Ann Bam from Wedgewood Estate came to drop off about 50 EcoBricks.  She pays her gardener's children, who are only going to school once a week, R5 to make them and the effort results in a clean up of their area.  The children, aged 10 and 12 years old, now have to look further away to find rubbish in order to have enough to fill the bottles and create EcoBricks which Ann supplies to Singakwenza. 

 

Pictured here Ann Bam.

 

News from Singakwenza.

WILDOCEANS, a programme of the WILDTRUST, is causing quite a stir on social media with the launch of their WE DON’T NEED OUR OCEANS campaign. The environmental non-profit hopes to show South Africa (and the world) what life would be like without our oceans, and subsequently place a spotlight on just how much we depend on them, as well as mobilise a regional movement for increased marine protection.

WE DON’T NEED OUR OCEANS is a branch off the OCEAN IMPACT campaign, underwriting a 3-year project driving advanced protection of South Africa’s oceans within Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). We currently only protect 5% of the oceans around South Africa within MPAs.

WILDTRUST, along with many other environmental organisations, have been pushing the need to conserve our planet for many years and have been educating the masses about the need for a healthy planet, the need for our land and the need for our oceans. If those messages truly resonated, if people understood why and how they could look after the planet, surely the land and sea would be thriving and resilient against everything we throw at it? Instead, we are entering into the 6th extinction crisis and need to urgently make a shift from what needs to be done to how it can be done.

Campaign Lead, Lauren van Nijkerk of the WILDTRUST said: “People don’t act like they need the oceans. Covid-19 certainly made people question their relationship with nature, but I do not believe it made people care less about themselves and more about the planet. So how do we tell our beautifully diverse South African people about our oceans and the need to protect them? How do we deliver a message that resonates for people, that gets their attention? How do we make them active citizens that demand a better future for their children and themselves? How do we help our government see the importance of ocean protection for our people, not to mention all the economic benefits additional protection will bring? I think we can do this by showing South Africa a world without our oceans.”

We take our oceans for granted. The oceans are overfished, full of our trash, exploited, packed full of noisy vessels, explored with seismic blasts, drilled and reefs destroyed. They warn that at most, we have 10 years to stay below the 1.5°C heating threshold and avoid the existential risks to nature and people that crossing it will bring.

“The truth is the need to protect this life-giving natural resource, our oceans, is urgent,” said van Nijkerk. “Coral reef die-offs, collapsing fish populations and species extinctions are evidence of the escalating ocean crisis brought about by overfishing, ocean heating, acidification, pollution and multiple other stressors. They are eroding the ocean’s ability to function as our life support system.”

However, the situation is far from hopeless, although the time to act for our oceans is now and even a simple action, like refusing single-use plastics, makes a difference. A shift from 5% to 10% protection in South Africa’s waters will also see massive benefits for our country.

According to the 2014 ‘State of the Ocean and Coasts Report’ the direct value of the marine ecotourism sector to the South African economy was estimated at R400 million and its indirect value at more than R2 billion. The combined economic benefits from coastal resources are estimated to be around 35% of South Africa's annual GDP.

Protecting the oceans and the complex web of life that lies below the surface is being recognised as a fundamental human right. In fact, research shows that every second breath we take comes from the ocean. MPAs are a critical tool in the ocean protection toolbox, playing an important role in ensuring the survival of all ocean space. Defending the oceans capacity to produce oxygen, sequester carbon and provide food and livelihoods for billions of people is vital. It is important to note that economic recovery is compatible with environmental protection.

“It is human nature to resist the pressure being put on us to do or believe anything. We want to be autonomous and make our own choices. So, when that pressure is reduced, any internal resistance is dissolved, and the person is left with the opportunity to make their own choice. In the case of the WE DON’T NEED OUR OCEANS messaging, the hope is that when this is presented as acceptable, it is likely to immediately cause the response – of course we do, ideally followed by the action required to save or protect our oceans,” concluded van Nijkerk.

