05 Mar2012

Run Walk for Life move to Laddsworth

wflLogo400

Good news in from Run/Walk for Life in Hilton, they are moving to Laddsworth Primary School from Wednesday 7th March 2012! Be there at 17h30 for the launch of this keenly anticipated launch. Laddsworth offers a variety of safe routes, especially during the winter months.

New members who join Run/Walk for Life during the month of March 2012 can join at the very reduced rate of R850.00 for the year, this is a large saving on the normal price of R1296.00. A great way to get fit, lose weight and be healthy.

RunWalkLaunchposterMar2012

01 Mar2012

Please pick the Formosa Lilies

LiliumWinterskloof Conservancy received the following note on the Formosa Lilies that are flowering at the moment, many can be seen on the hillside of World's View, as you drive down Old Howick Road from Hilton to PMB, just past Ketelfontein Reserve.
 
The note is from Nikki Brighton of the Midlands Conservancies' Forum.
'Formosa Lily (Lilium formosanum) is flowering at the moment and there seem to be masses more than last year. These invasive plants from Taiwan have spread alarmingly over the past few years, seeding prolifically along roads. It also invades grasslands and wetlands transforming these habitats and replacing indigenous plants.With less than 3% of the original moist mist-belt grasslands formally protected, we can't afford to lose anymore.
 
The purplish brown stems reach 1,5 to 2 m high and are topped with up to 10 white trumpet shaped flowers flushed with burgundy on the outside. The 20 cm long funnel-shaped flowers are fragrant and have been widely cultivated in the past ' escaping from gardens to become a serious weed in the wild. The narrow linear leaves are shiny dark green.
Formosa lily is listed presently as a Declared Invader Category 3 plant which means it cannot be planted and needs to be controlled. Please go out and pick armfuls of these flowers before the seed heads carrying 1000's of seeds form and burst! Preferably, pull the whole plant out while you are about it.
SANBI, in conjunction with Working for Water is sending clearing teams to the Karkloof, Dargle and other areas soon.If you see an infestation that you can't handle, please report it to:Ntombifuthi Mthimkhulu by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Or Vusi Mkhize by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.' Image and article submitted by Winterskloof Conservancy.
29 Feb2012

Brain Train Student takes 2nd in Wartburg Classic

mtb-edwardsbAndrew Edwards, a BrainTrain student, is our mountain biking hero!

At the Cedara Subaru Race Andrew took 2nd in his age group and was placed 6th overall. Recently Andrew attended the SA Nationals in Cape Town and came 5th in his age group. At the Provincials at Giba Gorge he did very well, managing a 3rd place. More recently at the Wartburg Classic, he came 2nd in his age group and a whopping 12th overall!

Well done Andrew, you make us very proud, keep on pedalling! Image and news supplied by Brain Train, Hilton, Kwazulu-Natal.
28 Feb2012

Coaching Lifts Businesses to Unexpected Levels

PatrickBusiness coaching is firmly established in South Africa yet company owners here are slow to employ the services of professional business coaches.

In Australia almost 50% of business owners subscribe to a business coach. In America the figure is similar.

The coaching process is structured to provide business owners with short-term assistance and long-term training through a mentoring approach. Based on sales, marketing, and business management systems, a coach will show you how to increase your business revenues and profits, often quite dramatically, and also how to develop your business so that you, as the owner, can work less, relax more, and finally enjoy business ownership.

Good business coaches have broad and deep business experience, and are fellow business owners who have invested their time, money, and energy to make their own various business ventures successful. Patrick Greenaway is such person. He is a qualified master coach who owns the ActionCOACH KZN franchise, based in Hilton.

Every great performer ' athlete, artist, or otherwise ' has a coach or advisor; or both! he says.
The ever-increasing pace of business makes it difficult for the business owner to keep up with changes in industries, as well as new ideas in sales, marketing and management strategies. Patrick has seen positive changes in most of his clients' businesses.

