BENVIE GARDENS - Spring seems to have arrived early this year with the Yellow billed Kites arriving on the 12 August 2023. The clivias will be in flower from the first weekend of September and the early azaleas are already coming out. The owners have decided to open the Benvie garden from 9 September 2023 through to the 8 October 2023, because of the early spring.

Benvie is one of the Midlands’ showpiece gardens and should not be missed. Located in the beautiful Karkloof, it was the brainchild of John Geekie, a Scot from Dundee who came to South Africa in 1856, and bought the property in 1883. He was a man who loved trees, and bought the land with the express purpose of creating an arboretum and spent the rest of his life realising his dream. The house lies at the head of the garden which stretches out in front of it. A walk through the trees accompanied by the birdsong of the myriad birds that have made Benvie their home, is an uplifting experience.

The south-east orientation of the garden in a high rainfall mistbelt was ideal for Geekie’s idea of an arboretum. Seedlings were brought by ship from all over the world, transported from Durban to Merrievale by train and then taken by ox-wagon to Benvie. Conifers were bought from Inverness; hydrangeas, magnolias and other flowering trees from a nursery in Atlanta, Georgia, cedars from Japan and a , Ginkgo biloba from China, and grass tress from Australia. He also had a reciprocal arrangement with fellow gardeners in Durban and Maritzburg and he collected camellias and rhododendrons from the Durban Botanical Gardens.

The garden took five years to lay out. Paths were cut, ponds were dug and each tree was allocated a specific space to allow it to grow to its full potential. But this is no garden frozen in time as its 70 acres are constantly worked on – trees that have come to the end of their lives are replaced either with the same or similar variety. Tribute must be paid to John Geekie’s family, who, through the generations have devotedly cared for this magnificent garden, and continue to do so.

The garden will open from 9.00am to 4.00pm daily and the entrance fee remains at R50.00 per person for adults and children under 12 are free. Picnics are welcome.

Directions: From Howick, take the Karkloof Road. Pass the Ambers and drive 33 km from Howick (21km on tar). At the 33 km mark turn right on the York/Hanover Road. Travel a further 3 km, down the hill, and you will find the Benvie sign on your left.

Author credit: Jackie Kalley

The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Centre for Creative Arts’ JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, and to mark the occasion the festival will launch its special book, in partnership with the University of KwaZulu-Natal Press, supported and sponsored by the French Institute of SA (IFAS) and Business and Arts South Africa (BASA). The book launch takes place on Tuesday 5 September at 6pm at the Wellington Tavern, Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre, UKZN, and is a free event.

Provocatively titled, Archiving History and Memory: 25 Years of the JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience, edited by Tammy Ballantyne Webber, the book places emphasis on offering a poetic user-friendly archive of the 25 years of JOMBA!’s history and legacy.

“The book is especially significant in remembering African creative histories in a time when forgotten Southern-based archives are being politicised in decolonial frameworks,” says Dr Lliane Loots, Curator and Artistic Director of JOMBA!. “This book is offered as an archival project that holds an activist agenda and fights for carefully and methodically curated creative African histories to be remembered and honoured.”

“The festival functions as a community of change agents; it is a living, breathing entity embracing activist artists who seek to probe, question, activate and challenge,” says book editor Ballantyne Webber. “It is one of the only SA dance platforms in existence which provides national and international opportunities and exposure for dancers and choreographers. We have tried through the photographic and editorial content to celebrate the 25-year journey, showcasing its rich history and the incredible archive of the South African dance landscape.”

Archiving History and Memory: 25 Years of the JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience archives and charts this history, legacy and value of JOMBA!, providing key critical essays by selected scholars/artists who have had a long association with JOMBA! - Dr Gerard Samuel, Thobile Maphanga. Dr Saraleigh Castelyn, Dr Lliane Loots, Clare Craighead, Prof Yvette Hutchison and Tammy Ballantyne Webber.

The book features a photographic essay of carefully selected festival images taken over the years by award-winning photographer Val Adamson (an eThekwini Living Legend), who has documented the festival from the very beginning. There are curated birthday messages from local, African and international choreographers, dance makers and friends of JOMBA!. And it includes a valuable archival overview detailing the programme, choreographers, and performers for every year of the festival.

