Congratulations to Christopher Nel on being selected to play for the Country District's U18 hockey team.

We wish you every success!

Education truly is an adventure.

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

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It seems that the motor vehicle theft criminals are making their way into the uMngeni area. I have received two reports of high-end vehicle attempted thefts yesterday. We were lucky this time, both case the criminals were disturbed, one alarm and one, witnesses arriving in car park.

Please be aware of your vehicle in parking lots and please make sure your anti-theft protection is up to date and active. Do a test on the tracking unit and make sure tracking key fob batteries are working.

Security companies and Law Enforcement members are aware, lets support them in their effort to protect us.

Deon
UCSI Operation 
063 068 9652

**We are moving!!**

As from Monday 1 July our rooms will run out of the #UmngeniSPCA's facility.

A message from Dr Lee. "I have been volunteering at the SPCA 3 days a week for the last few months and it has become quite an ordeal working out of 2 clinics, so the solution is to amalgamate the 2 clinics. Our telephone number will remain the same. Looking forward to seeing you in our new clinic."

We have our 2024 singles champions!

Congratulations to both Koos Marais and Wendy Smith who fought their way to victory on Saturday afternoon to be come this year’s singles champs. Koos went up against Ed Sharpe who is one of our seasoned bowlers. What a game with Koos really pulling out all the punches to win with a very comfortable lead. Wendy was pitted against Sindi Hlongwane in a game that went on for 24 ends. Whilst the first half of the game was neck and neck, Wendy settled in and took the lead, winning by a nice margin. Interestingly, of the 4 finalists, 3 were novices which really brightens the future of our club with some real skills coming up.

On the topic of novices, we wish Kevin Palmer good bowling this weekend at the NIBA Open Singles play offs. He won his section 2 weeks ago in the opening round and we look forward to supporting him in the play offs; we know you’ll make us proud Kevin!

Another competition that took place last week was our quarterly Amberglades Sizzling 60’s Nominated 2 Bowl Trips. This is such a fun competition, with each team having to consist of at least 2 bowlers who are 60 or older. As always, Amberglades provided a lovely tea and great prizes and we thank them for their continued support. Thank you also to the players who entered, and well done to the winning teams:-

Winners: Patrick Carter-Brown, Ed Hohls & Dennis Pitout
Runners Up: Julia Strachan, Ann Marnoch & John Lennard
Plate: Colin Norris, Pat Norris & Arlene Malloy

Wednesday afternoon was our monthly Halfway Toyota drawn trips competition and again, what a lovely afternoon of bowls. Thank you to Halfway Toyota for their sponsorship of cash prizes and congrats to Ed Speed, Chantal D’Hotman & Dave Mainprize on their win. Well done also to Bob Chetty, Mike Cain & Sindi Hlongwane on placing second.

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

Events to keep an eye out for…

Friday, 28 June: 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 Ann on 071 676 5591.

Photo Caption: 2024 Singles Club Champions, Koos Marais & Wendy Smith

FATHERS DAY IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER and we have some gift inspo for you.

Beanies R160.00

Parody T- Shirts - R235.00

Men’s Mohair socks and variety of others - all individually priced. Men’s Leather bracelets - all individually priced.

Visit MUSHKA at Piggly Wiggly, on the R103 for more SA produced gift ideas!!!

We had such an amazing show of community with the Blanket Appeal that we have decided to carry on the drive, and try and get even more warmth to our local community!

If you have those half balls of wool lying around the house, or if you would like to buy a few extra balls next time you are shopping - phase 1 of this drive is wool collection! We have a group of committed ladies who will be knitting up a storm!

Please direct any questions and offers of assistance for Piggly Wiggly Warm Embrace to Gill Pryke on 082 254 4798.

Previous update

Jack Frost has made his grand entrance for the winter and of course he made it over a busy bowls weekend.

On Friday, the 7th of June we hosted a 12th birthday party and despite the ice in the air, everyone had an absolute ball. Then again, kids don’t feel the cold in quite the same way as us “oldies” do. In total we had 18 kids, and 12 adults try their hand at bowls and with so much enthusiasm. Happy Birthday Tia and we hope that this was one of your most exciting birthdays yet!

