This pair of Blue Cranes and their two chicks were seen by Pam Curtis who reported this amazing sighting.

Blue cranes will normally lay a clutch of 2 - 4 eggs approximately 2 to 3 days apart. Incubation period is about 30 days with both male and female sharing the incubation. Newly hatched chicks are mobile within a day of hatching with the parents leading them into areas where they can forage . As is the case with most chicks, strong sibling rivalry has been noted resulting in parents keeping the chicks mobile and splitting them between parents. They fledge when they are about 3 months old. The pairs will leave their breeding territories when the young are about 5 months old and when they join the flocks for the winter months, the young stay with them. Only when the pairs return to their breeding territories in spring are the young then left with the non breeding flocks.

The success rate of Blue cranes successfully raising chicks in the Karkloof hasn't been very good, so we are hoping these two little chicks will survive to adulthood.

Did you know that the Blue crane is one of two species of cranes that don't have any red on their faces, the other being the Demoiselle crane which is found in Eurasia.

What great work being done by the Karkloof Conservancy.

News supplied by the Karkloof Conservancy.

• Advise your security company if you are going away and ensure that you supply all the necessary information regarding key holders and emergency contacts. Also ensure that your alarm system is in good working order.

• Inform your neighbours of your holiday plans so that they can keep an eye on your property.

• Stop all newspaper deliveries and ask a friend or neighbour to collect your post. A bulging post box is a real giveaway that you are not at home.

• If you are hiring a house sitter, ensure that you teach them how to use your alarm correctly. Also advise your security company about who they are and what their contact number is.

• Double check that you have locked and secured all windows and doors before leaving home. Thunderstorms and wind can trigger false alarms.

• Ensure that all your out-buildings (garage, cottage, garden shed) are secured. Also ensure that external PIR beams are in working order and cut away excess foliage near these external beams so that false alarms are not triggered.

• Never leave a key in the inside of an outer door which has glass panels or glass near the door lock.

• Having security gates fitted on outer doors is a highly effective security measure that gives you an extra line of defence.

• Sliding doors can be secured simply by placing a piece of timber cut to size in the sliding rail. Make sure that sliding doors cannot be lifted vertically. Preferably have a sliding gate across the front all sliding doors.

• Full fencing and sturdy driveway gates are a good deterrent. Make sure that your gate motor and battery are also secured.

• Have good exterior lighting, preferably on a timer or movement sensitive. Criminals do not like lighting.

• Do not leave ladders, spades or tools lying about outside as they can be used to break into your house. Do not leave other valuables in view from the road as opportunistic criminals will steal these.

• Clear signage indicating that you have a security company also helps to discourage criminals.
If you need assistance please contact the KSS offices on 033 3305911 at any time of day or knight.

For further security advice you can contact Keshen on 083 393 5265 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. You can also contact Gary on 082 8947 628 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

To aid in the fight against crime in the local Mpophomeni community, Midmar Crushers donated reflective vests to the members of the Mpophomeni Social Crime Prevention Unit.

These vests will be used to increase the visibility of the members while night patrolling to protect our local citizens.

News supplied by the Midmar Group.

St John's Village Lifestyle Centre are celebrating their first birthday. There will be super specials all round.

Check out these specials from Medi Kist St John's Pharmacy.

News supplied by St John's Village Lifestyle Centre.

uMngeni Valley Nature Reserve & Education Centre was recognized by the 1st Howick Scout Group for service to the the troop during the past year.

What an honor and privilege to receive the Lord Baden Powell Award and continue strengthening the relationship between these two amazing organisations.

News supplied by uMngeni Valley Nature Reserve & Education Centre.

Pictured above Matthew Cocks.

Get these specials at Harvard Electrical Wholesalers. Valid for one week. 

Find Harvard Electrical Wholesalers at 22 Harvard Street, Howick, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, 3290.

To avoid the taxi rank.

Please use the bell St, going up, drive past the Old Shoprite Building turn left, left again and we are on the left.

Tim Plewman, by public demand, once again dons the Caveman’s skins and steps onto stage to add to his record breaking slew of sold out performances of the longest-running and most successful solo comedy in South African theatre history. The Broadway production still holds the record of the longest running non-musical solo comedy of all time. This iconic production humorously exposes the hunter and gatherer in us all and has played to over a million people.

