In Mpophomeni, nestled amidst the bustling streets, a silent revolution is taking place. It's not in the form of political upheaval or grand gestures, but rather in the sweat and determination of the youth, who find solace, purpose, and opportunity in the realm of sports. From soccer fields to basketball courts, sports are more than just games here; they're pathways to empowerment, education, and a brighter future.

For the youth of Mpophomeni, sports serve as a beacon of hope and opportunity in a landscape often marked by adversity and inequality. In a community where economic opportunities are limited, and social challenges abound, sports provide a refuge — a place where dreams can take flight, and barriers can be broken.

At the forefront of this movement is Mpophomeni Stadium, which was officially opened by Umngeni Municipality Mayor, Chris Papas. The stadium is a vibrant hub of activity and aspiration. Here, young athletes gather to hone their skills, forge friendships, and chart their own paths to success. From early morning training sessions to late-night matches under the floodlights, the stadium pulses with the energy and enthusiasm of the youth on the cusp of greatness.

But sports in Mpophomeni are about more than just athletic prowess; they're about holistic development and empowerment. Through structured coaching, mentorship programs, and academic support initiatives, the stadium nurtures not only the bodies but also the minds and spirits of its young participants.

For Dumisane Dhlomo (21), a talented soccer player with dreams of turning pro, the stadium is a sanctuary — a place where he can escape the hardships of daily life and focus on his passion. "Sports saved me," he says with a grin. "It gave me something to believe in and took me out of a dark place filled with bad influences,” he added.

But it's not just about individual achievement; it's about community engagement and social cohesion. Through inter-school competitions, community tournaments, and outreach programs, sports in Mpophomeni fosters a sense of belonging and unity, transcending barriers of race, class, and background.

For Nokuthula Nzimande (16), a young netball player with aspirations of representing her country one day, the stadium is a symbol of possibility — a reminder that no dream is too big, and no obstacle too daunting. "Sports taught me that anything is possible as long as you’re willing to work hard for it," she says, her eyes sparkling with determination. “I have also made a lot of friends that have eventually become family," Nzimande added.

Indeed, the benefits of sports in Mpophomeni extend far beyond the playing field. They instill values such as teamwork, discipline, and perseverance, preparing youth for the challenges of adulthood and the responsibilities of citizenship. They provide a platform for personal growth and self-discovery, empowering young people to realise their full potential and become leaders in their own right.

But perhaps most importantly, sports in Mpophomeni offers hope — a glimmer of possibility in a world too often defined by limitations and constraints. They remind us that no matter where we come from or what obstacles we face, we all have the power to shape our own destinies and build a better tomorrow.

As the sun sets over Mpophomeni Stadium, casting a golden glow upon the fields of dreams below, let it serve as a reminder of the resilience, determination, and boundless potential of the youth of Mpophomeni. For in their hands lies the future — not just of this community, but of our world. And with sports as their guiding light, they are poised to achieve greatness beyond measure.

Author credit: Nonjabulo Myeni, pictured here RHS.

About the Author:
I'm a passionate journalism student dedicated to using my voice to amplify the stories of often overlooked communities. My work centers on the belief that every story matters, and I strive to bring attention to the unique challenges and triumphs of those who are often unheard. I have a keen interest in the transformative power of arts, culture, and sports, especially for the youth. Through my reporting, I aim to highlight how these elements can inspire, unite, and empower young people, fostering a sense of identity and community.

Last chance to see the amazing Vincent in the midlands! Bookings through Quicket... Don't miss this unique and beautiful musical journey celebrating the life of Vincent van Gogh - Schlesinger Theatre, Michaelhouse

Wishing Ruth a very happy birthday today!

The Amberfield community is incredibly blessed to celebrate with you today!

uMngeni SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) is searching for like-minded humans who care deeply about combatting cases of neglect, abuse and cruelty to all animals furred, four pawed or otherwise.

