A safe and beautiful Howick Falls area, having the wonderful potential to becoming a destination/ place of choice for tourists, visitors and local families, friends and individuals.

This is possible through voluntary participation in exciting and innovative projects between individual members of the community, the business sector, government, private security industry, churches, schools, media, non-profit organisations, community based organisations, and specific interest groups, etc.

A huge, positive difference can be made through 60 minutes or more of volunteerism, materials and supplies and/ or monetary donations (once off or monthly). Since November 2016, a number of action steps have already been taken to improve the area. Opportunities abound for further improvements.

The partnership projects identified are considered support to the uMngeni Municipality and South African Police Service, and not intended to replace or take over any service related function.

PROJECTS TO GET INVOLVED IN

Boom: For placement at the vehicle entrance to the grass area of Goddard Park to prevent unauthorised vehicles from entering and driving on the grass of the park. This is to ensure the safety of pedestrians: Donate or sponsor

Car-guards/ Vehicle parking attendants: A registration and monitoring system. Consideration can also be given for him/ her to be 'adopted', thereby helping to transform their life

Crime Safety ambassador: Serve as one

Green teams: Helping to improve the environment through landscaping, gardening, picking up litter, other identified action steps

Identification clothing for car-guards/ vehicle parking attendants, street patrollers, etc (specially designed): Donate or sponsor

Litter-bins: Donate or sponsor a litter-bin

Love Howick t-shirts for use by volunteers: Donate or sponsor

Magnetic stickers for vehicles used for street patrol, support: Donate or sponsor

Painting team for infrastructure upgrades

Pamplets/ brochures: Welcome tourists and residents to Howick Falls and publish requested behavior to ensure safety, order and beauty prevails. Donate or sponsor

Pamplet/ brochure distribution to visitors. Volunteers needed.

Patrols: Daytime, Monday to Sunday (walking, bicycle, motor cycle, vehicle, etc) to monitor, make observations, report unlawful, suspicious, dodgy behavior by persons and recommend solutions to minimise such behavior

Portable flashing amber lights for temporary use on patrol support vehicles: Donate or sponsor

Red flags: For use in conjunction with traffic cones - to warn approaching drivers of vehicles to exercise caution: Donate or sponsor

Renovate a verge/ 'adopt-a-spot'

Road safety: Identify and mimize risks

Rock: Supply and delivery of large rocks for placement between cement bollards of Goddard Park. This is to prevent vehicles from entering and driving on the grass of the park, thereby ensuring the safety of pedestrians

Shelters of crafters/ artists at the view-site: Renovation

Signage and display boards: Donate or sponsor

Toilets: Pay system and Renovation of existing building, namely roof

Tourism Safety Action Group (TSAG): Howick Falls precinct. A sub-forum of the Howick Community Police Forum (ongoing): Participation

Traffic cones: x 20, 750 mm height (10 x fluorescent, dayglo orange cones and x 10 fluorescent, lime-yellow cones, all with white reflective strips): To safeguard and cordon off areas when the need arises: Donate or sponsor

News supplied by Love Howick.

Families South Africa Pietermaritzburg (FAMSA PMB) is a non-governmental organization which started out over 58 years ago because of a need determined by local church organizations that saw a need for marriage guidance services and the PMB Marriage Guidance Society was established. It is a registered NPO and BPO. FAMSA PMB has a management committee which is elected annually at an Annual General Meeting. Its staff consists of a Director, Social Workers and administrative staff.

FAMSA PMB runs a number of different services and plays an important role in women, men and families alike. The organization prides itself in restoring hope, faith, peace and trust in families and societies as a whole. These services are done mostly through counselling (trauma, gender-based violence, grief, individual, family, Pre marriage counselling, divorce and EAP services), outreach programmes and also through support groups.

The organization now has also has satellite offices/services in Mafakatini, Esigodini, Mkhambathini, Northdale, Camperdown, Howick, Eastwood and Elandskop. Although government subsidies are received for the social workers employed, the large geographical areas served require a more innovative approach that included communities within which we work, hence we have trained local women to provide services but receive no government support for this service.

