After an exciting “Name the Campaign” social media competition and just in time to amplify the excitement around the gazetting of 20 new Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in South Africa – Ocean iMPAct officially launches today.

Birthed by a coalition of organisations including WILDOCEANS (a programme of the WILDTRUST), Ocean Unite and WWF-SA, Ocean iMPAct hopes to help advance the protection of the oceans around South Africa within MPAs – part of a second phase of the MPA expansion project, with an overall objective to attain the global MPA target of 10% by 2020 - and pave the way for African states to support a global target of 30% strongly protected by 2030.

“Earlier this year we put out a call to the public to help name this new campaign, which builds on the successful ‘Only This Much’ campaign launched in 2018 when ocean protection was at a pitiful 0.4%,” said Campaign Lead, Lauren van Nijkerk. “The public were asked to submit an upbeat and positive, short, punchy and inspirational name that promotes the value of our oceans, profiles MPAs as our heritage and highlights why we need 10% - and ultimately 30% protection by 2030 for our oceans. A score of passionate and creative ocean advocates submitted their names and ‘Ocean iMPAct’ (with the MPA of ‘impact’ in capital letters) – an adaptation of a name submitted by Varsha Naidu Moodley was chosen.”

On Friday the 24th of May 20 new and expanded Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)announced by South Africa’s cabinet in October 2018 were officially gazetted, increasing protection from 0.4% to 5%.

Dr Jean Harris, WILDOCEANS Executive Director, said that this is a very important step for South Africa, and a credit to all the people who have worked so hard to implement the Cabinet decision to approve 20 new and expanded MPAs. “MPAs are an essential tool for ocean health. They protect the oceans and the resources people depend on from risks such as climate change, over-fishing and mining. We look forward to supporting government to achieve the effective management of these new MPAs, and in working towards South Africa’s commitment to reach the 10% CBD target by 2020. This is a critical moment in our journey towards the 30% ocean protection that science indicates is needed to restore and conserve the oceans.”

The Deputy Director General of the South African Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA), Judy Beaumont, who attended the launch of the project on World Oceans Day last year and gave a keynote address, welcomed the MPA expansion project. At an event in April this year, co-hosted by DEA, held to celebrate the achievement of 5% protection she spoke to the importance of the work to be done now to ensure that the new MPAs are effectively managed and adequately resourced.

The MPA expansion project, supported by Oceans 5, and a partnership between WILDOCEANS, WWF-SA and Ocean Unite, is now moving into its second phase to support the government’s commitment to achieve at least 10% MPA coverage for the waters around South Africa.
“We believe that the ‘Only This Much’ campaign played a significant part, working alongside responsible government institutions and with key civil society organisations, in helping to secure 5% marine protection in Year 1 of the project and aim to play a similar, supportive role this coming year in securing at least 10% in MPAs with the ‘Ocean iMPAct’ campaign,” said van Nijkerk.

Follow us on social media - @oceanimpactsa and join the movement to advance the protection of South Africa’s oceans.

News supplied by WildTrust.

Laddsworth Gymnasts took part in the KZN Gymnastics Zone Festival on Saturday, 18 May, in Durban. Lily Smit, Grade 4, achieved a Gold Medal for Level 2, Rhythmic Gymnastics in the Under 10 Age Group.

Hope Greeff, Grade 6, achieved a Bronze Medal for Level 3, Artistic Gymnastics in the Under 11 to 12 Age Group. Katherine Roberts, Grade 1, achieved a Gold Medal for Level 1 Artistic Gymnastics, in the Under 6 to 8 Age Group.

All three pupils have been selected to represent the KwaZulu-Natal Gymnastics team at the Inter-Provincial Zone Festival during the upcoming June school holidays.

Pictured from Left to Right: Lily Smit (Grade 4), Hope Greeff (Grade 6) and Katherine Roberts (Grade 1)

News supplied by Laddsworth Primary School.

On meeting Debra Lee Clark, Debra Lee Farrel Hunt on Facebook, her positivity and purposefulness is obvious. Debra is our enthusiastic winner of a Life Coaching course with Marina Miller of Positive Purpose Life Coaching, I have a feeling they are going to start some fires, which is exactly what Debra is looking for.

“Everyday day life can become monotonous; I feel ready for a little push.” Says Debra.

Originally from Boksburg, Debra has lived in the US for many years but chose to return and settle in Howick about 7 years ago, a good move as Howick is where this self-confessed ‘city slicker’ met her dream man in the shape of a local farmer.

In the USA Debra worked for Trump International in both New Orleans and in Florida. She currently consults to restaurants and is comfortable shaking things up so that they can deliver their best. Good news for Midlands Foodies!

Debra last won a competition 22 years ago in the US. This was also a Mother’s Day competition and as a result, her mum was flown out from SA to her for a visit. 

I look forward to a follow-up meeting with Debra to hear about her life-coaching experience with Positive Purpose.

The St Anne’s Vocal Ensemble, under the direction of Mr Riaan Oosthuizen, received a standing ovation for their performance at the ATKV Applous regional round held at Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School on Monday 13 May.