Specifically, our Management Committee is actively seeking additional volunteers with successful career expertise in a variety of disciplines including Law, Human Resources, Secretarial Administration, Fundraising and Financial Management. And a Chairperson experienced in CEO/ MD leadership. But this is not a forum for empire building, glamour or dictatorship. We work as a team.

The scope? Attendance at a monthly Committee Meeting and constructive input and implementation as required. Plus, a passion for the work the uMngeni SPCA has been doing since 1968.

If you think we’ll be a fit, email your two-page CV to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Even if this isn’t for you, we urgently need help. Like so many NPO’s we need regular support to do our work educating the public in good care practices and ensuring animals throughout our extensive community are treated with kindness and respect. We also continue to “forever home” cats, dogs, horses and farm animals to loving environments. Simply start a stop order (not a debit order) for R100 a month or more.

Link uMngeni SPCA as a monthly beneficiary online or visit your bank.
Account Name: uMngeni SPCA
Bank: Nedbank, Howick
Branch: 198 765
Account No: 1133 791 700
Reference: Your email address.

Please email your name and monthly donation amount to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Your donations are tax deductible; ask us for a section 18a tax certificate.

For help and info call uMngeni SPCA 033 330 4507 during office hours.

Cruise the streets with confidence! At Cooke Fuller, we've got your motor insurance needs covered from start to finish. Whether you're driving a sleek sedan or a rugged SUV, our comprehensive cover ensures you're protected every mile of the way.

Choose from a range of options tailored to fit your needs, including Car Hire, Excess Waiver, and the innovative Inception Value Product that secures your vehicle's retail value throughout the coverage period. Plus, we don't stop at cars – motorcycles, trailers, and caravans can also be covered!

Our experienced team is here to guide you through selecting the perfect form of cover – whether it's Comprehensive, Third Party, Fire and Theft, or Third Party only. Drive with peace of mind knowing Cooke Fuller has your back.

Rev up your insurance coverage today! Contact us to get started.

Call 033 330 3601 or visit 101 Main Street, Howick.

Congratulations on your new sustainable energy installation! You and your home are now proudly semi or even entirely independent of the national power grid.

As truly amazing as this is, you have the option to further optimise your system's performance still. By adding another battery or solar panel/s to your inverter and solar system, you can generate and store significantly more power than you already do, which is never bad to have in the common, infamous event of loadshedding.

Interested? Contact Tammy for a free comparison quote!
Call 073 966 0651
OR
email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Together, we will keep the lights on

We had a very busy weekend in Phoenix doing our monthly steri clinic for #PACT. There was an unfortunate end to the day on Saturday when one of the dogs being transported to us to be sterilsed jumped off the back of the open bakkie she was travelling in. When she got to us we sedated her and only when we got her on the table and took off the material "bandages" the family had put on, could we see the extent of the damage. Unfortunately one of her back legs was badly broken and she had lacerations on both back legs. Dr Lee cleaned up the wounds and then bandaged both legs and splinted the broken one as they were unable to get the dog to the vets for x-rays until Sunday. She also administered antibiotics and pain meds.

We then did the cats on Sunday and I think every female cat in Phoenix was brought through! We sterilised 25 females and 11 males.

We were allowed a lunchbreak where very delicious breyani was shared.

Thank you once again #PACT for making such a difference in Phoenix.

Many South Africans are grappling with Mental Health issues due to the environment we live in. Thirty years later since its inception, the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) is seen as a safe space for South Africans where a caring volunteer telephone counsellor is available to lend a supportive ear 24 hours a day , 7 days a week, 365 days a year offering free crisis intervention, telephone counselling and linking to support and resources nationwide. In review of the calls received in the past three months, SADAG receive an average of 2500 to 3000 calls per a day. Callers share a range of concerns such as Depression, Stress, Suicidal Ideation, Trauma, Anxiety, Relationship Problems, Abuse and Substance Abuse. Our assistance remain free, which is particularly important as many of those that reach out to us find it difficult to receive specialised psychiatric care as they have limited finances or experience difficulty accessing resources.

