STEPP works to make "excellent education accessible to all South Africans". To this end we are involved in multiple long and short term partnerships. Our areas of specific focus are Maths, English Literacy, Science, Early Childhood Development and Making Libraries Happen.

This year we have embarked on the Maths Partnership with a renewed vigour as a result of information gained from our years of experience. The new methodology has meant we have had to rely heavily on the trust of the community and the willingness of the teachers to be vulnerable and deeply honest, to succeed. It has been incredibly rewarding to witness the bravery and commitment of the teachers who have responded to this new regime. As a result, the Maths classroom practise at Insika High School is transforming daily. This year the teachers and pupils committed to a full three week Maths Winter School in July of this year. That meant no holiday. In that time, together we were able to:

• address the gaps that existed in the learners' knowledge of the Core Maths syllabus from Grade 10 through to Grade 12
• reform the learning habits of learners who did not practise Maths
• or engage in the understanding of it
• build up the teacher trainer skills that hold learners accountable for their learning
• and assessed the learners robustly

One learner ended the winter school with a pass mark of 84%. Not all of the news is rosy and some learners have a way to go to achieve their potential, but now it is possible for them to do well. The training continues on a weekly basis with the school and there is a marked difference to the beginning of the year's classroom practices.

During the year we have worked on challenges that the school faces to be able to provide an excellent education to their learners. The school has had to purchase extra books to ensure that each child can work on their own, STEPP and the school have provided calculators for those children who do not have one and the STEPP consultant meets with staff weekly to ensure the teacher training grows from strength to strength.

The school is particularly challenged with regards to electricity and a library. A quote for their electrical work came to R38 000.00 and this was to ensure just basic electrical access and safety. They do not have a library at present, but one of the staff members has been using broken desks, remodelling them into shelving and slowly making shelves in a back room to create a library.

While electricity and libraries seem unconnected to Maths and learning they are not. If children are exposed to reading and the ritual of scouring books for information their learning in all subjects significantly improves. One of the main obstacles to Maths and Science in South Africa is the fact that many learners are writing their exams and answering questions in their second language. Those learners need to understand English and be able to read it with understanding so that learning and teaching can take place effectively.

Electricity allows for excellent teaching practise. Without access to basic electricity teachers are not able to photocopy notes, create a warm and inviting learning environment and make use of up to date equipment such as laptops, overhead projectors and maybe one day, even smartboards.

The Core Maths classroom is pictured above. You can see the one electrical cable in the eaves that runs through the ceiling from room to room for plug points in the classroom. Students sit near the windows for light.

In partnership with STEPP we are starting to plan for the library under the banner of the "Making Libraries Happen" partnership. The first step is for the Insika School community to sift through the old books that the school has and to recycle them at Wildlands Trust. The paper that is recycled should generate money for the school. St Anne's College Environment Club is looking to set up a recycling station at the school to encourage environmental awareness and to support the recycling initiative.

STEPP has sourced mobile shelving for a library and would like to buy three of them for the school. The shelving costs between R4295 and R3170 depending on the ones that are purchased. View these mobile shelves on the left.

Mr Sipho Nkabinde with the shelves he has made from broken desks

The R10 000.00 Hilton Covered donation from the 3rd edition, could be spent on buying shelving and supporting the school in setting up their library to encourage English Literacy if STEPP is the elected beneficiary.

Update supplied by STEPP.

BNI (Business Network International) is a business and professional networking organization whose primary purpose is to exchange qualified business referrals. It is the largest networking organization of its kind. Currently, BNI has over 6600 chapters internationally, and 100 in South Africa, of which 30 are in KZN.

Last year, members in KZN passed 22,101 referrals which generated R87 Million worth of business for its members. What makes BNI unique is that it allows only one person per profession or business category to join a chapter.

To introduce BNI to businesses and professionals in the Midlands area a visitors day is being held at the Protea Hilton on 23 September 7.30am to 9am. A cost of R50 for breakfast is levied.

Come and meet local business owners and see first hand how you could benefit from BNI membership.

