Please report any crime, no matter how small, to your local SAPS and Security Service Provider. If you have items stolen it is important that you open a case and get a CAS number. Reporting crime to the South African Police Services is very important and unfortunately many people feel that it often isn’t worth the effort. Yes, it will take up some of your time, but it is also your duty to those around you to do so, because by not reporting your crime you are allowing a criminal to continue with their activities.

The SAPS will open a case docket and investigate the crime, effecting arrests of suspects and presenting the case to courts for prosecution.

The Process:
• When a person has been a victim of crime he/she can contact the police by dialling 10111 or visit their nearest Police Station. If a Police Official attends the crime scene, he/she will obtain a statement from the complainant and witnesses if possible.
• The Police Official will then go to the Police Station and register the case in the SAPS Crime Administration System (CAS) and give the complainant the reference which is called a CAS number.
• The complainant must ensure that he/she retains this CAS number as a reference for future enquiries regarding the criminal case.
• If the complainant visits the local Police Station to report the crime he/she will be attended to in the Community Service Centre by a Police Official. The Police Official will first interview and then take a statement from the complainant and register the reported crime into the CAS file.
• The complainant will then be given a CAS number which must be used for all enquiries regarding the reported criminal case.
• The completed case docket is then allocated to a Police Detective who will carry out the investigation and all enquiries can then be directed to this detective.
• The Detective in charge of the particular case will complete the investigation and present the docket to the relevant court for prosecution.
• The complainant will be notified by the Detective when he/she is to attend the court hearings.

The local SAPS contact numbers are:
SAPS Howick 033 239 9340
SAPS Mpophomeni 033 238 0078
SAPS Hilton 033 845 6500 / 033 845 6521
Radio Control (Hilton) 10111

There are many local organisations, Security Service Providers, NHW groups and community members trying to make a difference and reduce crime. Please play your part by reporting crimes responsibly and opening cases with SAPS so that all these efforts are not in vain. Please also be sensible and responsible about your use of social media when reporting crimes.

You can also contact Knight Security Solutions 24/7 on 033 330 5911.

News supplied by Knight Security Solutions.

 Lyn and her  husband  are avid dog lovers and introduce their home care, as just that, a home away from home with much love for your little darlings.

Lyn has years of experience in hosting beloved pets. 

Bo-Flah only take small breed dogs under 10kgs.
Also, experienced in obedience training, canine and feline behaviour and past breeding.

All Vaccines need to be annually documented and proof thereof produced on appointment.

When you need your pets taken care of consider BO-FLAH Doggy Day Care for your pets.

News supplied by Bo-Flah Doggy Day Care.

FOSHIM - Friends of Sunfield Home Howick In The Midlands - will be hosting a Golf Day on Sunday 1st September 2019.

This Golf Day is in aid of their big fundraising project to buy Sunfield Home Howick a wheelchair-friendly minibus.

Please contact Barbara on 0846271251 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you would like to book or if you would like to get involved with this much-needed cause as we are truly in need of a vehicle too safely transport our residents in wheelchairs when needed or on outings.

News supplied by Sunfield Home for the Intellectually Impaired.

The UCSI SNIPR cameras are having the desired positive effect in the Howick area. With all 4 routes into and out of Howick now monitored, we have seen a marked decrease in vehicle related crimes in the Howick area. Help grow this camera network in Hilton, Cedara, Merrivale, Merrivale Heights, Birnamwood, Howick West, Howick South, Mpophomeni and surrounds.

Contribute to this proactive community initiative for as little as R50 per month.

Go to www.ucsi.org.za or visit the UCSI Facebook page. For direct information you can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Please attend the UCSI AGM.

News supplied by UCSI.

