The KZN Midlands is once again gearing up to host over 1500 competitors and their families for the November Midlands Ultra Triathlon. This biannual ultra triathlon attracts amateur and professional athletes from across Africa and Europe to the beautiful KZN Midlands.

Entries to the exciting Midlands Ultra Triathlon are open for the event on the 29th of November at Midmar Dam. This exciting event is one of SA's biggest triathlon events and part of a African National triathlon Series, that staged the inaugural Sun City Ultra Triathlon in May 2015. The Midmar event attracts athletes from across South Africa to compete along the beautiful rolling hills in the KZN Midlands. "We are very fortunate to have Midmar Dam in KZN, as it is known as one of the best venues in Africa to stage a multisport event like ours" says Race Director Damian Bradley from B-Active Sports.

Local professional triathlete Donovan Van Gelder, who is a multiple winner of the Midlands Ultra ranks Midmar Dam as the best venue in the country for triathlon " Midmar's water is always clean and never too cold, The surrounding KZN Midlands are breathtaking and the cycle and run are undulating and challenging, which makes finishing the Midlands Ultra a true achievement for everyone." said Van Gelder

"From a personal point of view, Midmar was the venue where I did my first standard (Olympic) distance race in 1988 and I did my first half iron distance race there as well, in 1991. The first time I crossed a finish line in first place overall was at Midmar in January 1991 so nearly a quarter of a century before this year's Midlands Ultra."

"I am getting towards the end of my competitive career, as far as winning races overall goes, I turn 45 a month after this year's race, so it would be special for me to add one more win at the Midlands Ultra before I ease back and start racing in age-groups."

"The distance of the Midlands Ultra is my favourite and it seems to suit me the best. I have never finished outside of the top three at any race over this distance in my thirty years of racing. So I definitely plan to be a factor again on the 29th of November. As it may be my last race where I compete for the overall title, I will make sure that I am prepared to the best of my ability. If the weather plays along, I would like to target the four hour barrier on the new route."

On the international stage, the number of international athletes gets stronger each year, with over 16 foreign athletes already attending the November race , coming from Dubai, United Kingdom, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Botswana, Germany and Spain.

"Past winners of the Midlands Ultra include James Cunnama, Kent Horner, Stuart Marias, Donovan Van Gelder, Gerhard De bruin , some of whom have already secured their place on the Ultra starting line. Other top athletes Ruan Naude, Freddie Lampret and Henri Schoeman have indicated that this event is on their training schedule for the end of the year.
The event on the 29th of November is the perfect race to end a successful 2015 year on. Sunday sees the Individual Sprint competitors event kicking off at 6:50am, with the Sprint Team Relay kicking off at 6:55am. At 7:20am the Ultra ½ iron distance Triathlon starts, taking the swimmers on a 1.9km swim course before they head out on their bikes into the meandering hills of the Midlands. On Saturday and Sunday there will be sporting stands, displays and food and drinks available for the whole family the whole weekend.

Anyone looking for a quality exciting event, should give the Midlands Ultra or Sprint race a go. The Event can be done in Teams and Individually and there is something for everyone. To book you place at one of SA's premier Triathlons, go to www.ultratri.co.za . Entries close on the 4th of November

Event Date: 29th November 2015
Venue: Midmar Dam
Website: www.ultratri.co.za

Saturday :
• Race Registration - 10am to 4pm
• Tri Expo - 10am until 4pm
Sunday Events:
• SPRINT Individuals - 6:50am / 600m swim / 22.5km Cycle / 5km Run
• CORPORATE Team Challenge - 6:55am / 600m swim / 22.5km Cycle / 5km Run
• ULTRA Individuals - 7:20am / 1.9km Swim / 88Km Cycle / 21km Run
• ULTRA Teams: 7:30am / 1.9km Swim / 88Km Cycle / 21km Run
• Tri Expo - 8m until 3pm

News supplied.

FreeMe Wildlife Rehabilitation is a registered NPO and is dedicated to caring for sick, injured or orphaned wildlife in KZN midlands

FreeMe boasts over 1 hectare of indigenous gardens incorporating a wildlife rehabilitation facility, aloe garden and water feature.

You can view and explore these gardens on 28 and 29 November.

FreeMe Wildlife Rehabilitation is situated just outside Howick on the Karkloof Road . As you drive down the main road in Howick, turn right up the road at the Supa Quick ( Karkloof Road ). Travel up this road till you come to the entrance to Umgeni Valley and Amber Valley, turn right as if you were going into Umgeni Valley. At the entrance to Umgeni Valley take the road to the left, go through the Amber Valley boom gate, our premises are about one kilometre up this road.

Contact +27 (0)33 330 3036, +27 (0)83 325 9947or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

Information extracted from www.openmidlandsgardens.co.za.