Queries:

Ron Edwards (Chapter President) 033 342 2301
Warren Lake (Vice President) 082-859-5447
Paul Naudé (Membership Committee) 033 342 1300

email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Congratulations to Chelsea Kilian, in Grade 5 at Laddsworth Primary School, and her pony Tonto. They have been selected for the KZN Schools Equestrian A Show Jumping Team. Chelsea will be representing KZN at National Equestrian Championships in Gauteng in October.

Pictured here Chelsea Kilian with Tonto.

News supplied.

Hilton Ratepayers Association have shared a questionnaire which will be used in the first stage of a planning initiative for an Urban Design Framework for Hilton. The views and opinions of residents are a vital ingredient in the planning process and your cooperation will be appreciated. For hard copy responses please complete the form and drop it in the boxes at either of the two Spar shops in Hilton.

Download the hard copy here.

Helping people live happier, healthier lives by realizing their genetic potential.

Metagenics was founded in 1983 on a brave new scientific concept: how the right nutrition could help people realize their best health possible by influencing what makes them unique—their genes. Back then we called it
"genetic potential through nutrition." It also makes us unique—it's been our mission and a key differentiator ever since. Today, this ever-growing and respected field of science is known as nutrigenomics. And its been practiced for nearly 30 years by forward-thinking providers who utilize our industry-leading products and clinically designed protocols to help patients live healthier, happier lives.

Now healthcare organizations worldwide recommend "lifestyle medicine" to curb chronic disease development with basic nutrigenomic tenets: healthier eating and regular exercise. But we hold the key to making lifestyle medicine easier to implement in clinical practice, as well as more effective and expedient with targeted nutritional support. That's why so many healthcare providers worldwide trust Metagenics over any other professional brand.

When you choose Metagenics products, you can be confident that you'll have better outcomes. Our top priority is to make products that work. And we think you'll agree that no matter how much you pay for a product, if it doesn't work, it's too expensive. It's rare for a company in our industry niche to allocate the necessary scientific personnel, facilities, time, and other resources to implement and maintain procedures to achieve true quality status. We can't imagine it any other way.

Find out more at Healthy Times.

Our Headmaster, Peter Ducasse, accepted the ALS Ice-bucket Challenge from his Head of School, Tom Webber and Deputy Head of School, Jono Smithers.

Funds raised will go to Old Hiltonian and ex-Sharks scrum-half Ryan Walker.

Ryan Walker was born on the 5th of October 1978 in Pietermaritzburg and grew up on a beef and dairy farm in Mooi River.

He attended Merchiston Preparatory School as a young boy and then moved onto Hilton College where he completed his schooling in 1996. Ryan enjoyed his time at Hilton and excelled on the sports field, playing for both Hilton XV and Natal Schools XV at scrumhalf as well as being school prefect.

After school Ryan studied a BCom through Damelin, while playing rugby from 1997 to 1998 for the Blue Bulls under 21 side, as well as participating in the Vodacom Cup for two seasons. He also played for Landsdowne Road, Ireland, where his team became the All Ireland under 20 championship winners.
In 1999 he moved to Natal, representing the under 21 side as well as College Rovers for a season. From 2000 to 2001 he was appointed the Natal Wildebeest Vice Captain and represented the Natal Duikers and the Natal Sharks 7-a-side, which he captained.

For the seasons of 2002 and 2003 Ryan played for the Natal Sharks in the Currie Cup and Super 12 competitions. In the 2003 and 2004 seasons, he left the Sharks to join Leeds Tykes, representing the team in the UK Premiership and Heineken cup competitions.

Ryan really enjoyed his rugby, but decided that he wanted to pursue a career in other fields.
Ryan is now 35 and lives in Nottingham Road with his wife Paula and two-year-old daughter Molly. They have a new baby arriving in June. He farms in Mooi River on the family farm.

In April 2012 Ryan was working on a dairy farm when he became very ill. A GP presumed that this was a result of a tick or spider bite. He began taking antibiotics, but by day four his headaches, nausea and stiff neck became so bad that he collapsed and was rushed to St Anne's hospital in Pietermaritzburg. After three days, many blood tests and a lumbar puncture he was diagnosed with Bacterial Meningitis.