With the many services provided, FAMSA PMB also faces a large number of challenges mainly regarding finance. We are grateful for the donations we receive but they are not enough to keep FAMSA afloat. FAMSA PMB would like to call on those who are in a position to sponsor with anything, to please make contact with FAMSA PMB. Any donation received will be greatly appreciated.

If you feel you are in need of our services or know of someone who is, please do not hesitate to make contact with us on 033 342 4945 or visit our main offices at 15 Drummond Street, PMB or alternatively you can email us on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

We work on an appointment basis.

News supplied.

Calling for Funders

Wessa Umngeni Valley are looking for sponsors for 30 mountain bikes for a community development project.

Any part donations are also most welcome.

Please contact Matthew Cocks.

News supplied by Wessa Umngeni Valley.

Amberglen recently rocked to the 60's sound of the legendary musical, Grease.

60 years on from the era depicted in the movie, producer par excellence Jo Orsmond rustled together a group of retirees and put on an excellent production.

Playing to 4 full house audiences, the cast, led by Mike and Rita Fisher as Danny and Sandie, the audiences were treated to an outstanding show!

Kudos to all the cast and their superb producer!!

Pictured above are Mike and Rita Fisher (Danny and Sandie).

News supplied.

Fans of legal dramas and local theatre will not want to miss Justice is a Woman; a highly emotive theatre production highlighting issues of gender inequality and the ethical dilemmas of the justice system written by well-respected former KZN judge Chris Nicholson, directed by Paul Spence, formerly of the Royal Shakespeare Company UK and starring a richly talented South African cast.

Set in a KZN university in 2018, after the 2 000-year exclusion of women as lawyers in the courtroom, Justice is a Woman tells the captivating story of a female post-graduate student’s molestation case against her male university professor. Lead character Portia, the lawyer representing the professor, is faced with an ethical dilemma that forces her to question her values and threatens to tear her personal life apart.

Opening performances take place from 23 to 25 May at Michaelhouse, 29 and 30 May at Grace College, and from 4 to 8 June at the Hexagon Theatre, Pietermaritzburg.

Tickets are R80 per person (R130 Hexagon), R50 pensioners (R80 Hexagon) and students R40. For more information, follow @justiceisawoman on Facebook or contact Paul Spence on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (084) 341 1742.

Justice Cast : Pictured from left are Mark Mulder, Phiyayinkosi Mbuyazi and Paul Spence.

News supplied.

Our first baby Barn Owl (Tyto alba) of the season is here.

Barn Owls often use chimneys to nest in. In this instance, the home owners did not realize there was a family of Barn Owls using the chimney until they lit their first fire for the season, and this youngster came tumbling down into the fireplace.

They reacted quickly and pulled the hapless youngster from the fire before he sustained anything more than a few singed feathers and a bruised wing.

He has been in our care for the last few days and his minor injuries have been treated.

The home owners, residing in Nottingham Road's Gowrie Village, have decided that an owl box will be safer for him and his family than the chimney will be, so the FreeMe KZN's Owl Box Project team will be installing a Barn Owl box and he will be reunited with his family.

Would you like to contribute and be involved in the work FREEME KZN does? Then please join the Custodianship Program.
http://www.freemekzn.co.za/become-a-custodian/

News supplied by FreeMe Rehabilitation Centre.

Eat at Andrew's, Mushka, Nuts About Books & Toys and Harvard Electrical Wholesalers have put together spoils for one lucky Mom. To enter follow the steps on Facebook.

The prize includes tea/coffee and cake for TWO at Eat at Andrew's on collecting the hamper which contains gloves and a scarf from Mushka, a novel and a cookbook from Nuts About Books & Toys and two white desk lamps from Harvard Electrical Wholesalers. The winner will be announced on Facebook on Saturday, 11 May 2019 at 11am.

Follow the link to facebook and action the steps by the end of the day on Friday 10 May 2019!

https://web.facebook.com/Howickvillage.co.za/

Harvard Electrical Wholesalers have specials to keep you out of the dark  this Winter.