As we review accessibility, less than 5% of the national health budget is allocated to Mental Health, which falls short to make sufficient available treatment to assist the 1 in 3 people that will experience a Mental Illness at some point in their lifetime. From this, only 1 in 10 people with a Mental Illness has access to treatment, which means that 9 out 10 people with a mental illness do not have access to mental healthcare. Dr Colinda Linda, SADAG Board Chairperson and Specialist Psychologist, highlights, “20 million of the 60 million South Africans struggling with Mental Health issues have little to no access to Mental Healthcare. There is only 1 psychiatrist per 100,000 people and 3 psychologists per 100,000 people. The lack of specialists can be in part due to immigration and in part due to lack of community service posts available. This can be seen amongst GPs as well, another important part of the resources who could be helping patients that are unable to access a psychiatrist. There is an urgent call for help from the South African Mental Health NGO’s, and we implore the government to urgently allocate resources specifically for the mental crisis we are experiencing.

”The latest Annual Mental State of the World Report 2022 from Sapien Labs which was published in March 2023, and part of the Global Mind Project included 407,959 responses from 64 countries in nine languages. The survey measured the mental well-being using a scale on a spectrum from "distressed" to "thriving". In between these two poles were struggling, enduring, managing, and succeeding. The study questionnaire considered five functional dimensions: drive and motivation, mood and outlook, cognition and social self, and the mind-body connection. The researchers also recorded information on demographics, lifestyle factors, traumas, and adversities to evaluate the key drivers of risks. According to this report, South Africa ranks and remains as one of the worst countries regarding Mental Health together with the United Kingdom and Brazil. South Africa thus shows the greatest proportion of respondents who are Distressed or Struggling. The purpose of this report is to provide policymakers a basis for the more effective management of population mental well-being through evidence-based social policy and interventions. In another report by IPSOS that was published in October 2023, it was found that 71% of South Africans participants say stress has impacted their life multiple times in the last year to the point that they could not cope with things, and 50% say they have felt stressed to the point that they could not go to work for a period.

“Obviously there are many reasons why people are stressed or distressed ranging from the political situation, crime, joblessness, to deteriorating financial status, also resulting in a deterioration in social norms and structure, a general negativity and pessimism about the future. The most distressing point for me is that we constantly get these statistics but the government just kind of turns a blind eye to these facts. Less is spent on Mental Health (time, attention, services, funding) than other key illnesses. This in turn places a greater burden on current Mental Healthcare providers who are totally under resourced and unable to cope,” says SADAG Board Member and Specialist Psychiatrist, Dr Frans Korb.

SADAG appeals for Mental Healthcare to be prioritised and for the allocation for more resources towards the sector. We advocate for various tiers to be introduced to the system to bridge the gap such as increased funding to NGOs that already offer support services, the introduction of empowering skilled community care workers with basic counselling skills, increasing community service opportunities for psychology and psychiatry students, and investing in community mental health projects that can help more people on the ground who need it the most. This would lessen the burden on an already heavily under resourced sector. “SADAG has been running the Counselling Container projects for over eleven years, and we have identified that it is cost efficient and an effective method to provide a service that is very helpful to communities that have little to no Mental Healthcare. In addition, it helps lower unemployment as it creates jobs within impoverished communities. However, funding is needed to open more of these centres around the country”, says Fatima Seedat, SADAG Development Manager. There is a great need for civil society to work together with various governmental departments to overcome these issues.

There is no health without Mental Health.

Resources:
Mental state of the world report
Ipsos Mental Health survey

Supplied.

'My name is Jenna Rose Ingram, and I am a fencer from KwaZulu-Natal. I have represented my province and my country multiple times in my young life, mostly in the past 4 years. I have competed in countries like Ghana and Egypt, and all-over South Africa.