Topic: Smartphone apps, useful or useless?
Join us for breakfast on the 28th August and find out.
Guest Speaker: Hannelie Pickering from Computer Wise.
Time: 8am to 10am
Venue: Oasis Conference Centre, 72 Main Street Howick
Cost:
Members of WIB/PCB R100 per person includes breakfast.
Non Members R120 per person including breakfast.
Catering by Maggies Magic Meals (Coffee Shop Howick)

WIB Midlands Bank account details - please use your business name as payment reference:
Women In Business, Capitec (no need for branch code),
Savings Account No. 164 961 0465

News supplied by Women in Business Midlands.

Come and spend a lovely family day out and support a pre school at the same time. There will be a craft market, stalls, events, activities, games for young and old, delicious food, coffee, prizes, raffles, music and bands.

Venue: Lion's River Polo Club

TIme: 10am till 4pm.

News supplied.

This week during the night 15 shacks burnt down in Shyias informal settlement in Howick. This has left many children and families with nothing. They have lost everything they own.

Please help us help these families. If you have any of the following items lying around or are able to donate please drop them off at Angels Care Centre.

1. Pots and Pans
2. Any kitchen item (cups, bowels, plates, knives, forks etc) Please remember that there is no electricity in this area.
3. Clothing for ALL ages.
4. Beds (We have blankets but no pillows etc)
5. Buckets to collect water (there is no running water in this area)
6. Any household item
7. Food and Water
8. Materials

THANK YOU in advance. Please feel free to ask any questions. These families really need the Howick community to come together to help.

News supplied by Angel's Care.

MCG believes that learning from members of one’s own community, who really care about the well being of the community, has a great impact.

Mpop Kidz Club meets on Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings to explore Mpophomeni, monitor the streams, grassland and forest and create useful items from waste.

In Mpophomeni schools the multi-skilled MCG team facilitate lessons around healthy living, renewable energy, storytelling, recycling, water, food gardening, indigenous knowledge, environmental issues, local history, animal rights, cultural use of natural resources and personal values.

In collaboration with the Owl Box Project, we are rearing orphaned Barn Owls and installing Owl Boxes in 2016. The purpose is to dispel myths and fears around owls by engaging and educating learners in the rearing and release programme. A healthy owl population will make an impact in addressing the rats that plague township gardens. For more information contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

News taken from Mpophomeni Coservation Group.

We are thrilled that the MidLit2019 programme is filling up fast with fantastic authors. This list is by no means final but will give you an idea of what to expect - subject to the whims of the authors.

Saturday morning: Fiona Snyckers Lacuna; Julia Martin The Blackridge House; Fred Khumalo Talk of the Town; Zanele Njapha An Eye for Love; Cuba Ikaneng & YABI; Ekow Duker Yellowbone; Siya Khumalo You Have to be Gay to Know God; Steve Wimberley Dr Grumble

Saturday afternoon: Peter Storey I Beg to Differ; Hugh Bland Trappist Missions of KZN; Ralph Mathegka Ramaphosa’s Turn & When Zuma Turns; John Roff Poems for the nature-hungry soul; Richard Hunt Spirit of the Drakensberg; Ronnie Kasrils Catching Tadpoles.

Sunday morning: Martin Prozesky Honest to Goodness; Chris Hoare 'Mad Mike' Hoare: The Legend; Gloria Kaverne Achieving the international bestseller dream; Elana Bregin Not wanted on the voyage; Izak de Vries with Luke Molver and Hannes Barnard, JL Powers Representing Africa; Khaya Dhlanga These things happen to me; Peter Church Thrills and Spills of Crime Fiction (Bitter Pill, Dark Video & Crackerjack); Mogau Seshene The Lazy Makoti.

Sunday afternoon: Sonja Kruse The Ubuntu Girl; Desiree Anne Martin We don’t talk about this ever; Ashwin Desai; For Kids: one hour storytelling and meet some authors.

For more information on the authors watch our Facebook page.

Tickets are R100 per morning or afternoon (approx 6 sessions each), and R300 for the entire Festival -including a cup of tea or coffee. Book your spot online with Quicket.

