Criminals are quickly in and out of un-alarmed and alarmed premises by breaking windows and doors. External beams can allow for early warning of criminals on your premises. Contact KSS on 033 330 5911 for advice on external beams, lighting and CCTV cameras.

Copper pipes and vehicles are also targeted items.Please also don’t confront criminals.

Activate your alarm or call the KSS Control Room on 033 330 5911 for assistance.

SAFETY TIPS – Keeping your vehicle safe.

1. Lock Up
Always lock your doors when driving and keep valuables out of sight. If your window must be open, make sure it isn’t wide enough for a hand to fit through. Also make sure that all your windows are open the same distance. This will prevent your window from being smashed.

2. Space Out
Make sure there is enough space between your car and the car in front of you at a traffic light or stop street. You need to be able to see the rear tyres of the car in front of you to have enough space to drive off if necessary.

3. Be Vigilant
Be aware of loiterers or anyone approaching your car at a traffic light, stop street or in your driveway. If you feel unsafe, drive away. Don’t loiter in the carpark when you have finished your shopping or when you arrive in the carpark. Criminals are alert, you must be more alert than them.

4. Park Safe
Always park your vehicle in a secure spot – parking garages or areas with a closed-circuit camera (CCTV) – and never leave any valuables in the car.

5. Avoid the jam
Car jamming is a real thing. Make sure your car is locked when you have parked it by testing your doors. Car thieves can jam your alarm system and disappear with your car within minutes.

6. Track your car

Yes, it’s not a guarantee, but a car tracking unit greatly improves your chances of recovering your vehicle, if it does get stolen.

Courtesy of the: KZN TRAFFIC GUY (2021/04 /10)

More about Knight Security Solutions, in Howick, KZN.

The Wattled cranes are slowly coming back to roost at the hide - so far we have 2 that have been coming in for the last 5 days to roost and approximately 12 others that are foraging in the pastures around the dam but still roosting elsewhere. With us having had so much rain, there are many 'pop-up' dams and ponds where the cranes are roosting, as soon as these dry up they will come back to the hide.

These four Wattled cranes flew over the hide to roost at an unknown destination. Isn't this a beautiful sight.

Photo credit: Jacquie van der Westhuizen.

More about Karkloof Conservation Centre.

A nail-biting story of courage, bravery, rebellion and war from the master of adventure fiction...

The war is over, Hitler is dead – and yet his evil legacy lives on. Saffron Courtney and her beloved husband Gerhard only just survived the brutal conflict, but Gerhard’s Nazi brother, Konrad, is still free and determined to regain power. As a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse develops, a plot against the couple begins to stir. One that will have ramifications throughout Europe . . .

Further afield in Kenya, the last outcrop of the Colonial Empire is feeling the stirrings of rebellion. As the situation becomes violent, and the Courtney family home is under threat, Leon Courtney finds himself caught between two powerful sides – and a battle for the freedom of a country.

Wilbur Smith's Legacy of War is available at Nuts About Books & Toys in Howick, KZN.

One interesting fact about me that most people don't know...

I grew up in Pietermaritzburg after moving here at age 4 from the windy city of Port Elizabeth. My mom is still living in the home my parents bought when we moved here, so she’s seen an entire suburb develop around her over time.

I have a love of dance, which started early and throughout my schooling I danced most afternoons, both ballet and modern. After matriculating, I went on to study dance further and qualified as a teacher of both ballet and modern dance, I ran my own studio in Pietermaritzburg for a few years before moving away due to my husbands career.

We have also recently welcomed our baby boy, so life has become a lot busier and a lot more interesting…

More about Pam Golding Properties.

Infinity HR Consulting is an HR and Labour Law Consulting firm in Pietermaritzburg, born out of the desire to assist businesses owners manage their staff effectively.