For anyone looking for something different for a party, team building event or even just a venue for a get together, please contact Wendy on 071 353 2866.

The last league game of this year’s season was played on Saturday, and whilst our ladies had a bye, our men’s team played away against Hilton. What a game to watch with the gents really showing their skills to land a solid victory of 11 and half points out of 12! I big well done to all our league players this year who showed dedication and commitment to UWBC, and gave their absolute best through the whole season.

To end off a busy weekend, four of our players represented UWBC at the NIBA Open Singles on Sunday. All of our players came up against tough competition and all four played their hearts out. Wendy Smith had a great start to both of her games but unfortunately finished down in both as did Neil Wright. Despite the losses they both had some amazing bowls and can be quite proud of their efforts. Lisa Nagel was drawn against 2 district players and boy oh boy did she hold her own! She had very near losses finishing only 2 or 3 shots down in both her games which both stretched beyond 21 ends. Well done Lisa for flying our flag so high. Lastly, a huge congratulations to Kevin Palmer, who came out on top against both of his games, finishing 21-15 in his first and 21-18 in his second game. UWBC is so proud of you and we wish you all the best for the playoffs in two weeks’ time.

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

Events to keep an eye out for…

Wednesday, 12 June: Halfway Toyota Drawn Trips 4-3-2-1. Tabs In 13h15
Tuesday, 18 June: J Leslie Smith & Co Nominated Pairs 2-4-2 (Book with Lisa on 084 586 6984)
Friday, 28 June: 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 Ann on 071 676 5591.

Photo Caption: Fun and games at a 12 year old’s birthday which we hosted last week Friday.

There's nothing more relaxing and luxurious than a day at the Spa and being gifted with a gift voucher or giving one to someone special who needs some time out, is not too shabby either!

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams" - Eleanor Roosevelt. Opening Jewel Day Spa in December 2019 in Howick Main Road, was a dream come true for Leocardia Naidu. She then had 15 years experience in the beauty industry, love and passion for her work plus a vision to open a sanctuary of this nature for a long time. However, 3 months after opening, South Africa went into a period of hard lockdown and for the next year all businesses felt the tremendous impact of COVID 19 on the economy.

Leocardia and Martin Naidu became even more driven and did not give up on the dream and vision of having a family business, and empowering people as well as employees in the process. Today there are two Jewel Day Spa branches - one at Celtiskloof Lifestyle Centre Merrivale, which opened in September 2023 and another at Fernhill Hotel Midmar, which opened in November 2023. This month a third location will be opening at 36 Hilton Avenue in Hilton, sharing a space with Rejuvix hair salon.

Jewel Day Spa caters for people of all walks of life and ages- including seniors, adults, teens and children. The treatment menu is extensive and affordable, making wellness and beauty treatments accessible to all. They strive to provide the best service to each and every individual that walks through their doors...Their recipe is simple but it works - to make guests feel extra special, relaxed and cared for when having time out at Jewel Day Spa and thus already look forward to their next visit.

For the month of June which celebrates Fathers Day, packages are available for all the special dads starting from R299. Please note that anyone can enjoy these offers and gift vouchers can be arranged through the WhatsApp contact number on 062 9396290.

Spoil yourself and your loved ones at Jewel Day Spa... You deserve it!

Author credit: Liza Williams (Pictured here RHS)

Born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa, Liza has a deeply rooted love for all things wellness and her career as a Somatologist has taken her to different parts of the world.

She enjoys connecting with people and her hobbies include travel and tourism, photography, music and aesthetics.

Liza lives with her family in Nottingham Road, Midlands, South Africa.

Photo credits: Leocardia Naidu.

'We are so grateful to our amazing veterinary team for the professional and efficient sterilisation clinics they run for us. Last Saturday, this team, led by Dr Lee Pachonick from Midmar Vet clinic, together with Diana Santoro, and Debbie Cooke, sterilised 17 dogs and 1 cat. A huge thank you to these amazing ladies, as well as our own Nomonde and her team, for helping so many dogs (and cats).' declared Funda Nenja.