There are actions you can take to help shift this ocean crisis and make a life-changing difference, see www.oceanimpact.co.za and demand a better future for yourself, your children and your children’s children.

 

Photo credit: Taryn Hatchett

 

More about WILDTRUST.

 

Representatives of the Hilton Ratepayers Association being Mike Tarr and Rob Maitland-Stuart met with key Msunduzi Municipal staff from the Electricity Dept., on Monday 31st August 2020 regarding Hilton’s electricity supply issues. It was noted that since the previous meetings held on the 1st April 2019, 10th February 2020 and more recently, 9th July 2020 which the Municipal Manager attended, no constructive action has been forthcoming. This is of serious concern to the HRA who are vigorously pursuing the matter looking for resolution.

 

Key outcomes from the recent meeting held included the following commitments.

 

1. The Msunduzi Electricity Dept., to advise the HRA, who the incumbent is that will occupy the position of Manager (Ops & Maintenance) by mid-September 2020 who will possess the necessary Government Certificate of Competency required by law.

2. Regarding the major Hilton Supply Upgrade proposal as outlined in the municipal Network Development Plan (NDP), The Msunduzi Municipality have included the total expenditure required in a comprehensive fund application submitted to National Treasury recently. The HRA will engage the Municipal Manager periodically to determine progress with this fund application.

3. It was noted that the relevant funds to upgrade all three cable sections in the 2 x Retief/Crossways 33kV networks have been included in the local municipal budget for implementation in the current financial year, which closes in June 2021. This would also include repairs to existing streetlights and any applicable 11kV reticulation upgrade priority identified. Completion of the 33kV related work, will dramatically improve the reliability of the 33kV supply to Hilton’s Crossways Primary substation, which is a major step forward in stabilizing the primary supply to Hilton in the short/medium terms. The HRA will monitor progress/status accordingly.

4. The frequent supply interruptions on the Berry Hill/DS Drive/Zayeka 11kV feeder, would appear to be due to high loading and the failure of the existing undersized 11kV cable between Crossways substation and the Berry Hill mini substation. Plans are in place by Msunduzi Municipality to upgrade this cable section as soon as funds become available. The HRA will monitor progress/status in this regard.

5. Vegetation Encroachment is a continuing “problem child” particularly with regards to the Winterskloof 11kV feeder (Celtis, Cuckoo, Budleigh, Azalea, Devonshire, Sutton, etc.) which is susceptible to frequent supply interruptions due to vegetation encroachment. A mutual co-operation arrangement was proposed, whereby the Electricity Dept. initiate a line inspection to identify the problem areas and remove the vegetation where this was encountered on municipal property (road reserves) and inform the HRA of those areas (street addresses) where encroachment is due to vegetation from private properties. The HRA will assist the Electricity Dept., by informing specific residents of the problem and co-ordinate an effort to have the affected line switched out on a pre-arranged date, affording the residents the opportunity to clear the relevant vegetation. Nevertheless, a formal municipal process is apparently available for use by residents for the removal of encroaching vegetation from private properties. The HRA will distribute the official form to all residents once this has been received from the Msunduzi Municipality. Importantly and for strict safety reasons, the HRA advocates that no one should attempt the removal of encroaching vegetation from “live” municipal infrastructure without first obtaining the instruction to proceed via the Msunduzi Electricity Dept/HRA mutual co-operation arrangement.

6. The inefficiency of the Call-in Centre (CIC) was addressed and Msunduzi Municipality advised that in the event that no response/satisfaction is received from callers to the main CIC, the Electricity Dept. have a satellite Call-in Centre that can be used and the contact number there is 033 348 2179, which residents are welcome to use for any supply related interruptions, should calls to the main CIC prove unsuccessful.

7. The statutory nominal supply voltage the Msunduzi Municipality provides its LV consumers is in accordance with NERSA directives and aligned to the NRS 048 national standard, which is 230V ±10%. Should any resident have reason to believe that their supply is being provided outside these parameters, please notify both the HRA and the Msunduzi Electricity Dept., accordingly.

