50 days. 4 countries. 9000km.

Geyser, the founder of the NPO, Blue Sky Society Trust, has been involved in conservation and community upliftment initiatives since 2012. “I firmly believe that one person can make a difference in this world and I want to be that person,” she says.

 

The 45-year-old Durban resident earned a solid reputation as a conservation trailblazer in 2016, when she led South Africa’s first all-female expedition from South Africa to Kenya to help stem the tide of poaching.

Replicating this magic formula, Geyser now plans on taking her conservation message across South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe on a nearly two-month 4x4 journey that will combine adventure travel with ecotourism fundraising.

While the Rise of the Matriarch team is preparing to leave in September, it’s not too late for business, organisations or individuals to get involved. “This is an excellent opportunity for citizens and corporates to make a meaningful difference,” explains Geyser. “The expedition is more than a project that’s fuelled by passion; it’s an initiative by an all-women conservation team of conservation “she-roes” who are determined to do our bit to help save our piece of the planet. As noble as this undertaking is, we can’t do it alone. We need support.”

 

Pictured above: Blue Sky Society Trust’s Carla Geyser headed up South Africa’s first all-women expedition from South Africa to Kenya in 2016. The team is pictured here unveiling the water pump they installed at Mndaka Village in Malawi.

 

News supplied.

Making a difference!

2018 has been a productive year for KSS with our ever-alert Operations staff apprehending over 71 criminals so far. This is 60% higher than 2017 for the same period. There are a number of contributing factors that include more community participation and communication in terms of reporting suspicious people or vehicles. Thank you, clients, friends, supporters and the community at large! Together we can make a difference.

 

Reporting incidents
Please report incidents and suspicious vehicles / persons directly to your security service provider so that we can take prompt action. Please note that WhatsApp is not a formal means of dispatching a security service provider or SAPS. Please respect this protocol and don’t place the lives of community citizens in danger by expecting them to respond. The KSS 24/7 Control Room contact number is 033 330 5911.

 

Incident Summary (crime and other)
There were 7 incidents in Howick (4 residential, 2 business and 1 medical). There was 1 incident in Merrivale (1 medical). There were 2 incidents in Hilton (1 residential and 1 business). There were 3 incidents in Howick West (3 residential). There was 1 incident in Mpophomeni (1 business).

 

Crime scene management

Evidence collected and analysed at the scene of a crime can make or break a case. Please be very careful and allow HAWKS, SAPS Officers and other security professionals to follow their procedures. I found this useful information on http://www.securitysa.com/7310r.

 

Initial actions at the scene of a crime:
1. Safety
The most import things to remember are saving life and treating the injured.

 

2. Security
Once this has been achieved, the next aim is to secure the crime scene to safeguard property and preserve evidence to aid an investigation and the identification of those responsible.

 

• An area should always be treated as a crime scene until decided otherwise.
• The scene should be cordoned off as widely as is reasonably possible.
• Evidence is not always visible and can only be preserved by effective scene management, including applying the following basic rules:
– Minimise access to the entire area.
– Do not walk in the cordoned off area.
– Avoid touching or handling anything.
– Do not clean anything.
– Do not throw anything away.

 

This can be best achieved by making scene preservation the specific role of one person: a family member or friend, a security officer or a police officer.

 

Keep a record of all persons entering and leaving the cordoned off area and the scene, their purpose and any action(s) taken by them.

 

Scene preservation should be maintained until fully examined by a police crime scene investigator or advised by the most senior police officer present.

 

3. Stability
Once it is possible to re-enter the scene, the clear-up operation can begin, including:
• Securing valuable property.
• Arranging to secure the premises, replacing and repairing doors, windows and locks.
• Calling in specialist cleaners or removing items that require specialised cleaning or disposal.
• Cleaning and tidying other items of property and marks left during the crime scene examination.
• Replacing or repairing missing or damaged items.

 

News supplied by Knight Security Solutions.

After decades spent silencing the South African forests in which she was raised, Pietermaritzburg local Ruby Gill hummingbirded over the Indian Ocean to hum about violence, joy, privilege and border security to a tolerant Melbourne population. Almost immediately, her piercing lyrics, classically-trained piano-hands and disproportionately massive voice left audiences across the country shaken, transfixed and sometimes a bit hungry.

 

Meanwhile, from an open fire in a secluded cottage on his parents’ farm in rural Australia, Billy Barker was diving boldly into heartbreak, existential angst and identity with his alt-folk musings. It was impossible not to be mesmerised by his unbridled approach to the guitar beneath biting lyrics that aren’t afraid to cover the pointy ends of life.

