Winners of the 2020 St Anne’s Tennis Championships: Nicole Bennett (Junior) and Grace Love (Senior).

 

News from St Anne's Diocesan College, Hilton KZN.

 

UCSI success
KSS continues to support the UCSI and on 16 October 2020 assisted Hilton SAPS and the Flying Squad in the arrest of a wanted vehicle and suspects. Thanks to the effective network of UCSI SNIPR cameras in our area, the UCSI were able to alert SAPS and affiliated security companies about the entry of this vehicle into our area, and the arrests were made and vehicle impounded.

 

Joint Operations with SAPS
On Friday 17 October Howick SAPS held a joint operation with the aim of targeting drunken driving. RTI, Umgeni Traffic Department, Knight Security Solutions (KSS) and other security companies assisted Howick SAPS with this operation. Two roadblocks were set up and there were approximately 20 arrests made and 1 vehicle impounded.

 

Dear UCSI Supporters

 

There have been some positive developments in the UCSI and our quarterly UCSI Newsletter will be released before the end of October detailing these developments and news on our newly appointed Operations Director.

 

The role the UCSI is playing in our community is invaluable. The support offered to SAPS and Law Enforcement is critical in monitoring who is moving in and out of our areas. August, September and October have again been productive and the UCSI has been able to assist SNIPR, SAPS and the community with valuable support and information.

 

UCSI Operations
There have been some great successes in August, September and October 2020 with huge success on Friday 16 October 2020 highlighted below:

16 October 2020 Success

On the morning if the 16th October 2020 the UCSI received a call for assistance regarding a Hyundai H100 with NR registration plates that had been stolen from the Merrivale area. UCSI Operations members found that the vehicle had triggered Gantry 7 then Gantry 1 (both in the Hilton area) at around 00:00 and was followed closely by a silver VW Polo with GP plates. SAPS were advised accordingly. The UCSI was later informed that the Hyundai H100 had been found abandoned outside Verulam fitted with the GP plates that were on the VW Polo. This information warranted further investigation.

 

Working with a Durban-based SAPS team, the UCSI received images of the Hyundai H100 travelling through Kloof (Durban) followed by the VW Polo with GP registration plates. Searching our local UCSI SNIPR database using the GP plates we found that the VW Polo had been travelling between Howick and Hilton regularly. The vehicle was immediately listed on the UCSI SNIPR database and within a few hours triggered Gantry 25 entering Howick. SAPS and KSS were alerted. The vehicle was then picked up soon thereafter exiting Howick via Gantry 25. KSS managed to get a visual of the vehicle and followed it on to the N3 southbound. Hilton SAPS and the Flying Squad were advised and the vehicle was intercepted on the N3 near the Hilton Life onramp. The suspects were arrested, the vehicle impounded and numerous illegal items seized.

 

Hilton SAPS and Flying Squad members expressed their gratitude to the UCSI and affiliated security companies for continuously supporting their efforts in the fight against crime.

 

The UCSI will not be sustainable without monthly community support from business entities, shopping centres, hospitals, schools, estates, security companies and private individuals. Please join the UCSI as a contributing member. There are still some critical gantries that need to be erected – primarily in the Merrivale area.

Contact the UCSI by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit our website at www.ucsi.org.za for more information on how to join and make a contribution. Private individuals from R50pm and business entities from R300 pm.

 

Stay safe – we got this!

 

Yours sincerely

 

The UCSI Board of Directors
Themba Ndulini (Chairperson), Thandeni Zondi (Vice-chairperson), Debbie Preston (Secretary), Krish Ramkuber, Kevin Wright, Terence James, Whyona Sithapersad and PJ Myeni.

 

Like our UCSI Facebook page – which is managed by Hello Marketing.

 

NOTE: Download the UCSI TrackBox App

The UCSI TrackBox Vehicle Check Centre App is now available at the Play Store or iStore. Download TrackBox and then select the UCSI as your ERPC (Emergency Response and Prevention Centre). You can also report ALL crimes as well as vehicle-related crimes through this App.

 

 

Tanglewood Nursery's special this week is our lovely Hydrangea Macrophylla selection - all less 10% - we have beautiful shrubs of whites and blue/pinks all just about to flower.