Howick Hospice is hosting a Car Boot Sale on Saturday 3 October 2015 and you are invited.

Enjoy a morning out browsing the wares to be on sale on the grounds and in the Charity Shop.

Book a spot to sell your goods. Space is limited so book now to avoid disappointment.

Contact Kaylynne at Howick Hospice on +27 (0)33 330 5257 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Don't miss this opportunity to support this worthy cause.

To celebrate Arbor Week all classes at Howick Prep School were involved in planting twenty indigenous trees around the School. Howick Prep School has embarked upon a programme to eradicate all alien trees around the School and replace them with indigenous trees. Thank you to Mr Alex March for sponsoring and supplying the trees to Howick Prep School.

Pictured: Grade 6S planting their tree at the pedestrian entrance to the School.

News supplied by Howick Preparatory School.

We welcomed many visitors to our club on Saturday. What a pleasant sight it was to see our tabs in games spilling over on to the second green.

September events:
Wednesday, 09 September: Tabs In Competition sponsored by Halfway Toyota Howick.
Saturday, 12 September: Tabs In Competition sponsored by The Lawnmower Shop and Giovision with prizes donated by Greendale Spar.

Wednesday, 23 September: Tabs In Competition sponsored by J Leslie Smith and The Health Nut

Saturday, 26 September: Short tabs In game followed by AGM at 15h30. Members are requested to attend.

Regular Tabs In times: Tuesday at 08h45 (dress is casual); Wednesday and Saturday at 13h15 (whites).

Visitors and prospective members are always welcome.

Coaching available. Contact John Withers on 033 239 5376

NB Members please check notice boards for club duties. If you are unable to do your duty, please arrange to swop with another member.

News supplied by Umgeni Waterfall Bowls Club.

The first edition of Howick Covered, an annual business directory with a big heart, launched this year. The successful production of this first edition realised a R10, 000.00 contribution to Howick Hospice. Copies of Howick Covered are available at Fern Hill Hotel, Pet Wise, Greendale Spar, Merrivale Spar, The Cookhouse, Mediclinic Howick, St Ives, Il Postino and at the Howick Hospice shop.

A big thank you goes out to all the advertisers in Howick Covered for making this possible.

Pictured here L -R: Nola Poole, Louise Stobart, Charlotte Woudberg and Sharon Nugent.

Contact: Desiree Hickinbotham
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Phone: +27 (0)72 654 9779

2016 marks the start of a new chapter for Howick and the Midlands as LIFE PREP COLLEGE launches a new campus in Howick. With a proven track record, LIFE PREP COLLEGE focuses on vocational and competencybased training as a private Further Education and Training (FET) College, offering courses accredited by various well-regarded industry bodies and education authorities. 'Our aim as a campus is to reinvigorate artisan training in our local community while building students of character who will make a positive impact in the world. We strive to provide top quality programmes that specialize in both the practical and theoretical elements needed for today's competitive workplace environment. All these programmes are accredited by City & Guilds, a leading international vocational education organisation and work to enhance the core values of the Howick campus – integrity, excellence and innovation. This is an exciting opportunity for students wanting to pursue a practical qualification after Grade 9, and we look forward to adding value to the local community through this initiative,' says Mr. Matt Hogarty, founder of Life Prep College Howick Campus.

In 2016 the College will start off by offering Mechanical Engineering vocational courses rated at NQF 1 and NQF2 level with a focus on exposure to practical skills and knowledge required in industry. This offering will grow to other fields in the future based on demand. Entry requirement is a minimum of a completed grade 9 certificate as well practical examination and student interview. LIFE PREP COLLEGE, Howick Campus will be overseen by an experienced engineer, Mr. Angus Van Niekerk who leaves the corporate world to follow his dream of building into the next generation to see a legacy of ethics and excellence become the foundation of our nation.

We invite all prospective students to contact our Student Advisor on (033) 330 3456 to find out more or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to request application & fee information. Visit www.lifeprepcollege.co.za to find out more about our courses.

News supplied by LifePrep College.

Wattle trees have choked some stretches of the Umgeni, and threaten the demise of a fine trout stream. Wattles contribute tannins, fall into the river, shade the water, and due to the barren nature of the ground beneath them, contribute significantly to siltation. Siltation stops trout from breeding, and wattle trees also suck huge amounts of water from the system, exacerbating low winter flows.

'The Fly-fishing Community are Environmentally Conscious for many reasons. Firstly because it is the environment which attracts us out there, secondly because, naturally, it's the right thing to do and thirdly, without sustainable waters, we won't have sustainable fishing for ourselves and the generations to come. At this stage we have a conservative attendance estimate of a minimum of 40 people.' Said Dave Prentice.

NFFC invite you to join in their efforts which now have the added support of The WWF, read more about WWF participation. 