After 10 days in quarantine and intensive treatment Ryan was discharged from the hospital. The recovery was slow and he was very weak for 6 weeks. Ryan began to have fasiculations (twitches) in his biceps and triceps while in hospital, but had no other symptoms until September 2012. "We were told that the tremors in my arms would go away once I had fully recovered, but they never did and have progressed to my legs, particularly my right side and my back".

"I began to get clumsy and lose my balance and found going downstairs challenging. I also began to get wasting and weakness in my right hand. I'd trip and fall over easily." Being an active person and sportsman, Ryan found this very disconcerting and sought medical help. In an attempt to trace the symptoms back to a cause he sought further advice from doctors, with the only reasonable explanation being a tick borne disease.

He then sought the advice of a neurologist, Dr. Wolpe in July 2013. He was admitted into hospital for five days and had extensive blood tests, nerve tests, M.R.I and more lumbar punctures. All the results came back clear. Ryan then went for his follow up appointment with Dr. Wolpe four weeks later who told him that he had Motor Neuron Disease, commonly known as MND or ALS, and that there was no treatment available and that the prognosis was two to five years.

Not willing to accept this diagnosis, Ryan's family doctor, Dr. Grant Lindsay decided to treat him for Lyme disease (to eliminate the possibility) and he went through four months of intravenous and oral antibiotics. But the symptoms continued to slowly get worse.

On the 18th February Ryan had a second opinion with Dr. Jody Pearl at Sunninghill Hospital in Johannesburg. She did further blood tests for MND mimics but results showed nothing significant and she made the same diagnosis of Motor Neuron Disease. Ryan is currently awaiting a plan from Dr. Jody Pearl who is investigating available treatment options both locally and abroad. (http://ryanwalker.co.za/)

The Ice Bucket Challenge, sometimes called the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, is an activity involving dumping a bucket of ice water on someone's head to promote awareness of the disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and encourage donations to research. It went viral on social media during July–August 2014. In the US, many people participate for the ALS Association, and in the UK, many people participate for the Motor Neurone Disease Association, although some individuals have opted to donate their money from the Ice Bucket Challenge to other organizations.

The challenge dares nominated participants to be filmed having a bucket of ice water poured on their heads and then nominating others to do the same. A common stipulation is that nominated participants have 24 hours to comply or forfeit by way of a charitable financial donation. (Reference: Wikipedia)

News supplied by Hilton College.

Deborah Don recently addressed parents at Laddsworth Primary School on current issues facing parents globally, such as the impact of technology on family life. The information shared was based on a popular series of books written by Izabella Little-Gates. Parents left empowered with new parenting tools and an increased awareness of what can be expected during the different life-stages of parenting.

L-R: Gavin Lambooy (Headmaster at Laddsworth), Deborah Don, Devon White and Janet Anderson.

News supplied.

This is one of the MAIN fundraisers for Hilton Pre-Primary, and after the recent water disaster, and all the extra repairs and renovations that are now being needed, we are relying on this being a bumper Food and Wine Fair this year, with a lot of ticket sales.

It is a fun filled evening of much laughter, fun and friendship, not to mention loads of delicious food and wine to ensure that everyone can find something they like.

On the evening there are many different types of food, juices/dairy products, and alcohol to be sampled. (Something for everyone). Many of the products that are to be tasted can be found on sale in the Hilton Quarry Spar, so this also creates an awareness for many who are marketing their products on the evening. Some items can be purchased on the evening, or you can go along to Hilton Quarry Spar to buy them there on a more regular basis.

This year we are also going to have the support of Old Main brewery (Crossways) which should delight some of our parents/ supporters.

Tickets are on sale as from Monday, 08 September at Quarry Spar, and at Hilton Pre-Primary.

Tickets are also available on the evening, at the door, at Protea Hotel Hilton.

See you all on 26 September!

Members and other bowling friends are advised that we will be closing our green for its annual spring treatment on 30th September. There are many other tasks we wish to attend to during the closure, including painting the inside of the club house and felling a few trees. If you are able to lend a hand please speak to one of the committee members.