Harvard Electrical Wholesalers are stockists of industrial and domestic components for the building industry, indoor and outdoor lighting, switches, ECC and surface cables and lots more.

There is a full range of LED globes and lamps available and solar products available. All LED's are guaranteed for 12 months.

Prices are valid until 11 May or while stocks last.

Secure customer parking at the door.

Visit Harvard Electrical Wholesaler's showroom at 22 Harvard Street, Howick.

I would like to highly commend our Howick traffic licensing department for their courtesy and care today and in general.

I accompanied an elderly friend who uses a walker to the above offices today and we were so well treated by all the staff. The cashier from where one applies for a new driving license came out to the car park, helped my friend with her forms and took them inside for processing for her.

The cashier at the office for the renewal of vehicle licenses was very efficient and dealt with a large number of people quickly and pleasantly. The staff in the car park and at the entrance could not have been more helpful.

Such a change from other municipal offices in Howick!

News supplied by Margaret Parker

The Rotary club of Howick and Hilton is working with the Rotary Cycle Project in South Africa, together with Bicycles for Humanity in the United States. A container of about 500 pink bicycles (20inch) has arrived in Durban and is ready to make its way up to Howick for us to distribute to our community schools.

But we need help. There are various costs involved in getting the container cleared at the harbour and then transported from Durban to Howick. Knight Security Solutions is going to donate R1500 towards this bicycle project with The Rotary Club of Howick and Hilton.

KSS would like to appeal to our clients (Private and Business) to come on board and help contribute towards getting this container of bicycles delivered to Howick. Rotary, together with the uMngeni Community Safety Imitative (UCSI) and KSS will ensure the safe distribution of bicycles to the various community schools.

The banking details for donations are:

Acc Name: Rotary Club of Howick
Bank: FNB
Br Code: 220725
Acc No: 52530790247

For more information, please contact Glynn Harborth on 0825744155 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

News supplied by Knight Security Solutions.

Funda Nenja is always happy to welcome visitors to our Friday afternoon dog school, especially when they are vets!

Last week we were delighted when Dr.Estee van Aardt from Chase Valley Veterinary Clinic came to see our programme in action and she did not hesitate to assist our Animal Welfare Officer with some of the patients attending our primary veterinary care clinic.

News supplied by Funda Nenja.

Polliwiggle Preschool children , going dotty and learning about  the wild animals of our beautiful country during their theme for the week.

Pictured above, having fun with the giraffe masks they made during class.

News supplied by Polliwiggle Preschool.

Working with ToPs Species (Threatened or Protected Species).

It is always a fantastic feeling when we are able to release this special species back into the wild where they belong.

We spend weeks finding the safest release site with the correct habitat so that these cats may thrive as they go forward.

How would you react when being introduced to a new and exciting area? Follow the photos below to find out how these Servals reacted!

Would you like to contribute and be involved in the work FREEME KZN does? Then please join the Custodianship Program.
http://www.freemekzn.co.za/become-a-custodian/

News supplied by FreeMe Rehabilitation Centre KZN.

Every term Howick Pre-Primary School host a "GIVING CHALLENGE". Through this challenge we encourage our children to support people and organisations that help others who are struggling or less fortunate.

Last week Friday, we enjoyed Slipper Day at school in support of the Reach For a Dream Initiative.

Encouraging our young children to help others forms the foundation for them to grow up to be grateful, sympathetic and empathetic towards others.

News supplied by Howick Pre Primary School.

Host an event and help raise funds for Howick Hospice.

Birthday parties, tea parties, braais, any event goes. Ask your guest to donate an entry fee that will be donated to Howick Hospice.

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.

News supplied by Howick Hospice.