Treverton pupils excel at dancing

There have been two dance exam sessions for the Treverton pupils of Joanne Warren Dance Studio so far this year. The first one was in March and the second one was at the beginning of June.

Various AIDT Modern and Tap exams were entered and some excellent results were achieved. Special mention is made of the following pupils:

Subhadra Naidoo: Purple Badge Tap Medal - Test 8 - 80% - Honours. (Top)
Subhadra Naidoo: Advanced Tap Syllabus Test - 80% - Gold. (Top)
Bella Heinecken: Turquoise Badge Modern Medal - Test 5 - 84% - Honours (Below RHS)
Tyro Bezuidenhout: 3rd Grade Tap Syllabus Test - 84% - Gold (Below Centre)
Shecaniah Gultig: 4th Grade Modern Syllabus Test - 82% (Below LHS)

Well done!

Education truly is an adventure.

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

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"Sleep quality is the ability to have refreshing and restorative sleep, which improves our daytime function and overall health,” as stated by Dr. Funke Afolabi-Brown, sleep medicine physician. “Getting the right number of sleep hours is ideal, but having restful sleep is also critical.”

A good quality sleep routine is important for many reasons, including repairing of the body, improved learning and memory, improved creativity, lower stress levels, cognitive enhancement, supporting growth development and to maintain a strong immune system.

Lack of sleep can cause chronic conditions which could reduce life expectancy including increased anxiety, depression or other mental problems like irratibility, mood swings, headaches, weight gain, chronic stress, diabetes and poor vision.

Quantity sleep habits affect people of all age groups and the amount of sleep hours required are as follows:
* Newborns 12 - 18 hours
* Infants 14 - 15 hours
* Toddlers 12 - 14 hours
* Preschoolers 11 - 13 hours
* School children 10 - 11 hours
* Teens 8.5 - 9 hours
* Adults 7 - 9 hours

Melatonin is commonly referred to as the 'sleep hormone'. It is produced by the brain and responsible for the timing of the sleep-wake cycle otherwise known as the circadian rhythm. Melatonin plays an integral role in falling asleep, staying asleep and waking up. Melatonin levels increase in the evening when it gets dark outside. The brain senses darkness, which signals a message to produce more melatonin. Light exposure may slow or stop the production.

Research suggests that prioritising healthy sleep hygiene could improve quality of life indicators such as wellbeing and happiness. Stick to a bedtime routine and develop healthy sleep habits like having a warm bath, meditation and mindfulness, reading to wind down, no electronics an hour before bedtime, making the bedroom a clutter free and relaxing area, exercise regularly, get up and go to bed at the same time everyday and avoid drinking to many fluids before going to sleep.

In South Africa the Winter Solstice is on Thursday 20 June 2024. An early and long night sounds like a wonderful plan to catch up on some well needed shuteye... Happy sleeping!

Shana Sukran from Healthy Times at The Quarry Centre in Hilton shared the following sleep recommendation along with information about two popular products which could support a better night's sleep. Shana reminds us, "Always consult your GP or health adviser before taking new supplements."

Importance of Quality Sleep

Sleep is heavily undervalued in our society, with an estimated third of the world's population experiencing sleep deprivation. This lack of sleep is linked to numerous illnesses and chronic diseases.

Achieving sufficient sleep isn't just about the number of hours you spend asleep, but also the quality of those hours. Consuming alcohol or other unnatural sedatives may help you fall asleep, but they don't contribute to quality sleep. In fact, they can negatively impact natural deep REM sleep, making it difficult to reach deeper sleep levels, preventing your brain and body from fully rejuvenating.

Magnesium Sleep Support by Good Health

Product Overview :

Good Health Magnesium Sleep Support offers an easily absorbable form of magnesium for quick relaxation and sleep aid. It includes California poppy and passionflower, traditional herbal extracts known for alleviating stress and calming the mind to promote a restful night's sleep. Additionally, Ashwagandha, an adaptogenic herb, helps the body manage emotional and physical stress, providing further support for the nervous system and promoting relaxation and sleep.

Recommended For:

Supporting sleep concerns; aiding in both falling and staying asleep, and promoting healthy sleep patterns

Alleviating stress and nervous tension

Calming overactive minds, making it easier to unwind at the end of the day

Reducing worry and restlessness

Suitable for those who cannot use 5HTP due to interactions with prescription medications.