Events planned for September include IF Sponsored Trips on 5th, Chicken Run (6th) Jaxx Roll (17th) Quarry Spar Queen's Cup (20th) and Lindsay's Afternoon on 27th. Check the notice board for details.

Duties: 7 - 10 Sept. OOD: Jean Pluke. Tabs: John Pluke. Duty team: Colin Watson. Teas on 13th Sept: John Arnott & Dave Stevenson. Biscuits 9 & 11 Sept: Jill Bannatyne & Andy Hitchcock.

News supplied by Hilton Bowling Club.

Cape Town - Minister of Home Affairs Malusi Gigaba has announced changes to the implementation of South Africa's new immigration rules.

Speaking at a press briefing in Cape Town Gigaba announced the new requirement of an unabridged birth certificate for all children travelling to and within South Africa's borders has been postponed until June 1, 2015.

This refers to the requirements that children be in possession of an unabridged birth certificate and have written permission from both parents or guardians authorising the child's travel.

"We have granted the postponement of these two particular requirements -- the unabridged birth certificate and written permission, to June 1, 2015," Gigaba told reporters at Parliament.

News from Jane Evans at Hilton Travel.

Hilton Pre-primary students saying thank you to STEPP for donating books for their library that was damaged during the July holidays when their water pipes froze and burst.

The IF Sponsored Trips played on Friday was won by Jean and John Pluke with their regular lead, John Bayley. Runners-up were Thelma and Mike Mylne and Bill McQuade. We are grateful to the team at Investment Facilitators for their support. On Saturday we played for chickens donated by Quarry SuperSpar. A coin was tossed to decide the winners following a dead tie. Victors through their skill and a bit of luck were Tom Hartley, Tony Francis and Rina Tainton.

Doug and Gillian Robertson are congratulated on winning the Mixed Pairs competition for the second time in two years.

The next Jaxx Roll takes place on 17th September and we will compete for the Quarry Spar Queen's Cup on 20th.

Duties: 14 - 20 Sept. OOD: John Pluke. Tabs: Jean Pluke. Duty team: Des Morrish. Teas on 20th Sept: N/A – Quarry Spar. Biscuits 16 & 18 Sept: J & T Barrington.

News supplied by Hilton Bowling Club.

Funds raised during a recent St Anne's Enviroclub Civvies Day have been used to purchase gardening equipment, vegetable seeds and orange trees for a community garden in Cinderella Park, on the banks of the Baynespruit River. The garden was the brainchild of Mrs Pinky Ramupa after a large stretch of river bank was cleared of aliens by DUCT, the Duzi-uMngeni Conservation Trust. Pinky and one helper, Mr Hussein White, maintain this large vegetable garden themselves.

On 5 September, the St Anne's Enviroclub student leaders, Daniella Negri da Oleggio and Jodi Hulley, together with Mrs Liz Taylor from DUCT and the teachers in charge visited the garden to meet Pinky and Hussein and hand over the donated items. This entailed a drive across a field and then a walk carrying the spades, forks, hoes other equipment and seeds over the railway line and across the Baynespruit River into the informal settlement of Cinderella Park. Daniella then did St Anne's proud with a speech to Pinky and Hussein in isiZulu, before the group toured the garden and river's edge.

The only source of irrigation water for the garden is the Baynespruit River itself, which is highly polluted by industries upstream. The Enviroclub will return to the garden later this year, at which time all the girls will conduct a miniSASS investigation of the water quality, assisted by members of DUCT.

Hilton Build-It generously supplied all the equipment, doubled the order and also donated a wheelbarrow. The extra equipment donated by Build-It will go to another community garden run by the Sobantu Farmers' Association.

The girls were grateful to have fearless St Anne's driver and chaperone, Mr Milton Nyandu, with them as he had to do a fair amount of bundu-bashing and translating. And to all the girls of St Anne's who generously donated money, Pinky thanks you.

Pictured above left: Pinky Ramupa, Jodi Hulley, Daniella Negri da Ollegio and Hussein White.

Pictured on the right: Pinky Ramupa embraces Daniella Negri da Ollegio as the donated equipment os handed over.

News supplied.

We call on you to join the Pietermaritzburg's People's Climate March, part of the largest climate mobilization in history, where we'll be calling for a clean energy future for our City and Province, our people, our planet.