Take a look at what happens at these clean-up sessions, Andrew Fowler loaded a video  at the beginning of this year and another last month.

Join the Umgeni River clean-up no 3:
On 12th September 2015 members and non-members alike are encouraged to meet us at the Rotunda in Hilton to share lifts or get directions to Brigadoon farm. We will then travel up in convoy and spend the day tackling wattles that line the banks of parts of this important river.

This year we have considerable support from the WWF, prominent local conservationists, and the landowner. We will have contractors working with us and tractors to pull fallen trees from the river. So this one promises to be particularly productive, and we are excited at the prospects of improving even more stretches of river, so that members can return and enjoy the Trout fishing, which was particularly good in the latter part of last summer.

Bring a friend, a saw, some rope, a chainsaw if you can operate it safely, some sandwiches, and plenty to drink.

We plan to split into 2 groups: one to do a thorough job on a short stretch of river, to completely restore it, and another to move upstream at speed cutting the maximum number of smaller stems.

Contact person: Andrew Fowler
Mobile: 082 574 4262
Bus: 033 342 3177
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

News supplied by NFFC.

On Sunday 6th of September local talent and top ten finalist in Idols, ERIN FOURIE, will be performing live at 68 on Main from 1.00pm until 4.00 pm, iced cold beers and cocktails will be on sale. There will be a Wors roll stand and much more. Call 033-3306733 to book your table, bookings are essential.

News supplied by 68 on Main.

In his book, What They Don't Teach You at Harvard Business School, Mark McCormak made an interesting discovery about the 1979 graduating MBA class. Within the group, 3% had written goals, 13% had thought of some goals and the balance were just thrilled to be out of school (I am sure you remember those feelings).

The interesting part was what happened 10 years later.

Here are the results of their successes after a decade:

The group that had non-written goals was making twice more in the field compared with the 84% of those who had no goals when leaving Harvard.

The group with written goals was making 10x more than the other 97% were making, on average.

I think you would agree that the folks at Harvard have a long history of knowing what they are doing. So if the top 3% were able to make 10x the money more than everyone else by simply writing out their goals, why aren't you doing it?

We are already through the hardest part of the 'recession' and yet people and businesses are still worried that our economic situation is dire. Resolutions made back at the beginning of the year, to get in better shape, to be a better golfer, to give more to charity, to be the best parent or spouse or partner that you could be may be starting to fade - if they haven't already. But who says making and keeping resolutions is just for the beginning of a year. Why wait?

Make sure that one of the resolutions you set and keep, right now, is to make a strong plan for yourself and your business; ones with enough detail that you can actually make progress against them on a consistent basis.

Write down all the goals you have for the next year. Then, find someone to share them with and have them check up on you monthly (quarterly at a minimum) to see if you are making progress. Have them hold you accountable with winnings and loosing for completion.

ActionTIP: Make milestones and chip away at each goal a little everyday so the overall picture doesn't seem too overwhelming.

If you do this, then it won't be long before you are making 10x more than your competition.

News supplied by ActionCOACH Business Coaching.

B|BRAUN have a  CAREER OPPORTUNITY in Howick, KZN.

A career opportunity exists for a Unit administrator based at the B Braun Avitum Howick.

Requirements:

Matric
Computer literate
Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint

Salary package in line with qualifications and experience

E-mail CV's to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Closing date: 18 September 2015

Transformation Life Coach and NLP Practioner Colleen Strauss will be presenting an Effective Learning Workshop.

The Workshop is designed to help you discover your positive and negative habits around learning, discover and create your own new powerful emotional learning state and to find the most effective way to learn for you to achieve your desired results.

Learn to achieve your dreams. Book your place now at the Effective Learning Workshop at Escrow Coaching and Healing Centre.

It was the first time that both Oakleigh Funeral Homes and I wanted to do this workshop. It was held on Saturday the 5th of September, at the Oakleigh Funeral Home Chapel. The response was really good, certainly something we would do again as it was a free workshop. We did a one stop shop of information when people die.

Speakers present were: Processing at Oakleigh Funeral Home (Owner of Oakleigh, Dallas Gilbert) to the left, Estate Planning (Janine Player) , Emotional recovery (Cherri Forsyth), Deceased Estates, Legal (Mike Forsyth) to the right

News supplied.

An early and chilly morning greeted runners at the Mandela Capture site just past Howick on Saturday 29August. Participants filtered through registration as the orange moon disappeared from sight and the sunlight started to filter through. The race kicked off at 6:30am with just fewer than 250 participants passing through the start banner. A beautifully cut trail and farm roads awaited them as they explored the majestic surroundings in the various distances that had been marked out.