 

The large plants are R75.00 less 10%
and the smaller ones are R40.00 less 10%!

 

Don't miss out.

See you soon,

All the best,
Tony, Carlene and Stewart
Tanglewood Nursery
Cell 084 402 0624

Pictured top: Mrs Kari Greene (Chair of the Board), Mr David Arguile (College Head), Mr Trevor van Niekerk (Deputy Head: Academics), Tsholofelo Mkhari (Head Girl) and Sarah Church (Dux) at the recent St Anne’s Diocesan College Prize Giving Ceremony.

 

Pictured bottom: Grade 12 Student, Sarah Church, received the Dux Award at the recent St Anne’s Diocesan College Prize Giving.

 

News from St Anne's Diocesan College.

 

In a historic translocation in 2016, Somkhanda Community Game Reserve welcomed a herd of 13 elephants donated by Nambiti Game Reserve. This was hailed as an epic collaboration, as, for the first time, two community-owned reserves had successfully worked together to extend elephant range and distribution. This illustrated the importance of community conservation, not only in fostering upliftment and local economic development but in the conservation of iconic and endangered African wildlife.

 

Recently, in a joint operation between WILDLANDS – a programme of the WILDTRUST, the Aspinall Foundation (in partnership with Albus Environmental), Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and Conservation Solutions, a 20-year-old Tusker was successfully translocated from Tembe Elephant Park, owned by the Tembe Traditional Authority to Somkhanda Game Reserve, owned and managed by the Emvokweni Community Trust.

 

Tembe Elephant Park was established in 1983 to protect the last remaining herds of free-roaming elephants in South Africa, known as the 'Great Tuskers.’ These giants used to seasonally roam between Mozambique and Maputaland in the extreme north of KwaZulu-Natal before finding sanctuary in Tembe during the Mozambican border war and preferred to settle in the dense sand forests of the reserve. The dream of re-uniting the elephant population across the international border remains, but till that is achieved, management has to implement creative solutions for dealing with a growing elephant population in a relatively small reserve. Current solutions being the contraception of female elephants and the translocation of surplus elephant bulls.

 

Similarly, Somkhanda Community Game Reserve, the new home of the great tusker, who is yet to be named, is owned by the Emvokweni Community Trust (ECT) which was established in 2005 through formal land claims and declared a protected area in 2011.

 

The introduction of this new bull will not only strengthen the reserve offering since eco-tourism has been earmarked as an important vehicle for economic growth in the country but it is set to strengthen the gene pool of the current herd at Somkhanda. According to Roelie Kloppers, CEO of the WILDTRUST, “The Great Tuskers of Tembe are known all over the world as majestic giants. Bringing a Tembe elephant into Somkhanda’s herd will enable the continuation of the Tembe Tusker lineage in this reserve. This will not only be a massive boost for tourism here, but also contribute to conservation efforts of Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife in Tembe Elephant Park. We are very proud to play a little role in support of this.”

 

As noted above, the introduction of this bull is seen as a strategy to contribute towards the conservation of these giants. Elephant populations across Africa and Asia are under threat due to the illegal ivory trade driven by devastating effects of poaching, human-elephant conflict and habitat destruction. It is up to collaborative efforts of these organisations that stand united behind these conservation strategies that will end this crisis.

 

The translocation was facilitated and funded by the Aspinall Foundation who is an internationally renowned animal conservation charity that is dedicated to protecting endangered animals around the globe. Dereck Milburn, Regional Director at Aspinall Foundation comments, ‘’I am absolutely thrilled to see this giant in his new home. I would like to thank the Emvokweni Community Trust and WILDLANDS for their willingness to accept the responsibility of securing the life of this bull and the tusker genetics for the benefit our future generations’’. The Aspinall Foundation partnered with UK Company, Albus Environmental in delivering this project.

