Eskom load shedding has again become a reality and affects all South Africans. The Electronic Security Industry is faced with one of the worst challenges when it comes to Operations, with the reality of load shedding. Eskom cannot guarantee that the electricity demand will be met in the foreseeable future, hence we need to advise our KSS clients on how load shedding affects them.

Alarm monitoring and response clients are encountering unavoidable issues related to load shedding. Please note that these issues are industry related and ALL security service providers are affected. The sheer volume of alarm calls that arise during and after load shedding, is in some instances resulting in customer disappointment. Our KSS Control Room works tirelessly during load shedding as alarm activations increase by up to 1000%, yes 1000%. Our Armed Response and back-up units do their utmost to respond and check on each alarm activation, as they work through the “stack” systematically and timeously.

Please be patient as client safety and security is paramount. If you have an actual emergency PLEASE make a phone call immediately to the KSS Control Room so that we can prioritise your call. Call 033 330 5911 at any time of day or night.

PLEASE DO NOT test your alarm system during load shedding – this will result in KSS having to follow-up with your “false alarm” and may lead to a response time delay to an ACTUAL EMERGENCY.


Changing back-up batteries frequently (every 12 – 18 months) cannot be over-emphasised. The battery of an alarm is the lifeblood of any security system that doesn’t have an alternative source of power when the electricity goes off. Please also be aware that every time there is a load shedding episode, the lifespan of your battery is compromised.

As a rule of thumb:
A 7 or 9 amp hour battery can take up to 24 hours to recharge after 2 hours of load shedding. With daily power failures, the battery doesn’t have sufficient time to fully recharge, hence its “lifespan” is compromised for the next power failure.

KSS suggests to following, to ensure a longer battery lifespan, depending on the size of your alarm system:

1. Clients with an entry level alarm system should install a 3.2 amp power supply* with a 7 amp hour battery. The cost for this power supply and battery as well as a full alarm service is R1437.50 inclusive of vat.


2. Clients with a more complex alarm system or clients who require a longer battery lifespan, should install a 6.4 amp power supply* with a 17/18 amp hour battery. The cost for this power supply and battery as well as a full alarm service is R2702.50 inclusive of vat.

* The power supply is the charging unit that plugs into the wall and charges the battery.

Most alarm systems keypads will indicate various trouble conditions during load shedding. For example, the power light may be flashing or the trouble light may on. These should clear when the battery is fully charged. You may also refer to your alarm system user manual. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. should you require a copy of your alarm system user manual.

Alarm users must take heed of this advice to ensure their own safety and security.

For advice please call Keshen on 083 3935 265 or Sashen on 082 8700 138 or Gary on 0828947628.

Remember - You are safer with us!

News supplied by Knight Security Solutions.

Since 2010 Harvard Electrical Wholesalers has grown threefold, thanks to the support of their loyal client base. This rapid growth has allowed Harvard Electrical to move to larger premises in Howick. They believe in offering excellent customer service, a wide range of diverse products at very competitive prices and most importantly, they listen to their clients.

Harvard Electrical supply products which are manufactured both locally and internationally and are fully compliant with recognised safety standards and specifications.

These are the bargains they have for you this December!

Funda Nenja held their first parents' meeting where our dedicated team held an outstanding discussion meeting with mothers and gogos. This meeting was mainly to discuss the functions of Funda Nenja and what we are doing for their children and the dogs.

They were also invited to ask questions and our team did a brilliant job at answering them all. It was very well attended, with 18 adults and a few young children, one of whom was very excited to find our stuffed dog tucked away in the corner of the room. She was confused as to why she couldn't pick it up. (He is a huge stuffed dog. About twice the size of the little girl).

We also had a lucky draw competition, with a food hamper as the prize and also provided some drinks and snacks for the ladies afterwards.
Since this meeting was so well attended and appreciated by all, we most definitely intend to hold more of these meetings in the future as it is our intention to have good communications with the whole community.

News supplied by Funda Nenja.

Azalea Bed and Breakfast in Howick has won the Lilizela National award for 3 years running for B & B 3 star.