Our goal in business is quite simple ... to help company owners reach their goals, he adds.
Derryn Fourie, of Midmar Crushers attends coaching session every week and is a firm fan of business coaching. I have seen a steady growth in my business over the past three years, he says, I would never have reached the targets accomplished on my own.

Clive and Linda Foss of Riverside Trading (Nottingham Road Hotel and Gowrie Country Club) have similar comments. They attend sessions on alternate weeks and their respective businesses have developed beyond expectations. Our initial skepticism has turned to complete faith in business coaching, says Clive.

And, I wouldn't be here where I stand today had I not employed the wisdom of a coach. I hold out my hand in gratitude, adds Cliffie Egberink of Heathcliff Farming. Mark Heinrich of Jaxx Restaurant is a relative newcomer to business coaching. I didn't think I needed a coach because my established restaurants were doing well. When Jaxx opened in The Quarry Centre I noticed we were next door to ActionCOACH. I conducted research, gave it a try and, with the help of coaching we have put tried-and-tested systems in place and we have moved forward more rapidly than ever anticipated says Mark, who exceeded his December target by 38%. More importantly, we have seen a healthy profit growth and the attitude of our staff tells the story.

Trevor Rawlins of CFCA, although far removed from the hospitality, farming and engineering industries, has enjoyed similar success in his business. It's a fact, business coaching works, he adds. CFCA has seen a growth of 30% in his annual profit.

These are a few of many Midlands business owners who have put in the extra time and effort and have reaped the rewards of their endeavours. It's about commitment and accepting that a business coach has become a necessity for the company owner looking for success, says Patrick whose coaching practice offers one-to-one coaching. It also offers GrowthCLUB, a full-day, quarterly, intensive and exclusive 90-day business-planning workshop with coaching and educational content. The aim is to establish an effective and executable strategy. As with quarterly planning in large organisations, small-business owners are given the opportunity to participate in a business-building day with like-minded owners. And ActionCLUB - a group coaching process with a strong business re-education element ' which helps build strong foundations. A group of business owners is coached over an 11-month programme that has been structured to help them learn, implement, sustain and grow their businesses, revenues and profits. Delegates meet once a month. Between-sessions webinars ensure an understanding of the previous session's content and successful implementation.
By helping business development in KwaZulu-Natal our goal is to help alleviate the unemployment problem in our province, says Patrick in conclusion.
24 Feb2012

Rusty is ready for the Maritzburg Marathon

HarcourtsRustyPMBMarathon copyIt is the Maritzburg Marathon on Sunday the 26th February 2012, hordes of runners will set off from opposite Merchiston School for a Marathon (42.2km) or a half-marathon (21.1km).

The friendliest dude in Hilton, Rusty, resident at Harcourts Hilton, has been spotted wearing his Maritzburg Marathon t-shirt and trainers. Whether Rusty has entered the race has not been confirmed. But either way, the Team at Harcourts Hilton wish all the runners well.
22 Feb2012

Budget 2012/2013

logobussoulThe South African budget speech 2012, presented by Finance Minister Pravine Gordhan, is at a poised time for South Africa. As the Minister put it a challanging but hopeful time.

Highlights

The speech has focused on the challenges of creating jobs, reducing poverty, building infrastructure and expanding the economy. There is an expected expenditure of R4.5 trillion for the year.
R77.8 billion for job creation, small enterprise development and youth employment;
R3.2 trillion for 43 major infrastructure projects, R300 billion to the energy sector and R262 billion in transport and logistics;
R7.7 billion to Working for Water and Working on Fire;
R236 billion for Education;
An additional R12.3 billion over the next three years to strengthen the healthcare system;
R120 billion for human settlement upgrading, municipal services and water infrastructure.






