, communities, individuals -- and collaborates with world-class, non-profit partners.
 
For more information, please visit wslpure.org.
 
News supplied.
21 Apr2021

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls' Hockey Back on Track for 2021

spar school girls hockey 2021 newsThe hugely popular SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge is back on track this year, with a take two of their milestone tenth year. 

Having only progressed halfway through the fixtures last year, before CoViD paused play in the tournament’s celebratory year, it will be extremely exciting for the girls to get back onto the turf. It is full steam ahead for the annual girls’ hockey tournament with the ten regional tournaments rolling out in a quick-fire six weekends. 

The month of May is choc-a-block full of action with eight of the regionals taking place. Tipping off the season, Crawford La Lucia hosts the Durban North Regional on Sunday 2 May. The second tournament travels inland to Wembley College in Greytown for the uMvoti, uThukela and uMzinyathi Regional on Saturday 8 May. Curro Hillcrest will see teams from the Highway area taking to their turf on Sunday 9 May. 

The fourth tournament heads up to Richards Bay for the KZN Northern Coastal Regional with Grantleigh hosting on Saturday 15 May. Back in Durban, the fifth tournament heads to the newly laid turf at Durban Girls’ High School’s Three Schools Trust for the Durban Central Regional on Sunday 16 May.  The following weekend, the action moves inland again, this time to Newcastle to play on the brand new astro at Ferrum High School on Saturday 22 May. 

The last two tournaments in May are a double-header in Hilton on Saturday 29. St Anne’s College welcomes teams participating in both the Pietermaritzburg Northern Regional and Pietermaritzburg Central Regional.

Kingsway High School will host the ninth challenge at the Three Schools Trust for the Durban South Regional on Sunday 6 June. Rounding off the 2021 season, King Edward High School will host the tenth and final regional on Sunday 12 June hosting teams from the Southern KZN 

The only difference in this year’s fixtures is the absence of the much-loved and highly anticipated Grand Finals. It will be back in all its grandeur next year. 

Tournament Director, Les Galloway from Schoolgirl Sport said, “We have really missed the action. It has been just over a year since the curtain came down on us, and I cannot wait to see the girls back on the pitch enjoying these wonderful SPAR tournaments.”

Making a welcome return, Varsity College continues their phenomenal support of girls’ hockey. Varsity College Scouts will be on the lookout at all of the tournaments for any shining stars, in the hopes of offering them a bursary.

All CoViD protocols will be in place to ensure the safety of all participating. And due to current CoViD regulations and protocols, no spectators will be allowed.

For more info like the tournament’s Facebook page or follow the tournament on Instagram.

Caption: 

Back on track after juggling schedules and CoViD regulations, the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge kicks off on the first weekend of May. Celebrating the announcement are Claire Hogg, Sponsorships Controller from SPAR KZN, Tournament Director Les Galloway from Schoolgirls Sports and Nozi Mkhize, Advertising and Sponsorship Manager for SPAR KZN.
 
Photo credit: Val Adamson
 
News supplied.
19 Apr2021

Hilton Vet Hospital welcomes Sr. Megan

hitlon vet hospitalWelcome to the team Sr. Megan, some of you may have met her already. A little bit about Megan, straight from the horses mouth.

"After qualifying as a nurse from OP I worked with small animals for a few years before going to the Eastern Cape where I have been working with wildlife for the past 7 years. I love being out doors and keeping fit. A few hobbies include kayaking, horse riding and hiking."
 
12 Apr2021

Crime trends from Knight Security Solutions, always vigilantly proactive

knight security hiltonCriminals are quickly in and out of un-alarmed and alarmed premises by breaking windows and doors. External beams can allow for early warning of criminals on your premises. Contact KSS on 033 330 5911 for advice on external beams, lighting and CCTV cameras.

Copper pipes and vehicles are also targeted items.

Please also don’t confront criminals. Activate your alarm or call the KSS Control Room on 033 330 5911 for assistance.
 
SAFETY TIPS – Keeping your vehicle safe.

1. Lock Up
Always lock your doors when driving and keep valuables out of sight. If your window must be open, make sure it isn’t wide enough for a hand to fit through. Also make sure that all your windows are open the same distance. This will prevent your window from being smashed.

2. Space Out
Make sure there is enough space between your car and the car in front of you at a traffic light or stop street. You need to be able to see the rear tyres of the car in front of you to have enough space to drive off if necessary.

3. Be Vigilant
Be aware of loiterers or anyone approaching your car at a traffic light, stop street or in your driveway. If you feel unsafe, drive away. Don’t loiter in the carpark when you have finished your shopping or when you arrive in the carpark. Criminals are alert, you must be more alert than them.

4. Park Safe
Always park your vehicle in a secure spot – parking garages or areas with a closed-circuit camera (CCTV) – and never leave any valuables in the car.

5. Avoid the jam
Car jamming is a real thing. Make sure your car is locked when you have parked it by testing your doors. Car thieves can jam your alarm system and disappear with your car within minutes.

6. Track your car

Yes, it’s not a guarantee, but a car tracking unit greatly improves your chances of recovering your vehicle, if it does get stolen.

Courtesy of the: KZN TRAFFIC GUY (2021/04 /10)
 
08 Apr2021

HRA Service Delivery Survey Analysis

hra news augThis is a summary of the results received from 248 respondents to a survey circulated by The Hilton Ratepayers’ Association in February and March 2021.
 
The tables below reflect the outcome of a survey conducted by the HRA. The sample is large enough to conclude that the opinions reflect those of the Hilton population at large. Clearly there is a high level of dissatisfaction with service delivery from Msunduzi and uMngeni Municipalities.

The HRA has always wished to create a cooperative and friendly working environment with the Municipalities and does not favour drastic action such as rate boycotts. However, we do believe that the least ratepayers can expect is a credible budget, especially with respect to revenue that addresses the various issues around service delivery and maintenance.

This is the approach that most respondents to the survey seem to favour and the HRA will pursue this as vigorously as we can.
 
Thank you to all residents who took the trouble to respond.
 
hra survey
 
 

Membership Drive

Please encourage friends and neighbours to join your HRA. The stronger the support we receive, the more effective we can be. Click here to apply for membership.
 
Yours Sincerely,

Mike Tarr
Chairman: HRA

Hilton Ratepayers Association

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