On Saturday, 17 November 2018 – The Minister of Tourism, Derek Hanekom revealed the 2018 Lilizela Tourism Awards national winners at a glittering function convened at the Sandton Convention Centre.

“It is a real privilege to be here with you to celebrate your successes and achievements. That’s what tonight is all about: recognizing and rewarding tourism players, businesses and the people on the ground who collectively make South Africa the great global destination that it is.” said Minister of Tourism Derek Hanekom.

This annual event organised by South African Tourism, recognises and rewards those who work passionately and with pride to deliver a world-class product and service and whose delivery grows South African’s global destination competitiveness.

Reviews taken into consideration are from the Lilizela Awards website as well as Trip Advisor. We are very proud to have won this prestigious award for the past three years. We would like to thank all our guests for their continued support.

Azalea Bed and Breakfast is a charming bed and breakfast located in the town of Howick, approximately 20 minutes from Pietermaritzburg, an ideal stopover between Johannesburg and Durban.

Accommodation consists of three comfortably furnished rooms with en-suite bathrooms and private entrances. The rooms have TVs with DStv, bar fridges, microwaves, tea, and coffee-making facilities, as well as under-floor heating and free Wi-Fi.

A traditional English breakfast is served in the lovely dining area, or a packed breakfast can be arranged for early risers. The rooms lead out to a beautiful garden where there is a small swimming pool. The establishment provides secure undercover parking on the premises.

Dawn and George have been involved in the Hospitality Industry for over 20 years in total; being an assessor for AA Quality Assured for 15 years and for the Tourism Grading Council for 4 years. Dawn and her husband also had the wonderful experience of owning their own Guest House for 10 years in Howick - WINDERMERE GUEST HOUSE which was purchased by Oprah Winfrey for an Aid Orphan home.

50 days, four countries and 11 235km later, South Africa humanitarian and eco-warrior, Carla Geyser, has returned home having led a successful international all-women conservation mission into Southern Africa. Geyser’s Journeys with Purpose: The Rise of the Matriarch expedition spanned South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia, and attracted 12 women from around the world.

“Mama Africa takes your breath away with her magnificent sunsets and sunrises, leaves you speechless at her amazing wildlife and her boundless energy, and reawakens emotions that you thought had long-since disappeared,” says Durban’s Geyser. “Yet, amidst all this splendour, there is a sad, ugly reality – a festering wound of poaching, over-population, poverty and human-wildlife conflict.”

The figures are alarming: poachers kill approximately two rangers every week in Africa; they also kill on average 3 rhinos , 98 elephant and countless pangolin every single day. It is this harsh cold reality that spurred Geyser into action. “For most people on our planet, disaster on this scale is overwhelming so they resign themselves to shake their heads in dismay and leave the job of saving our people and wildlife to someone else. I have learned over the last few years that we simply cannot rely on ‘the other person’ or the next generation to take up the fight, it has to be us and it has to be now; we simply don’t have the time. And 12 brave women from around the world felt just as strongly as I do to leave the comfort of their homes and journey with me to make a difference” explains Geyser.

The group of “eco she-roes” included eight South Africans - Lungile Dimba, an education administrator at wildlife body WESSA in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands; Durban’s Erin Dickson, an on-air personality at East Coast Radio; Umzimkhulu’s Celokuhle “Smax” Biyela who is aligned to the Blue Sky Society Trust; conservation supporters, Laura Thomas-Gilks and Tarren Benson both from Durban, Pietermaritzburg photographer and eco-warrior, Stephanie De Wit; Bronwyn Laing, a Durbanite living in Tanzania; and real estate business owner, Joan Arnestad, from Hoedspruit, Limpopo. Four Americans joined the journey too, namely wildlife biologist and conservation scientist, Jennifer Palmer; nurse and travel blogger, Emily Scott; camerawoman, Alize Jireh Yaccino; and acclaimed business coach and conservationist, Tommi Wolfe.