 

Translocating big game requires a lot of patience, skill and technical support which was provided by Conservation Solutions. With 25 years’ worth of experience, Conservation Solutions have developed unique translocation systems to be able to move elephants across Africa. “Community-driven conservation plays an essential role in the protection and restoration of flagship species such as the elephant. A project like this highlights the potential for communities to collaborate in the restoration of wildlife biodiversity. These species are ambassadors for the ecological systems in which they live - protecting them justifies the protection of their natural habitat, and all the thousands of other species which occupy the same space,” comments Founder Kester Vickery of Conservation Solutions.

 

Today, Tembe is home to some of the biggest elephants in Africa and their elephant population is one of only three indigenous elephant populations that remain in South Africa. The Somkhanda team on the ground have reported that this bull is settling in well in its new environment. We remain hopeful that he will soon be welcomed into the Somkhanda herd to infuse its population with the genes of the ‘Tembe Giants’ for generations to come.

 

To follow us on social media, like and comment
FB: https://www.facebook.com/WildlandsConservationTrust
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WILDLANDSSA
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildlandssa/
Website: www.wildtrust.co.za

From: WILDTRUST

Hilton and Howick Electrical is owned and operated by Hugh Spencer, who is a qualified Heavy Current Electrician with a Wireman’s License and over 40 years experience in the Electrical field.

 

His Electrical career began with the Electricity Department of the Durban Corporation in 1976 where he qualified as a Heavy Current Electrician. He has worked for the South African Railways & Harbours, the Basotho Qwa Qwa Government, Christ For All Nations, Hugh Spencer Electrical, Active Alarms and Midlands Automation.

 

Hilton & Howick Electrical operates in Hilton, Howick, Pmb and the surrounding areas.

The main lines of service being:
Fault Location,
Repairs,
Maintenance,
of Electrical Installations.

 

The work ethic of Hilton and Howick Electrical is, ‘Excellence in Everything’.

In South Africa, 1 in every 500 babies is born with Down Syndrome.

Down Syndrome occurs when an individual has an extra partial (or whole) copy of chromosome 21. It is not yet known why this syndrome occurs. The cause is however not related to age, race, religion or socio-economic situations. National Down Syndrome Day is observed annually on the 20th of October to dispel myths associated with Down Syndrome.

 

Know your facts about Down Syndrome:
? People with Down Syndrome have mild to moderate mental damage.
? The incidence of births of children with Down Syndrome increases with the age of the mother. Due to higher fertility rates in younger women, 80% of children with Down Syndrome are born to women under 35 years of age.
? Although Down Syndrome cannot be cured, there is a variety of medical care to treat problems associated with the disease.
? People with Down Syndrome attend school, work, participate in decisions that affect them, have meaningful relationships and contribute to society.
? Life expectancy for people with Down Syndrome has increased dramatically in recent decades.

 

Visit our friendly team at The Local Choice Pharmacies to talk about medical care to treat problems associated with the disease. We are Here For You.

 

News from The Local Choice Pharmacy Hilton Health.

 

'It's time for The Ellenbird's annual Christmas evening launch.  Support over 80 suppliers - Support local!  An evening out, first in line for teachers gifts, Christmas presents and decorations, and stocking fillers!  Hurry to book as numbers are limited due to Covid regulations.' shared The Ellenbird.

 

BOOKINGS: https://app.ticketwiz.co.za/attendee/312/ticketwizard/ / 082 331 7271
(Please book early to avoid disappointment.)

 

VENUE: The Knoll Historic Guest Farm

9pm: Dave Starke (ft. Nish Pillay)

Shifting Boundaries is the second album of South African singer/songwriter Dave Starke. Building on his first offering, Duende, it is an examination of the writer’s self, but also of the greater human experience. Stories about broken relationships, therapy and big changes, but also about optimism, recovery and small mercies. Shifting Boundaries is a true folk album and is designed to be heard as a whole…a journey – his stories are your stories and yours are his.

Dave Starke strives to capture human moments in musical form - to sum up a whole host of thoughts and emotions using just his voice and a guitar. He describes the guitar as a “wooden box with strings, tensioned to near breaking point – it’s fundamental, honest and often scary and it’s a good metaphor for the human experience…”

Inspired by the creators and capturers that came before him that poured themselves into paper, canvas, vinyl and clay, Dave uses enough words to get you thinking, but not so many that he tells you what to think. He sees songwriting as something of a survival strategy – a pressure release valve that keeps him together.

