WILDSERIES together with the Karkloof Conservancy have staged the Three Cranes Challenge for over a decade. Through the years runners have been fortunate enough to run through majestic and ancient trails and enjoy beautiful scenery for three days while raising funds for the conservation and biodiversity work of the WILDTRUST and the Karkloof Conservancy in the Karkloof area.

This unique trail running event has raised over R1 million since its inception. The funds have been used to support the conservation efforts of both organisations and for the Conservancy, specifically the operations of their interpretation centre and bird hides. The centre and hides are built around Crane breeding sites and teach people about the importance of conserving grasslands and other habitats where Cranes breed. These funds have also enabled the development of Dartmoor Game Reserve through support from the Karkloof Nature Reserve.

As the WILDSERIES evolves, a joint decision has been taken for the Karkloof Conservancy to take over the management of the Three Cranes Challenge from 2023.

This will ensure that this unique trail running event will continue to contribute to the fundraising efforts of this critical conservation project.

WILDTRUST and the WILDSERIES wish the Karkloof Conservancy all the best in continuing to build on their legacy project and remain in the wings to offer assistance in the best interests of conservation of the three (Blue, Crowned and Wattled Crane).

The Three Cranes Challenge is going to be held on 23rd - 26th March 2023. Please keep an eye on the Conservancy’s website and social media pages for further details.

WILDTRUST and the WILDSERIES are currently working on the events for 2023 and will announce the Grandslam events and dates by late-November. Please follow the WILDSERIES social media pages and visit https://wildseries.co.za/ for updates.

Photo Credit: Phonix Capture

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Shop in tranquil areas away from the hustle and bustle of the city life you will find gifts, decor, clothing, furnishings and furniture at The Ugly Duckling. This relaxing and friendly shopping environment has made memories for families and friends since 1998. 

More about The Ugly Duckling, the shop that's worth a stop.

Funda Nenja assists the Mpophomeni community to care for their dogs by providing the necessary facilities to do so.

Two weeks ago Sphesihle Mlotshwa brought his 3 puppies in a wheelbarrow to our Friday afternoon clinic as he had noticed that they were less active and not eating well. The pups were dewormed and vaccinated after being examined by our veterinary team. This last week Sphesihle returned to report the good news that all 3 puppies were well again. He also purchased a bag of dog food to feed his dogs and expressed his gratitude for the help received from Funda Nenja.

For social change to happen we have to provide the means for that to happen, not just lecture people.

More about Funda Nenja

Well, it's that time of year again. Christmas is just around the corner and we are starting to put together our Christmas hampers for the kids and dogs.

If you are able to assist us with any of the items listed on the below image, we would be extremely grateful.

Our drop off points are:
Howick - Midlands Veterinary Hospital
Hilton - Umgeni Vets or Hilton Vets
PMB - Chase Valley Vets
(Please mark packages for FUNDA NENJA as other organisations also use these drop off points.)

If you would prefer to make a monitory donation, our bank details are:
Funda Nenja
FNB - Howick
Acc. No. 6245 8766 197
Branch No. 220 725
Reference : HAMPERS

Each hamper costs approximately R200 to put together. We hope to be able to supply at least 80 children with hampers this year.

More about Funda Nenja

Mark Taylor the Real Estate Agent....

So why the change in profession?

Is it really a change?

It's still all about people, about making people happy, about being a catalyst of change.

In my past it was all about helping young people find a home away from home, whether it was as the head of a children's home or the head of a school hostel. It was all about helping people feel "at home".

In my new journey I have the opportunity to help young couples find that first home, to help families move from one town to the next and re-establish that new home... even helping seniors move out of that loved family home and find a new place to call home.

Now I get the opportunity to embark on a journey of buying, selling and renting a home, offices, land and other properties they might need.

In addition to staying current with real estate regulations and trends, one of the appealing aspects of working as a real estate agent is that each day is different. Each day you meet different people with different needs and you have to be REAL with each buyer and each seller.

This is where my strengths lie...

I am an avid communicator, I pay attention to detail, I have two ears and one mouth which means that I listen more than I talk...and hence I learn. I learn what my clients want and what they want is what ultimately is important.

If who I am resonates with you, then the next time you need an estate agent pick up the phone and let me help you find that place you can call HOME

Mark Taylor
Dormehl Phalane Property Group Midlands

+27 82 758 1246
+27 33 330 8066
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

We are so proud of KSS Bongumusa, he has spent the past six weeks futhering his K9 training at Genesis K9 in Pretoria. We believe in empowering our staff and Bongumusa has now qualified as a DH4 level handler!

Pictured here: Bongumusa Gumede with Thys Klein from Genesis K9 Group.