Penned by Rob Becker, Plewman adapted the script for Southern Africa and went on to win the Vita Award for Best Actor in a Comedy. Updated, upgraded and totally up-loadable to today’s world of tweets, selfies and six million Facebook friends, this production is still an hilarious, affectionate and insightful comedy that explains why men and women see the world so differently, and will have you looking at your partner with new eyes. After years of hearing that all men are assholes, the Caveman once again stands up to be counted. And being a troglodyte, standing upright is not an easy thing to do!!

Tim has become one of the most sought after actors in SA, equally at home in drama or comedy. He is an actor, dancer, writer, humourist, director and producer. Since his first leading role in 1978, Tim his remained at the very top of the acting world for over 30 years starring in plays, musicals and TV shows. He has won five Best Actor/ Best Director Awards, has written two books and a half dozen plays and TV specials. His book, “Fitness For Old Farts”, reached No 10 on the best sellers list in SA, and he does motivational speaking countrywide inspiring the over 50’s to regain fitness, flexibility and fun. Tim is delighted to be performing again his favourite role, “Caveman”.

Tim's legendary show, Defending the Caveman, crossed the divides of race, gender, age, culture and religion to become a South African icon, the only show to become one of the things you have to see if visiting the country, along with the Big Five, Cape Town and a gold mine.

Tim Plewman’s fabulous one man show: Defending the Caveman – returns to KZN playing at the Hex in Pietermaritzburg on Friday 2 Nov and at the Black Rock Tsogo Sun in Newcastle on Sat Nov 3. Booking is now open through Computicket.

Portrait photos by Val Adamson.

News supplied.

Howick High School was honoured to welcome past pupil Ann Ashworth, nee Boniwell, class of 2001 and winner of the 2018 Comrades Marathon, as the Guest Speaker at their Annual Speech Night and Prizegiving which took place on Friday, 12 October.

Ann highlighted the importance of community spirit - caring about fellow community members and taking an interest in, and supporting, their success. She urged us not to sit on the sidelines but to make good things happen - in other words "Just do it"!

Pictured From L to R:  Mrs Ann Ashworth; Mrs Lauren Farquharson.

News supplied by Howick High School.

Ins and outs of Cholesterol

Cholesterol is found in every cell in the body, where it helps to produce cell membranes, hormones (such as estrogen, cortisol and testosterone), vitamin D, and bile acids which are the final break-down products of cholesterol. Cholesterol also plays a vital role in brain structure and function, as 25% of the body’s total cholesterol is found in the human brain. We cannot live without cholesterol and thus it is a friend not a foe!

When a doctor sends off a blood sample for a “lipogram”, the two lipoproteins that are routinely reported are LDL (low density lipoprotein) and HDL (high density lipoprotein), but what are the implications when these levels are deemed to be too high or too low? And how does it affect blood vessel walls? Are the statin drugs that are prescribed by doctors to lower cholesterol levels the best solution? What is the relationship between chronic inflammation in the body and cholesterol? Is there a link between cholesterol levels and depression, violence and aggression? How safe is the use of statin drugs described by doctors to lower cholesterol levels?
These are just a few examples of the topics that Nola will cover in her in depth talk about the role and importance of cholesterol.

Gut Health

In this talk Prof Nola Dippenaar will explain - in easy to understand layman’s terms – the vital role played by the gastro-intestinal tract (GIT) in health – in effect the “petrol tank” of the body.
The 8 meter long GIT plays a vital role in general health. An integral part of its functioning is the presence of 2 kg of friendly bacteria, also known as the microbiome. Many pathologies (medical conditions) arise from disturbances in gut function. During this talk Nola will highlight the complex interaction between the GIT and the rest of the body - including the amazing continuous communication between our first brain and our second brain, which surrounds the GIT.
Healthy balanced nutrition, fuel for the body, will also be discussed.

Prof. Nola Dippenaar has a PhD in the field of essential fatty acids and cancer. She also has Masters degrees in Biochemistry and Physiology. She was appointed as a Professor at the University of Pretoria with the Department of Physiology and is presently running her own company, Health Insight.

Her main area of research lies in the field of Insulin Resistance and Metabolic Syndrome. She believes passionately that through understanding and insight into the functioning of the human body one is empowered to take responsibility for one’s precious health.

Pictured above: Prof. Nola Dippenaar.

When: Wednesday, 31 October 2018

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Where: Presbyterian Church,

67 Main Road, Howick

NOTE: Entrance only from Fraser Street side!

