Summer is here, warm long days, afternoon thunderstorms to quench the parched soils winter has left us and the smell of freshly cut grass triggers your memory of years gone by.
It is also what triggers the snake season which means that human/ snake encounters will be on the increase and members of the public are asked not to kill snakes but rather contact me to safely remove it. As it begins to heat up snakes come out of hibernation, taking advantage of the warmer weather they will be actively searching for prey items. It is also the beginning of the mating season for some species so it's not uncommon to find two or more snakes in the same area looking for a mate. The female releases a pheromone, leaving a scent trail which will attract the attention of at least one or many males looking to mate with her.
If you encounter a snake:
Don't panic.
Don't try to pick it up.
Don't try to kill the snake.
Do keep all pets and children safe from the snake's location in the home.
And probably the most important is to keep an eye on it until help arrives.
In the event of a snake bite:
DO NOT cut the bite site and try to suck out the venom. It does not work and you may end up making things worse for the patient.
DO NOT apply a tourniquet.
DO NOT inject antivenom yourself as the patient may have an allergic reaction to the antivenom. If required, antivenom must be administered by a doctor in a hospital as large quantities may be needed and should the patient go into anaphylactic shock, it can be treated promptly.
DO keep the patient calm. The faster the heartbeat, the faster the venom is spread.
DO take off any jewellery, wristwatch, tight clothing, shoes, or anything that may restrict blood flow if the patient is bitten on the arm, hand, lower leg, or foot.
DO contact the hospital so that they are aware of the emergency and
DO mark the site of the bite and the time at which you are bitten with a pen or a permanent marker. This will tell the doctor the time you were bitten and track the movement of the venom.
I am an experienced snake handler (30yrs) and I'm passionate when it comes to snakes. I operate from Howick and cover the Midlands and surrounding areas. All snakes that are removed will be assessed and if necessary will be fed and watered before being released in a safe place out of harm's way.
Should you encounter a snake/s on your property, instead of trying to kill the snake, please don’t hesitate to contact Lance van der Bank anytime on +27(0)79 615 1816 as I am available 24/7.

Pictured above : Lance with a snouted cobra.

News supplied.

What is the Custodianship Program?

The program is designed to support the running of our rehabilitation centre, and allow people who support our work to be more closely involved. The join up fee for the program goes directly to the running costs of our centre, but in return for their support our Custodians get benefits no other members of the public do.

 This program is vital to keeping our organisation running and our animals fed.

As a Custodian you will receive:

Invites to all FREEME Wildlife events,

Invites to Custodian Insights,

Discounts on selected courses and merchandise,

Holiday Club activities,

A monthly newsletter,

A certificate of appreciation

 Sign up to become a Custodian in two easy steps:

Step 1 – Fill in the Custodian Application Form with your selected Custodian membership level

Step 2 – Make a payment for your selected Custodian membership level using your name as reference

News supplied by FreeMe Wildlife.

It has been a very busy year in South Africa’s competitive specialty coffee scene, with five local coffee competitions already completed. Not forgetting the two internationals, which saw South Africa’s current best barista, Harry Mole, and the country’s current best cup taster, Thabang Maluleka and latte artist, Christopher Abrahams, compete at the World Coffee Championships in Boston and Berlin respectively.

Competition season started with Nationals in Ballito at the beginning of the year, before kick starting the regional competitions, which saw Bloemfontein, Johannesburg, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, host the best baristas from their province to crown the next set of top competitors who’ll be representing at 2020’s National Coffee Competitions at Food & Hospitality (HOSTEX) in Johannesburg, 1-3 March.

The focus now however again turns to KwaZulu-Natal, for SCASA’s last regional coffee competition of 2019, set to come alive at The Pearls Mall in Umhlanga, 7-9 November. Baristas will have the opportunity to compete in three disciplines, the Cup Tasters, Latte Art and Barista competitions.