The eco-adventure kicked off from South Africa on 16 September 2018, under the banner of Geyser’s NPO, the Blue Sky Society Trust. The mission had four distinct goals: to raise global awareness about the contentious human-wildlife conflict issue, to educate the youth about conservation, to support local empowerment efforts targeting young women from localised, rural communities, and to raise funds for four wildlife conservation bodies, namely Elephants Alive (South Africa), Rare and Endangered Species Trust (Namibia), Eco-Exist Project (Botswana) and the Soft Foot Alliance Trust (Zimbabwe).

In the seven weeks that followed, Geyser and her crew, who joined her on different ‘legs’ or sections of the expedition, distributed 30 000 educational booklets, visited 13 on-the-ground conservation projects and met 16 phenomenal women who are doing incredible conservation work at a grassroots level.

“So many lifelong memories were made on the journey,” explains Geyser, “but a few stand out more than others. Meeting the world-famous Black Mamba Anti-Poaching Unit here in SA is one of my favourites. This elite group made up of 33 women protects the boundaries of the 52,000ha Balule Nature Reserve, which is part of the Greater Kruger National Park. As proud defenders of our wildlife, these women are incredible role-models; and they are mothers, sisters, wives and future grandmothers too.”

Spending time with the Eco-Exist educators and community officers in rural schools in the eastern panhandle of Botswana to learn about their daily challenges with elephants that raid crops and subsequent injuries and deaths of local community members was also memorable. “We saw a herd of over 400 elephants crossing the road, so it’s easy to see why people living in the area are so nervous and resentful of elephants,” says Geyser.

Highlights for other crew members include meeting two of the brave Chobe Angels in Botswana. Kedi and Flo shared remarkable stories of bucking gender discrimination and gender stereotypes to prove that women are just as capable of tackling wildlife issues as men. They are part of an incredible guiding crew of 22 women from Chobe Game Lodge who are committed to conservation efforts.

“I learnt so much on my trip starting with our visit to Wild is Life and meeting Roxy Danckwerts and Angela Loubser where I got to see my first elephant, giraffe, lion and pangolin,” says KZN’s Celokuhle “Smax” Biyela. “I witnessed a love that cannot be described from each member of staff who worked with the animals and how they treated them stirred something so deep within me that made me want to fight for my children and my grandchildren and generations thereafter to experience what I was not just in the sanctuary but in the wild.”

The women also fondly recall the warm welcome they received from teachers and children at the A.Gariseb Primary School in the Damaraland, Namibia; meeting solo travellers and conservation champions from Germany and the U.K who had self-funded their trips to do their bit for the environment; and witnessing the success stories of the various initiatives spearheaded by women in the four countries.

“Joining the Rise of the Matriarch Expedition and being part of the movement to empower women in wildlife conservation has been one of the greatest adventures of my life,” says Jennifer Palmer (USA). “I feel I am now part of an extended network and family of courageous change makers who are bonded together by our love of wildlife, Mother Africa, exploration and a deeper calling to boldly live life to the fullest.”

The conservation mission wrapped up on 28 October 2018. For Geyser, being back home means time to reflect and then plan the next Journey with Purpose. “It was an extraordinary journey. Meeting the phenomenal women who are giving it their all to help save our planet, restored my faith in humanity.

Many hands working together can make a difference which is why the planning phase for the next mission is already underway!”

(photo credit: Two Dustry Travellers): Craig Spencer, Carla Geyser, Jennifer Palmer, Tommi Wolfe, Bronwyn Laing and Emily Scott with two members of the Black Mamba Anti-Poaching Unit in SA, Felicia Mokokani, Colette Ngubeni (both in uniform).

News supplied.

This pair of Blue Cranes and their two chicks were seen by Pam Curtis who reported this amazing sighting.

Blue cranes will normally lay a clutch of 2 - 4 eggs approximately 2 to 3 days apart. Incubation period is about 30 days with both male and female sharing the incubation. Newly hatched chicks are mobile within a day of hatching with the parents leading them into areas where they can forage . As is the case with most chicks, strong sibling rivalry has been noted resulting in parents keeping the chicks mobile and splitting them between parents. They fledge when they are about 3 months old. The pairs will leave their breeding territories when the young are about 5 months old and when they join the flocks for the winter months, the young stay with them. Only when the pairs return to their breeding territories in spring are the young then left with the non breeding flocks.

