The Art Bar @ Zulu Lulu was started many years ago by a local ceramicist as an opportunity for children and adults alike to paint their own raw ceramic items. It was called The Art Bar as they had a funky wraparound 'bar' that you sat at to do your painting. 

Fast forward to today, where it is an art studio attached to the Zulu Lulu Gallery, offering a wide selection of arts and crafts as well as paint your own ceramics. Tables and chairs outside on the verandah or inside offer space for everyone whatever the weather brings!

The Art Bar is owner managed by Vanessa Cadman, a physiotherapist with a love for anything art and craft related!  She has a passion for sharing her love of creativity with everyone who comes through the doors, especially helping people 'find' their creative side and realising that it is therapeutic, relaxing and so satisfying to see the end result. 

Children learn hand-eye co-ordination, dexterity involving fine motor skills and that their imagination and creativity know no boundaries in an art studio! Screen time doesn't do this. 

Adults are reminded to breathe, slow down and go with the creative flow as they rediscover (or discover) creative pursuits. 

Time in the Art Bar is the ideal family bonding activity.

On offer at the Art Bar @ Zulu Lulu are paint your own ceramics, either to be fired and glazed (takes 2 weeks in our on-site kiln) or in acrylic paint and varnished for immediate take home, or laser cut wood art painting, dot art, acrylic pouring, kiddies canvas painting and mandala painting. We also have a small selection of artist quality blank canvasses in various sizes if you are brave enough to paint your own masterpiece from scratch. 

We love hosting school groups, birthday parties, bridal showers, baby showers and team building/corporate end of year groups. Chat to us for ideas and prices. Bookings essential for groups over 6 people.

Our Art Bar on the Move is also available in the Pietermaritzburg to Nottingham Road area. We bring the art activity to your venue, set up, supervise and clean up after the activity.

See you soon for some creative time!

News supplied by The Artbar @ Zulu Lulu.

The UCSI NPC is making its mark. On Thursday 28th of November, a delegation of JB Marks Municipal Officials from Potchefstroom and Ventersdorp (North West Province) come to our uMngeni Municipal area to see the uMngeni Community Safety Initiative (UCSI) NPC and related SNIPR, TrackBox Technologies, SAPS and Law Enforcement entities in action. Local uMngeni Municipal Mayor, Cllr Sokhela and Deputy Mayor, Cllr Buthelezi, along with Jerome Nzimande (Manager of Protection Services) and other Municipal Officials welcomed them to our community.

The UCSI has been identified as a “best practice model” in the fight against crime, and with the support and collaboration of so many private and public entities, it is seeing positive results.

The operations demonstration and training exercise was well attended at Stockowners Business Park and saw over 20 officials and attendees have the opportunity to fly over the uMngeni area and see the network of UCSI established gantries from the air. The attendees included representatives from The uMngeni Municipality, JB Marks Municipality, UCSI Board members, SNIPR, TrackBox SACAN, VCAT, Howick SAPS, Hilton SAPS, Mpophomeni SAPS, uMngeni Traffic Department, Department of Transport, Department of Community Safety and Liaison, Local uMngeni Municipal Councillors, UCSI Donors, Love Howick, CPF Chairman, NHW representatives, Knight Security Solutions, PMB Security, Starlight Helicopters, Hello Marketing and numerous community members.

The operations demonstration was exciting and the training exercise a huge success, with all role-players stepping up to the mark and effecting the “arrest” of the perpetrators who “stole” the SNIPR branded vehicle. To see a bit of the action go to the UCSI Facebook page or click on:
https://www.facebook.com/2254674914795820/videos/979384789100090/UzpfSTE2NTAwMDkwMTUyNjQ4NjY6MjU1Nzg0ODU2MTE0NzU2OQ/

Thank you to Brian Jones (CEO of TrackBox Technologies and VCAT), as well as Grant Hancock and Jeremy Malherbe (CEO’s of SNIPR) and their respective teams for helping make this happen.