When starting a business, business owners are equipped with skills to fulfil their core function and dreams of making bags full of money…put and employee in the mix, and things can get rather costly very quickly. Business owners tend to navigate the unknown territory in terms of interpersonal issues with employees, poor work performance, workplace discipline, and legal compliance. Sometimes tough decisions need to be made and often these are either clouded with emotion or lack of knowledge in terms of legal requirements about the situation at hand. HR and Labour Consultants provide objectivity to assist employers to take a step back from the emotion, contextualise a decision in terms of legal repercussions and make recommendations regarding the appropriate processes to follow to limit risk to a business. Infinity HR Consulting offers tailor made solutions to businesses to deal with their unique staff management needs from both an interpersonal and legal perspective.

Sindy Marais the owner of Infinity HR Consulting says “My passion is meeting business owners and developing lasting relationships with clients, who know that I am only a call away to assist when things get difficult. I believe in simplifying difficult concepts into practical interventions and empowering my clients to implement and sustain effective and legally compliant employment practices.”

More about Infinity HR Consulting.

On Saturday we led a hike up through Mbona Private nature reserve. The morning started off at 6.15am and coincided with the most amazing sun rise. The hike through Mbona was just breathtaking, up through the forest, which was beautiful after all the rain we had and on to the grasslands. Spending time amongst the giant Yellowwood trees was very special, one can only imagine how old they are.

Thank you to Mbona Private Nature Reserve for allowing us to host this hike and to Jessica and Carol Owen for leading it.

News from Karkloof Conservancy.

Win a Trip To AFRICAMPS Plus a Piggly Hamper! Spend more then R250 in any Piggly shops, share, tag & comment on Facebook! Golden Egg Hunt for the kiddies & win prizes from the lucky dip outside Wedgewood. Live Music & lots more!

News supplied by Piggly Wiggly.

These are some of the animals which have been hand raised, and kept wild, currently in care at our centre.

FreeMe Wildlife have specially designed enclosures and techniques which enable us to hand raise these animals without habituation to humans. We never "pet" or tame any animals undergoing rehabilitation. There is never any reason to do so. 

We love what we do, and how we do it.

Why not join our Custodianship Program to show your support for the work we do? Anyone from kids to big businesses can join:
http://www.freemekzn.co.za/become-a-custodian/

Otherwise, if a particular story has touched your heart, and you would like to donate directly to our animal care and vet bills, you are welcome to donate directly through these channels:

FreeMe Wildlife
First National Bank
Branch code: 220 725
Account number: 6214 1246 068

PAYPAL ACCOUNT:
http://paypal.me/FreeMeWildlife

SWIFT CODE FOR INTERNATIONAL TRANSFERS:
FIRNZAJJ

Contact number: 033 330 3036

More about FreeMe Wildlife

The virtual aQuellé Midmar Mile came to an end over the weekend and while there have been numerous challenges, organisers have hailed the success of the event.

Elite women’s and men’s races were held on 7 March, with Olympian Michelle Weber and defending champion Michael McGlynn emerging as the winners before the intrepid swimmers completing the 8 and 16 mile events took to the water on 11 and 12 March, raising over R1 million for various charities.

But for the rest of the country’s swimmers, the event was a virtual one with competitors able to complete their miles at various venues across the world.

One of them was Gail Bristow, who has been at every aQuellé Midmar Mile since 1974. Determined to complete her mile as planned, she wouldn’t be kept away from the famous KZN dam and headed to Midmar for her virtual swim.

“I was always going to make the trip so when the swim changed to a virtual mile I decided to travel up from Cape Town anyway. It wouldn't be quite the same swimming in a pool,” explained Bristow, who competed in the inaugural event 47 years ago but was not awarded a medal as women were initially not officially allowed to swim.

“There are a lot of factors involved in getting up to Midmar each year so I am very grateful that I was able to make the trip and everything went smoothly. This year more than most.”

Speaking about the challenges involved in preparing for the 2021 event, the retired teacher explained: “Training was very difficult as in Cape Town we have very few outdoor pools and the indoor pools were all closed until just a few weeks ago. So I only started doing some distance swimming very recently.”

Bristow has swum the world’s largest open water swimming event is many different conditions over the years, but none could quite compare with this year’s version.