Please consult with your doctor or health care advisor to see if its suitable for you.

Suitable for vegans

Sleepy Caps: Natural Sleep Support

Sleepy Caps are made from the finest natural herbs to promote better sleep. They help you relax and fall into a deeper sleep, leaving you feeling refreshed, energized, and ready to tackle the day ahead.

Ingredients:
- **Valerian Root:** Reduces the time it takes to fall asleep and improves sleep quality and quantity.
- **Hops:** Commonly found in beer but also has sedative effects.
- **Chamomile:** Widely regarded as a mild tranquilizer and sleep inducer.
- **Passionflower:** Boosts the level of GABA in your brain, lowering brain activity to help you relax and sleep better.
- **Wild Oats:** Supports healthy sleep patterns, promotes healthy heart function, and maintains healthy nerves.

Author credit: Liza Williams (Pictured here RHS)

Born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa, Liza has a deeply rooted love for all things wellness and her career as a Somatologist has taken her to different parts of the world.

She enjoys connecting with people and her hobbies include travel and tourism, photography, music and aesthetics.

Liza lives with her family in Nottingham Road, Midlands, South Africa.

The uMngeni SPCA does not give away animals nor do we sell animals – animals are ADOPTED from us.

All animals adopted from the uMngeni SPCA will be sterilised to prevent them from either having (or siring) any unwanted litters; they will be vaccinated to safeguard them from contracting diseases such as distemper or parvovirus; they will be dewormed to assist in the elimination of internal parasites, they may also be dipped to ensure that there are no external parasites; and they will be issued with an identification tag. This is what prospective owners are paying for whenever they adopt an animal from the SPCA. The actual animal is for free!

If you take into consideration that simply to sterilise a dog at your local veterinarian can cost anything between R1,150 and R2,000 and that a vaccination and deworming can cost R350 and upwards it quickly becomes apparent that the adoption fee we charge to adopt an animal, covering all these expenses – and more, is not expensive at all.

Once you have chosen a potential pet you will need to enquire at our reception if the animal is available for adoption.

All kennel cards with an “A” next to the animal’s information is either already adopted or has been applied for and adoption processes, therefore not available for adoption.

You will be required to complete an application to adopt form in person at our office once you have selected an animal that is available for adoption.

With your application you will be required to bring the following:
Proof of residence.
Identity Document, Drivers Licence or Passport.

Please note that you have 1 week (7 days) from the time of your application to submit all requested documentation, failing which the uMngeni SPCA reserves the right to put the animal back up for adoption.

If you live in a complex, a letter from the Body Corporate and/or your landlord (if renting) confirming that you are permitted to adopt and keep the animal or a copy of the Body Corporate rules confirming that residents are permitted to keep animals (more about this here).

We do not book or reserve animals unless the above is handed in. We work on a first come, first serve basis.

When adopting a dog, a meet and greet with your family and current dogs is vitally important. The meet and greet must be conducted before we can do the home inspection. The meet and greet is to ensure that the dog you wish to adopt gets along with your family and current dogs.

!!! Out of Howick and young animal adoption!!!

The adoption process is the same except for adopting animals that are too young to be sterilised before going home (puppies and kittens) as well as that the pre-home and post-home inspections are done by your local SPCA. In accordance with the SPCA rules we must sterilise all the animals prior to rehoming and if they are too young to be sterilised, they will be rehomed under a contractual arrangement for the future sterilisation, however this can only be done for applicants within our operational jurisdiction.

An inspector will be sent to your property to conduct an inspection and offer advice on adopting a pet. The Inspector will take note of the following:
Condition of other pets
Whether adequate shelter is provided
Where the animal will sleep at night
Size of property/height of fence/wall
Ensure that the property is fully enclosed

We customarily do the home inspection within 24 hours of receiving your completed application, however in some instances in may take longer as our main priority is to attend to animal cruelty cases first.