On 21 September, an Emergency Summit of World Leaders in New York chaired by UN Secretary Ban Ki Moon will meet to discuss a unified global response to climate change. They will be met by the People's Climate March, made up of local, national and international civil society organizations with hundreds of thousands of supporters. At the same time, thousands of marches and petition deliveries to local governments will take place in main cities from over 88 countries around the world, demanding a maximum push to clean energy.

We the people of Pietermaritzburg request support from you, your organization, company, school, religious group or club, by bringing your group of supporters with placards & banners to our peaceful climate march on the 21st of September and signing the petition.

WHEN: Sunday, 21 September 2014 TIME: assemble from 09h00, March starts 10h00 am, ends 11h00 am

WHERE: Participants will gather on the corner of Chief Albert Luthuli Street and Alexander Drive before 10 am, then march peacefully down Chief Albert Luthuli Street to the KZN Legislature in Langalibalele Street to meet with Provincial and City representatives to hand over the People's Petition.

In Addition, citizens unable to attend the March can make their own "green heart groups" in open spaces around PMB from Friday 19 to Sunday 21st September, and post their pictures online using #PmbClimateMarch.

WHY: The overwhelming cumulative scientific evidence of human-induced climate change can no longer be disputed.
The real effects of climate change are already being felt across the world as the number of natural disasters increase.
Business-as-usual regarding fossil fuel usage for energy generation word-wide can no longer be contemplated by any nation, because such usage rates are already on-trend to push the earth's global temperature past a 2 degrees Celsius rise, the agreed maximum safe level of increase.

Urgent action is needed by our own government to lower South Africa's greenhouse gas emissions, the vast majority of which are from coal (Eskom is the 7th largest electricity generator in the world, and South Africa is the 11th largest carbon dioxide emitter globally).

South Africa's energy policies need to change to facilitate rapid reduction of fossil fuel carbon emissions through properly taxing emitters, while simultaneously incentivizing maximum implementation of clean and renewable energy solutions.

HOW: Groups are asked to assemble into green-themed heart-shaped clusters from 9:00 am. At 10:00 am on Sept 21st 2014 the March will begin, and finish at 11 am.

Participants are requested to make placards and banners with relevant slogans expressing their group's requests to our city and indeed the World's leaders, for example "We demand a change to clean renewable energy" ,"No to More Coal-fired Power Stations", "Let all our rooftop solar systems feed the Energy Grid",
"Power to the people via local Concentrated Solar Voltaics".

More Information
Look for the hashtag #PmbClimateMarch for event-related news, and tag your own event pictures with this hashtag online at twitter, facebook or instagram.

Further information on global warming and energy issues and solutions can be found online at http://350.org;
http://climate.nasa.gov/
PMB's Climate Action and Clean Energy Awareness page:
https://www.facebook.com/ClimateActionPMB
Also see http://www.un.org/climatechange/summit/about/

Supplied by Winterskloof Conservancy

Seven Laddsworth Primary School runners and student teacher, Sonja Boyd, participated in the KZN Cross Country Championships which took place in Amanzimtoti on Saturday, 23 August. They achieved the following results:
• Under 8 – Camryn Heafield 1st; Jonathan Boyd 10th
• Under 10 – Luyanda Mbanjwa 7th
• Under 12 – Frances Forsyth 9th; Kelly Martin 10th; Natalie Rohrs 14th
• Under 13 – Leah Kriel 4th
• Mrs Boyd was placed 6th in her age group
Leah Kriel and Camryn Heafield have been selected for the KZN Cross Country team which competes at the SA Championships in George on the 13th September 2014.

Pictured L-R back: Linda Wolhuter (Junior Primary Sports Co-ordinator), Leah Kriel and Gavin Lambooy (Headmaster).
L-R middle: Kelly Martin and Frances Forsyth.
L-R front: Natalie Rohrs, Camryn Heafield and Luyanda Mbanjwa.

News supplied.

We are now one month into our Community Security Initiative and would like to provide you with feedback on how the project is going and once again give you an opportunity to communicate any comments or questions to the project team. Please see the comments and feedback section below.

