As I reflect over the past year, I want to highlight and celebrate our successes. Despite the global economic turmoil, our beautiful country has so much to celebrate. Winning the Rugby World cup highlights that when South Africans work together we can achieve the (seemingly) impossible.

The same holds true for our organisation. Despite numerous NPO’s facing financial difficulty resulting in the downscaling of their services or even closing their doors, we have so much to celebrate this year.

It would not have been possible without the passion, dedication and incredible work ethic of my team who firmly believes that “each patient’s life journey is precious and unique and is deserving of dignity
and respect”

The bar was set high at the beginning of the year, and the team embraced the challenge and exceeded
all expectations! “Sustainability and growth” were the buzzwords this year and I am incredibly proud to report that we have made great strides in both areas.

PMB & District Community Chest provided funding for a much-needed facelift for our charity shop. The “Pre-loved” shop was officially re-opened on the 1st of June, and I am thrilled with it’s success. Income generated from the shop assists us with our core service which is to provide free Palliative care to the Howick community and surrounds.

Our partner in this success is the community who generously donates preloved items for us to sell.

We had a full events calendar this year, and I want to commend Meghan Coslett, our Marketing Coordinator who was appointed in April for her incredible effort, enthusiasm and energy. Meghan replaced Angela Lauer who sadly left us in March due to a change in family circumstances. However, I am very excited to announce that we have not lost Ang entirely and she will be involved in an exciting new Hospice venture in 2020.

We have seen an increase in patient numbers and on average, we provide service to 82 patients and 57 family members every month. Our Social Worker, Thembeka Ntombela who was appointed earlier this year proved an invaluable asset and is one of the key reasons we are able to provide support to more family members this year. Our clinical team have successfully networked with local departments and we are steadily seeing an increase in referrals.

Funding always remains a challenge, but we are grateful for our many different funders, both local and international for their continued support as well as individuals who have shown support through donations and bequests. We are overjoyed to have received four substantial bequests this year which has a significant impact on our sustainability.

News supplied by Howick Hospice.

Load Shedding

Eskom load shedding has become a STARK reality again. Subscribers of Alarm Monitoring and Armed Response services are encountering unavoidable issues related to load shedding. Please note that these issues are industry related and all security service providers are affected.

The sheer volume of alarm calls that arise during and after load shedding keeps our KSS Controllers working tirelessly, because during load shedding alarm activations can increase by up to 1000%. Our Armed Response and back-up units do their utmost to respond to, and check on each alarm activation timeously.

Please be patient, as client safety and security is paramount.

Please do not test your alarm system during load shedding – this will result in KSS having to follow-up with your “false alarm” and may lead to a response delay to an actual emergency.

Changing back-up batteries frequently cannot be over-emphasised. The battery of an alarm is the lifeblood of any security system, that doesn’t have an alternative source of power when the electricity goes off. For more advice contact Sashen on 082 870 0138 or Gary on 082 894 7628.

The impact of Load Shedding on your home and business security

Security alarm systems, access control, electric gates and electric fences are all dependent on electricity. Load shedding can however compromise the life of these security measures. Under normal circumstances, the back-up battery will power these systems for up to eight hours, BUT this time is dependent on a number of factors, such as: how many devices are linked to the battery, the age of the battery and how many load shedding events have happened during the past 24 hours. All these factors can severely affect the life-span of your back-up battery supply.

KSS has taken proactive measure to ensure your safety during load shedding. These are:

1. KSS has increased the number of controllers in the Control Room.

Note: During load shedding the alarm signals received in the Control Room can increase up to 1000%. All security companies experience these massive spikes in signals received – it is an industry related issue caused by load shedding and an excessive amount of low battery signals and mains failure signals being received. It is very demanding on the Controllers.

Note: Panic activations take precedence over any other alarm signals during load shedding.

Request: Please can clients phone in to the Control Room and cancel all confirmed false alarm during load shedding. This will help Controllers clear the “stack”.

Note: Load shedding may affect your gate battery. This makes it very difficult for Response Officers to check on alarms when the gates don’t work due to flat gate batteries.