“We believe this book will find an audience with creative arts-based scholars, researchers and practitioners, academic institutions where performance studies are offered, humanities-based scholarship, and artists and dance practitioners who seek memory/archive of their own practices,” says Ballantyne Webber.

The book will be available to purchase for R150 (cash only) at the launch and during the festival from the Box Office, Sneddon Theatre until 10 September. After this date, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. at The Ar(t)chive for sales and information.

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Spring is such a beautiful time.

Everything starts to grow and there’s a fresh new feel to life, which is why it’s also a good time to look back over the past year and see just how far you’ve come. We’ll certainly be doing that at our AGM later this month and what a journey we’ve made in the past twelve months. Not only have we made some huge improvements to our club house, the grounds and facilities in general but we’ve increased our membership, have introduced darts, snooker and a whiskey tasting club and still have more ideas brewing! Thank you to the members of our 2022/2023 committee and we look forward to an even more successful 2023/2024 year!

Over the past weekend all three of our league teams played at home; what a busy afternoon of bowls. The women’s team had a lovely game against Lynwood and picked up two points. The men’s second team played against Howick and the thirds played against Maritzburg. They each picked up 2.5 and 5.5 points respectively and all players had a wonderful afternoon on the greens.

On Tuesday morning, four of our members were awarded their Marker’s Badge & Certificate for the successful completion of the most recently run course. Congratulations to Kevin Palmer, Wendy Smith, Pippa Griffin and Sharon Trower for this achievement and for making the first step in the journey to becoming an umpire.

That’s all for this week… see you on the greens!

Events to keep an eye out for…

Wednesday, 6 September: Halfway Toyota Drawn Pairs 4-3-2-1. Tabs In 13h15
Saturday, 16 September: Greendale Spar Drawn Trips/Pairs. Tabs in 13h15
Tuesday, 19 September: J Leslie Smith & Co Nominated Pairs 2-4-2. Tabs In 08h45 (Book with Lisa on 084 586 6984)
Friday, 29 September: Dormehl Nominated 2 Bowl Trips. Tabs In 08h45 (Book with Pippa on 083 467 8140)

Regular tabs in times are:-
Tuesdays at 08h45
Wednesdays at 13h15
Saturdays at 13h15.

Visitors are always welcome. For more information contact Wendy on 071 353 2866

Coaching by registered coaches is available: Contact Colin or Bernice on 071 164 3162 for further information.

Get your hands on these awesome chairs that will add a unique and fun element to your home. These are available in different styles and if you can't keep your mitts off of these stunning chairs, get in contact today at sales@theuglyduckling or 073 520 3091.

HARTS (Howick Arts Society) has a spring art exhibition coming up in September, hope to see you there.

Date: Saturday, 30 September 2023

Time: 9 am until 12 noon

Place: SPCA Garden Centre, Main Street, Howick

Saskia Renzi, a Grade 12 Treverton College student (who lives in Balgowan), was part of the KZN U18 Inland team participating in the Regional Tournament in Nelspruit between 11th and 15th July. Her team triumphantly won the Tournament and received Gold.

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'The Lions River miniature Train is out and running today Piggly Wiggly - Midlands.

It's a fun experience for all ages.

9-4:30pm.' more about Piggly Wiggly

'Our Winter Dinner on Tuesday 15 August broached a more serious topic than usual, with 'Comparison Destroys'.

Grade 10 learners, Abigail Weber, Madison Guy and Mia van den Essenburg confidently handled their first speech presentations.

Banele Mpangase and Abigail Holmes reminded us that negative comparison often prevents us from celebrating others and their achievements. A welcome moment of comic relief was introduced by Kierra Luyt in her imaginative tale of sibling rivalry. Neave Cox modelled the accomplished orator’s poise, thorough preparation, authentic voice, and immediate rapport with her audience. She achieved the winning presentation of the evening. Brandon Maposa gave a mature, resonating response to the speeches with his thoughtful explanation of the negative effects of schadenfreude – joy in others’ failings.

Congratulations to all the speakers and great thanks to Mr Ventress, the grounds staff, Mrs Williams and the hospitality club for making our evening so memorable.' more about Howick High School

'This term we have chosen the important topic of health and nutrition for our parent connect. If order for our children to excel at school and on the sports field we need to make sure that they are fueled correctly.