Meet the UCSI NPC Board of Directors
The UCSI Board of Directors is made up of 8 community members, all of whom offer their skills and services on a completely voluntary basis. There is a wealth of expertise from all board members who represent the diversity of our local communities. The UCSI has been totally community funded to date and its success is due to our dedicated team and the support of the local community.

The Board of Directors includes:
Chairperson: Themba Ndulini who is a Businessman and owns Changing Tides - Project Management.

Vice Chairperson: Thandeni Zondi who is an Educator at Howick Prep School and Equity Representative for KZN Sport.

Secretary: Debbie Preston who is an Educator, Author and has worked in the security industry for the past 6 years.

Captain PJ Myeni who is a retired Captain in SAPS and a Businessman.

Terence James who is the Business Manager at RJCO.

Whyona Sithapersad who is an Attorney and Director at J Leslie Smith Attorneys.

Krish Ramkuber who is a Financial Accountant for the Gemmill Group.

Kevin Wright who is a Businessman and owns Tayloredwright Advertising.

To become an actively contributing member toward this unique community crime initiative, go to www.ucsi.org.za or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and help us keep the UCSI sustainable.

News supplied by UCSI.

Little Mozambique will be open for Christmas Lunch on 25 December.

Book your table and enjoy a stress free lunch with delicious food.

Little Mozambiue will use their normal menu for Christmas Day and will be open until 4pm.

News supplied by Little Mozambique.

For the month of December only, get 10 % off all chandeliers, pendants, ceiling fans and wall fans.

“FOR YOUR PEACE OF MIND, WE HAVE CCTV AND A SECURITY GUARD”. To avoid the taxi rank, please use Bell Street. Drive past the “Former Shoprite Building”, take the first left, and first left again and you will find us on the complex on the left.

News supplied by Harvard Electrical Wholesalers.

The year is racing to a finish, warm weather, family time and, hopefully, down time waits us all in December!

Eat at Andrew's will be hosting a Christmas lunch on the 24th and the 25th of December, booking is essential, so get in early as we have limited space.

We will be serving a three course menu with a welcome drink of bubbles. You can expect a delicious menu with traditional flavours for only R475 per person. (Coffee and soft drinks available - Alcohol is BYO)

Our last themed evening of the year is this week and the theme is 'South American' we have a few extra seats available, so if you want in for the last dinner at Eat at Andrew's for 2019, please get in touch.

We hope to see you all before we usher in a new year and wish you and yours a wonderful Christmas and a prosperous 2020.

News supplied by Eat at Andrew's.

Join us at Piggly Wiggly for our November and December Christmas programme. 

23 November – The Wykeham Collegiate Wind Ensemble will be performing at 9am
30 November – Drakondale Girls Choir Christmas performance at 9am
1 December – Drakondale Girls Choir Christmas performance at 11:30am
7 December – Father Christmas visit with sweets and a letter writing station between 10am and 12pm

News supplied by Piggly Wiggly-Midlands.

Come join us at the Howick Hospice Christmas Market
Our Preloved Shop will be open, along with stalls.
Best of all, all our Christmas Decor will be on SALE

News supplied by Howick Hospice.

Dog training is a great way to build trust and mutual respect while bonding. A well trained dog with good manners is more manageable, relaxed, content and confident and this results in better quality of life for the dog.

The trainer learns the importance of patience, consistency and understanding the dog. The use of force free training methods also teach us that violence is not necessary to get what we want and helps to nurture kindness and compassion.

These are just some of the benefits experienced by those attending our township dog school in Mpophomeni.

These photos of our senior class show our top handlers in action enjoying quality time with their dogs.

News supplied by Funda Nenja.

Artefacts was born when the owner Sandi, had finished a huge Company Rehabilitation Consultancy and could not decide whether to continue Financial Consulting or start on a completely new project.