2. KSS has two back-up generators at the KSS Control Room ensuring that there is NEVER a loss of power.

3. KSS has a number of battery back-up options for KSS clients to ensure that you are better equipped to handle load-shedding. KSS Technicians would need to carry out an assessment to determine which option would be best suited to your security system needs.KSS also offer basic 12volt LED lighting installations as well.

Load shedding Tips:
• A security system back-up battery is critical, as all signals are reliant on a good working battery.
• It is important to check that your alarm is working at least every 3 months and then to have your alarm system fully serviced annually.
• Keep candles and rechargeable lights handy.
• Wire up LED lights to a 12 volt battery with a switch so that when there is load shedding, you can switch on the LED lights in your house. Solar lights are also a suggestion.
• Always have a torch in your car in case you arrive home in the dark.
• Always be cautious at night when approaching your home. Keep your portable panic button on your key ring.

News supplied by Knight Security Solutions.

You have seen the success stories, if you follow the eating plan and you commit to training the results will be guaranteed.

Crossfit is for everyone, young, mature, any fitness level.

We are here to make you stronger, healthier, fitter and looking and feeling amazing.

You deserve it.

Do it for YOU.

News supplied by Crossfit Howick.

We would like to thank many people, those who generously bequest monies to our SPCA, those who assist us financially with our fundraising efforts, people who drop coins in our collection tins and give pet food for our animals, our Management Committee who steer us, people who volunteer their time for our cause, be it with animals or our retail shops, people who donate books and other items to our shops and people who frequent our shops and the list goes on!

THE CENTRE
The Centre at 39 Main Street, Howick grows from strength to strength and is always busy with Gillian Smal welcoming all comers to Eastwood House. We had the Harts day on the 7th September with a few artists having their beautiful art on display. We are considering combining the Harts day next year with our popular Mothers day. Maybe we can add a few craft stalls with next year’s Mothers/Harts day.

THE BOOK SHOP
Quietly working away, day after day, in the Book shop at the Centre and behind the scenes
are Edith, Shirley and Jenny.

COIN COLLECTION
Dave Baxter and Malcolm Ramsay still bring in the tins for counting religiously twice a week.
Another collection facility is in the provision of Fireside collection jars in the homes of many of our members and supporters. These jars are available free of charge at our SPCA retail shops, the kennels and at our SPCA Centre in Main street. You are invited to ask for a jar for your loose change at home. When you return them to the Main Centre, do remember to give your name, phone number and e-mail so that we can thank you.

KENNELS AND CLINIC

Our Inspectorate team comprises Senior Inspector Marian Channon, Field Officers Jabulani Mshengu, Njabulo Hlongwane and Menzi Vilakazi. The Manager Dudu Abraham is also a Senior Inspector and provides guidance and support. Our Kennel/Cattery and Clinic staff is part of the team, as they are responsible for caring for the animals brought in by the Inspectorate. Our mission is the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Maintaining and operating an SPCA shelter is difficult and frustrating at times. We have the critics who rarely understand the nature and purpose of such an operation. They believe that our facility should be a perpetual haven for every cat and dog that comes in. They do not consider the impossibility of maintaining for a period of months, the many animals that will never be provided with a permanent home. They say build more kennels/cattery, increase the size of the property. Yet the cost of enlarging our facilities to maintain the thousands of animals annually is not only impractical, it is also inhuman. These animals are by heritage companion animals and hundreds of animals in close confinement are no one’s companion or best friend.

TIN AND TROLLEY

Our Tin and Trolley drive was a great success!! Our new PR lady and our volunteers stood at the St Johns Pick ‘n Pay’s, Woolworths in Howick and Hilton and Greendale Spar and Hilton Spar. Thank you so much for the generous cash and food donations!!