Once your application and home inspection are approved you will be requested to pay the adoption fee in full. You have a further 7 days (1 week) to do this. Once the payment is received the animal will be sterilised, de-wormed, microchipped and vaccinated. You will be contacted to collect your adopted pet the day following the sterilisation.

Our current adoption fee is R500 for cats and R800 for dogs.

Congratulations you are now at the end of the adoption process and the animal can go home after you have completed the Adoption, rabies vaccination and/or sterilisation Contract(s) in person at our office. This is normally done when you collect the animal.

For queries kindly call us on 033 330 4557 or email us on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Shining Light on the Silent Battle - Youth Mental Health

As promoters of diversity and inclusion at Howick High School, our Diversity Committee takes this opportunity to shine a spotlight on the silent struggle that many of our peers face daily. In the corridors of adolescence, among the laughter and cheerfulness, lies a topic often whispered about, yet rarely openly discussed: youth mental health.

In the depths of our minds, battles against anxiety, depression, and self-doubt are fought. Yet, in a society that often prioritizes appearance over reality, these battles are frequently fought alone because of the fear of being called "soft", "weak" or "not strong-enough".

This Youth Day, let's embark on a journey of empathy, sympathy and understanding. Let's break down the barriers of shame and stigma, replacing them with pillars of support and acceptance. For in embracing our struggles, we find strength.

Together, we can rewrite the narrative surrounding youth mental health.

* Written by Head Boy, Sanele Nkuna and the Howick High School Diversity Committee

INSPIRING MEN OF MICHAELHOUSE

Another inspiring young Michaelhouse man, Brunton Bigalke (B Block West) has, over the past year gathered and restored aging sports gear, which has been either gifted to disadvantaged children in the Midlands area schools, or the refurbished equipment has been utilized for coaching.

At this weekend’s Michaelhouse Hilton College derby day, there will be designated areas for donating old sports equipment such as cricket bats and hockey sticks. If you have any old sports equipment in your store rooms, please consider donating to this worthy cause.

In a fascinating lineup of documentaries from around the globe, this year’s Encounters South African International Documentary Festival offers over 45 films that promise to captivate and delight a myriad of interests and tastes at venues in Cape Town and Johannesburg.

Dates for festival: 20 - 30 June 2024 

Music, its magic and the mystery, the lives of the people who create it or surround it, and the impact it has on society always pops up as intriguing subject matter for documentaries – whether it be rock, jazz, or indigenous vibes.

Take the captivating and deliciously surprising Catching Fire: The Story of Anita Pallenberg (USA) directed by Alexis Bloom and Svetlana Zill, a film which will have audiences mesmerized. This is an intimate and extraordinary documentary about the life of maverick and legendary actress, model, and artist Anita Pallenberg. Produced by Marlon Richards, her son with Rolling Stones’ Keith Richards, the film is based on an unpublished memoir found after her death and is a portal into a world of a creative force well ahead of her time. Using 8mm home movie footage as well as a string of fascinating interviews including Marlon, his sister Angela Richards, their father Keith, and supermodel Kate Moss whom Anita mentored.

Then Playing the Changes - Tracking Darius Brubeck (Netherlands/Poland/South Africa/United Kingdom) directed by Michiel Ten Kleij is a soulful lick of history, backed by the soundtrack of Darius’s father Dave’s nostalgic classics, making for a vibrant testament to the unifying potency of music. “Jazz, just by its nature, is subversive”. This quote from jazz pianist Darius Brubeck encapsulates his legacy and that of his famous father Dave Brubeck with his typical modesty; without admitting that they too are subversive by nature. Both Brubecks pioneered socio-political change through their music. With his wife Cathy, Darius, this understated mentor, fledged South Africa’s budding jazz scene at the Moon Hotel in Durban, created the first formalised jazz degree in the country and empowered black students musically against the government’s wishes.

On a more traditional note Ballaké Sissoko, Kora Tales (France/Mali/Senegal ) directed by Lucy Durán and Laurent Benhamou tells the definitive story of the mythic West African harp, with one of its modern masters, Ballaké Sissoko, as our guide The kora is so integral to the culture of West Africa that the top players are akin to royalty. Over the past 50 years, the 21-stringed instrument has transcended its West African origins, becoming a truly global sound, with artists as diverse as Herbie Hancock, Bjork, and Damon Albarn among its devotees. Driven by the resonant rhythms of its two central subjects, this enchanting documentary is based on nearly half a century of research by co-director Lucy Durán.