 

Somewhere between two countries, Ruby Gill collided with Billy Barker at the piano in a flurry of harmonies and heartburn. Here, Magic Coat was born. Take a listen here:

Now, with new releases just around the corner, Ruby and Billy are traversing their bold, contemporary approach to folk across the oceans on an exclusive national tour of South Africa - taking new songs and old guitars on the not-so-merry-go-round to somewhere good, from an old barn in Kwa-Zulu Natal to the red-dust stages of Oppikoppi.

 

Opening the evening will be a brief performance by local Grace College lad Braydon Marie, who is learning his guitar craft, to be followed by a scaled-down PMB Caledonian Pipe Band, and also their related ceilidh band. It promises to be a magical evening.

 

19:00 Braydon Marie
19:15 Pietermaritzburg Caledonian PIPE BAND & friends
20:00 Billy Barker (Pictured here below)
21:00 Ruby Gill (Pictured here above)

 

ABOUT MiTH:
MiTH is a semi-open mic music club. An opportunity for musicians to share the joy of their music with a friendly audience which includes fellow musicians – who have all “been there” too. (Non-musicians welcome too!)

  

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.

 

Visit www.mith.co.za for more details and directions.

Well done to the following Grace College matric students, pictured here L-R, for earning their Academic Half Colours; Daryn Watkins (re-award), Ashley King, Nonhlelelo Mnchunu and Jason Tillett.

 

News supplied by Grace College.

Laddsworth pupils took part in the CF Tennis Winter Tournament, which was held at Kershaw Park in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday 15 July 2018.

HRA AGM Notice 2018

You are cordially invited to our 24th Annual General Meeting as detailed in the attachment. We hope to see you there!

Those of you who do attend the AGM will be apprised of the organizational changes the HRA is making in order to cater for the ever-increasing local government and other challenges that Communities such as ours face. Having set up the necessary systems to cater for these changes we now need to reinforce the capacity of our Committee from a human capital perspective.

As a growing organization, we are in desperate need of additional Committee members to help spread the administrative workload and to boost our effectiveness in terms of initiatives and projects we undertake.

If you are a motivated individual who cares about your community and is willing to donate time and effort towards the Community’s cause please consider joining the HRA Committee. Nominations for Committee members will be called for at our AGM taking place July 25th at Protea Hotel by Marriot® Hilton.

Available positions for the 2018/19 period of service are:
• 1 x Treasurer
• 1 x Secretary
• 1 x Ward 7 Representative (need to reside in Ward 7)
• 3 x General Committee Members
Ratepayers and residents residing in the greater Hilton area (Ward 6 & Ward 7) are eligible for HRA Membership. Committee Members and office bearers are selected from Members in good standing.

Involvement with the HRA at Committee level will provide the following benefits:
• Excellent networking opportunities
• Exposure to the workings of Local Government
• Exposure to the workings of a non-profit organization (NPO)
• Exposure to the workings of a Public Benefit Organization as defined by SARS (PBO)
• Exposure to general administrative duties ranging from bookkeeping through to social media engagement and press releases
• Exposure to projectized initiatives

Established in 1995, Premium Cleaning is placing the "PRO" back into "PROFESSIONAL." I have a passion for the cleaning industry and my philosophy of providing my clients with:

Superior Service for both Corporate & Domestic Requirements
Peace of mind, Comprehensive & Sound Cleaning Advice
State of the Art Technology, Longer Lasting, Faster Cleaning
Specialist Oriental and Natural Fibre Carpet Cleaning
Minimal Disruption

Premium cleaning is the official service provider to Belgotex and Nouwen’s carpets for the KwaZulu-Natal Region.

 

My valued clients whether corporate or private are not just another entry in my invoice book, my aim is to build long-term relationships, the greatest compliment you can give me is a referral. Contact me today and experience service.

 

Stuart Grossi

Cell: 084 754 3887

Nova Spa is an established Beauty, Health and Wellness Salon situated on the 1st floor, Suite 10, Hilton Health, Monzali Drive, Hilton.

Our servies are for ladies and gents and include advanced waxing and threading, manicures (acrylic and gel), pedicures professional make up, spray tans, IPL skin rejuvenation and hair removal, skin care, massage and lash extensions.

 

1st Floor, Suite 10, Hilton Health, Monzali Drive.

 

+27 (0)64 680 7930

 

News supplied by Nova Spa.