 HOW YOU CAN HELP:

1. Donations
2. Debit Orders
3. Sponsor a Kennel – R200 pm on debit order
4. ANNUAL LIFE
Junior (18 Years) R30-00
Pensioner (Indiv) R30-00 R300-00
Pensioner (Couple) R50-00 R500-00
Ordinary (Indiv) R60-00 R600-00
Ordinary (Couple) R100-00 R1000-00

THE ULTIMATE LEGACY OF LOVE
Bequests are our lifeline and as we would like to thank bequest donors in advance, we have now formed a Bequest Society. If you have made the uMngeni Howick SPCA a beneficiary or know of anyone who has, please let me know for our data base. By leaving a bequest to the SPCA, you ensure that your caring continues beyond your lifetime.

 Those wishing to make a gift by a will to the charity, should consult their legal advisor as to the correct wording, remembering to stipulate which SPCA branch will be the beneficiary, i.e. uMngeni SPCA.

“Leave us some of your life savings so that we can continue saving lives.”

To all our supporters, donors, sponsors and volunteers, THANK YOU!! Take care on the roads during the December holidays. We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!!

News supplied by uMngeni SPCA.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Full fencing and sturdy driveway gates are a good deterrent. Make sure that your gate motor and battery are also secured. You can also link your gate motor to your house alarm system.

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

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

• Clear signage indicating that you have a security company also helps to discourage criminals.

If you need assistance please contact the KSS offices on 033 3305911 at any time of day or knight. For further security advice you can contact Keshen on 083 393 5265 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. You can also contact Gary on 082 8947 628 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

News supplied by Knight Security Solutions.

Supporting local, ethical, caring companies who are doing things the right way goes beyond the feel good factor. Every rand we spend directly impacts our environment, our economy, and our own health and happiness, ultimately.

Saying no to faceless big corps who are high on spin and promises but low on integrity and therefore cost goes way beyond just getting a cheap deal. While it may seem like a bargain, it’s costing us these things in the end.

Each rand we spend is a vote: for the kind of world we’d like to live in, the kind of world we’d like our children and grandchildren to live in. How are you voting?

At The Hemp People, we support only ethical, eco-responsible companies which is why we’re so in love with Peach & Moon.

They’re a family-run business based in Cape Town. They keep bees and grow organic olives, herbs and essential oils on their farm high in the Winterhoek Mountains of the Western Cape. Their organic CBD oil is imported from Holland and all their products are lab tested.

We’re offering 15% off all Peach & Moon products for the whole of December with code PEACH15.

News supplied by The Hemp People.

Active Fire Services was founded in 2016 as a Fire Equipment Service and Installation division of Global Learning Services, and Pro-Safe Health and Safety Consultants.
Active Fire Services promotes fire safety as a core value and are dedicated to ensuring that your company is safe against the risk of fire and complies with the necessary Regulations as per the relevant SANS Standards.

Fire is the greatest threat to any business and home and therefore fire defence and protection is an essential consideration to ensure complete asset protection.
With an increasing number of industry related fires and the direct impact on business continuity and bottom line, fire risk is a serious factor relating to down-time and loss of productivity. We can assume that our insurance will cover us financially, for loss, due to fire, however the losses are far more entrenched in the form of loss of life, impact on reputation and legal implications.

Active Fire Services is committed to providing you with industry specific, world-class and modern solutions to fire risk management. We insist on quality driven service and live by the ethos of “Service while you Save”.

With over 20 years of industry experience, our SAQCC registered technicians offer friendly, efficient, and professional service and advice to suit your every need within the fire protection sector.

Be it supply, installation, servicing or maintenance, our quality of workmanship is always assured, thereby giving you absolute peace of mind.

We are about RESULTS and SERVICE!

We professionally supply, service, maintain, recharge and install state of the Art firefighting equipment and systems.

Our scope of expertise includes:
· Fire Extinguishers (portable, trolley and ceiling mounted units)
· Fire Hose Reels
· Fire Hydrants
· Fire Boosters
· Fire systems

 News supplied by Active Fire Services.

Join us at Piggly Wiggly for our November and December Christmas programme. 

23 November – The Wykeham Collegiate Wind Ensemble will be performing at 9am
30 November – Drakondale Girls Choir Christmas performance at 9am
1 December – Drakondale Girls Choir Christmas performance at 11:30am
7 December – Father Christmas visit with sweets and a letter writing station between 10am and 12pm

News supplied by Piggly Wiggly-Midlands.