Two films about mental health and in particular Black people’s mental health, asking pertinent and interesting questions promise to make for some intriguing discussions:
Black People Don't Get Depressed (South Africa/Canada/Zambia) directed by Sara Chitambo-Hatira is an engaging documentary about depression that is often unacknowledged in indigenous Southern African cultures and written off as something that is “for white people”. The filmmaker, despairing for her mental peace, embarks on the journey of facing her depression and speaks to other African people about their experiences of mental illness. This is a timely and vital film for South Africa, where issues around mental health cut across all layers of society.

The Friendship Bench (SA) directed by Rea Moeti-Vogt is a sensitive documentary that dives into the origin of a grassroots mental health organisation in Zimbabwe called ‘The Friendship Bench’ led by determined psychiatrist Dixon Chibanda. Through raw and powerful interviews, it delves into local struggles and cultural perceptions of mental health, highlighting the organisation's role in providing non-judgmental support and destigmatising mental health issues in rural communities.

As always, the environment and man’s impact on it takes centre stage with several films focussed on an orphaned baby elephant, seabirds, tiny American hummingbirds and citizens fighting against environmental destruction:
On a magnificent white rock, desolate yet teeming with life, Yves, an isolated conservationist battles seals and inner demons in equal measure, as his lone mission for ecological balance brings him to the brink of madness. The “white gold rush” for guano in the 19th century had almost driven the Namibian seabird colonies of Mercury Island to extinction by 1990, when Yves, a passionate maverick nature conservationist, became the island’s only inhabitant, taking on the Sisyphean task of protecting tens of thousands of birds from tens of thousands of seals. In My Mercury co-director Joëlle Chesselet with Pippa Ehrlich uses her brother Yves’ diaries and footage from his handheld camera to share the unique, primal story of his years alone.

Although the film doesn’t shy away from the devastating effect humans have had on wildlife, there’s a refreshing absence of environmental agenda – if anything, it is optimistic about the impact that one committed person can have to preserve the diversity of our world.

Nick Chevallier, Leigh Wood and Guido Zanghi’s Wild Coast Warriors (South Africa - Top image) explores the fight against the establishment of oil exploration operations by the Shell corporation in the Wild Coast in an effort to prevent the irreversible destruction of the environment and surrounding communities. The film goes beyond the surface of the legal case, exploring the interconnected rights of indigenous communities, customary law, and conservation in the face of foreign interests, corruption, and exploitation.

Diary of an Elephant Orphan (SA - Image below) directed by Hermien Roelvert-Van takes the audience through the struggles and turmoils of orphaned baby elephants and the people who have made it their life’s mission to save them. The film follows Khanyisa, a baby elephant newly orphaned, on her journey in becoming strong enough to join a herd of her own.

Sally Aitken’s gorgeous Every Little Thing (USA) is described as a “documentary about hummingbirds you never knew you needed to watch!” In the hills of Hollywood, Terry Masear cares for wounded hummingbirds, her life transformed by the fragility and resilience of the tiny creatures. Masear wrote a book about working with the world's smallest birds, which led to filmmaker Sally Aitken following her over a busy caretaking season in Los Angeles. Exquisitely photographed and phenomenally heartwarming, watching Masear take care of the birds is so therapeutic that it is easy to see how her relationship with the winged wonders changed her life.

Cinemas that will screen the 2024 Encounters’ line-up:
In Cape Town - Ster-Kinekor V&A Waterfront, The Labia Theatre
In Johannesburg - The Zone @ Rosebank, The Bioscope Independent Cinema

For more information go to: https://encounters.co.za/
Ticket booking links can be found here: https://linktr.ee/encountersdoc

Encounters is Supported and Funded by:
The City of Cape Town, Bertha Foundation, National Film and Video Foundation of South Africa, Al Jazeera Documentary, Institute Francais, Refinery, Goethe-Institut of South Africa, Mail & Guardian, Heineken Beverages, Rough Cut Lab Africa, DOK.fest Munich, Ladima Foundation, anima, Pressure Cooker Studio, Heinrich Böll Stiftung, Known Associates, German Films, Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands, SS NL, Cinema Solidarity, Documentary Filmmakers Association, Kamva Collective, The Video Store Podcast, the University of Cape Town and the Centre for Film and Media Studies, Mail and Guardian (Media Partner), UWC The Centre for Humanities Research, Climate Story Lab Southern Africa.