Tax Tables
Taxable income (R) Rates of tax
0 ' 160 000 18% of each R1
160 001 '250 000 R28 800 +25% of the amount above R160 000
250 001 '346 000 R51 300 +30% of the amount above R250 000
346 001 '484 000 R80 100 +35% of the amount above R346 000
484 001 '617 000 R128 400 +38% of the amount above R484 000
617 001 and above R178 940 +40% of the amount above R617 000

Rebates of Tax
Primary R11 440
Secondary (Persons 65 and older) R6 390
Tertiary (Persons 75 and older) R2 130

Tax Threshold
Below age 65 R63556
Age 65 to below 75 R99 056
Age 75 and over R110 889

Dividends Tax
The termination of secondary tax on companies and the implementation of Dividend tax is now effective 31 March 2012. The dividend tax will be introduced at 15% which is higher than the STC of 10%.

Capital Gains Tax
Capital gains tax has increased for individuals and special trusts to 33.3%. Companies and other trusts has increased to 66.6%. No mention has been made yet of doing away with Estate duty. The various Capital Gains tax exclusions have been increased.

Small Business Relief
There is some relief for small business and it is worth structuring your business properly to take advantage of this relief.
Tax threshold has increased to R63556.
The next bracket is where the most benefit is recieved. The tax rate has decreased from 10% to 7% and the threshold has increased to R350000.
Above this it is taxed at the normal 28%.

Budget Deficit
The budget deficit for 2012/2013 is expected to be 4.6 per cent, while 3 per cent is projected for 2013/2014.

Growth
GDP for 2012 is expected to fall to 2.7 per cent. This is considerably low for the region which is expected to have growth of 5.5%. While 3.6 per cent is projected for 2013 which is still below par. We echo the sentiments of the Minister when he says we are not doing well enough in growing our economy and creating jobs for our young people.

Financial Management and Combating Fraud
A point of the Minister was to mention that the efforts of public and government need to be improved to ensure that corruption is prevented and that the funding allocated is well spent. He further raised that mismanagement needs to be dealt with, It has been necessary to take steps to address financial management weaknesses that have undermined service delivery and put financial sustainability at risk in several provinces.

Working together
It is now time that we all realise that haircuts are necessary. We look forward to the public funds been spent as allocated, within the tightened budget framework.
The support of the business sector, particularly small business in looking for opportunities to grow our space and thereby grow our economy is needed.
The budget speech strategy is a long term plan. We should emulate our plans for the long term by implementing the changes now that will benefit the country and our business in the long term.
 

Thank you Sheldon of Business Soul Accounting in Hilton, KZN for this speedily delivered assesment.

21 Feb2012

Invitation to Public Meeting

ScrollPublicMeeting

 uMNGENI MUNICIPALITY

 TOWN PLANNING NOTICE NO.4/2012

KWAZULU.NATAL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT ACT, ACT NO 6 OF 2008

INVITATION TO A PUBLIC HEARING

 


In terms of item 11(1) of Schedule 1 of the KwaZulu-Natal Planning and Development Act, 2008 (Act No. 6 of 2008), the public is invited to a public hearing that will be held in respect of the Hilton-Mondi Development situate on various Remainders of Farm Driefonteinen No 952 and Remainder of the Farm Groene Kloof No 900.

The purpose of the public hearing is to give persons who objected to the proposal and other members of the public an opportunity to engage directly with the applicant on the proposal. Any person has a right to attend the hearing or to be represented at the hearing, to personally, or through a representative, state their case, to call witnesses to testify and to present other evidence to support their case, to cross-examine any person called as a witness by any opposite party, to have access to documents produced in evidence and to address the merits of the application.

Date: 2 March 2012
Time: 9H30
Venue: Hilton Hall
Enquires: Dev Rampal
Tel:033-2399255.
e-mail:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Mr. H S BUTHELEZI
ACTING MUNICIPAL MANAGER
15 Feb2012

Phoebe is Home

Phoebe copy copyA happy ending to the search for a Jack Russell cross Fox has been confirmed, pictured above is the little girl who is delighted to have Phoebe, her chosen birthday gift, home again. Phoebe's little wander about Hilton was clearly exhausting, she could barely open her tired eyes for the camera!