Lunch needs to be booked on arrival at Fern Hill Hotel (R120 for a buffet, or R60 for a baguette)

Will you join us to celebrate 10 years of literary delights in the Midlands?
31 August - 1 September 2019
Fern Hill Hotel, Howick, KwaZulu-Natal.

News supplied.

The UCSI has made its mark on crime in the Howick, Hilton, Merrivale and surrounding areas. The gantry mounted ANPR SNIPR cameras are proving to be successful and under the professional management of the UCSI, the right information is getting to the Law Enforcement Officials and affiliated Security Companies to effect the arrests or assist with investigations. With over 26 successes and assists since March 2019, the UCSI has also been able to guide and assist numerous SAPS investigations from all over the Midlands.

To date nine (9) UCSI gantries have been installed with donations from the local business community and entities. Howick has been the area where the support and uptake from the community has been most favourable with all 4 access / egress routes now being covered by ANPR SNIPR CCTV mounted gantries. Along with other community role-players (SAPS and NHW) crime in general has been reduced in the Howick area. We now need to focus our efforts on getting the other strategic locations in Howick West, Merrivale, Merrivale Heights, Cedara, Birnamwood, Hilton and Mpophomeni covered.

A huge thank you to the surrounding areas of Curry’s Post and Karkloof for also coming on-board and joining the UCSI network. Mention must be made of the affiliated security companies in our area that have aligned themselves to making a positive change in our communities. Ballid Security, Knight Security Solutions and PMB Security are all contributing to the success of the UCSI and working together to make the Midlands a safe place. Has YOUR security company invested in your community and your safety? The UCSI wants to work with ALL security role-players to make our uMngeni Municipal area a safer place.

June and July were once again successful months for the UCSI, as we continue to grow and make inroads into dealing with crime.

These successes are attributed to dedication and hard work, but it costs money to set-up and keep the UCSI SNIPR camera project going. The UCSI needs to grow its financially contributing membership and the community is encouraged to come on-board. You can go to the UCSI website at www.ucsi.org.za or visit and like our awesome Facebook page. For as little as R50 per month for individuals and R300 per month for business entities you can become part of the solution.

The UCSI would also like to thank the following entities that have contributed to the establishment of the 9 gantries in our local areas. They include: Greendale Superspar, Greendale Acres centre, Howick High School, Howick Prep School, Natal Forest Nursery, Amber Valley, Amber Ridge, Amber Lee, Amber Lakes, Amberglen, Yard 41, Harvard House, Mediclinic Howick, Eagle Ridge Estate, Amberfield, Howick Village Pharmacy, Protea Gardens, Karkloof Security, Knight Security Solutions, Colenbrander, Shell Hilton, Smarter Business, Hilton Harcourt’s and Life Hilton Private Hospital.

There are numerous other contributors that have donated and will be mentioned when their gantries have been erected. There are another 9 gantries imminent and these will help grow the UCSI network, making it even more effective. If you would like to make a capital donation towards a gantry in your area and have your business name on the signage please email the UCSI at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The areas needing the gaps filled urgently are Merrivale urban, Merrivale rural, Howick West, Hilton and Mpophomeni. Capital contributions of R20 – R30k will go a long way to getting these areas covered. The UCSI is a registered not-for-profit company and is able to award a Section 18 A certificate for any donations made. The UCSI is also BBBEE level 2.

The UCSI Board of Directors wishes to thank the uMngeni Municipality for all the support to date. This public-private partnership is proving to be a success and leading the way in active crime-fighting in communities. The UCSI is a flagship project that can be considered as paving the way in “best practice” for other Municipal areas.

News Supplied by UCSI.

This little Wood Owl will be introduced to it's new home using a technique known as a 'soft release.'

This is a process whereby the owl will be kept in a temporary enclosure for a few weeks to allow it to get familiarized with the sights and sounds of it's new home prior to being released. It will be supplementary fed throughout the process until it is self sufficient

If you would like to support our ongoing work to rescue, rehabilitate and release wildlife, then please join our Custodianship Program. Details can be found on our website, www.freemekzn.co.za

News supplied by FreeMe.