I recently received the news that I had qualified for the Fencing Commonwealth Games which take place in New Zealand in June. This is an incredible opportunity as it only happens every 4 years. Countries from all parts of The Commonwealth will be attending this amazing event, and it would be an honour to represent South Africa for this event. I have trained extensively and extremely hard for this opportunity, it would be a dream come true to attend this competition.

I am seeking help with funding to get me to New Zealand as I do not receive any financial assistance at all.' said Jenna.

Kindly connect with May Bokwe on 083 777 3002 to support Jenna's trip.

What a fantastic weekend at UWBC!

On Sunday we hosted our annual all-day competition which was generously sponsored by J Leslie Smith & Company and well supported with 18 teams from different clubs. The competition consisted of 3 sessions with some very interesting scores in each session. There were a couple of runaway games, and also some very close battles between teams, but everyone had an enjoyable day of bowls in the autumn sunshine.

Congratulations to the following teams who won prizes on the day:-

1st Prize: Larry Williams, Rusty Ikin & Graham Dicks
2nd Prize: Errol Agnew, Ian Bevis & Janet Bevis
3rd Prize: John “Horse” Beecham, James Evertse & Wilma Halverson
4th Prize: Colin Burden, Garth Whitehead & Lesley Reiseberg

Session Prize: Gary Baleson, Liza Schraader & Noel Bradley
Session Prize: Shane Lines, Catherine Rennie & Henry Bro
Session Prize: Alan Willey, Sharon Willey & Patrick Carter-Brown

I very big thank you to J Leslie Smith & Co for their wonderful sponsorship, and also to Oakleigh Funeral Home and The Beauty Institute for their kind donations towards the day. Thank you also to Lisa Nagel, our competition secretary for all the hard work she put in to make the day such a success. We’re definitely looking forward to another one next year!

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

Events to keep an eye out for…

Friday, 26 April: 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. Coaching by registered coaches is available.

For more information or enquiries about coaching, contact Sharon on 082 900 5944.

Photo Caption: Winners of the JLS All-Day Competition, Larry Williams, Rusty Ikin & Graham Dicks pictured with Gawie Venter from J Leslie Smith & Company

Let's go Hiking in our Town.

The Howick Hiking Club and Friends of Symmonds Stream are joining forces once again to clear the Symmonds Stream Trail. Alfred Zuma and his team will be employed to do the clearing as he has been involved in clearing this path every year for the past 10 years. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Howick Doctors (Drs Cook, Peiser and partners) for their very generous donation of R500 per month to keep this trail clear. It is a mammoth task as the alien invasive plants are relentless in their efforts to smother the area.

The trail starts at Maggie’s Coffee Shop in Mare Street and follows the stream up to Buchanan Street and then on up the fence line to pop out in Drew Avenue. For those fitter and more adventurous people there is the opportunity to continue along Drew Avenue towards the Currys Post road and up onto Beacon Hill for a beautiful view over Howick.

We would like to invite people to take a walk along the trail to enjoy nature in our town. It is a wonderful trail to take your dogs for a walk but please keep them on leads at all times as there are bushbuck and duiker living in the bushes.

The Howick Hiking Club will be conducting a hike for their members on Sunday 5th May.

For any queries or suggestions please contact Liz Taylor at 082 4935526 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . DUCT Duzi uMngeni Conservation Trust.

Pictured here: Alfred Zuma (left) and Liz Taylor (front) with the clearing team.

‘There has been an amazing response, people are dropping off wool, they are dropping off squares, some are sewing squares together and others are making and dropping off completed blankets. Howick Golf Club generously donated cash which Mushka has used to buy a bolt of polar fleece, Robyn Day is sewing up blankets from this fleece for the Blanket Drive, with the goal being to produce at least 50 blankets. I am in touch with groups from churches, a few of the Ambers and John’s Village, who are knitting and crocheting for us.