We are so fortunate to have two dietitian mums who will be sharing this valuable talk with us all on Tuesday 29 August. There will only be one talk at 18:00.

Lindsay Hayward will talk about Gut Health and Megan Dimitriades will answer the all important question of “What’s for dinner mom?”. This will be about incorporating the building blocks of a healthy diet and the practical application of this.

Entrance will be R20. Tea, coffee and a treat will be served.

Invite your friends and neighbour to join you.

Child care will be available for the session.

Suprema Quaero' more about Howick Prep School

Maggies Coffee Shop will be running Cupcakes for a Cause in October. Please save the date. Preorder and pay to secure your cupcake.

It was on this day, 20 years ago we decided to take the plunge with our very successful slipper business called “Kozitoes” at the time, and expand our brand by producing our own clothing range and sourcing products locally and internationally.

In 2009 I embarked on a journey to Bangkok with my daughter Natalie. The rule, to literally travel with two empty suitcases and nothing else but the clothes on our back. Looking back at this, it was a trip to remember.

No husband and a credit card full to the max allowing me to purchase whatever I could find in the city that certainly doesn’t sleep!!!

Over this 10 day trip paving the smelly hot streets of Bangkok, finding one of the largest markets I have ever seen, we successfully sourced beautiful gift items and clothing which we ended up shipping, along with 800 beautiful crafted hair accessories in our luggage. By day 8 Natalie and I maxed our money and were rationing food for two full days before our flight home. Money well spent, absoloutely YES… but it was here that i saw the most beautiful fabrics.

Returning from this trip it re-ignited my passion for sourcing quality fabrics. From a young age I always used to sew my outfits whether it be for a casual weekend out, special occasion, or for our kids Cameron and Natalie. Returning from this trip I began playing with fabrics and producing clothing.

Our first shop was in Howick, by the Howick Falls. Over a 15 year period we opened additional stores in the Central Drakensburg, Clarens and our main store at Piggly Wiggly - Midlands.

Fast forward to 2020, Covid taught us a lot, it hit us hard like most businesses. Being a retail store and only being allowed to sell winter essentials, the restrictions of movement, and rules forced us to close all stores except our Piggly Wiggly branch. For the survival of this business we had to adapt to e-commerce and limited trading times. This wasn’t the end as it has allowed us to focus solely on what we take pride in… sourcing quality fabrics and producing a range for all shapes and sizes.

Our store boasts a beautiful selection of accessories and gift items of which are locally produced.

We are proud to be 20 today, it has been quite a eventful journey, We started out travelling around the country attending markets and expos, producing handmade Genuine Sheepskin slippers, evolving our new brand, opening multiple stores, surviving Covid and of course the looting.

We are so grateful for all our family, friends and customers.

Gary and Robyn xx

On Thursday, 31 August, Howick High School showcased the amazing talents of its students at the annual Talent Show.

The School Choir, conducted by past Head Girl, Grace Botha performed a fantastic rendition of 'Believer' by Imagine Dragons and the Dance Company, choreographed by past pupils Rachel Tyrer and Wernich Fargher, performed two dances to 'Daylight' by David Kushner and 'Special Star' by Mango Groove. The Social Band played 'When the Stars go Blue' by Ryan Adams and our School Band played four songs, including a new item called 'The Trooper' by Iron Maiden.
We heard the beautiful voices of Nokwanda Mnikathi, Jenna Toohey, Lily Cowden, Tiya Naicker, Rachel Taylor, Megan Tyrer, Charlotte Burnie, Andy Webb and Lothisile Mazeka as well as Remy McMahon who performed a song she wrote herself.

Kendra Tongue performed Rhythmic Gymnastics, The Luyt Sisters performed a glow-in-the-dark dance, Brandon Maposa did performance Art Work, Mphaso Chirwa performed a beautiful ballet and we were entertained by a group performing a Gwijo song.

This was all pulled together with stand up comedy 'dad jokes' by our master of ceremony, Mr Mark Houston.