The Cup Tasters competition demonstrates speed, pure senses and accuracy in distinguishing the taste differences in specialty coffees. Cuppers need to discriminate between different coffees in choosing the odd one from a triangle of three cups in a row of eight.

The Latte Art competition highlights artistic expression that challenges the barista in an on-demand performance. Baristas need to create two identical free-pour lattes and two identical designer lattes, which allow etching and decoration, all under the watchful eyes of a set of judges.

The Barista competition is all about performance, skill and passion for coffee, as well as being able to pour delicious coffee under pressure, with a panel of skilled judges watching the barista’s every move as they produce four espressos, four milk beverages and four signature drinks, all in under 15 minutes.

Specialty Coffee Association of Southern Africa’s chairman, Bernard Muneri, is excited about the direction specialty coffee is heading and has urged for more local baristas to get involved: “The coffee industry is always evolving and that excites us. SCASA is all about coming together, sharing and celebrating specialty coffee. Through our barista competitions every year, we have seen baristas taking part and thereafter open their own café or roastery. Nothing makes me more happier than seeing baristas develop into entrepreneurs in their own way and for more to enter as competitors to up skill their knowledge.”

Entries for KZN’s regional coffee competitions are still open and can be downloaded from SCASA’s website at www.scasa.co.za.

The event will be free and open to the public who will have the opportunity to meet some of the region’s best coffee talent and to learn more about the world of specialty coffee.

ABOUT SCASA:
The Speciality Coffee Association of Southern Africa (SCASA) is the only recognized non-profit organization in South Africa representing the coffee industry from seed to cup. SCASA’s members take up the responsibility to offer great products and exciting events to the public, uplifting the coffee industry of South Africa. SCASA proudly holds the regional license of the World Barista Competition (WBC) and in this respect oversees and manages the Regional and National Coffee Competitions, while arranging for the National South African Barista, Latte Art and Cup Tasters champions, to attend the annual World Barista Championships and proudly represent our country. Our members enjoy access to a large network of professional coffee producers, roasters, retailers and equipment manufacturers. Members are offered unlimited access to the SCASA website, plus essential professional tools, training seminars, market research and more.SCASA is registered as a Section 21, Non-profit company, with the Registrar of Companies.SCASA is motivated to ignite a ‘United Passion For Coffee’ for all coffee lovers.

Photo Credit: The Coffee Magazine

News supplied.

Spekboom project to reduce tourism industry's carbon footprint

At least 5000 Spekboom will be planted...

www.getaway.co.za

#SpekboomChallenge

You might have seen this challenge around Facebook, what you didn't know is that Spekboom absorbs carbon from the air!

One mature Spekboom can process 4 to 8kg of carbon dioxide per year, making it 100 times more effective than one Pine tree in comparison.

One hectare of mature spekboom is 10 times more effective in processing carbon dioxide, compared to one hectare of the amazon forest

We challenge you to plant 10 Spekboom this year. One plant can make many other plants.

Join the movement.

https://www.getaway.co.za/…/spekboom-project-to-reduce-tou…/

News supplied

A country toy shop stocked with quality toys, puzzles, games, crafts and books. Come in and pick out some books for your weekend reading.

Thie gem of a toy shop shop is a stockist of educational toys, puzzles, games, crafts, novelty toys, books and more. Popular brands include Lego, Melissa & Doug, Big Jigs, Think Fun, Top Trumps, Top Model, Hooligans Kids Clothing and Sylvanian Families.

News supplied by Nuts about Books and Toys.

With Christmas 70 days away, the KSS team would like to remind you to get you alarm serviced before you go away. There is often a “mad scramble” as people realise they need an upgrade, alarm addition or a general alarm service before the festive season.

For service bookings or more information and advice call Gary on 0828947628 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Keshen at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 0833935265.