 

Laddsworth Primary School would like to congratulate the following pupils who have earned scholarships to their respective High Schools for 2019:

Kayla Bisset, a Grade 1 pupil at Laddsworth Primary School, played for the Under 7 Mighty Elephants in the 2018 Club Rugby season, and received a trophy in Durban on Saturday 21 July 2018 for being part of the team.

 

News supplied by Laddsworth Primary School.

Congratulations to Sam Moore in Grade 10 at Grace College on his success at the Sappi Scottburgh Classic this past weekend.

Grade 9 St Anne’s pupil, Ofentje Motubatse, recently returned from Florida where she danced in the Walt Disney World Annual Parade.

Laddsworth Primary School invites you to take part in the Laddsworth Trust Fund Golf day on Friday 3 August 2018 at Victoria Country Club.

Antonio Ravell Band is one of Durban's best-known pro musos, and while he often fronts the eponymous Antonio Ravell blues-rock band, this time he'll be going solo.He became famous at MiTH for his “House of the Rising Sugarman," and will be playing a mix of folk, rock and blues on acoustic guitar. He may surprise with an impromptu mashup and a guest or two.

 

Kristen Koning is an indie-folk musician living in Cape Town. Having grown up bilingual, she performs originals and covers in both English and Afrikaans. She’s originally from Pietermaritzburg, KZN, where she performed in choirs, worship teams, and bands growing up. She’s currently studying music at UCT, majoring in Classical Singing.

 

Kristen now focuses her attention on writing music and developing her sound into something honest and relatable, but never losing her sense of experimentation. She’s inspired by artists such as Kings of Leon, Bon Iver, Coldplay, Spoegwolf, Alice Phoebe Lou, and Mumford and Sons. “ (feel free to leave some of it out if you’d like)

 

Brown Jam is a cover band from Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. The members of the band are all local boys, and have been playing music together for over 10 years. The band consists of Mitchell Reddy on drums, Nathaniel Naidoo on piano, Timothy Naidoo on guitar and vocals, Kevin Williams on lead vocals, and Jordan Govender on bass. The band have been friends for over 15 years and have had the privilege of backing some of the biggest names in South African music such as Loyiso Bass, Lloyd Cele, Noms Khumalo and Vincent Bones, to name a few. They are a polished, refined group of musicians and take their craft seriously. Brown Jam plays music such as Bruno Mars, Michael Jackson, Earth Wind and Fire, R Kelly, The Beatles and many many more. There isn’t a genre that they cannot do!

 

South Wolves is a 4-piece Indie-Pop band. Members are Joel Scott (drums), Ricky Annandale (bass), Jason Hogan (synth and backing vocals), and Eric Scott (guitar and lead vocals). Their influences are Indie bands like Death Cab for Cutie, The Killers and The National. They love to write original songs and express their life experiences through their song writing. South Wolves has a new and fresh sound, something that you haven't heard before. Check out their newly-released single, "Wait", here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6k83BxQsTvY

 

ABOUT MiTH:
MiTH is a semi-open mic music club. An opportunity for musicians to share the joy of their music with a friendly audience which includes fellow musicians – who have all “been there” too. (Non-musicians welcome too!) Whether you’re a newbie looking for your first opportunity to perform publicly, or a more experienced / mature musician simply looking for people who are as passionate about music as you are – come along and join us!

 

Bring your own booze. Food and soft drinks are available for sale. Musicians who want to play at MiTH, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Charles Webster (082 331 7271), or Doug Borain (072 340 7034).

 

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.

 

Visit www.mith.co.za for more details and directions.

Kimberleigh Bodley has spent a lot of her time this year supporting a rural education centre she found in Geluksburg, KZN which recently lost it's UNICEF funding.

Along with the help of friends and family, they have created educational games out of recyclables, repainted the school and held a raffle which raised enough money to establish an art kit and teachers training manuals.

 

There is still so much to do which is why Kimberleigh Bodley together with Lauren Stacey Sturgess and La Rose Des Vents are holding this Christmas in July fundraiser.

 

This event is friendly, for the whole family and we encourage you to spread the news among your friendship circles as all the proceeds will go towards the school.

 

We will be serving a hearty Potjie with salads and rolls and there will be hot-dogs on sale for the younger kiddies.

 

Live music and a jumping castle for entertainment.

 

ART AUCTION- There will be a piece of art on show that will go on auction. This piece has been drawn and donated by Rachael Rautenbach and the money from this piece will also go to the school.

 

To make bookings please email
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

We look forward to seeing you there, please spread the word.

 

Pictured here; A child at the centre uses one of the wall murals painted by Kimberleigh to enhance writing skills.