While driving around Howick one day I drove past the old "Bloo Monkey" in the Falls Precinct and an idea began!! It had the space, it had the potential position and it could bring out a passion that started as a young child being dragged by my father to Auctions and Antique shops collecting high end Art, furniture and Glass.

So with a deep breath I purchased the property and went about redecorating and redesigning the property to suite Antiques, Art, Gifting, Jewellry and generally a shop that anyone of any age could come in and buy something for everyone for every occasion as well as an Interior Decorators Heaven for their clients.

The Art Gallery side came about by mistake, I was in a shopping centre and saw a little HARTS Art Exhibition. On chatting to a member I found out that there are 100's of Artists and Crafters who have no outlet or a place to sell their amazing treasures. So the concept of being Howicks Art Gallery started most especially as there is so much wall space in the shop.

All products are of the highest quality and if anyone brings in furniture or items that need repair before going on the floor we have a workshop to bring the love back. Anyone can bring in their Art and Furniture on a consignment basis and I add on a mark up to cover the overheads and insurances as well as marketing and sales of their products.

To compliment that I purchase new items that always work with the shops eclectic concept as well as refurbish furniture and make specialised items.

Our biggest selling points are the atmosphere and layout of the shop that all our customers love, but also you cannot find the same anywhere else in the Midlands and we try and keep prices at a Howick rate and not tourist rate even though we do have some good tourist traffic and accommodate their shopping requirements which also gives our locals the options to buy goodies for their overseas visits and visitors to our part of the Midlands Meander.

We are based on the far side of the Falls Precinct being 2 Harvart Street, Howick.

There is plenty of safe parking and if you want a cup of coffee while you wander around we can do that for you too...

News supplied by Artefacts Gallery.

We would like to thank many people, those who generously bequest monies to our SPCA, those who assist us financially with our fundraising efforts, people who drop coins in our collection tins and give pet food for our animals, our Management Committee who steer us, people who volunteer their time for our cause, be it with animals or our retail shops, people who donate books and other items to our shops and people who frequent our shops and the list goes on!

THE CENTRE
The Centre at 39 Main Street, Howick grows from strength to strength and is always busy with Gillian Smal welcoming all comers to Eastwood House. We had the Harts day on the 7th September with a few artists having their beautiful art on display. We are considering combining the Harts day next year with our popular Mothers day. Maybe we can add a few craft stalls with next year’s Mothers/Harts day.

THE BOOK SHOP
Quietly working away, day after day, in the Book shop at the Centre and behind the scenes
are Edith, Shirley and Jenny.

COIN COLLECTION
Dave Baxter and Malcolm Ramsay still bring in the tins for counting religiously twice a week.
Another collection facility is in the provision of Fireside collection jars in the homes of many of our members and supporters. These jars are available free of charge at our SPCA retail shops, the kennels and at our SPCA Centre in Main street. You are invited to ask for a jar for your loose change at home. When you return them to the Main Centre, do remember to give your name, phone number and e-mail so that we can thank you.

KENNELS AND CLINIC

Our Inspectorate team comprises Senior Inspector Marian Channon, Field Officers Jabulani Mshengu, Njabulo Hlongwane and Menzi Vilakazi. The Manager Dudu Abraham is also a Senior Inspector and provides guidance and support. Our Kennel/Cattery and Clinic staff is part of the team, as they are responsible for caring for the animals brought in by the Inspectorate. Our mission is the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Maintaining and operating an SPCA shelter is difficult and frustrating at times. We have the critics who rarely understand the nature and purpose of such an operation. They believe that our facility should be a perpetual haven for every cat and dog that comes in. They do not consider the impossibility of maintaining for a period of months, the many animals that will never be provided with a permanent home. They say build more kennels/cattery, increase the size of the property. Yet the cost of enlarging our facilities to maintain the thousands of animals annually is not only impractical, it is also inhuman. These animals are by heritage companion animals and hundreds of animals in close confinement are no one’s companion or best friend.