Thank you to the kind lady who found Phoebe and all who were on the lookout.
05 Mar2012

David Orr in Concert at Church of Ascension

DavisOrr400Church of Ascension in Church Lane, next to St Annes in Hilton invite you to attend a programme of popular music for organ with David Orr.

St George's Cathedral Director of Music, David Orr, returns to the Natal Midlands to give a concert at the Church of the Ascension in Hilton. David studied Music at Rhodes University where he completed a Masters degree in Organ Performance. Following seven years in the Pietermaritzburg area, teaching initially at Epworth and later at St Anne's Diocesan College, he returned to Cape Town in 2007 to St George's Cathedral where he directs the overall cathedral music programme of liturgical and secular performances.

This concert in Hilton will feature accessible music for organ such as Bach's popular 'Jesu, joy of man's desiring' and Elgar's famous 'Nimrod'. Tickets at R80.00 are sold in support of the church's organ fund. For further information about the concert or to book tickets (also available at the door) please phone 033 343 3012 (weekday mornings). Safe parking Brindy Road off Hilton Avenue.
01 Mar2012

Graces Junior Chess Champs

grace Chess copyGrace College Grade 8 pupils, Shaun Markham and Mark Auge, stood out in the Pietermaritzburg and Districts Individual Chess Challenge for Secondary schools, held at St. Charles this term. Shaun came first and Mark second, in the C-pool for beginners. Congratulations to you both on this achievement and also to the rest of the team for doing us proud. We wish you all the best for the team challenge that is lying ahead.

Pictured are: Shaun Markham on the left (winner) and Mark Auge (second).
 
News and image submitted by Grace College.
28 Feb2012

Hilton's POSH Market - A Heartfelt Note from Twan

Twans spoonsHilton's POSH Market is fast approaching; it happens on the 21st March 2012, from 9:00am to 2:00pm at Jacaranda Centre, behind Kubela's Store in Hilton Avenue, Hilton, KwaZulu-Natal. This Wednesday is a midweek public holiday.

Twan Renwick says, 'I shall be away down-under, but my 'made with love' POSH CRAFTS will be here, with Lorraine from The Antique Rose on hand to help you find that fun and quirky accessory for yourself or your home, or a gift for a friend perhaps, all affordable and different !

Look out for my new bunting to order which is loads of fun for that special birthday, kitchen tea, pamper/stork party etc. I have been busy as a bee here in Hilton, I have covered notebooks, knitted fingerless mittens ahead of winter, crafted fun peg bags, created precious little bootees and funky baby jerseys, put together knitting kits for small girls, handbag tissue holders, gorgeous heart measuring spoons etcetera, etcetera, etcetera ... the imagination has no limits!

I hope that you will pass this news on to your friends and come along and enjoy a wonderful day out!'
Thanks Twan for sharing and being a dedicated participant of this fun event. We wish you traveller's blessings and look forward to having you present at our next market in June.
28 Feb2012

HRA Electricity Update and Invitation to Meeting

Power

Since the last news, there have been two meetings; the first with our Mayor Myeni and the second with both Mayors Myeni and Ndladla. At the second meeting Sewdutt Nagasar (Acting Process Manager, Electricity, Msunduzi Municipality) gave a presentation on what was being planned and what work had already been carried out. The electrical design consultant had been appointed, as had the bush clearing contractor and surveyor. The latter two had already completed half the work by 16 February. The project comprises replacing the two overhead lines from Quarry Road (off Victoria) up to the Crossways substation in Hilton. The provisional programme is that the first line will be operational in June and the second in August.
 
The Hilton Ratepayers' Association has constituted an electrical subcommittee to assist the municipality in getting the project done and they are meeting with Mr Nagasar on this coming Friday to discuss progress and related matters. Through our involvement we will be in a position to alert ratepayers of any PLANNED outages while the line is being installed.