Boh, the barista at Piggly Wiggly who made a beautiful blanket, is now teaching two of the other baristas to crochet.

I have heard from Sunfield Home and from Pevensey Place who have advised they are making blankets or squares for this blanket appeal.’ said an optimistic and grateful Gill Pryke, who conceived this project.

A big thank you goes out to Brett Potgieter of Increda-peg ZA! He has jumped in with a donation of pegs, these will ensure that the donated blankets are securely displayed at Piggly Wiggly on the 18th of May 2024.

The Wednesday coffee meetups at Piggly Wiggly continue to draw support, so if you are a wool crafter, and free on a Wednesday, you are welcome to attend with your hook or needles and wool. There is one month to go and still a whole lot of woolly work to be completed!!!

Please direct any questions and offers of assistance to Gill Pryke on 082 254 4798.

Pictured here are some of this week’s Blanket Appeal supporters who met at Piggly Wiggly.

Back L-R: Barbara Robertson, Hilary Kromberg and Anne Harley
Centre: Kerry Scott
Front L-R: Gill Pryke and Jackie Hattingh

The Pavilion Shopping Centre property owner Pareto Limited is proud to announce a ground-breaking partnership with the Department of Home Affairs, bringing essential government services directly to our communities. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in creating customer value through convenience and redefining the standard for customer experience in essential services.

Through an innovative partnership with Pareto, The Pavilion is now the first Super Regional Shopping Centre in Durban to offer integrated government services in a retail environment, strategically enabling The Pavilion to provide a wide range of essential services all under one roof. "By welcoming the Department of Home Affairs into The Pavilion, we are not only enhancing convenience but also transforming errands into enjoyable experiences for every member of the family," said General Manager, Vicky Deppe.

This exciting development follows the recent launch of the new Rooftop Lifestyle and entertainment offering, cementing the strategic evolution of the centre’s customer experience journey, created with the shopper in mind. The Pavilion offers a holistic experience for its patrons. Now, with the addition of government services such as Smart Card ID and Passport applications, they are further enhancing convenience and accessibility for the community.

This partnership underscores Pareto's commitment to serving the community in ways that go beyond traditional boundaries. "We invite the community to embrace this new era of convenience and efficiency," says Group CEO, Mr Malose Kekana. "We encourage customers to experience the seamless blend of essential services and lifestyle at The Pavilion Shopping Centre." Join us as we celebrate this milestone and empower our community with greater convenience and accessibility.

The Home Affairs office will be open from the 22 April 2024 and are situated in the minus 3 parking level, below the escalators near Nu Metro.

Operating hours: Monday to Friday 08h00 – 15h30 Last Wednesday of the month: 09h00 – 15h30

Join us as we celebrate this milestone and empower our community with greater convenience and accessibility.

About The Pavilion Shopping Centre

Apart from being the FIRST Super Regional Shopping Centre, The Pavilion is an iconic family-focused mall that is conveniently located in the warm, welcoming coastal city of Durban. The diverse cultural buy into The Pavilion also makes it one of the more accessible and inviting shopping centres.

The Pavilion’s distinctive domes have become familiar glittering beacons, punctuating the skyline from afar and welcoming shoppers from throughout the area. Influenced by European architectural styles, The Pavilion has distinguished itself as a recognisable landmark since its opening in October 1993. It is one of the most established first-generation shopping centres within the Province.

Affectionately referred to as The Pav by locals, it is advantageously positioned on the N3 National Highway and main public corridor. It is easily accessible to those living around Westville, Pinetown, Durban South, Durban Central, and Durban’s Capital – Pietmaritzburg, with a 30-minute drive from the King Shaka International Airport, making it a convenient key destination.

This multi-level centre boasts an enticing variety of over 240 retail stores, encompassing some of the world’s premium brands, as well as major anchor stores. Gift shopping at The Pav is a true indulgence, right from the finest in jewellery outlets on offer through to a plethora of everyday creature comforts.
Foodies will also find that The Pavilion boasts over 30 restaurants and takeaways to satisfy any craving, all of which are located in a convenient Food Court.