The Tactical Surveillance Unit (TSU - known as "the Eagles") has been successfully patrolling and are fast familiarising themselves with the area and residents and staff of Winterskloof. The whatsapp communication system is working well and providing useful information to both residents and the TSU. Feedback has generally been excellent from residents and staff alike.

ZERO CRIME HAS BEEN REPORTED IN WINTERSKLOOF IN THE MOST RECENT HILTON COMMUNITY POLICE FORUM CRIME REPORT. Although it is difficult to access and publish actual crime statistics, the TSU and those connected on the community communication systems (radios and whatsapp groups) have been all too familiar with constant reports and alerts over the past few months (at least 3 or 4 times a week) relating to home invasions, petty theft, fences cut, threats to domestic workers, theft out of vehicles and suspicious activity – especially at night time. The increase in violent crime and the involvement of victim's children in the home invasions was particularly disturbing. The quiet on the airwaves since the TSU began operating has been remarkable and comforting, and it appears that a clear message is being sent to criminals that to operate in Winterskloof is going to be difficult for them going forward.

Support for the Community Security Initiative

At the moment we are able to afford a small compliment of TSU operatives and a support vehicle and are heavily reliant on volunteers from within the community to help with communications and administration. The operatives are on a roster system to ensure that we at least have some coverage across the whole of Winterskloof 24 hours per day. Although their presence has made a huge improvement already, we understand that crime incidents usually occur in waves and that perpetrators are opportunistic. We do not want to become complacent and would like to continue to have a strong presence in Winterskloof to send a clear message that this area is not an easy target for criminals. This is a huge task given the many access points and forested areas surrounding Winterskloof. The team is operating well given limited resources but to provide a long-term and strong solution to the problem, more personnel will be needed, as well as other components to the project such as establishing a network of informers and covert operators to complement the operation.

Funding for the project comes entirely from residents' contributions. Although we will strive to keep ALL residents of Winterskloof safe irrespective of whether they are paying towards the project or not, we need as many contributors as possible to make the initiative sustainable in the long term. We have done our utmost to keep costs down. As you can see from the diagram below, only 58% of residents are paying for this community service, from which we all benefit not only in terms of security, but also by improving the valuing of our properties. We all need to inspire and motivate the other 36% to join in and pay their share.

Contributions to the Winterskloof Community Security Initiative as at August 2014

Please reply to this email if you have not been contacted by an Area Communicator and we will make sure that you are added to a whatsapp group.

The whatsapp groups are proving an excellent way of keeping costs of the project down as information from residents can feed into the system that the Eagles/TSU are using to build a picture of who/where and when potential threats are happening.

What Can You Do To Help?

• Sign up to Contribute the monthly fee of R250/month – this is crucial if you have not already done so. We are currently utilising the Winterskloof Sector Forum's savings to subsidise the project and within a few months this will be depleted.
• Volunteer to Patrol in your vehicle (this would be just to provide an added presence and report anything untoward to the TSU. Residents are not expected to confront anyone or put themselves in danger but to add to the surveillance capacity)
• Help with Administration / Communications for your area
• Welcome new residents to the area and tell them about the initiative and how to join
• Speak to us about helping to construct and install Community Notice Boards
• Direct any questions or comments either directly to this address This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or to your local area communicator, and we will make sure that these are raised at our monthly meetings and that you are given feedback.

Here are a few of the Questions / Comments from Winterskloof residents that have come in via our Area Communicators in the last few weeks:

• "What is the point of the TSU staff walking in a group of 3? Isn't this a waste of resources and shouldn't they rather be spread out across Winterskloof"?

All movements of the TSU operators are planned and monitored by the TSU command. Decisions are made as and when the need arises for a greater or lesser presence in certain areas based on information received and areas that are regarded as high risk or require a show of force. TSU operatives are moved around the suburb constantly and dropped off to continue patrolling on foot where required, and are in constant radio contact with TSU command. Please remember that residents are welcome to contact us directly should they have comments / suggestions regarding the use of available resources and staff.

• "Will there be a "keiverlert/clocking in" system along the route which has to be clocked in at specific random times as designated by the system"?