In line with our undertaking to support the municipalities in their endeavours to provide a reliable electricity supply, I would request individual property owners to check whether there are any trees that could be interfering with the overhead electrical wires on or near their properties. If the tree is in your boundary, then it is up to you to trim or remove the tree. If it is on Council property (sidewalks or parks, for instance) then it is Council's duty to attend to the clearing or trimming. Should you be aware of any trees that potentially endanger the lines, please trim these yourself (or get a tree-feller to do it for you) or if outside your boundary, report the problem to Mr Svenson at Umngeni Municipality and copy the report to Carey and we will follow up until the problem is resolved.

Lastly, I have received an invitation (see attached) from MEC Ina Cronje's office to attend a public meeting on Thursday, 01 March 2012 at 18H00 for 18h30 at the Hilton Community Hall where she will address the meeting, together with Mayors Myeni and Ndladla, in connection with the electricity problems and the efforts being undertaken to resolve these. The invitation is extended to all ratepayers who would like to hear the progress report firsthand. I shall report back via email to the ratepayers via email as well.

From the desk of Tony van Schijndel, Chairman of the HRA.
24 Feb2012

Hilton Village.co.za Business Network

hilton village Old Main BreweryOld Main Brewery did a great job hosting the most recent HiltonVillage.co.za Business Network Meeting in their Moulin Rouge room which is ideally equipped for Hens Parties and book club meetings. The beer was cold and welcome at the end of a hot Summer's day, the light snacks lived up to their honest food ethos presented in the Old Main Brewery slogan and the venue was comfortable. Everyone relaxed and had a fun time and we extend our thanks to Matt and his staff for making it all happen.

Pictured in the slide show below are our excited winners of great prizes which were generously donated by Hilton business owners. MGF Attorneys gifted two Will vouchers and the lucky recipients were Erica Boshoff, our Hilton Village Pharmacy owner and Guy Hickinbotham of H and K Electrical who are pictured below Mike Forsyth. Cherri Forsyth, a Life Coach from Life Vision made Wendy Briscoe of Howick Hospice's day with a Personal Life Coaching Voucher and our Team at Avidity Real Estate, Andrew Morphew and Alex Beadle were blown away with a Corporate Life Coaching Voucher valued at R3500.00.

Jean Allen the owner of Allen HR was thrilled with her prize, a Photography Shoot and A4 Enlargement from Erika Whitby of Erika Whitby Photography. Maurice Wilkinson will be spoiling his grandchildren with a Voucher from Tiny Togs and Toys at The Quarry Centre and Mike Forsyth will also be shopping there to spoil his nieces and nephews. Thank you Shirley Gorrie for your prize donations. Maurice is pictured on the left with his wife Pat, they owner manage a peaceful bed and breakfast in Worlds View, Maypers and are also dedicated members of the Worlds View conservancy.

If you have a business in Hilton and would like to meet other Hilton business people in pursuit of opportunities to do more business right here in Hilton, subscribe to HiltonVillage.co.za, Hilton's growing online happy place that is equally active in the real world. Our next big event for the Hilton community and visitors to Hilton from surrounds and further afield is Hilton's POSH Market on the 21st March 2012. Watch this space for more about that big event, coming soon.

MGFAttorneys

22 Feb2012

Grace College Inter-house Gala

 

GraceCollegeGala2012 copyGrace College held their annual Inter-house gala at the St. Anne's pool on Monday, 20 February 2012. Beautiful, sunny Hilton weather and a jovial, supportive spirit amongst the teams, made for a successful event where 23 records were broken. The Sinai sports house came out tops once again, with Ararat in second place and Carmel (spirit award winners), in third place.

Grace College commends all the swimmers for their outstanding performances and would also like to extend a heartfelt thanks to St. Anne's for the use of their facilities.
Pictured on the left are, from left to right (back): Megan Tychsen (Jnr girls Victrix Ludorum); Bianca Lilje and Colin Hartley (House captains of winning team, Sinai), Mr. Greg Perrett (Governing Body Chairman), Conrad Lilje (Snr boys Victor Ludorum) and in front, Jocelyn Perry (Snr girls Victrix Ludorum) and Bryn Merton (Jnr boys Victor Ludorum).