Administration
Please advise the KSS administration office if any of your details have changed (email address, phone numbers, and key holders). Please also make sure that you advise the office about house sitters during the festive season. These details need to be added to the system temporarily so we know who to contact in case of an emergency. You can contact Elaine on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Monique on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 033 330 5911 to update these details.

Positive feedback
KSS are out there every day making a difference, in small and big ways. It feels so great to be applauded for the action we take and the care we afford the community. This encouraging message was posted on social media which reached our offices:

“So I just wanted to say “KUDOS to KSS”. This morning my Mom accidentally triggered the alarm, I was in the shower and didn’t hear/answer their 2 check-up calls, and I think my Mom didn’t hear the check-up calls they made to her phone either, and so they actually came to my house to check. Yes, all of the above is part of the service, BUT the speed that all this was done was absolutely amazing!!. My Mom said it was literally minutes from the time she triggered the alarm to the time she had FOUR KSS guys in our front yard. Thank you KSS for your awesome service”

You have no idea what positive feedback does for our whole team. Thank you.

On the flipside – if there are any concerns you, as a client may have, please contact the KSS office or Management directly so that we can immediately attend to them. We are here to fix things and keep our clients happy.

You are safer with us!

News supplied by Knight Security Solutions.

On SUNDAY 20th OCTOBER, we are calling for all concerned citizens to meet just inside the entrance to the reserve at the end of Alexander Road Extension at 8am to conduct a mass walk through the reserve to locate and remove snares.

SPCA Pietermaritzburg
Yesterday at 10:29 AM ·
Bisley Nature Reserve- How can you help

From Friends of Bisley Nature Reserve. We, a few concerned citizens of Pietermaritzburg are desperately concerned over the well-being and survival of the remaining game in Bisley Reserve. We have identified as a priority the feeding of the animals which due to their condition, require special pellets which we have sourced and are available through the SPCA on 033-386 9267.

Secondly, due to extensive poaching and snaring ( Poachers went so far as to erect drying racks and a “bush-meat butchery” inside the reserve) a concerted effort to remove the hundreds of snares is required. On SUNDAY 20th. OCTOBER, we are calling for all concerned citizens to meet just inside the entrance to the reserve at the end of Alexander Road Extension at 8am to conduct a mass walk through the reserve to locate and remove snares.

Please wear long pants and long sleeves as thorns are abundant. Good walking shoes, a hat and sunscreen is advisable. Most importantly, bring a pair of pliers or side-cutters to remove the snares.

If you cannot be there, please assist by passing this message on to your friends or by donating for feed. The SPCA through Senior Inspector Roland Fivaz have set up a special fund for the purpose and will also arrange for placement of the pellets in the right spots. I can be contacted on 061-660 8123 for queries. SEE YOU ON SUNDAY!

News supplied by uMngeni SPCA.

On 17 October 2019 Malcolm and Sue Stewart-Burger celebrate 60 years of marriage. Moving to Howick in 1969, Malcolm and Sue lived in the Howick Falls Hotel for two years before moving into the house that they built and have lived in for almost 50 years. The couple have seen many changes and developments in Howick over the years.

Pictured below L-R:
Malcolm and Sue Stewart-Burger

Malcolm and Sue Stewart-Burger built their home in Howick 50 years ago. Building started with no other houses in Greendale Park. Midmar Dam can be seen in the distance.

Malcolm and Sue Stewart-Burger on their wedding day.

Welcome new Operations Manager
The UCSI is managed 24/7 by the UCSI VCAT* TrackBox SNIPR Control Room platform which is headed up by Keegan Naidoo. Keegan started working full-time for the UCSI on 1 September 2019 and also takes on the role of managing any priority crimes that are committed in the KZN Midlands. Currently Keegan is assisting Hawks and Crime Intelligence with a murder and farm attack that occurred in our area. Both incidents involve vehicles that came into our uMngeni area. The UCSI also assisted SAPS with another murder and an incident of poaching over the past month. Both of which are now cases closed. * Violent Crime and Technology.