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Stay Fire Safe, not fire sorry with Active Fire Services - KZN!

We can assist you by performing these Fire Risk Assessments, as well as service your fire safety equipment.

Let's have a chat... 086 999 0843 I 081 304 5501 I 084 588 1250 OR email us on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

It is a delightful convenience to have a Bargain Basket in Howick!

For many year's this store has been a go-to stop for party, plastic, gift, stationery and hobby items but all the way down in Pietermaritzburg.

The Howick staff are friendly and cheerful and the shop, while not as big as the one in Pietermaritzburg is well stocked. You will find a decent habedashery department adjacent to a pet, garden and braai section - think Father's Day!!!

PLUS the expected selection of supplies ranging from sweets to kitchen goodies and stationery and more. 

It is worth taking a little introductory tour, so that you know what you can expect to find there.

Top tip; there are at least a dozen parking bays at the back on two separate tiers, serviced by a convenient in and out drive through. Make use of the customer parking to avoid the dusty road out front. 

Pictured here: Manager Kharishma Gobind and shop assistant Lungi Ngubane.

Knight Security Solutions (KSS) proudly commemorates its 35th anniversary, marking a remarkable journey of commitment, innovation, and unwavering dedication to safeguarding the KZN Midlands community.

Established in 1989 as Denwatt Electronics, Knight Security Solutions (KSS) emerged from humble beginnings as a two-way radio company founded by Mike Denning and Terry Wattrus. Recognizing the growing need for alarm systems, Gary Preston, a young radio technician at the time, installed the very first alarm system in Howick. Denwatt transitioned into Knight Alarms and eventually in 2014 became Knight Security Solutions (KSS) under the visionary leadership of Gary.

Gary, the driving force behind KSS, epitomizes dedication and perseverance. From his early days as a jack of all trades, tirelessly installing alarms, working control room shifts and coordinating technical jobs, to establishing Knight Force Armed Response in 1998 to ensure timely armed response to alarm activations, Gary's commitment to client satisfaction has remained unwavering.

Despite facing challenges, including relinquishing ownership of Knight Alarms to Mr Low for a period, Gary's resilience and determination prevailed. His steadfast leadership and relentless pursuit of excellence led to the establishment of the Knight Force Guarding Division in 2008, further expanding KSS's services to many guarding sites in the KZN Midlands.

In 2014, Gary seized the opportunity to buy Knight Alarms and unite Knight Alarms with Knight Force, forming the now renowned brand, Knight Security Solutions (KSS). This pivotal moment marked a new chapter in KSS's journey towards becoming a household name in security solutions.

Central to KSS's success is its dedicated team, including long-serving individuals like Renee Lanzoni (22 years), Sashen Reddy (21 years), Elaine O'Farrell (19 years), Abraham Mpanza (17 years), and Isaiah Mbanjwa (17 years), whose unwavering support has been instrumental in realizing Gary's vision. Their collective expertise and commitment embody the spirit of KSS, ensuring the highest standards of service delivery.

Gary's passion for dogs catalyzed the establishment of the KSS K9 division in 2014, underscoring his innovative approach to the security industry. His hands-on experience, coupled with a deep understanding of the local community, has positioned KSS as a security provider of excellence in the industry.

Reflecting on 35 years of success, Gary expresses gratitude to the Midlands community for their unwavering support. "Saving and protecting lives – when you get it right, there is nothing more rewarding," says Gary, highlighting KSS's enduring commitment to its core mission.

As Knight Security Solutions celebrates its 35th anniversary, the journey continues with a renewed commitment to excellence, innovation, and community service. With Gary at the helm, KSS remains dedicated to safeguarding lives and property, ensuring a safer and more secure future for all.