The success rate of Blue cranes successfully raising chicks in the Karkloof hasn't been very good, so we are hoping these two little chicks will survive to adulthood.

Did you know that the Blue crane is one of two species of cranes that don't have any red on their faces, the other being the Demoiselle crane which is found in Eurasia.

What great work being done by the Karkloof Conservancy.

News supplied by the Karkloof Conservancy.

• Advise your security company if you are going away and ensure that you supply all the necessary information regarding key holders and emergency contacts. Also ensure that your alarm system is in good working order.

• Inform your neighbours of your holiday plans so that they can keep an eye on your property.

• Stop all newspaper deliveries and ask a friend or neighbour to collect your post. A bulging post box is a real giveaway that you are not at home.

• If you are hiring a house sitter, ensure that you teach them how to use your alarm correctly. Also advise your security company about who they are and what their contact number is.

• Double check that you have locked and secured all windows and doors before leaving home. Thunderstorms and wind can trigger false alarms.

• Ensure that all your out-buildings (garage, cottage, garden shed) are secured. Also ensure that external PIR beams are in working order and cut away excess foliage near these external beams so that false alarms are not triggered.

• Never leave a key in the inside of an outer door which has glass panels or glass near the door lock.

• Having security gates fitted on outer doors is a highly effective security measure that gives you an extra line of defence.

• Sliding doors can be secured simply by placing a piece of timber cut to size in the sliding rail. Make sure that sliding doors cannot be lifted vertically. Preferably have a sliding gate across the front all sliding doors.

• Full fencing and sturdy driveway gates are a good deterrent. Make sure that your gate motor and battery are also secured.

• Have good exterior lighting, preferably on a timer or movement sensitive. Criminals do not like lighting.

• Do not leave ladders, spades or tools lying about outside as they can be used to break into your house. Do not leave other valuables in view from the road as opportunistic criminals will steal these.

• Clear signage indicating that you have a security company also helps to discourage criminals.
If you need assistance please contact the KSS offices on 033 3305911 at any time of day or knight.

For further security advice you can contact Keshen on 083 393 5265 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. You can also contact Gary on 082 8947 628 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

There is an exciting, fun filled day to be held at Piggly Wiggly Village with Father Christmas, Music, Lucky Draws from the shops at the village, food stalls on SATURDAY 8 DECEMBER 2018.

We hope to see many of our local customers and others from far afield, join in this fun filled event.

News supplied by Mushka.

Sunfield Home Christmas Fair.

Christmas Lights , live music, fun for the kids, beer tent, food stalls.

Entrance by donation.

News supplied by Sunfield Home for Intellectually Impaired.

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Every year The Cookhouse like to give a big prize as a lucky draw for Christmas and this year is no exception...

R1000 gift voucher prize...from EACH shop!

You can enter as many times as you like when buying over the month of December at The Cookhouse.
We will draw our winners from each shop on th 24th December and the winner will be announced at the end of December.

 Festive Season Closing times: 

Last day of trading 24th December 2018
Opening again 2nd January 2019

Wishing you love & luck for the festive season silliness!

News supplied by The Cookhouse.

This past weekend, Alexandra Candler travelled to Secunda to play for the Womens' KZN Inland Cricket team in an interprovincial match against Mpumalanga.

Despite dislocating her finger during the warm-up, she played the match and finished with bowling figures of 6 wickets for 35 runs in 9.3 overs.

Unfortunately, KZN Inland lost the match but this result was a personal performance highlight for Alexandra. Alex will be captaining the U19 Girls' KZN Inland Cricket team at an interprovincial tournament in December.

Age Quod Agis!

News supplied by Howick High School.

RETARDED GRANDPARENTS - (This was actually reported by a teacher and shared on social media.)

After Christmas, a teacher asked her young pupils how they spent their holiday away from school.

One child wrote the following:

We always used to spend the holidays with Grandma and Grandpa.