Invest in the holistic safety of your community with the UCSI
If you would like to make a capital donation towards the erection of the next 10 strategic UCSI SNIPR camera mounted gantries, please contact the UCSI on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call Keegan on 0630689652. The UCSI would like to have all the access and egress points into our uMngeni Municipal spaces covered before the festive season. Not only will this deflect criminals, but it will also facilitate the successful apprehension of criminals – as has successfully happened during the course of this year so far. Since March 2019 the UCSI has been involved in over 30 successful cases and assisted law enforcement at local and provincial level.

The UCSI is a registered Not-for-Profit Company and is able to issue a Section 18A for all donations made. The UCSI is also BBBEE level 2 and registered with PSIRA. To benefit from the services of the UCSI and ensure sustainability in our community, please affiliate and contribute a monthly membership fee. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to get a membership form emailed to you.

The UCSI is making amazing progress in our communities, and as quoted by Captain Sikhakhane who is the Station Commander of Hilton SAPS “We are making magic”.

The UCSI is now also involved in advising a community from the North West Province of South Africa, who heard about what we are doing as a community. They are coming through to meet with the UCSI Board and role-players to see how we have rolled out our project in partnership with our Municipality and Department of Transport as a Best Practice Model.

Business update
The latest businesses to come on-board being: Howick Districts Landowners Association, Fairfield Dairy and Farm, Falcon Equipment, The Voigts Group, J Leslie Smith Attorneys, Rotunda, Fogden Properties, Cowan House, Hilton Rate Payers Association, Hilton Hawks through the HCSI, Wedgewood Nougat, Frosties, Broadacres Estate, Sakabula Estate and Midmar Building Supplies.

Do you want your business to be a part of those leading the way in terms of community Safety Responsibility?

Gantry update
To date twelve (12) UCSI gantries have been installed. There is another gantry in the Curry’s Post area coming on line soon, and then 3 more gantries in Hilton by the end of October 2019.

When these afore-mentioned gantries are erected, it will take the UCSI gantry number to 16 gantries that have been funded by our uMngeni Communities and fall under the Management of the UCSI.

Another 4 gantries are pending and should be feeding through by end of November 2019. On top of this there are an additional 4 privately owned gantries that feed through to the UCSI and then another 11 from surrounding areas also feeding through to the UCSI. In total, by the end of November 2019, the UCSI envisages over 35 gantries feeding through to the UCSI Control Room platform.

Some gantries are awaiting final funding and if we can get the capital (CAPEX) to complete those then that would be awesome. It must be noted that each gantry must have the required monthly operational costs (OPEX) committed to by the community before erection, and these costs are covered though community affiliation / membership contributions.

OPEX is collected on a monthly basis through fee paying community members (business entities and private individuals) and goes towards the payment of:
• SNIPR Fees
• Data Fees
• Tamper Monitoring Fee
• Insurance (Comprehensive) and liability
• Maintenance
• Administration
• Fuel / Cell phone
• Technology / Hardware / Internet
• Stationary / Marketing
• Office rental, lights, water
• Internet
• Staffing
These operational expenses are pivotal to the success of the UCSI in empower Law Enforcement and deterring criminals from our communities.

Urgent attention
Some serious attention needs to be placed on the following areas:
1. R617 / Mpophomeni
2. Midmar exit from N3 going into Howick
3. Merrivale exit from N3 going into Merrivale
4. Merrivale Rural on Cedara Road
5. Howick West
Attention also needs to be placed on the Howick CBD and Howick Falls Precinct. The UCSI is in a position to assist the uMngeni Municipality with the erection and monitoring of 24/7 CCTV cameras in the Howick Falls area.