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On the evening of Friday, 21 October 2022 we held our Annual Prizegiving and Speech Night and were pleased to return to the pre-COVID format once again. By definition, an academic prizegiving ceremony is essentially a ceremony where those who have achieved excellence in the classroom are recognized. Excellence, however, is not only about being the best in the classroom and we also recognize those who have excelled in interpersonal relationships, those who continue to persevere and always give of their best and those who have contributed to a variety of spheres at the school.

We congratulate all award recipients and make special mention of our 2022 Dux Proximae Accessit, Mikaya Naidoo and our 2022 Dux, Hayley Muller. Age Quod Agis!

Pictured top with parents: Hayley Muller - 2022 Dux - Academic Honours, Physical Science Subject Prize, Howick High School Award for Bilingualism (English & Afrikaans), Dr Marshal Science Award, 2022 Dux and the Jimmy Gorman Memorial Award

Pictured below with her family: Mikaya Naidoo - 2022 Dux Proximae Accessit - Academic Honours, Accounting, History and Life Orientation Subject Prizes, 2022 Dux Proximae Accessit

More about Howick High School

On the evening of Thursday, 21 October 2022, Midmar House hosted its annual Leavers’ Dinner in honour of the Grade 12 boarders. This was a beautiful event and we commend Matron and the Grade 11 committee on the lovely venue and meal. At the dinner, our new Hostel Superintendent team, Mr Carl and Mrs Leanne Kobus, were introduced to the learners by our Governing Body Chairman, Mr Wright. We congratulate Mr and Mrs Kobus on their appointment and wish them well in this important role.

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At this morning's Valedictory Assembly, the 2022/2023 senior Leaders were announced. We congratulate the following grade 11 learners:

Sarah Arnott, Kime Brits, Vahini Chaggan, Sinead Gibbs, Amkelwa Gumbi, Courtney Longmore, Sphesihle Mkhwanazi, Cara Upton, Hannah Wing, Rebecca Wright, Darryn Checkly, Hannes Jacobs, Jayden Kruger, Rory Lake, Brandon Maposa, Khaba Mkhize, Abongwe Nzimande, Travis Pitout, Devon Stonley, Andrew Webb.

The Head Prefects will be announced at the Annual Prizegiving ceremony on Friday evening.

More about Howick High School

Sponsorships for 2023 are needed. 

Click on the following link to sign up:https://forms.gle/mJoxh7yvEEgXFvCU8.

Angels Care Pre-School is a feeder school into Thembelihle, therefore information is collected on the same form. 18A tax certificates will be generated on request. 

For more information please contact Georgie on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Another week closer to Christmas… can you believe how close to the end of the year we are?!

Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t too co-operative so we didn’t get as much time on the greens as usual, but we did get to play our monthly SG Knott 2 Bowl Trips competition on Friday, the 28th of October. The day started with play on relatively heavy greens so a bit of “oomph” was needed. What a great day it turned out to be though, with a field of 18+ teams and lots of merriment. Congratulations to the following teams:-

First: Mark Taylor, Tara Janse Van Rensburg, Craig Whitby (Top)
Second: Steve Smith, Calvin Anderson, Mark Schraader (Below)
Third: Barry Fairbrother, Bob Chetty, Bruce Tucker (Below middle)
Plate: Colin Norris, Lisa Nagel, Pat Norris (Bottom)

On the day we also drew the lucky number for the Club 100 Board which won Rusty Ikin a cash prize of R300! Lucky man!

Thank you so much to our sponsors and all those players who supported the day and helped to make it such a success.

Saturday the 29th October brought much more pleasant weather for tabs in, as well as for our Men’s Pairs Final. Peter Burton and David Mainprize faced off against Kevin Palmer and Barry Fairbrother and what a great game of bowls it was. While all the players had a really good game, Peter Burton was particularly on form and snuck in quite a few steals from their opponents. At the end of the day the champions where Peter and David, but congratulations must go to all four gents who all did their best. I believe they’ve already agreed on a rematch next year!

In other news, a big good luck to our Competition Secretary, Lisa Nagel, who will be playing in the Preliminary Masters Singles on the 5th & 6th of November at Maritzburg West. We wish her good bowling and know that she’ll fly our flag high!

FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Wednesday, 09 November : Halfway Toyota Drawn Trips. Start time 13h15
Saturday, 12 November : Greendale Spar 3 Bowl Trips. Start time 13h15
Tuesday, 15 November : J Leslie Smith Drawn 2-4-2. Start time 09h00
Friday, 25 November : SG Knott Construction Nominated 2 Bowl Trips. Pre-entries required. Start time 09h00

Regular days and start times are Tuesdays at 09h00, Wednesdays and Saturdays at 13h30.
Visitors are always welcome.