His music is lyric-driven, performed on guitar with occasional touches of percussion and some very haunting whistling. For Dave, it’s all about telling stories, so the voice is the most important instrument and everything else is there to be a support structure for the narrative.
Two of the songs from his most recent album were semi-finalists in The UK Songwriting Contest in 2019 and one is a regional finalist in the 2020 AfriMusic Song Contest.

8pm: Blackbird

A vocal-acoustic duo based in the Midlands of KZN, Tanya Nicolson’s sultry cabaret vocal combines with Charles Webster’s rich baritone and elegant guitar work to give Blackbird its unique character: uplifting - yet poignant and personal.

A trained actress and stunning vocalist, Tanya Nicolson is known for baring her heart on the stage and evoking deep emotion (and warm smiles) in her audiences. Charles Webster has been playing guitar since the age of 11 and has become known in the KZN Midlands for his soulful voice and delicate touch on the guitar. This duo will leave you thoughtful and happy, bring you laughs and yet get you right in the feels. Don’t miss them.

7pm: Reid Family

The Reid Family Band has been jamming together for many years. Dad Vince had an interest in music from a young age and is mainly self-taught. He plays keyboard, guitar and, recently, tin whistle. Rhiannon, who recently completed matric and was previously a student of Kech Sanchez, has honed her skills on guitar, sings lead vocals. Younger brother Aidan also showed musical abilities from a very young age, also sings. Tess organises the bookings and joins in on vocals and percussion from time to time. The Reid Family Band enjoys many different genres of music but are particularly influenced by Irish, Folk and Pop music.
ABOUT MiTH: Arguably the KZN Midlands’ best-loved music venue, Music in The Hills (MiTH) is an opportunity for beginners, professionals and passionate music fans to share the joy of music at The Knoll Historic Guest Farm. Visit www.mith.co.za for more details and directions. Musicians can contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for slots.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: MiTH takes place every second Wednesday at The Knoll Historic Guest Farm, Knoll Drive, Hilton. Doors open at 6pm and the music will kick off at 7pm. Entrance is R75 book online in advance and pay online or at the door. Bring your own booze. Food and soft drinks are available for sale.

DIRECTIONS TO MiTH: Take the N3 to Hilton, take the Hilton turnoff and go South into the Village (away from Hilton College). Travel 5,2km along Hilton Avenue (past two sets of traffic lights and Crossways Pub) and keep going straight as Hilton Avenue turns into Dennis Shepstone Drive. At the 5,2km mark, Knoll Drive will be on your right – the entrance to MiTH is the *second* entrance on your left into The Knoll Historic Guest Farm.

 

More about MiTH.

 

Do you find your family are rifling through the snack cupboard just before supper?

 

This is often the time of day that people are hungriest and things like chips and biscuits are highly sought after. This can lead to excess calorie intake and in the case of children (who have smaller stomachs) losing interest in the healthier food on offer at supper. Address this by chopping up some fruits and vegetables for the family to snack on while supper is being cooked. This means a serving of these good things are already in before supper has even been served and people are more open to eating these when they are hungry.

 

More about TasteBox.

On Friday 2 October 2020 the KSS Control Room were alerted to movement detection on one of the KSS Community CCTV cameras in the Howick area. KSS Controllers identified a suspect walking on the road and three KSS Response units were dispatched. KSS Officers were assisted by SSS in apprehending the suspect who was handed over to SAPS for further processing.

 

KSS and other security companies assisted local Howick and Hilton SAPS with various successful Joint Operations over the past months. On 18 and 25 September 2020 and then again on 2 and 9 October 2020 KSS supported Howick SAPS in these Joint Operations. Numerous arrests have been made and a number of illegal goods, drugs, alcohol and stolen items have been seized.

In the past 10 days over 60 cases of illegal alcohol, many various drugs, stolen cell phones, laptops, mountain bikes and a generator have been successfully seized through these Joint Operations. 

 

News from Knight Security Solutions.