Interesting Statistics
Some interesting statistical information for the months of August and September 2019. These figures show the number of vehicles that passed under some of the gantries in our areas (note these are bi-directional stats):
• Worldsview (Hilton): 167423 vehicles in August and 116140 vehicles in September.
• Life Hilton Private Hospital (Hilton): 250714 vehicles in August and 239147 vehicles in September.
• Knight Security Solutions (Merrivale): 366249 vehicles in August and 303477 vehicles in September.
• uMngeni Bridge (Howick): 294216 vehicles in August and 354482 vehicles in September.
• Lower Karkloof Road (Howick – Yard 41): 264558 vehicles in August and 219245 vehicles in September.
• Lower Curry’s Post (Eagle Ridge): 69591 vehicles in September.
• Natal Forest Nursery (Tweedie): 204634 vehicles in September.
• Karkloof Club intersection: 52330 vehicles in September.
These are significant figures and with the festive season approaching there are still gaps where gantries need to go up.

The CAPEX funding received goes towards the physical erection of the gantry and the cameras, and is a once off donation, while the OPEX (Operational) funding goes towards the on-going monthly expenses incurred by the UCSI in order the effectively and professionally manage the UCSI SNIPR gantry network.

The UCSI continues to meet with local, Cluster and Provincial Law Enforcement Officials (including Hawks and Crime Intelligence) to ensure that the protocols and procedures followed are professional. The UCSI has also met with the Senior Public Proctors of the Pietermaritzburg and Durban Regional High Courts. The UCSI is working successfully alongside SANRAL, N3TC and Transnet.

The UCSI Board of Directors wishes to thank the uMngeni Municipality for all the support to date. This public-private partnership is proving to be a success and leading the way in active crime fighting in communities. The UCSI is a flagship project that can be considered as paving the way in “best practice” for other Municipal areas.

News supplied by UCSI.

Last week we featured Asanda Mohapi and Puppy as our "dog guardian of the week" story. Asanda lives next door to one of our long-term attendees, Slindokuhle Ngubane and his dear little dog, Mercy. Sadly, Asanda was recently orphaned and now lives with his frail grandmother. Slindokuhle’s mother, Grace, not only agreed to care for a dog for Asanda, but has also unofficially adopted both Asanda and his aged grandmother.

To help out Asanda’s struggling grandmother, as well as Grace who is feeding two extra people, we put together a food parcel from some of the funds raised during our food parcel plea earlier this year. We delivered the food (as well as the kids and dogs!) to Grace’s home after dog school on Friday. Grace was very overcome and so delighted by the generosity. After a huge hug, she said “that is so kind, I cannot believe that people can be so kind to strangers… I thank everyone who has helped to give us this lovely food, you will all be very blessed”.
Grace also mentioned that Asanda's grandmother is very ill, and is actually in hospital at the moment. As a result, Asanda is now living with her. “I have three boys so one more is no problem” she said with a big grin, “and Asanda is a very good boy”.
As we left, Grace said “please don’t worry about Asanda and Puppy... my husband has a good job and he works hard... so we will always care for Asanda and Puppy”.

News supplied by Funda Nenja.

We congratulate Luyanda Madladla (left) and Nompumelelo Ngobese (right) who achieved their Bronze President's Awards and Radley Jackson (centre) who has achieved his Silver President's Award. Age Quod Agis!

The President’s Award for Youth Empowerment is part of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award. It is an exciting personal challenge for young people between the ages of 14 and 24. It started in the United Kingdom in 1956 and was first available in South Africa in 1983. There are over 14,300 active participants in the country from schools, prisons, community youth groups and children’s homes.

German educationalist Kurt Hahn, who conceptualised the Award programme, said: “When the mind is stretched by new experiences it can never return to its former dimensions.” The Award is about stretching YOU(TH)!

News supplied by Howick High School.

Howick Hospice is a non-profit organisation committed to caring for the terminally ill through home-based care, education and training,  and bereavement support. Hospice relies on support and financial contributions from the general public, corporate sector, and philanthropic donors.

Please support this fun event.