'Grade R’s had lots of fun visiting Lenmed Hospital today. They enjoyed a tour of the hospital, the Ampath and Lancet blood labs and even got to see how an ambulance functions thanks to St Michaels.

The children were then spoilt with some treats and juice before coming home with souveniers.

Thank you Howick Lenmed for the wonderful day.

Supreme Quaero'

More about Howick Prep School

The 25th JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience, which is hosted by the Centre for Creative Arts (UKZN) begins tonight (Tuesday 29 August) in Durban, and alongside the performances at The Sneddon Theatre and the Stable Theatre, open workshops, talks and site-specific works, the festival will once again showcase some digital offerings that are FREE and online on its YouTube channel “Jomba_Dance”.

“Over the past three years, as the COVID-19 pandemic shifted our world, what emerged was the blossoming of digital dance making (sometimes referred as ‘screen dance’),” says Dr Lliane Loots, Curator and Artistic Director of the festival. “Stepping into 2023, we wanted to continue to support digital dance making – especially in the global South – and to enable audiences, who are unable to be here in person, to experience part of the festival. The result is some fascinating work, that we believe contemporary dance lovers will enjoy.”

The screen dance competition platform JOMBA! OPEN HORIZONS is available online on Sunday 3 September at 6pm. In early 2023 JOMBA! opened submissions for both long and short form screen dance films. An independent jury selected six films to showcase and the top three winners will be announced after the viewing. The top three will be given a cash prize from the festival to honour their ongoing work. The six shortlisted works are from Tshediso Kabulu (Durban), Maulid Owino (Nairobi, Kenya), Kamogelo Dooka (Cape Town), Zandile Salukazana (Cape Town), Thamsanqa Majela (Bloemfontein), and Oscar O’Ryan (Cape Town).

Durban-based dance-maker Marcia Mzindle presents a screen dance work as her offering as a grant recipient on the JOMBA! ON THE EDGE platform that supports fresh innovative contemporary dance work. Her s dance film INTO EMDAKA, was conceived while she was reading her Master’s degree where she began to explore the body — particularly Black women's bodies, looking at dance and in physical performances. The work focuses on reimagining the Black female body as a 'site of possibilities' that unveils its multiple identities. INTO EMDAKA will premiere on the JOMBA! YouTube channel on Thursday 7 September at 6pm.

And as the closing for 2023, JOMBA! has partnered with the PANORAMA DANCE FESTVIVAL in Brazil and will screen two Brazilian screen dance films on Sunday, 10 September at 6pm. ELEGBARÁ is described as a “an ephemeral and visceral dance, dialogue with the city; making the streets an urgent stage” and ÈDÀ is a dance video with performance scenes recorded throughout the territory of Maré where seven artists, residents of Maré and other communities come together during the pandemic to pulsate and weave dance as breath and hope.

All these DIGITAL JOMBA! 2023 works are offered free via: https://www.youtube.com/Jomba_Dance

For more information about the festival go to www.jomba.ukzn.ac.za

Pictured here: EDA

Photo credit: Mayara Baptista Ignacio Miranda

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Can you feel Spring slowly starting to settle in!

Although we now have to contend with the August winds the weather definitely seems to be starting to warm up and we’re looking forward to night bowls starting up again. Speaking of which, our Midlands Hillbillies held a fun evening competition on Wednesday, the 23rd of August with a game of 4-3-2-1. After lots of laughter on the greens there was more to follow around the braai as we enjoyed a bring and share dinner. Well done to Mark Taylor and Kevin Palmer who each took home first prize on their respective rinks, and also to Lisa Nagel who won the toucher prize.

On Friday, the 25th of August we had 18 teams playing in our Dormehl Phalane Property Group 2 Bowl Trips. It was possibly one of the windiest days we’ve had and not only were some hats being blown away on the green, but so too were the bowls! Despite the weather conditions, everyone had a fantastic time and a number of the bowlers seemed to really enjoy the challenge presented by the winds! Thank you to Pippa Griffin from Dormehl Phalane Property Group for their generous prize sponsorship and the lovely teatime treats!