News and image supplied by Grace College.
21 Feb2012

Hilton College Interhouse Swimming Gala

seann gunnAt the recent Interhouse Swimming Gala held at the school, Clayton Prowse walked away with a number of trophies and was awarded the Victor Ludorum for the best u19 Swimmer. He won the following events:
 
- U19 100m Freestyle
- Open 200m Freestyle
- Open 50m Freestyle
- U19 100m Backstroke
- U19 50m Butterfly
 
Well done to Clayton!
 
News and image supplied by Hilton College.
16 Feb2012

Howick Hospice Breakfast with Tim Goodenough

imgoodenough2Howick Hospice is hosting a Business Breakfast on Tuesday, 21st February at 7h45 for 8h00, at the Corner Post Restaurant, Howick. We would welcome your support.

Enjoy a full South African breakfast whilst listening to dynamic author, meta-coach and neuro-semantics trainer, Tim Goodenough. Tim, who specializes in high performance, both in the corporate world and the world of elite athletes, will be talking about how an understanding of high performance in sport will fast-track high performance in business and life. This is based on his new book, Raising Talent, (to be released later this year) which focuses on the talent development process and how to accelerate it. Tim was the full time mental coach for The Sharks during their 2008 Super 14 campaign. He lectures on mental toughness at The Sharks Academy and the Investec International Rugby Academy as well as for Cricket South Africa. He can currently be seen on the Reality rugby show, Tussen die Lyne on Kyknet.

Tickets are R80 and seating is limited, so please book early with Kate on 033 330 5257 to improve your outlook and support Howick Hospice.
13 Feb2012

Double Magic! The Drakensberg Boys Choir and Norwegian Boys Choir

DrakBoysChoirDouble the magic! The Drakensberg Boys' Choir, a familiar and welcome friend to our community, will join forces with the celebrated Norwegian boys' choir - S??lvguttene - on Sunday 26 February 2012 at 6pm, in the Memorial Hall at Hilton College.

 Prepare yourself for a memorable vocal journey through different genres and the beautiful sounds of boy sopranos and adult male voices! Nestling in the majestic Drakensberg mountain range, founded by choirmaster John Tungay and his family, the Drakensberg Boys Choir School opened in 1967 with 20 boys. Within 2 years this number had tripled and in 1971 the choir made its first of many international tours. This much-loved, proudly South African choir has travelled far and wide and is renowned both locally and internationally. The choir, sometimes, is divided into smaller groups for touring purposes and it is the Chamber Choir, comprising 16 boys under the baton of Conductor Johann van der Sandt, taking part in 'Boys of Blue and Silver'. (www.dbchoir.co.za)

Solvguttene (meaning Boys of Silver) was founded in June 1940 by Torstein Grythe, who was knighted by the King of Norway to the order of St. Olav, and awarded the Royal Medal of Merit (Gold) for his work in this regard. The choir got its name primarily because of the shiny, silvery uniforms that were acquired in the beginning ' owing to a lack of other, more suitable materials. The name has been attributed, subsequently, to the special sound and clarity of the boys 'voices of silver'. (www.solvguttene.no/en)

Solvguttene is extremely popular throughout Norway, having performed many times on radio and television and at official events such as the closing ceremony of the Lillehammer Olympic Games in 1994. The choir has frequently toured internationally visiting Scandinavian, various European countries, the USA and the former Soviet Union. In 1996, the choir performed for Queen Sonja of Norway and Prince Edward of Great Britain, in Westminster Abbey, London. S??lvguttene ' the Norwegian Broadcasting Boys' Choir ' comprises 65 boys aged 8 to 15, and 25 adult male singers (all of whom were, previously, boy singers with the choir). On international tours, the choir comprises approximately 60 singers.

The two choirs are widely recognised to be among the best boys' choirs in the world.
Tickets are R50. Booking is essential. To book: Tel. 033 383 0126 o/h or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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