Attendance Fee: R 100,00.

News supplied.

Sunday 11 November saw the Armistrice Day Parade take place at  the Howick Cenetaph. The 1st Howick Cubs and Scouts, the Caledonian Pipe Band and MOTHS gathered together in the late afternoon to remember the members of the armed forces who died in the line of duty, during the First World War.

This Rememberance day was marked with a parade and a wreath laying ceremony.

Photo credit : Harold Churchill

News supplied.

If you book your wedding to take place at Lythwood any day from today until 31st July 2019 , Lythwood Lodge will give you a full R25,000 off their Gold Wedding package (based on 100 guests).

You have from now until midnight on Friday 23rd November 2018 (Black Friday) to book and pay your deposit. After that, this special turns into a pumpkin!

Pop Alison or Danelle an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to find out more and to book. Use #blackfridaywedding2018 as your subject line!

What's included in Lythwood's Gold wedding package?

Venue Hire for the Khaya Centre, Chapel, Tent & Red Carpet Garden Ceremony
Tea, coffee and fresh fruit juice for Pre-reception drinks
Three Course Buffet or Plated Menu
Dedicated waitron per table of 10 and bar staff
In-house tables, chairs, crockery, cutlery, glassware and white linen
Professional wedding photographer*
No cut-off time and no levy charged after midnight
Dedicated wedding co-ordinator to plan and execute the weekend activities
Five complimentary rooms for the night of the wedding
Complimentary 1st Year wedding anniversary weekend.

Photo credit to Stuart Dods.

News supplied by Lythwood Lodge.

There is an exciting, fun filled day to be held at Piggly Wiggly Village with Father Christmas, Music, Lucky Draws from the shops at the village, food stalls on SATURDAY 8 DECEMBER 2018.

We hope to see many of our local customers and others from far afield, join in this fun filled event.

News supplied by Mushka.

Another beautiful collection of 5 gardens that will be open this weekend 3,4 November in Dargle as part of the Open Midlands Gardens.

STIHL Harcourts Real Estate (SA) Harcourts Hilton Open Gardens of South Africa

News supplied.

Sunfield Home Christmas Fair.

Christmas Lights , live music, fun for the kids, beer tent, food stalls.

Entrance by donation.

News supplied by Sunfield Home for Intellectually Impaired.

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The newest Pieter-Dirk Uys show – When in Doubt, Say Darling - will have two seasons in KZN: at the Hexagon Theatre in Pietermaritzburg on 30 and 31 October and again on 6 and 7 November, and at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre on Durban’s UKZN Campus, on 1,2,3,4 and again 8,9,10, 11 November 2018.

When in Doubt, Say Darling has just enjoyed a sold-out season at Pieter Toerien's Montecasino Studio and the Fugard Theatre in Cape Town.
Sometimes politics repeats itself, not only taking history and turning it into farce, but taking farce and turning into the fake news which is now called entertainment. Pieter-Dirk Uys is sorting out 40 years of distress, disguise and disgust: from apartheid to tripartite, from amandla to Nkandla - and happily back to amandla. In the boxes are wigs, glasses, wagging fingers, toyi-toyis, red berets, trump cards of madness, icons and aikonas, from Bezuidenhouts, Raubenheimers and Ramaphosas to Altzheimers. See PW Botha impersonate Jacob Zuma! Witness Dr Piet Koornhof solve the Brexit stand-off! Celebrate the appearances of Angela Merkel, Theresa May, Nowell Fine and Evita Bezuidenhout!
At a time when a casual greeting or embrace can be seen as racist or harassment, the advice is simple: when in doubt say darling. If you can't remember their names, just say darling. If you get lost along the road to somewhere, simply ask for Darling. He did it, and now Pieter-Dirk Uys also lives in Darling. Join him and many darlings on an exciting walk through this new minefield of hashtags and hate speech to the edge of the next cliff of crisis, when the end of the world seems nigh. It also used to be called a sunset, but here's a secret: the sun will also rise tomorrow, darling.
Booking is open for the Durban season through Computicket outlets; telephonic bookings on 0861 915 8000, and online bookings at www.computicket.com.

Booking is open for the Pietermaritzburg season through Webtickets.