TIN AND TROLLEY

Our Tin and Trolley drive was a great success!! Our new PR lady and our volunteers stood at the St Johns Pick ‘n Pay’s, Woolworths in Howick and Hilton and Greendale Spar and Hilton Spar. Thank you so much for the generous cash and food donations!!

 HOW YOU CAN HELP:

1. Donations
2. Debit Orders
3. Sponsor a Kennel – R200 pm on debit order
4. ANNUAL LIFE
Junior (18 Years) R30-00
Pensioner (Indiv) R30-00 R300-00
Pensioner (Couple) R50-00 R500-00
Ordinary (Indiv) R60-00 R600-00
Ordinary (Couple) R100-00 R1000-00

THE ULTIMATE LEGACY OF LOVE
Bequests are our lifeline and as we would like to thank bequest donors in advance, we have now formed a Bequest Society. If you have made the uMngeni Howick SPCA a beneficiary or know of anyone who has, please let me know for our data base. By leaving a bequest to the SPCA, you ensure that your caring continues beyond your lifetime.

 Those wishing to make a gift by a will to the charity, should consult their legal advisor as to the correct wording, remembering to stipulate which SPCA branch will be the beneficiary, i.e. uMngeni SPCA.

“Leave us some of your life savings so that we can continue saving lives.”

To all our supporters, donors, sponsors and volunteers, THANK YOU!! Take care on the roads during the December holidays. We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!!

News supplied by uMngeni SPCA.

• 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 a 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. You can also link your gate motor to your house alarm system.

• 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.

News supplied by Knight Security Solutions.

Supporting local, ethical, caring companies who are doing things the right way goes beyond the feel good factor. Every rand we spend directly impacts our environment, our economy, and our own health and happiness, ultimately.

Saying no to faceless big corps who are high on spin and promises but low on integrity and therefore cost goes way beyond just getting a cheap deal. While it may seem like a bargain, it’s costing us these things in the end.

Each rand we spend is a vote: for the kind of world we’d like to live in, the kind of world we’d like our children and grandchildren to live in. How are you voting?

At The Hemp People, we support only ethical, eco-responsible companies which is why we’re so in love with Peach & Moon.

They’re a family-run business based in Cape Town. They keep bees and grow organic olives, herbs and essential oils on their farm high in the Winterhoek Mountains of the Western Cape. Their organic CBD oil is imported from Holland and all their products are lab tested.

We’re offering 15% off all Peach & Moon products for the whole of December with code PEACH15.

News supplied by The Hemp People.

Active Fire Services was founded in 2016 as a Fire Equipment Service and Installation division of Global Learning Services, and Pro-Safe Health and Safety Consultants.
Active Fire Services promotes fire safety as a core value and are dedicated to ensuring that your company is safe against the risk of fire and complies with the necessary Regulations as per the relevant SANS Standards.

Fire is the greatest threat to any business and home and therefore fire defence and protection is an essential consideration to ensure complete asset protection.
With an increasing number of industry related fires and the direct impact on business continuity and bottom line, fire risk is a serious factor relating to down-time and loss of productivity. We can assume that our insurance will cover us financially, for loss, due to fire, however the losses are far more entrenched in the form of loss of life, impact on reputation and legal implications.

Active Fire Services is committed to providing you with industry specific, world-class and modern solutions to fire risk management. We insist on quality driven service and live by the ethos of “Service while you Save”.

With over 20 years of industry experience, our SAQCC registered technicians offer friendly, efficient, and professional service and advice to suit your every need within the fire protection sector.

Be it supply, installation, servicing or maintenance, our quality of workmanship is always assured, thereby giving you absolute peace of mind.

We are about RESULTS and SERVICE!

We professionally supply, service, maintain, recharge and install state of the Art firefighting equipment and systems.

Our scope of expertise includes:
· Fire Extinguishers (portable, trolley and ceiling mounted units)
· Fire Hose Reels
· Fire Hydrants
· Fire Boosters
· Fire systems

 News supplied by Active Fire Services.