Never Never Land Creche in Cedara, were the lucky recipients of 20 bicycles from the Hilton and Howick Rotary club.

We are appealing to anyone who has helmets the children can use as they teach their kids to ride bikes, to donate to them. They have just added a new sport in their activities, CYCLING!

News supplied by Never Never Land Creche.

The Midlands Literary Festival organisers recognise that it is important to encourage the next generation of festival growers if we want to continue growing the festival for the next 10 years and beyond. With this in mind, we have organised a number of activities for school pupils.

We are excited to partner with the Young Authors Book Inititiative (YABI) to inspire young readers and writers.

Their first book will be launched at the Midlands Literary Festival in 2019
YABI was created by writer, film producer and TV director, Makhubalo Ikaneng. The book is compiled by Lungile Ikaneng.

The objectives of YABI is to encourage reading and writing amongst learners.
By putting the writing process in their hands, we hope to demystify the written word and make it accessible to them. We want to show the learners that books are not difficult products written by strangers but a fun and educational experience. By making the learners share their stories and publishing them on a book, we want to create peer role models within schools.

The Young Authors Book Process started when we invited schools in the uMngeni Municipality to select five learners in grades 9 to 11. We specified that the learners should be self-driven and passionate about writing or reading. The participants attended a basic short story writing workshop at the Howick Library. At this workshop, the theme and structure of the stories were explained. The theme chosen was: The impact violent protest has in my community. The learners were tasked to write 5-page stories which would be compiled into the book.
Cuba Ikaneng is so enjoying being part of this project with real purpose. “This process has created time-capsules. Their stories are told from such different angles, with empathy for the characters in them. Some are factual – news reports, others are fantasy or love stories, a few relate a very personal perspective. Now they are captured forever.”

15 learners from 3 schools were able to submit short stories – they are breathtaking and hard-hitting. The participating schools for YABI 2018/19 are Howick Secondary School, Mconjwana High School and Injoloba Secondary School. These stories were typed and compiled into a book. The book will be launched at the Midlands Literary Festival.
Khwezi Radebe took part in YABI because she is passionate about creative writing, and loves reading. She likes trying new things and acquiring new skills. She hopes that, from her story, people will learn that violence does not solve anything, and learn to communicate better as nation.
Pamela Mtshali hopes that, through her story, people will learn that violent protests do not only destroy one specific area, but they affect the whole country.
Lindokuhle Blessing Zuma is a Grade Twelve learner from Howick Secondary School. He took part in YABI to do his share in building the nation. He believes that most people do not understand the repercussions of violent protests. He hopes that people will learn that violence is never the way – even when you are wronged, violence only makes the situation worse.
Mother Earth is written by Seemeen Sayed, who wanted to write a story that would inspire readers to write their own stories. She hopes that people will learn from the mistakes of the characters, and practice love and forgiveness.

Lungile Ikaneng says “We believe that the launch will give the project, its participants, supporters, partners and sponsors visibility that will assist in laying the foundation for the next book process. The current group (2018/19) of YABI participants will receive their participation certificates at the Midlands Literary Festival. These certificates will be special because it will be a recognition from the festival, writers, sponsors and the schools.”

Copies of the book will be donated to libraries in KZN and high schools in the uMgungundlovu District Municipality. Should you wish to assist by sponsoring some of the printing costs, please contact Lungile at 079 755 2254 – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
20 new participants for 2020 will attend a workshop, organised by the Midlands Literary Festival, on the Friday before the Festival. Experienced writers Elana Bregin, Zanele Njapha, Fiona Snykers, Sonja Kuse and Luke Molven will explain the short story writing process and inspire participants from 10 schools in the Midlands.

Pictured above writer, film producer and TV director, Makhubalo Ikaneng and Lungile Ikaneng.