Hilton SAPS
“Over the last 6 months Knight Security Solutions (KSS) has been assisting members from the Hilton Police Station with Crime Prevention Operations to combat the increase in House Breakings, Theft out of M/vehicle and Theft of M/Vehicles in the Hilton residential areas. Combined operations have been planned in accordance to the Crime Threat Analysis and Crime Pattern Analysis. These operations have included vehicle patrols, foot patrols in the residential areas as well as observation duties in the plantations and along the railway line that runs through Hilton area. The information on hand is that the criminals are using the plantations and the railway line to gain access to the residential areas to avoid detection.

A good working relationship has been established between the Hilton SAPS and KSS. By combining our resources our operation have become more effective and this working relationship has had a positive effect with regards to us addressing the crime in Hilton. Hilton Vispol would like to thank the Management of KSS as well as their members who work closely and alongside the members from the Hilton Police Station for their assistance. The KSS members have been very professional and have always had a positive attitude towards the fight against crime. Your assistance is greatly appreciated”. W/O A Salzwedel – Hilton SAPS.

Howick SAPS

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank you (Gary and KSS) for the valuable assistance you provide to the SAPS. You are always there helping out whenever and wherever you can. We cannot do it without your expert services. I am very appreciative of your continued assistance and looking forward to maintaining this working relationship. Once again I really appreciate your willingness and commitment to assist when the need arises. It is very helpful to have someone who has the same experience with similar issues on previous projects to offer guidance which goes unnoticed. Keep up the good work. Well done to you and your friendly staff”. Capt. Reddy – Howick SAPS.

KSS Operations update
Due to the recent high volume of crime, KSS has placed more Response vehicles on the ground. This has meant the Response crews have had to be split, but this will ensure better response times and more area coverage. Management are monitoring this accordingly and will ensure that KSS standards are not compromised.

News supplied by Knight Security Solutions.

Solar as an option; I have been completely off the Grid for just over three years. In that time my Solar system has worked flawlessly.

Unlike Generators that need continuous maintenance and ever more expensive fuel. Solar needs just the Sun, and because there are no moving parts the maintenance is minimal.

I have learned that more often than not people are sold big, expensive systems, where large numbers of batteries and solar panels are used ( in some case up to 30 batteries).

We are lead to believe that these big systems are necessary in order to run a home effectively.

For me the thinking here is flawed. One should rather adapt one's lifestyle to Solar than adapt Solar to one’s lifestyle, If you do the former then one can use a smaller system as I have and save.

My system uses 12 Solar panels and ONLY 4 batteries, and as I have said it has run beautifully for over three years.

One must also remember that a Solar installation is a capital investment, this means the cost will be recovered on the sale of the property. Also, the saving per month on your electricity bill ( in the region of R1500 per month) means it could well be paid off in seven years.

With the ever increasing cost of electricity and its unreliability and the huge leap forward in technology, Solar is becoming a more and more viable and affordable solution for one’s home or business. It can, of course, be used in conjunction with Eskom.

Please phone me for free advice and discussion/solutions for your home and or business.

Garry Barlow
Finely Fixed

082 627 3339
Privacy Policy, Terms of Use

In recent years South Africa has seen a dramatic increase in the keeping, breeding and trading of exotic animals and reptiles for the pet industry. The reality is that exotic animals and reptiles do not belong in captivity and should not be kept as pets.

INDIGENOUS WILDLIFE:
Indigenous reptiles and tortoises require permits from Nature Conservation, and those keeping wildlife illegally will face serious legal repercussions. Should you know of anyone who is illegally keeping indigenous wildlife, please contact the National Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism on 012 399 9604. Alternatively, contact us, or your nearest SPCA.

Animals suited for rehabilitation will be taken to a rehabilitation centre and then released back into the wild, in a suitable area. Those who are unable to survive on their own due to any impairment, should be taken to a rehabilitation centre and then a reputable sanctuary.

In a sanctuary they will be able to live a life as close as possible to living in the wild. Please contact our Wildlife Protection Unit on 011 907 3590/1/2/3 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for help in giving a wild animal a chance at a better life.

EXOTIC ANIMALS:
If you have exotic animals that you wish to surrender to the NSPCA, please contact our Wildlife Protection Unit on 011 907 3590/1/2/3 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

News supplied by uMngeni SPCA.