Coaching by registered coaches is available. Phone 071 164 3162.

More about Umgeni Waterfall Bowling Club

An elderly couple, George and Mildred, began to notice that they were getting a lot more forgetful in their old age. Naturally, they thought it might be a good idea to discuss the problem with their doctor.

The doctor reassured them that this was quite a common experience for people as they got older and he suggested that they should start writing things down so they don’t forget.

When they got home, Mildred asked George to get her a bowl of ice cream from the kitchen refrigerator.

“Should I write that down for you, George?” she said.

“No, Mildred. I’m sure I’ll remember a bowl of ice cream,” George responded.

“OK, George,” said Mildred “but I want some whipped cream with my ice cream too. Should I write that down?”

“No,” said George. “I’ll remember. You want a bowl of ice cream with whipped cream.“

“George, I’d love a cherry on top too,” said Mildred. “Should I write that down?”

“No, I got it,” said George. “You want a bowl of ice cream with whipped cream and a cherry on top.”

So George disappears into the kitchen to get the ice cream and he then spends an unusually long time there before returning about 40 minutes later.

He returns to the living room and hands Mildred a plate of eggs and bacon.

Mildred stares at the plate momentarily and then she looks at George.

“Where’s the toast?” she asks.

More from Oakleigh Funeral Home SA

Nuts About Books & Toys is different from the average toy shop you will find in a shopping mall – sourcing unique toys and beautifully illustrated, wholesome children’s books by well-known and loved authors. You will want time to browse in this quaint, one-of-a-kind country book and toy shop!

The Christmas selection is looking so desireable!

Christmas is around the corner.

Find Nuts About Books & Toys at 3 Mare Street in Howick, KZN.

Realness Institute in partnership with Netflix, the world’s leading entertainment streaming service, has opened the calls for submissions to its 2023 Episodic Lab and Development Executive Traineeship (DET) programmes which will take place from 30 April to 30 July 2023.

The Lab and Traineeship aim to support screenwriters and mid-career industry professionals from Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya who are seeking opportunities to develop their original story ideas in any genre and are looking to enhance their skills as story consultants respectively.

Bringing together a wealth of creative talent from Africa in these programmes, Realness Institute offers the Episodic Lab participants the opportunity to pitch their incubated stories to Netflix executives at the end of the programme. It also offers DET participants a deeper understanding of the story development process, exposure to a more nuanced approach in the support of writers whilst simultaneously holding writers accountable for their creative work.

To support the participants to focus on their involvement in the programmes, Realness Institute will provide a monthly stipend of ZAR 33,000 (Thirty-Three Thousand South African Rands) for the duration of the Lab and traineeship to help cover their living expenses.

“As filmmakers we understand how difficult it is to find time and space to focus on our creative processes: to unpack stories, mull over and bounce ideas off others, benchmark ourselves against our peers as we hustle to make films, and pitch and search for funding and finance,” says Mehret Mandefro, Director of Development and Partnerships, Realness Institute. “In understanding this landscape, we are delighted that Netflix has once again partnered with us, to bring these two symbiotic programmes for African filmmakers in our joint quest to grow African stories and content on the continent.”

While there is no guarantee that any proposal will be developed further by Netflix, it is a unique opportunity to interface at key milestones with Netflix executives and be afforded the opportunity to pitch. The 2022 Episodic Lab alumnus, Voline Ogutu from Kenya pitched an idea for a romance crime thriller Dilemma that has received a greenlight from Netflix for further development.

Reacting to her story idea being selected for further development, Voline Ogutu, who has now started to turn her attention to next steps which include Writers’ Room planning, says, “I am honored and grateful to be part of this rare opportunity. To those who dream of telling African stories on the global stage, it is truly within your reach. Thank you to the Netflix and Realness team who were part of this process.”


Commenting on Netflix’s partnership with Realness Institute, Allison Triegaardt, Manager for GROW Creative Africa at Netflix says, “We are so thrilled to be continuing our partnership with Realness Institute for the 2023 edition. It is such a great opportunity to find, grow and nurture African storytellers and their uniquely African stories by giving them the time and resources they need to fully realize their vision and someday share their stories with a global audience.”

The Lab and Traineeship take place online and then for a week in-person in July 2023 at the Coot Club in Stanford, Western Cape.

Interested participants are encouraged to visit https://www.realness.institute/episodic-lab for Episodic Lab programme application and https://www.realness.institute/det for Development Executive Traineeship programme application and wait to be shortlisted.

Application submissions open October 26th and close on 22nd December 2022.

To know more about the Realness Institute and its programmes, visit www.realness.institute

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What’s been going on at UWBC this past week?