They were awarded Gold in the Open Category and wait in anticipation to hear if they have made it into the final round to be held in Bloemfontein later this year.

News supplied by St Anne's Diocesan College.

The Laddsworth Primary School Cross Country Team has continued to excel this year.

Each week the Cross Country team takes up the majority of the top 10 positions in all age groups.

Last week, three Laddsworth pupils broke Records at the Treverton Preparatory School Cross Country Inter-Schools Meeting.

Jodi Moreno (Under 12), 3km, (Old record 14:02mins), new Record 13:13 mins.

Charli Mlotshwa (Under 12) 3km; (Old record 12:13mins), new Record 11:58mins.

Jonathan Werth (Open) 4km (Old record 15:08mins), new Record 14:00mins.

Laddsworth is extremely proud of their Cross Country Team’s achievements this season.

Pictured above is Charli Mlotshwa.

Fans of legal dramas and local theatre will not want to miss Justice is a Woman; a highly emotive theatre production highlighting issues of gender inequality and the ethical dilemmas of the justice system written by well-respected former KZN judge Chris Nicholson, directed by Paul Spence, formerly of the Royal Shakespeare Company UK and starring a richly talented South African cast.

Set in a KZN university in 2018, after the 2 000-year exclusion of women as lawyers in the courtroom, Justice is a Woman tells the captivating story of a female post-graduate student’s molestation case against her male university professor.

Lead character Portia, the lawyer representing the professor, is faced with an ethical dilemma that forces her to question her values and threatens to tear her personal life apart.

Opening performances take place from 23 to 25 May at Michaelhouse, 29 and 30 May at Grace College, and from 4 to 8 June at the Hexagon Theatre, Pietermaritzburg.

Tickets are R80 per person (R130 Hexagon), R50 pensioners (R80 Hexagon) and students R40. For more information, follow @justiceisawoman on Facebook or contact Paul Spence on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (084) 341 1742.

Justice Cast: Pictured from left (back) are Paul Spence, Phiyayinkosi Mbuyazi and Mark Mulder, and (front) Zama Maphumulo, Carlien Walters and Jessica Beddingfield.

News supplied.

Heinrich Prinsloo, a Grade 7 pupil at Laddsworth Primary School has been selected to represent the KwaZulu-Natal Under 13B Rugby Team. Heinrich will participate in the Inter-Provincial Rugby Festival held in Uitenhage during the upcoming June/July holidays. Laddsworth is very proud of Heinrich and wish him all the best for the festival.

News supplied by Laddsworth Primary School.

A Glen Carlou wine pairing evening at Mendola Luxury Events Venue on Thursday the 30th of May 2019.

This evening features 4 courses paired with 4 wines from Glen Carlou.

Contact. +27 (0) 79 287 1619 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

News supplied by Mendola Luxury Events Venue and Accommodation.

A-Frame, St John and Tanya and Matthew Hoffman live at MiTH

9pm A-Frame (fronted by Cornel Meyer)

Embracing a crossover sound between progressive rock and acoustic folk, A-Frame has caught the attention of music lovers on both sides of the tracks. The energy, interplay and synchronicity they possess has been developed through a decade-long career in the SA music scene. Their love for music comes across with perfect clarity, absorbing the audience to create a genuine bond between listener and performer.

At the band’s core is the belief that good music knows no boundaries as they seamlessly flow through a range of musical styles and sounds.

Band members:
Cornel Meyer (lead vocals and rhythm guitar)
Roly Struckmeyer (vocals and bass)
Rusty Red (vocals and lead guitar)
Andrew Makins (drums)

8pm St John & Tanya

St John & Tanya – a piano-vocal duo – love playing the Mith stage… They feel Mith inspires the perfect atmosphere for the intimate tone of their sets. With St John on piano & Tanya on vocals, they provide their audience with a classy, emotional set with fun jazz & blues tones as well as twists on contemporary classics. St John & Tanya separately have been performing most of their lives but the two artists met 6 years ago and immediately found an emotional connection through their music. They have been performing together ever since.

They share a passion for making their audiences feel, for making people find true connection with themselves through music. Their love for performing is undeniable and their sets powerful and evocative.

7pm Matthew Hoffman

Matthew Hoffman is a classically trained pianist with a BA Mus in performance, and an advanced diploma in music. He has written many of his own compositions, plays and studies various styles of music and currently works with several choirs via conducting, accompaniment or vocal training. He'll be joined by Skippy Kubheka and Kyle Sandrino Pillay.

Pictured here: Cornel Meyer from A-Frame.

St Anne’s Diocesan College Matric Student, Jessica Woollam, competed at the recent SA Junior Derby show held in Johannesburg from 10 – 12 May and was awarded the title of SA Junior Derby Champion for 2019. 

Together with her horse Bono, they qualified highest and were the last to jump out of the 14 competitors on a challenging course that had 21 jumps in total. They were the only clear round in the competition.

Jessica was also awarded the Victor Ludorum Prize for the 1.30m/1.35m classes as she had 2 second places in the other events.

 Images supplied by Denford Studios.

 News supplied by St Anne's Diocesan College.