 

Reflecting on ten years of HiltonVillage.co.za gratitude is at the top of my list. Thank you to the courageous early adopters who believed in the grit and passion I had to move ahead with the concept of an online space where Hilton businesses could be easily found and thereby encourage support for one another. As I write I am seated at the same round table at which all the early dreams were seeded, some realised and some still to come. Growth was a result of listening to my client’s needs and responding as best I could. Our unique browser count grew from around 400 to 500 in month one and has reached heights of 16,875 (or 1,319,690 hits if you prefer) in a single month.

Off-shoots from the original plan began to sprout; Hilton Covered, Hilton’s Posh Car Boot Sale, Hilton's Posh Market, networking events, HowickVillage.co.za and Howick Covered followed. During the growth of these micro-brands, it became increasingly difficult to answer the phone as we attempted to identify all the little entities of which we were now comprised, the response at times sounded like Wikipedia on Audible! Thus, the umbrella brand VillageMedia was born and we could once more answer calls with just a couple of words.

A special mention of thanks is due to the following clients who have been online since the very first quarter of year one to date; Hilton Pre-Primary School, Ronnoco Nursery, ASP Services, Harcourts Hilton, Pam Golding Properties, St Anne’s Diocesan College, Cowan House, Cherri Forsyth Coaching, JG Africa, Umgeni Veterinary Clinic, Laddsworth Primary School, Hilton College, Business Soul Accounting, Tanglewood Nursery, Capulum College, Zori's and Tasha's Fantastic Fudge. To the rest of our 'village of supporters', including our valued browsers, you are all awesome and your role in this little tribe of like-minded humans is appreciated.

Happy spring, I look forward to nurturing relationships with new advertisers during this exciting month of celebration!

Stephanie has been a practising dietician for close to ten years and in that time has become passionate about encouraging people to spend more time in their kitchen. She firmly believes that health begins with what you put in your shopping trolley, what you keep in your fridge and cupboards and finally what you cook. However, the reality is that many people have limited time to cook meals or lack confidence in the kitchen, and ultimately end up relying on ready meals or fast foods to sustain them and their families.

And so the seed for TasteBox was born – dietician approved meals without the schlep of having to go to the shops or spend a lot of time cooking. An added bonus, of course, is far less waste – no more three-quarter full jars and containers of ingredients that you have used once and will never use again.

Stephanie couldn’t have a better partner than her mom Alex to run TasteBox with. Not only is Alex an experienced accountant who looks after the financial side of things, but she is equally as passionate about health and cooking as Stephanie is. She is fully involved in the testing of the meals and an added bonus is that she is a skilled photographer, and all the TasteBox pictures are taken by her.

 

News supplied by TasteBox.

Gemini Cleaning and Garden Services began operations nine years ago in April 2011. We undertake Commercial cleaning of office blocks and shopping centres in various parts of Kwa Zulu Natal and the Eastern Cape.

Excellent quality and efficient commercial cleaning is tailored to our clients' needs, which vary from small once a week offices with just a few staff to very large clients. We aim to make a positive difference in the businesses we serve, in the communities in which we operate and in the lives of our staff. Our cleaning teams are trained and well-experienced in cleaning procedures and in the use of chemicals.

More recently we have added a trained team to carry out specialised sanitising services.

In 2015 we were excited to add our gardening and landscaping division. These services are also tailored to the needs of our clients which range from residential gardens to large commercial gardens. We offer well-established garden teams with skilled workers. Our Horticulturalists and Operations Manager oversee the teams and ensure that excellent service is provided.

 

News supplied.

Laddsworth Primary School recognises the importance of movement in the classroom, to release excess energy and refocus attention. This is especially important considering the safety constraints that have been introduced to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in schools. Children have to wear masks, adhere to social distancing and are not able to run around at break or play sport in the afternoons.

Each class teacher periodically does their own fun physical activity during class time. The children enjoy these ‘brain breaks’ tremendously and it helps to improve morale, for both learners and teachers.