BOOKING ESSENTIAL - R75 - LIMITED TICKETS - COVID-19 PROTOCOLS OBSERVED

 

BOOKINGS: https://app.ticketwiz.co.za/attendee/307/ticketwizard/

 

We cannot accommodate walk-ins because we have to limit numbers in line with Disaster Management Act regulations. Please book early to avoid disappointment.

 

 

MALIZULU is a funky pop/folk trio from Pietermaritzburg. They have been together for four years as an independent band, and are close friends – a dynamic which is noticeable when they’re on stage. They pride themselves on being self-taught musicians, which makes room for lots of creativity.

 

MALIZULU has a number of originals and also do covers with a MALIZULU twist. They’ve performed at some of the most prestigious venues and events, including Cafe Roux (Noordhoek), Splashy Fen, Hillcrest Quarry (CPT), Outland Festival, Ballito Pro, Zini Music Festival, The Litchi Orchard, BrewHaus, FORR Fest (Mozambique), BMW M Fest, Rage Festival 2017 Acoustic Stage and opened for Jeremy Loops on the main stage, Gin & Tonic Festival (Umhlanga & Ballito), Smoking Dragon Festival 2018 (Main Stage) and Ballito Beats – again with Jeremy Loops.

 

Mali Zulu - Lead Singer/Rhythm Guitar.

Mali is a KZN musical star. He participated in SA Idols Season 10 where he made it to the top 31. Following that success he landed a recording deal in Pretoria, and later moved to Pietermaritzburg (to work at Umgeni Water) while continuing to follow his musical dreams. A choir boy at heart, Mail sang in various choirs throughout his school years and was accepted into the Northern KZN Youth Choir in Grade 12.

 

Skippy Khubeka - Backing Vocals & Bass Guitar.

The Midlands’ own Jimi Hendrix, left-handed vocalist and guitar player Skippy works at local music shop (Marshall Music Midlands). Despite being a southpaw, he plays a right-handed guitar, and is one of the most animated performers you’ll ever see on stage!

 

Jav Govender - Drums

Currently a fourth year law student, Jav started drumming at the age of four (mainly in church bands) and played and the occasional wedding/corporate gig. Since joining MALIZULU, he has opened up new grooves for the band with his exceptional stickwork.

 

MALIZULU has two Singles called – “Try” & “We Are Strong”, that have been playlisted on East Coast Radio. They are available online on iTunes/Google Play/Spotify etc, and will be relesing an EP later this year as they move to the next level of their music journey. Their performance will bring you a range of emotions – from the feeling of missing someone, to getting up to dance.

 

 

Katherine McClelland came from Johannesburg to the KZN Midlands about 6 years ago and quickly got involved in the local music scene. Beginning with piano at the age of 9, she started performing in Primary school and is still going strong doing everything from restaurant gigs to the Johannesburg Symphony Choir. Katherine enjoys performing ballads and musical theatre, an influence most likely stemming from her mom's love of musicals. She holds a Diploma in Music Performance and Management, and is a Junior Primary Music Teacher and the Senior Primary Choir Mistress at The Wykeham Collegiate. In addition to teaching and performance, she is also the Director of Music Voyage, an upliftment and development project in one of the informal settlements that teaches the beneficiaries music and performance.

 

Erin Fourie is a MiTH regular and well known on the Midlands circuit since she starting performing 17 years ago. Currently a freelance musician, she has a BA in Drama and Performance Studies, and has been in a large number of musical productions, most notably including South African Idols in 2011 and The Playhouse Company's 2016 production of The Sound of Music. She enjoys a number of genre's but her own style falls into the acoustic folk spectrum.

Kath and Erin have been working together for the past few years and finally came together to do their duo show "What's Up", which was streamed in July.

 

 

An amazingly talented young singer from the Midlands, another product of the Kéch Sánchez school with one of the sweetest voices and one of the most charming stage presences you'll encounter, Bianca will win you over with her musicality and her charming wit. She is not to be missed!

 

Pictured here top L-R: Dharmik Makawana and Philisande Dladla (Grade 3)

Pictured below: Amanda Mchunu (Grade 4). Brie Dass (Grade 7) and Richard Porritt (Grade 4)

 

News from Laddsworth Primary School.