They used to live in a big brick house but Grandpa got retarded and they moved to Batemans Bay where everyone lives in nice little houses, and so they don't have to mow the grass anymore!

They ride around on their bicycles and scooters and wear name tags because they don't know who they are anymore.

They go to a building called a wreck centre, but they must have got it fixed because it is all okay now. They do exercises there, but they don't do them very well.

There is a swimming pool too, but they all jump up and down in it with hats on.

At their gate, there is a doll house with a little old man sitting in it. He watches all day so nobody can escape. Sometimes they sneak out, and go cruising in their golf carts!

Nobody there cooks, they just eat out.

And, they eat the same thing every night --- early birds.

Some of the people can't get out past the man in the dollhouse. The ones who do get out, bring food back to the wrecked centre for potluck.

My Grandma says that Grandpa worked all his life to earn his retardment and says I should work hard so I can be retarded someday too.

When I earn my retardment, I want to be the man in the dollhouse. Then I will let people out, so they can visit their grandchildren.

PRICELESS!

The Harvest Table on Friday 16th November was a memorable evening out on the Midlands social calendar.

What a delightful evening to be spent tasting local artisinal foods, while sipping on lovely wines or craft gins. Fern Hill Hotel and Greendale Spar went all out to keep their guests entertained ,with local musicians too , creating a festive ambiance. What a truly happy evening spent inside and around Fern Hill Hotel.

A Greendale Spar Tops event raising money for Howick Hospice Not to be missed next year November.

News supplied.

It has been a busy week and with the Festive season approaching there is some sound security advice on our website www.knightsecurity.co.za and Facebook page.

Unsecured outside areas
Please remember to keep valuables safe. There were 5 bicycles stolen this past week from unalarmed areas. Please remember to secure verandas and outbuildings (sheds, garages, cottages and containers) properly and don’t leave items in view from the road.

The UCSI NPC
The Umngeni Community Safety Initiative (UCSI) is a Not-for-Profit Company (NPC) that has been established by members of our community to deter crime through the use of SNIPR ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) CCTV cameras, working alongside SACAN TrackBox Technologies. SNIPR ANPR CCTV cameras have been mounted onto gantries in a few areas, but the UCSI NPC envisages having all the access and egress routes to all our communities (Howick, Howick West, Kwa Mevana, Merrivale, Merrivale Heights, Birnamwood, Mpophomeni, Cedara, Hilton, Worldsview, Winterskloof, Curry’s Post, Karkloof and other surrounding areas, but not limited to these areas) covered by this TrackBox SNIPR ANPR CCTV camera, gantry mounted, technology. To read more about the UCSI NPC visit www.ucsi.org.za or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Stay safe and take heed of our security advice.

News supplied by Knight Security Solutions.

Sunday 11 November saw the Armistrice Day Parade take place at  the Howick Cenetaph. The 1st Howick Cubs and Scouts, the Caledonian Pipe Band and MOTHS gathered together in the late afternoon to remember the members of the armed forces who died in the line of duty, during the First World War.

This Rememberance day was marked with a parade and a wreath laying ceremony.

Photo credit : Harold Churchill

News supplied.

To aid in the fight against crime in the local Mpophomeni community, Midmar Crushers donated reflective vests to the members of the Mpophomeni Social Crime Prevention Unit.

These vests will be used to increase the visibility of the members while night patrolling to protect our local citizens.

News supplied by the Midmar Group.

uMngeni Valley Nature Reserve & Education Centre was recognized by the 1st Howick Scout Group for service to the the troop during the past year.

What an honor and privilege to receive the Lord Baden Powell Award and continue strengthening the relationship between these two amazing organisations.

News supplied by uMngeni Valley Nature Reserve & Education Centre.

Pictured above Matthew Cocks.

Get these specials at Harvard Electrical Wholesalers. Valid for one week. 

Find Harvard Electrical Wholesalers at 22 Harvard Street, Howick, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, 3290.

To avoid the taxi rank.

Please use the bell St, going up, drive past the Old Shoprite Building turn left, left again and we are on the left.