Come join us at the Howick Hospice Christmas Market
Our Preloved Shop will be open, along with stalls.
Best of all, all our Christmas Decor will be on SALE

News supplied by Howick Hospice.

Join the LetUsBuyBeer campaign on their quest to make beer available in grocery stores. In all provinces except Mpumalanga, the provincial liquor act states that only ‘table wine’ may be sold in a grocery store. It’s time for a change.

For more, contact Lucy Corne on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Shawn Duthie on 072 684 8508.

You can hire us for your event. We’ll bring the kegs and our mobile bar and serve your guests. Want to know more? Call 033 2344432 (answering service) or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

News supplied by Lion's River Brewing Company.

The talented resident at Sunfield Home Howick produce many wonderful craft items in their occupational workshops. We have started a Facebook shop section as many friends and family would like to buy items.
We are proud to have our new Facebook shop open - please visit the "SHOP" section to view more items

https://www.facebook.com/SunfieldHomeHowick/

News supplied by Sunfield Home Howick.

We are always touched when young people put charity organisations above their own needs.

Last week we were delighted when this special young lady decided to donate the proceeds from her school market day to Funda Nenja.

Thank you "T" for thinking of Funda Nenja. We appreciate your support.

Pictured above from left to right:Talina Corder and Lisa Button.

News supplied by Funda Nenja.

The UCSI NPC is making its mark. On Thursday 28th of November, a delegation of JB Marks Municipal Officials from Potchefstroom and Ventersdorp (North West Province) come to our uMngeni Municipal area to see the uMngeni Community Safety Initiative (UCSI) NPC and related SNIPR, TrackBox Technologies, SAPS and Law Enforcement entities in action. Local uMngeni Municipal Mayor, Cllr Sokhela and Deputy Mayor, Cllr Buthelezi, along with Jerome Nzimande (Manager of Protection Services) and other Municipal Officials welcomed them to our community.

The UCSI has been identified as a “best practice model” in the fight against crime, and with the support and collaboration of so many private and public entities, it is seeing positive results.

The operations demonstration and training exercise was well attended at Stockowners Business Park and saw over 20 officials and attendees have the opportunity to fly over the uMngeni area and see the network of UCSI established gantries from the air. The attendees included representatives from The uMngeni Municipality, JB Marks Municipality, UCSI Board members, SNIPR, TrackBox SACAN, VCAT, Howick SAPS, Hilton SAPS, Mpophomeni SAPS, uMngeni Traffic Department, Department of Transport, Department of Community Safety and Liaison, Local uMngeni Municipal Councillors, UCSI Donors, Love Howick, CPF Chairman, NHW representatives, Knight Security Solutions, PMB Security, Starlight Helicopters, Hello Marketing and numerous community members.

The operations demonstration was exciting and the training exercise a huge success, with all role-players stepping up to the mark and effecting the “arrest” of the perpetrators who “stole” the SNIPR branded vehicle. To see a bit of the action go to the UCSI Facebook page or click on:
https://www.facebook.com/2254674914795820/videos/979384789100090/UzpfSTE2NTAwMDkwMTUyNjQ4NjY6MjU1Nzg0ODU2MTE0NzU2OQ/

Thank you to Brian Jones (CEO of TrackBox Technologies and VCAT), as well as Grant Hancock and Jeremy Malherbe (CEO’s of SNIPR) and their respective teams for helping make this happen.

Meet the UCSI NPC Board of Directors
The UCSI Board of Directors is made up of 8 community members, all of whom offer their skills and services on a completely voluntary basis. There is a wealth of expertise from all board members who represent the diversity of our local communities. The UCSI has been totally community funded to date and its success is due to our dedicated team and the support of the local community.

The Board of Directors includes:
Chairperson: Themba Ndulini who is a Businessman and owns Changing Tides - Project Management.

Vice Chairperson: Thandeni Zondi who is an Educator at Howick Prep School and Equity Representative for KZN Sport.