The 4km trail saw some phenomenal young talent coming through in both the men's (boys) and ladies (girls) categories. Young Luke Newlands (9) showed off his talents as he came in first, followed by Willam Bohnen and Siyabusa Msomi came in third. In the ladies 4km Kim Wiggett topped the podium followed by Dawn Reed and another young talent Palesa Sethlako (7) came in third.

An error in the mapping of the 8km course meant runners got a bit more than they had bargained for in terms of distance, but in in the spirit of Madiba, most runners took the "triumph over adversity" mantra to heart and were understanding. There was some very impressive running done in this race, especially factoring in the few extra km's. In the men's Anele Dlamini flew in to take the top position, followed by Sanele Maphumelo and then Mdu Zondi came in at third. In the ladies race, Alice Findlay took the top spot, with Diana Rietz coming in behind her and Kate Quin taking third position.

The 15km race saw some incredible talent fly through the course in both the men and ladies races. The competition was intense as runners competed for the R10 000 top spot prize. In the men's race, Givemore Mudzinganyama managed to get in just ahead of Edwin Sesipi who had Prodigal Khumalo hot on his heels. In the ladies, Poppy Mlambo managed to pull into the finish just before Andronica Mogotla who was followed by Su Don-Wauchope.

The whole weekend of events is a very special one, celebrating the indominatable spirit and legacy of an incredible man who played such a pivotal role in our country. The trail run saw participants having to dig deep and display some of their own inner Madiba spirit of perseverance and determination.

Up next on the KZNTR calendar is the monthly Giba Night Trail, which will be taking place on the 16th of September at Giba Gorge. More details are available on www.kzntrailrunning.co.za.

Image 3: Mdu Zondi makes his way past some very curious onlookers as the sun rises in the backdrop, photo credit Darren Goddard.

News supplied.

The staff of Howick High were each greeted with a gift of a potted plant for their desk to welcome in the Spring season. We wish all our pupils and their families a happy and prosperous Spring , especially our Matric pupils who begin their trial examinations on 10 September.

News supplied by Howick High School.

Last Wednesday, many bowlers went onto our greens with smiles on their faces, the memories of good words in their minds and stomachs replete with tasty food. Margaret McCullough, an attorney from J Leslie Smith & Co., regaled us with amusing tales of folk who left rather unusual wills. The talk which both delighted and informed us was followed by a delectable finger lunch sponsored by the firm of J Leslie Smith& Co. Attorneys, Conveyancers and Notaries Public.

The Tabs In Competition which followed was sponsored by both J Leslie Smith & Co and The Health Nut. The winners of the prizes donated by the firm of attorneys were Hilary Williams, Dudley Ventress and Mavis Robson. The runners up, Alan Wells, Lionel Keeling and Lyn Ventress won vouchers donated by The Health Nut. Thank you to our sponsors for their generosity.

Our next Tabs In Competition, sponsored by Halfway Toyota Howick, will take place on Wednesday, 09 September. Tabs in by 13h30.

Members please note that orders can now be placed for club shirts. Order forms and details are posted on the club notice board and samples of various sizes are available for fitting.

Please check the club boards for tabs and refreshment duties. An updated Tabs In Duty listed has been displayed.

Visitors are welcome to play in all our competitions and in social games. Tabs-in times: Morning tabs-in are Tuesday at 08h45; (dress is casual); afternoon tabs-in are Wednesday and Saturday at 13h15 .

Coaching available: Contact John Withers on 033 239 5376

News supplied by Umgeni Waterfall Bowling Club.

Love Howick is a Catalyst in bringing people together for transformation and aims to unite our community together for positive change. We invite you to join us for our next Business Breakfast as we seek to empower local business.

Date: Saturday,29 August

Venue: St Ives, R103 KZN Midlands

Time: 9.00am to 11.00am

Cost: R100 for English Breakfast with tea/coffee (payable at the door-cash/card facility)

RSVP 033 330 3456

We are also using this time to launch our new Howick Life Prep College – an accredited FET College with a focus on vocational training.

Hilton Mundell is the Managing Director of a printing company and serves on the leadership team of Hillside Church as well as the governing body of Hillcrest High School. He has a passion to help people understand their purpose and then empower and encourage them to pursue it.

News supplied by Oasis Church.

On Saturday, 22 August, Howick High School held its annual inter-house athletics sports day, one of the highlights of the sporting calendar.

The spirit of the day was fantastic and once again it was a very festive event with admirable participation even from non-athletes. Thank you to all pupils who helped their house by participating and earning points and to the parents who competed in the tug-of-war and relay events.

A total of 15 records were broken this year. The junior champions were Garret Frier (Oatlands) and Jamie Tegg (Oatlands) with the senior champions being Sam Olivier (Shafton) and Nicole de Klerk (Shafton). The spirit cup was awarded to Everdon and the winning house was Oatlands.

News supplied by Howick High School.