Well done to the winning teams:-

1st Prize: Tara Van Rensburg, Mark Taylor & Sheridan Schraader
2nd Prize: Stephanie Crause, Egon Von Meyer & Steve Simpson
3rd Prize: Rusty Ikin, Graham Duggie & Garth Elliot
Plate Prize: Alan Willey, Sharon Willey & Patrick Carter-Brown

Another thank you we’d like to make this week is a much more solemn one. Unfortunately, we had a break in during the early hours of Friday morning, however Knight Security Solutions were on the case immediately and we are very happy and grateful to report that they made an arrest and none of our equipment was stolen. Thank you so much Knight Security! What a relief to know that you’re looking after us!

Back to some happier news… we’ve got a new competition in the pipelines which will be sponsored by Amber Glades Senior Living. At this point we’re in the early planning stages but will have a date set for a morning competition in either September or October. This one is set to be in interesting and fun one with a possible minimum age requirement for some of the players. Keep an eye out for more information on that in the coming weeks.

That’s all for this week… see you on the greens!

Events to keep an eye out for…

Wednesday, 6 September: Halfway Toyota Drawn Pairs 4-3-2-1. Tabs In 13h15
Saturday, 16 September: Greendale Spar Drawn Trips/Pairs. Tabs in 13h15
Tuesday, 26 September: J Leslie Smith & Co Nominated Pairs 2-4-2. Tabs In 08h45 (Book with Lisa on 084 586 6984)
Friday, 29 September: Dormehl Nominated 2 Bowl Trips. Tabs In 08h45 (Book with Pippa on 083 467 8140)

Regular tabs in times are:-
Tuesdays at 08h45
Wednesdays at 13h15
Saturdays at 13h15.

Visitors are always welcome. For more information contact Wendy on 071 353 2866

Coaching by registered coaches is available: Contact Colin or Bernice on 071 164 3162 for further information.

Photo Caption: Winners of the DPPG Competition, Sheridan Schraader, Mark Taylor & Tara Van Rensburg with Pippa Griffin from DPPG.

One of the ways that we reward responsible dog ownership and to help dogs enjoy a better quality of life, is by installing a fenced off area so that dogs no longer need to be chained. Most people living in townships cannot afford to fence their properties and resort to chaining their dogs, at least sometimes, to keep them safe and to avoid them annoying the neighbours.

Ntuthuko and Nondumiso Nxumalo have been attending our dog school for some time now and both have reached the senior class with their dogs, Fluffy and Spike. Our Animal Welfare Officer identified this family as deserving recipients of the fencing project as they have shown commitment to the program and have cared well for their dogs. They were very happy that their dogs can now be safe and move freely at home.

If you would like to sponsor another deserving family and their dog please give your donation the reference: FENCING

Bank Details:
Funda Nenja
First National Bank
Branch Code 220 725
Account number 624 587 66197

Our world is experiencing the very real effects of climate change.

According to the Development Bank of Africa, “Africa is the most vulnerable continent to climate change impacts… and faces exponential collateral damage, posing systemic risks to its economies, infrastructure investments, water and food systems, public health, agriculture, and livelihoods”.

Climate change will increasingly affect us all – we already feel the changes in weather conditions and are suffering with more severe droughts and storms and unusual rainfall patterns.

The welfare of animals is already compromised because of human activities such as intensive farming, which are significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and accelerating this global crisis.

People, animals and the environment are all at risk.

We cannot escape climate change, but we can all contribute to slowing down its progress and we can commit to individually and collectively being more responsible.

As individuals, we can all make a difference if we commit to:
Reduce, Reuse, Repair & Recycle. This is a starting point and something each one of us is able to do, collectively this will have a positive impact. Stay informed with the latest news and global initiatives.We must use our resources wisely – from water to fuel – everything is interlinked and everything is important. Buy Ethically – now more than ever is the time to review what we eat, the cost to the animals and the planet and make the decision to make more ethical and kinder choices.

What are you doing to mitigate the impact of #ClimateChange?

'We were in Mpophomeni yesterday for a steri clinic for #FundaNenja where another 15 dogs were sterilised. We were joined by two CCS (Compulsory Community Service) vets Dr Bethany Moses and Dr Tarika Singh who are gaining valuable experience doing these surgeries under the watchful eye of Dr Lee.

Many thanks again to all the volunteers and staff who help at these clinic's.' from Midmar Vet Clinic.