Secretary: Debbie Preston who is an Educator, Author and has worked in the security industry for the past 6 years.

Captain PJ Myeni who is a retired Captain in SAPS and a Businessman.

Terence James who is the Business Manager at RJCO.

Whyona Sithapersad who is an Attorney and Director at J Leslie Smith Attorneys.

Krish Ramkuber who is a Financial Accountant for the Gemmill Group.

Kevin Wright who is a Businessman and owns Tayloredwright Advertising.

To become an actively contributing member toward this unique community crime initiative, go to www.ucsi.org.za or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and help us keep the UCSI sustainable.

News supplied by UCSI.

Little Mozambique will be open for Christmas Lunch on 25 December.

Book your table and enjoy a stress free lunch with delicious food.

Little Mozambiue will use their normal menu for Christmas Day and will be open until 4pm.

News supplied by Little Mozambique.

For the month of December only, get 10 % off all chandeliers, pendants, ceiling fans and wall fans.

“FOR YOUR PEACE OF MIND, WE HAVE CCTV AND A SECURITY GUARD”. To avoid the taxi rank, please use Bell Street. Drive past the “Former Shoprite Building”, take the first left, and first left again and you will find us on the complex on the left.

News supplied by Harvard Electrical Wholesalers.

Thank you to the uMngeni Community for investing in the UCSI.

On Thursday 28 November 2019 the UCSI, along with Municipal Officials from uMngeni Municipality and JB Marks Municipality (Potchefstroom – North West), Law Enforcement, SNIPR, TrackBox and affiliated Security Companies will be performing a training exercise and operations demonstration.

This will take place from Stockowners Business Park between 9am – 12pm. The public is welcome to join us.There will be lights and sirens through the Hilton, Merrivale, Howick and surrounding areas, as well as the Starlight VCAT helicopter.
The UCSI has been identified as a “Best Practice Model” and we would like to thank every single person who has been a part of making our communities safer.
Become a contributing member of the UCSI and ensure the sustainability of the project. Go to www.ucsi.org.za or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 News supplied by uMngeni Community Safety Initiative.

Nordic Santa has arrived at The Ugly Duckling 

Available in a variety of Sizes and Colours!

Pop into the The Ugly Duckling and see what other goodies are new instore.

Bespoke and unique furniture, carpets, curios, clothing,jewelry, doorknobs, wall art and a variety of decor items to add to your home.

News supplied by The Ugly Duckling.

I had the privilege of representing the u24 Ultimate Frisbee South African team at the World Championships in Heidelberg, Germany this year. The trip was an amazing experience and I learnt a lot both on and off the playing field.
I had the opportunity to spend a few days with family relatives before the tournament started. I stayed in a small village called Hornbach, about twenty minutes outside of Heidelberg. The family was very accommodating and helpful with immersing me in the rich German culture.

The tournament included 51 teams from 27 different countries from across the globe. It was split into three divisions Men, Women and Mixed of which South Africa participated in the latter. We played a total of eleven games and two warm-up fixtures against Singapore and Czech Republic. Some of my highlights were playing the Irish team, as they were definitely one of the best spirited teams in the tournament and fun to be around. My second is playing the Singapore team as they finished 3rd overall, it was amazing to watch and play against such a strong team. The final highlight was to be able to witness some of the best u24 players in the world play in the finals.

Although we did not finish with the desired result in placement we were awarded the spirit trophy for the Mixed Division. This is given to the team which most embraces the Spirit of the Game. In addition we moved up three places from our original seeded ranking.

Thank you for supporting me throughout this wonderful experience and helping me achieve my dream of competing at this high level. Your support, financially or in other manner, has been highly appreciated. Thank you to all who helped make this happen.

Here are a few links that may be of interest to you.
https://www.facebook.com/SAu24wilddogs - pictures of the action and tales of the team.
World Flying Disc Federation: http://www.wfdf.org/ - more about the sport of Ultimate Frisbee
Opening ceremony video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlMVuwHQ3Qc
Highlights from Day 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBejGGsD3T4)

News provided by Stuart Rencken (Grade 11 at Howick High School.)