Thank you to the uMngeni Community for investing in the UCSI.

On Thursday 28 November 2019 the UCSI, along with Municipal Officials from uMngeni Municipality and JB Marks Municipality (Potchefstroom – North West), Law Enforcement, SNIPR, TrackBox and affiliated Security Companies will be performing a training exercise and operations demonstration.

This will take place from Stockowners Business Park between 9am – 12pm. The public is welcome to join us.There will be lights and sirens through the Hilton, Merrivale, Howick and surrounding areas, as well as the Starlight VCAT helicopter.
The UCSI has been identified as a “Best Practice Model” and we would like to thank every single person who has been a part of making our communities safer.
Become a contributing member of the UCSI and ensure the sustainability of the project. Go to www.ucsi.org.za or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 News supplied by uMngeni Community Safety Initiative.

Nordic Santa has arrived at The Ugly Duckling 

Available in a variety of Sizes and Colours!

Pop into the The Ugly Duckling and see what other goodies are new instore.

Bespoke and unique furniture, carpets, curios, clothing,jewelry, doorknobs, wall art and a variety of decor items to add to your home.

News supplied by The Ugly Duckling.

I had the privilege of representing the u24 Ultimate Frisbee South African team at the World Championships in Heidelberg, Germany this year. The trip was an amazing experience and I learnt a lot both on and off the playing field.
I had the opportunity to spend a few days with family relatives before the tournament started. I stayed in a small village called Hornbach, about twenty minutes outside of Heidelberg. The family was very accommodating and helpful with immersing me in the rich German culture.

The tournament included 51 teams from 27 different countries from across the globe. It was split into three divisions Men, Women and Mixed of which South Africa participated in the latter. We played a total of eleven games and two warm-up fixtures against Singapore and Czech Republic. Some of my highlights were playing the Irish team, as they were definitely one of the best spirited teams in the tournament and fun to be around. My second is playing the Singapore team as they finished 3rd overall, it was amazing to watch and play against such a strong team. The final highlight was to be able to witness some of the best u24 players in the world play in the finals.

Although we did not finish with the desired result in placement we were awarded the spirit trophy for the Mixed Division. This is given to the team which most embraces the Spirit of the Game. In addition we moved up three places from our original seeded ranking.

Thank you for supporting me throughout this wonderful experience and helping me achieve my dream of competing at this high level. Your support, financially or in other manner, has been highly appreciated. Thank you to all who helped make this happen.

Here are a few links that may be of interest to you.
https://www.facebook.com/SAu24wilddogs - pictures of the action and tales of the team.
World Flying Disc Federation: http://www.wfdf.org/ - more about the sport of Ultimate Frisbee
Opening ceremony video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlMVuwHQ3Qc
Highlights from Day 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBejGGsD3T4)

News provided by Stuart Rencken (Grade 11 at Howick High School.)

This will be Eat at Andrew's  last themed dinner for the year as the last Thursday of December is the day after Christmas.

Book your spot for this dinner.

News supplied by Eat at Andrew's.

Working with ToPS Species (Threatened or Protected Species).

This time it's a very rare (and absolutely adorable)... Tree Hyrax (Denrohyrax arboreus).

This juvenile arrived earlier this week after being found in the Balgowan Conservancy, wandering alone in the daytime. Being nocturnal mammals this was highly unusual.

Tree Hyrax, unlike the Rock Hyrax are solitary and tend to stay in their immediate family group, consisting of a mother and her young during the breeding season.

They are arboreal folivores, this means that they feed on foliage (leaves), and make use of cavities in trees as dens, which the mother and her young will inhabit during the daylight hours. This little one can skillfully climb tress at the amazing age of 1 day and eats solid food from day 3!!! It will be returned to the wild shortly.

We would love you to join our Custodianship Program. It is a fun way of supporting us and being involved. To find out more, just click this link: http://www.freemekzn.co.za/become-a-custodian/

News taken from FreeMe WIldlife Facebook page.