Entertainment needs are catered for by the centre’s Fun Company that offers enjoyable arcade activities for the young and the young at heart. And with 11 Nu Metro Theatres and one immersive and spectacular 4DX cinema, shoppers get the latest offerings on the big screen.

Connect with us on social media for the latest updates. Instagram: @thepavilionsa
TikTok: @ThePavilionSA
Facebook: The Pavilion Shopping Centre

We are very proud to share with you the great news that our Animal Welfare Education Officer, Nomonde Dlungwane,has qualified as an Animal Inspector. Nomonde is a vital team member and is, amongst other duties, responsible for checking on the welfare of the dogs that attend Funda Nenja in their homes. On these visits, she advises dog guardians of their responsibilities and gives guidance when necessary. This qualification will empower her to take legal action against anyone ignoring the advice given and who is in contradiction of the Animal Protection Act of South Africa. This is a significant milestone in the development of Funda Nenja as an initiative, and marks a new chapter in our animal welfare program.

Congratulations Nomonde on a wonderful achievement.

Howick Prep School History

In a few years time Howick Prep School is going to be reaching a big milestone birthday. In preparation for this event we would like to build up a Howick Prep School Archives.

We are looking to gather photos, memories, newspaper cuttings, old school uniforms, books, old school equipment etc.

If you have anything that could assist us or know family of friends who may be able to help in the search for our school archives we would be grateful if you shared this with them.

You can contact the school regarding archives by emailing:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Suprema Quaero

What a great week we had at UWBC last week!

On Wednesday, the 10th of April we held our monthly Halfway Toyota drawn pairs competition. What an interesting result we had with our winning team comprising of two leads! Well done to Barry Fairbrother, who is an experienced player and one of top leads, and his novice partner Pam Radley on a great win. Congrats also goes to the runners up, Ed Sharpe and David Mainprize and the third place team of Ed Speed and Joy Hohls.

Another competition we held last week was our Annual Warwick Wealth drawn trips competition, which was played on Saturday, the 13th of April. With thirty bowlers on the green it was a great afternoon in the sunshine. Thank you to Warwick Wealth for their ongoing support and well done to all the players who entered. The winning teams on the day were:

1st Prize: David Mainprize, Neil Wright & Sindi Hlongwane
2nd Prize: Peter Burton, Koos Marais & Wendy Smith
3rd Prize: Ed Speed, Chantal d’Hotman & Ann Cacho

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

Events to keep an eye out for…

Sunday, 21 April: J Leslie Smith & Co Sponsored Trips all day competition (Book with Lisa on 084 586 6984)
Friday, 26 April: 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. Coaching by registered coaches is available.
For more information or enquiries about coaching, contact Sharon on 082 900 5944.

Photo Caption: Winners of our Annual Warwick Wealth sponsored competition, David Mainprize, Neil Wright & Sindi Hlongwane, pictured with club President Kevin Palmer and Warwick Wealth representative Conrad Clifford.

Grade 8 learner Jason Keough rode in the second KZN Cup Cross Country cycling event at Cascades Bike Park on Sunday 14 April 2024. Jason achieved 1st place overall in his age category and 3rd place overall in the Men’s Category in his event.

Age Quod Agis, Jason!''

More from Howick High School

Final update from Sportweni tour 2024. Our last day of tour was challenging one but a huge learning curve for all players. The spirit and tenacity of our pupils was on show once again. We finished our tour off with a Sunrise Easter beach service. A fitting end to our tour. We are thankful for safe travels and the many blessings from the tour.

Special shout out to Andre Honiball (Pictured below) who was awarded man of the match for two of the three games that the Rugby team played.

Education truly is an adventure.

For further information please visit www.treverton.co.za