“It was a very different experience without spectators and the huge numbers. The organisers did an incredible job of keeping everything Covid compliant and safe for anyone who took part. I did miss seeing everyone at the start line but hopefully that can return next year,” she said.

“I had a really relaxed swim even though mostly on my own. Usually there are swimmers around me to follow or swim alongside. This year it was a solo swim. Conditions were a bit choppy for part of the way but it was a comfortable swim.”

As for what brings her back every year, Bristow added: “Midmar Mile is the biggest open water event in the world so it is very special. I've been swimming it since I was 14 when it first started so it will always be a special swim on the calendar.

“[Race Director] Wayne Riddin and his team organise an incredible event and for all their hard work I thank them. I will be back next year with hopefully the full event back on track.”

Meanwhile, Riddin thanked all those who took part in the event in whatever form that took. “This year has thrown all sorts of challenges our way but we’re just happy that so many people could complete their miles and earn their medals as planned.

“Our thanks go to them and all our wonderful sponsors for their understanding and patience at this tough time and we look forward to returning the aQuellé Midmar Mile to all its glory with a full event planned for 2022 as we lead up to the 50th anniversary in 2023,” he said.

 Photo credit for 2020 image above: Action Photo SA

News supplied.

Howick High School were pleased to welcome and host Maritzburg College for cricket matches one afternoon during the past week. This match saw Alexandra Candler take on captaincy, Alex is the first girl in Howick High School's history to captain the 1st Cricket team. Congratulation to this pioneering young woman.

More about Howick High School.

Howick High School will be presenting a night of poetry, movement and dance called ‘In the Shadow of Life’. The production covers a journey through life, from birth to death in the words of the poets Maya Angelou, John Donne, Langston Hughes, Gerard Manley Hopkins, Gcina Mhlophe and many more.

The events take place on Wednesday 21st April and Thursday 22nd April 2021 starting at 18h30 in the School Hall. Tickets are R15 each and can be purchased, in cash, at the door. Seats are limited due to COVID-19 regulations. All guests are required to wear a mask.

More about Howick High School.

We pride ourselves on being a very proactive & highly motivated branch of the SPCA. The uMngeni SPCA has been tackling the problems of neglect, abuse and cruelty to animals in the greater Howick Districts since its formation in 1968.

Our area of jurisdiction falls within the uMngeni Municipal boundries (with the exception of Otto's Bluff which comes under the Pietermaritzburg SPCA and Nottingham Road which falls under Mooi River SPCA. Our area therefore includes Howick, Hilton, Cedara, Mpophomeni, Haza, Impendle, Dargle, Lidgetton, Balgowan, Karkloof and everything in between.

More about uMngeni SPCA.

Easter is a time of reflection, faith, togetherness and family. It is also a time of rebirth and new beginnings, as represented by the Easter Bunny. Rabbits usually give birth to a big litter of babies, this became a symbol of new life.

As we begin the Easter celebrations, we are thankful for having time with our loved ones and look forward to new beginnings and living in a country which is full of new life and hope.

We would like to wish all our clients, carers and their families a very happy, blessed Easter and assure you of our continued commitment to provide quality care.

More about CG Carers, whose aim is to provide an affordable, desirable and safe alternative to living in a care home or moving in with family.

Market your local business with our local business, in Edition 7 of our full colour A5 print business directory with excellent retention value; Howick Covered.

If you only do one single print advert a year - this is it! AND it is digital too. Book before 16 April 2021.

BOOK here or call 072 654 9779 with your questions.

'We finally have our after-school youth development back up and running. There are many reasons why this programme is so important, but one really awesome reason is that we get to support amazing young ladies such as these.

They have all just started high school and would miss many days of school if we did not provide them with sanitary pads each month. We also assisted them with purchasing their uniform and will always supply them with underwear and anything a young woman needs at this age. We would really love to continue supplying them with pads each month to ensure they keep attending school and are practicing good hygiene. Please please consider donating towards this or even better dropping off/get delivered pads to our Centre (38 Morling Street, Howick, 3290). We will never have enough as this is such a huge need in this community. With no running water in their homes, you can imagine how difficult it must be.