News supplied by Midlands Literary Festival 2019.

To the Municipal Manager

8 August 2019

Dear Sir,

I would like to complain about the lack of notification of the power outage of today 8 August 2019 that commenced at approximately 11.00 am and continues as I write at 12.30. I am told this is due to maintenance or upgrades in the Hilton area.

If it is the case that there could have been advance notification, then this should have been more widely publicized.

Like many other residents and businesses in and around Howick, we had no idea the outage was going to happen. Consequently, when the electricity supply unexpectedly stopped, we were unable to do any work and had to send our staff home.

I am sure you will agree that any outage, especially one as widespread as this has very negative consequences for the local economy, both business owners and workers alike.

Why could the outage not have happened tomorrow when most businesses would be closed for the public holiday?

I call on you to look into this matter and to put measures in place to mitigate the effects of future outages.

Yours sincerely

Jeremy Exelby

ANYLOGOS

Ladies, Take advantage of this Women's Day Special at Karkloof Canopy Tour.
The offer is valid from 9 August till 11 August and for women only.

When booking , please quote - Womens Day Advert.

Come on, make your booking! 033 330 3415

News supplied by Karkloof Canopy Tour.

Roof repairs simplified by Grace Roofing...

Our 5 step process to replacing your undertile membrane:
Step 1: Strip and remove roof tiles, battens and damaged underlay
Step 2: High pressure clean the existing roof tiles
Step 3: Install new, undertile membrane, timber battens and existing roof tiles
Step 4: Re-install ridging with new cement mortar
Step 5: Ensure gutters are cleaned and correctly aligned.

(Duration approximately 5 working days)

Supplied by Grace Roofing.

Call Cliff on Step by step repairs with Grace Roofing for a free quotation.

Harvard Electrical is the only ELECTRICAL WHOLESALER in the greater Howick area.

When you shop at Harvard Electrical you will find safe and secure parking and top class customer service.

Visit Harvard Electrical Wholesaler's showroom at 22 Harvard Street, Howick.

News supplied by Harvard Electrical.

The Midlands Hiking Club is a very friendly club for lovers of nature & the great outdoors & has over 130 members from all over the Natal Midlands. The club caters for all levels of hiking fitness, from day hikes which are generally undertaken on Sundays to strenuous 3/4-day backing expeditions. Day hikes in local areas are usually not more than 1 hour from Pietermaritzburg.
Some of their aims include:
Promoting hiking and backpacking activities
Fostering good relationships between hikers
Promoting nature conservation
Training members in skills for leading groups of hikers on trails
Encouraging the development of awareness of nature and respect for the environment

 On 21 July 2019 the hiking club tackled the Blinkwater Hiking Trail in the KZN Midlands, this is an old hiking trail crisscrossing Forest, Beautiful Natural Bush and open Grasslands. The hiking route area covers a great diversity of natural habitats, and also offers hikers a good leg stretch.

May is now over - the last of the best months to hike the berg in. Great views will now diminish into blue haze as the fire burning volume increase and blocks clear berg views. The grass will become drier and drier, all hikers missions now are - no fires in the berg. Make sure you know where you are going, watch the wind, and watch the horizon for smoke that may indicate a future problem for you. If wind and smoke are coming towards you, start making "evacuation to safe area plans". Don't wait till you can see the fire, it may be too late to get out of its way.

 AGAIN A PLEA TO ALL BERG HIKERS - PLEASE FILL IN THE MOUNTAIN WALKING REGISTER PROPERLY AND ACCURATELY, AND GET THE EMERGENCY NUMBER OF THE OFFICE FROM WHICH YOU LEAVE. IT IS IN YOUR BEST INTEREST AT ALL TIMES.
Don't see it as a nuisance, see it as your insurance in a time of emergency.

Photo credit to Dave Sclanders.

Contact http://www.gohiking.co.za/

News taken from GO HIKING website.