Charity Run/Walk for Howick Hospice
@ Piggly Wiggly
Sunday, 10 November 2019
9am
R50 Donation
More info contact 033 3305257
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

News supplied by Howick Hospice.

The Renoverge Project is a coordinated approach to restoring beauty to the CBD, exits/entrances to Howick and Main Road areas. Our vision is to simply ‘make Howick beautiful again’, attracting potential investors and a much-needed boost to our local economy; while at the same time giving residents a community to be proud of. A coordinated effort between all sectors is needed to achieve this in a sustainable way.

Get involved by making a monthly donation of R100 per month to Love Howick to help cover the costs of their daily clean up efforts. We need the support of the Howick community.

LOVE HOWICK BANK ACCOUNT DETAILS
Account number: 62774727039
Account name: love howick npc
Bank: first national bank, howick
Branch code: 220725

News supplied by Love Howick.

Here are two of The Hemp People's most popular products to date. Low enough strength that they're a reliable place to start on your CBD journey, and among the most palatable tried. They go especially well with a cup of herbal tea in the morning or afternoon. Head to The Hemp People website to grab the last few  in stock before they order more...⁠

All organic, pharmaceutical grade, and third-party lab tested as with everything in stock. Usage instructions: take under the tongue and swish around the mouth/hold for at least a minute before swallowing.

The Hemp People now stocking a wider range of products for your health.

Thandoluhle Mache and Bova have been attending the Friday afternoon classes at Funda Nenja for a couple of years now.

Thandoluhle is just nine years old, but she handles sweet Bova beautifully. She says that “Bova is old now… he is five years old… Bova became alive when I was this big” as she puts her hand down to just above her knee. Indeed, we have noticed the distinguished greying moustache that Bova is sporting.

Five years old is pretty old for a township dog as most don’t survive past 4-5 years according to research by the State Veterinary Department. However, Bova is in fantastic condition and is very well cared for, so we are hopeful that he will have many years ahead of him.

Thandoluhle says that she first came to Funda Nenja “because I saw that all the children come here on Friday afternoons and that they have fun with the dogs. I told my grandmother that I want to come here with Bova”.

Thandoluhle says that Bova “can do the sit and the walk but not so much of the other training”. This young lady is a serious student who carefully listens to every word from the instructor and tries very hard to train Bova, “but sometimes Bova only likes to watch... or to lick me... or to hold hands and hug”. Indeed, Bova is a very affectionate boy who adores attention from everyone!

Thandoluhle lives with her grandparents and siblings as both her parents work far away from home. She says that the best thing about Bova is that “he is so happy” and that "he likes to play with me all the time… he is always fun”.

When this sweet young lady grows up she would like to be “a doctor to the dogs”.

News supplied by Funda Nenja.

Howick High School Head Prefects have been chosen for 2020.

Deputy Head Boy - Craig Pike, Head Boy - Aiden Pieters, Head Girl - Abigail Petersen and Deputy Head Girl - Emma Hyslop.

Age Quod Agis.

News supplied by Howick High School.

The Arthritis Foundation recently released guidelines on CBD, making them the first member of the medical community to do so. What they had to say was encouraging.

They acknowledged that although rigorous clinical studies are still needed, CBD may help with arthritis-related symptoms, including pain, insomnia and anxiety.

Among the key takeaways, two things stood out to us at The Hemp People:

1. While CBD in moderate doses has no major safety issues, potential drug interactions have been identified, therefore always consult with your doctor first.

 2. Buy from a reputable company that independently tests each batch for purity, potency and safety and provides a certificate of analysis.

To read the full report, go to arthritis.org and search “CBD”

News supplied by The Hemp People.

Come join us for a FUN filled morning. A Zumbathon for a  cause.

Dress Code: Pink
Adults: R60
Scholars: R40

Venue: Dave Mayo Centre, Howick High School.

All profits will be donated to Howick Hospice