FROM MEDIA REVIEWS:
‘You laugh gently with this figure, who slips chameleonically through eras and identities, but you also sober up and acknowledge that the turning over of decades had rendered Uys an important elder of the theatre community. A unique and irreplaceable one. And this reason, as well as all the others, makes it unequivocally a work to cherish.’ – Robyn Sassen / My View / 24.4.2018
‘When in Doubt Say Darling helps you to smile at what is happening in our country and realizing: it is your state of mind, your own sense of having fun, and finding the dark comedy and satire in many real-life situations that keeps us going. Strongly recommended. And when in doubt, just buy a ticket.’ -

Leon van Nierop / What’s on in Joburg / 24.2.2018
‘Pieter-Dirk Uys can be described as the gift that keeps on giving. A one-man artist who has perfected his craft, Uys has a wonderful rapport with his audience, punctuating his stories with some naughty asides and infectious laughter. There is still plenty of life in this ‘old’ man and may he remain the satirical genius he had proven to be.’ - Peter Feldman / Artslink / 5.4.2018

‘Pieter-Dirk Uys and the satire that kept a country laughing. Watching him on stage is always an experience. All the more reason to see it live.’ - Masego Panyane / Star Tonight / 17.4. 2018
‘

Charming, chilling and confrontational Mr Uys. He understands he has a broader horizon behind him than ahead and he dusts off old targets to remind audiences that bad politics easily reinvents itself as a democratic solution. He offers audiences an opportunity to laugh at their fears, to confront fear, to understand it and prevent it from winning. Courage, honesty, compassion, healthy anger, information, respect and maybe a talent to amuse, are his keys to success.’ - Diane de Beer / Business Day / 27. 3. 2018

‘Once again Uys inspires because he is in familiar territory with rolled up sleeves. He is not yet done with his beloved country and its people. Uys always works with humour, a deep insight and compassion without mincing words.’ - Laetitia Pople / Die Burger (translated) / 31.3 2018
‘Providing both commentary of the past 24 years of us being a democracy, as well as observing South Africans in all our wackiness, don’t be surprised if Uys eventually outlives us all.’ - Steyn du Toit / Business Day / 30 3.2018
‘Magical moments in a life well-lived. Good stuff, Mr Uys!’ - Lesley Stones / Daily Maverick / 2.4.2018

Internationally recognized South African musician Guy Buttery, will join Dr Kanada Narahari, a prominent music therapist who specialises in creating passionate sitar-based compositions, on the Schlesinger Theatre, Michaelhouse stage on Friday, 9 November 2018 for an evening of dynamic and unique music as the cultures of these two diverse artists collide.

As the first non-classical artist to receive the Standard Bank Young Artist Award this year, Guy is deemed as somewhat of a global ambassador of SA music, leading the way with his homegrown style at the heart of his music.

Kanada is a passionate and renowned Sitar player and vocalist. He pursued an early interest in Hindustani Classical music that lead him to a career as an Ayurvedic Doctor, allowing him to incorporate his love for music into his therapeutic practice. He currently performs his Indian-inspired therapeutic rhythms for audiences through-out India, Nepal and SA.

Together Guy and Kanada bring the diversity of two very different musical worlds together presenting an evening of rich and unique music. The duo have performed together on a number of occasions, including at the 2018 National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, the 2018 Hilton Arts Festival and most recently at The Elizabeth Sneddon theatre in Durban.

Drawing on Guy’s well-known local talent, and Kanada’s Indian inspiration, the Schlesinger Theatre, Michaelhouse welcomes a fusion of African and Indian culture in a musical experience you can't afford to miss, taking place on Friday, 9 November 2018. Tickets are R120 per person. For more information or to book your spot contact Angela on (033) 234 1314 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Tickets are also available online at www.tickethut.co.za.

News supplied.

Howick High School announced the Head Prefects for 2019 at their Prizegiving and Speech Nights held on Friday, 12 October.

Pictured from(L-R): Nathaniel Napier – Deputy Head Boy; Robert Pike – Head Boy, Jessica Meyer – Head Girl, Kelly Kendall – Deputy Head Girl.

News supplied by Howick High School.

Thinking of end-of-year corporate Gifts?  The are the perfect gift to remind the receiver of Africa and its wildlife.

We deliver anywhere in SA.

We are based at 44 Main Street, Howick, KZN, 3290 

Open 8am-4pm .

www.maridadidesigns.co.za 

033 330 5658 .

A classic Pewter cheese knife accompanied by a cheese board is the perfect gift for enjoying gorgeous meals with families and friends.

We deliver anywhere in SA.

News supplied by Maridadi Design.