For more information or if you would like to help, please email Georgie at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Stay blessed, healthy and have a wonderful rest of the week. Thank you all for your continued kindness and help.'shared Angel's Care Centre.

Six rapidly growing Egyptian goslings have enlivened Laggan Waters, Amberglen Retirement Village, during March. They have evaded the predators that often take them when newly hatched. Egyptian geese are endemic to Africa, south of the Sahara Desert and the River Nile where they were considered sacred by the Ancient Egyptians. The adult birds pair for life and, once the goslings are hatched they are cared for by both parents.

Photos credit: Brian Wakeford

The SA Government confirmed in December 2020 that, in line with enforcement of the POPI and PAIA Legislation from 1 July 2021, every person who carries on a business, profession, or trade, whether as a sole proprietor, partnership, company, trust, or otherwise must prepare and lodge a so-called “PAIA manual” by no later than 30 June 2021, earlier for certain bodies.

This applies to every business, big or small. There are thousands of businesses that still need to prepare or submit their manuals or update old manuals and time is running out.

A head of a private body who willfully or in a grossly negligent manner fails to timeously prepare and submit a PAIA manual commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine, or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years.

Don’t worry, we can help you prepare your Information Manual and lodge it for you.

A. WHAT IS AN INFORMATION MANUAL?

Our Information Manual is essentially a combination of:

(i) the so-called “PAIA Manual” * that all businesses must prepare and submit; and

(ii) the disclosures** that every person collecting personal information must make before collecting that personal information.

Notes:
* as required by section 51 of the Promotion of Access to Information Act, No. 2 of 2000 (“PAI Act”);
** as required by section 18 of the Protection of Personal Information Act, No. 4 of 2013 (“POPI Act

B. WHO NEEDS O N E?

All Private Bodies, whether sole proprietors, partnerships, companies, trusts, or otherwise, who conduct any business profession or trade as well as anyone who collects any personal information relating to individuals, companies, or otherwise. We have created an easy-to-follow decision tree on the following page to assist you.

C. BY WHEN?

By 30 June 2021, possibly earlier depending on the category of Private Bodies that you fit into, being:

(i) sole proprietors, partnerships, trusts, and small private companies***, (“group A”); or

(ii) large private companies**** and public companies (“group B”).

Notes
**** Group B is currently required to lodge their Information Manuals.
*** Group A has been given until 30 June 2021 to lodge their Information Manuals. The criterion distinguishing small and large companies can be found in Government Gazette Notice No. 44003.

I DON’T RUN A BUSINESS BUT I DO COLLECT PERSONAL INFORMATION

Before collecting any personal information, you need to make certain disclosures to the person from whom you are collecting the information.

Contact us for assistance with an appropriately drafted disclosure manual, including a privacy policy.


WE ARE HERE TO ASSIST

Should you need assistance preparing or lodging your Information Manual, please contact us, we are here to help.


News supplied by Dave Prentice and Associates.

Join us for an evening of camp fire stories as told by Rob Caskie.

Campfires are always associated with storytelling, especially in Africa.

In the tradition of raconteurs of old, Rob loves the freedom to ease from one story to another in this format. Be it Charles Guy Gordon besieged by the mighty Mahdi in Khartoum, or brave Black South Africans going down in the English Channel with SS Mendi.

What about young George Buntting being accompanied by a Zulu chaperone for a 120 mile horse ride to catch the train to school, being told stories about the Anglo-Zulu War and becoming perhaps the greatest White authority on that war.

Many young South Africans grow up with the story of Harry Wolhuter’s famous escape from the jaws of a lion by stabbing it to death with a knife.

Deep within us all lies an innate desire to be carried along by a story developed within the theatres of our imaginations. This continent provides a canvas for the richest of stories, well worth sharing.

Book here.

News supplied.

Kindly note that this professionally hosted Zoom event coming up on Wednesday evening, 17 March 2021 is priced by screen, as a fundraiser for a Cape-based family suffering the ravages of the pandemic.