No – instead the TSU operators are in constant contact with a patrol vehicle which is dedicated to Winterskloof only. Their movements can be monitored via cell phone technology. As mentioned above, the operators can thus easily be moved to where they are needed at any time in order to maximise crime prevention.

• "We do not have a Smart phone as yet and so would not be able to use the Whats app and would have to rely on sms"?

The communications system is based largely on whatsapp at this stage, as it is a free service and provides crucial intelligence for the TSU/Eagles to use in preventing crime. Please keep us updated and should you acquire a smart phone we would be happy to help you set up whatsapp and join the group for your area. Residents who do not have smart phones are encouraged to obtain radios and join a radio network for your area. Please contact us if you'd like info about getting a radio and which channel you'd be able to join. You could also ask one of the residents in the area to sms you with anything urgent that comes up on the whatsapp group that has particular relevance to your household. The nice thing about a whatsapp group is that even if the administrator is away or their phone is out of range etc, all participants can still contribute to the group and post updates.

• "Gardeners and staff have been questioned by the TSU in what we feel is an excessive manner, bordering on intimidation. Our staff have been very upset by this".

Unfortunately the TSU has begun operating at a time when crime has been rife in Winterskloof and for a long time now people have been present that are up to no good. We ask residents to please explain to their staff about the TSU and that they are doing their job in asking questions. As they become familiar with those working in the valley, questioning will become less frequent. Please write down your name, address and phone number for your staff to show to the TSU if you are concerned about them being questioned.

• "With the area being divided into clusters within Winterskloof, are there going to be specific guards designated to each area"?

Unfortunately this would be prohibitively expensive. The "clusters" are for communication and administrative purposes only. The project aims to protect Winterskloof as a whole.

• "It seems the onus is on us to contact our security company for assistance and none would be forthcoming from the new proposed TSU. i.e. all we are relying on is TSU being a visible presence in the area, but not in effect carry out any arrests or assistance etc."

The TSU/Eagles are not an armed response company and we ask residents to follow the usual channels in the event of an emergency. Apart from undertaking various covert activities, the TSU overtly operate on a 24/7/365 basis with shift strength varying from time to time and dependent on the nature and demands of planned operations. As a rule, TSU tasks vary from general patrols, surveillance, roadblocks with the SAPS, occasional visible patrols with the SAPS Dog Unit, and when necessary, prearranged observations and 'stake-outs' in areas identified as "hot spots". Routine patrols both day and night include monitoring of vehicle and pedestrian traffic, follow up on suspicious vehicles and questioning of suspicious characters.

• "With the monitoring fee of R250 per month, i.e. almost R10 per day, would there be any discount for retired persons? Having been retired for many years out of necessity we have to keep to a very strict budget".

Yes! Any contribution pensioners can make is welcome. Every cent is helping at the moment to pay for the monitors and we are on a very tight budget. We have endeavored to keep the cost to R250 per household per month although other areas such as Wembley are being asked to pay in the region of R500 per month (excluding Armed response and personal home security) towards community policing. However, we are open to giving concessions – please speak to Penny Maitland-Stuart or Sharon Gilbert on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. in this regard.

Our boundaries are from the Knoll to the Sweetwaters Taxi Rank (Hlope Butchery). We cover Winterskloof, Worlds View, the centre of Hilton, part of the N3, Hilton Gardens, part of Mount Verde and all the farming areas up to and including Hilton College. We also cover part of Mondi Forest and the whole of Cedara College.

Sweetwaters does not fall into the SAP Hilton precinct. SAP Plessislaer covers the greater Sweetwaters area.

Below is a map of SAP Hilton boundaries.

Spring is here and with it new beginnings. We at Gwyneth Gosling Properties would like to help you get your fresh start by allowing you to advertise your properties, which are available to rent, on our Private Property page, free of charge for the month of September.

Simply send us 5 pictures of your property and a brief description, as well as the price you will rent it for and your contact details. We will load it onto our page on Private Property. We will forward the details of the interested tenants on to you and you can take it from there, no payments of any kind need to be paid to us. So why not let Gwyneth Gosling Properties help you to get your fresh start this spring!