Let’s start with the bowls played…. Tuesday the 18th of October was our monthly JLS Drawn 2-4-2 competition. What a great day; lovely weather, busy greens and lots of great bowling! The winners of the day were Peter Storm (pictured here top) and John Withers, followed closely by Colin Burden and Craig Whitby (pictured below). Winners of the plate event were Steve Smith and Stephanie Crause (pictured here bottom). Well done to all players who took part, and a big thank you to our sponsor, J Leslie Smith & Associates.

In addition to our normal Wednesday tabs in & social bowls, we also had an impromptu Friday afternoon session of last man standing followed by a bring and braai. And just as well because Saturday’s weather saw our greens closed after almost 50mm of rain.

In other news, there’s been lots of goings on at the club this week. We’ve repaired some of the thatching on the roof, cleared lots of bushes from around the greens, started work on reorganizing the snooker room, and most exciting of all… we’ve poured the concrete bases for our floodlights. It shouldn’t be too much longer before we can enjoy a summer evening on the greens. BIG thank you’s to the members who are giving their time and energy to making our clubhouse and greens look so amazing!

This Friday we’re looking forward to a fun SG Knott Construction sponsored day and next week we’ll be introducing Tuesday afternoon bowls which will be in the 2-4-2 format. Definitely something to look forward to!

FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Friday, 28 October : SG Knott Construction Nominated 2 Bowl Trips. Pre-entries required. Start time 09h00
Wednesday, 09 November : Halfway Toyota Drawn Trips. Start time 13h15
Saturday, 12 November : Greendale Spar 3 Bowl Trips. Start time 13h15
Tuesday, 15 November : J Leslie Smith Drawn 2-4-2. Start time 09h00

Regular days and start times are Tuesdays at 09h00, Wednesdays and Saturdays at 13h30.
Visitors are always welcome.

Coaching by registered coaches is available. Phone 071 164 3162.

More about Umgeni Waterfall Bowling Club

At our Annual Prizegiving and Speech Night, we were excited to announce the Head Prefects for 2023. We congratulate Hannes Jacobs (Deputy Head), Travis Pitout (Head Prefect), Sarah Arnott (Head Prefect) and Vahini Chaggan (Deputy Head).

"Great leaders don't set out to be a leader, they set out to make a difference."

We wish the Head Prefects and their team of Senior Leaders a year full of rewarding moments and great achievements. Age Quod Agis!

More from Howick High School

We [Angel's Care Centre] are so proud of the services that we offer children in the uMngeni Area. Every afternoon any child that is in need of food, homework assistance or a safe space to be, is welcomed by our staff.

Our nutrition programmes are all linked to educational programmes in some way, ensuring that we are not only keeping the children healthy but also engaged and in a space where they can learn age appropriate life skills.

We have partnered with the beautiful Thembelihle Primary School, to bring our youth development programme to the next level. Monday - Thursday, Thembelihle teachers assist us in the afternoons with age appropriate lessons and activities. The children are loving it and we can't wait to continue expanding the offering.

We will have a big focus on our high school children next year, with more homework and skills assistance. If you are interested in helping us, please contact Georgie at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

aQuellé Midmar Mile aims to raise R5 million for charity

Organisers of the aQuellé Midmar Mile have set the whopping target of R5 million to raise for charity ahead of next year’s 50th anniversary event.

Each year the world’s largest open water swimming event has supported numerous charitable organisations and next year will be no different as the race looks to have a wider influence for good.

Those organisations chosen as official charities for 2023 will be announced at the annual PinkDrive Swimathon in Pietermaritzburg on Friday night which marks the official launch of the fundraising campaign.

Friday’s event will also feature two-time aQuellé Midmar Mile champion and Olympian Michelle Weber talking about her recent swim across the English Channel, where she set a record for the fastest crossing by a South African woman.

Weber will then also dive in to play her part in joining the fundraising effort for PinkDrive – which is aptly taking place during Breast Cancer Awareness month.PinkDrive is one of the main charities that benefits from funds raised at Midmar each year. The event now features two days dedicated to charity where swimmers complete the 8-mile or 16-mile challenges. This will take place on 9-10 February next year, ahead of the main competitive events on 11-12 February.

In the last seven years that the charity challenges have been held, they have collectively raised over R14.5million.

Meanwhile, founded in 2009, PinkDrive’s cardinal purpose is to contribute meaningfully towards preventing as many people as it can, from succumbing to breast, cervical, prostate and testicular cancer.

Its primary focus is on citizens without access to reasonable care for these conditions, and who reside in areas where health services do not reach.

Speaking ahead of the launch of the aQuellé Midmar Mile charity campaign, Race Director Wayne Riddin said: “We have set ourselves and the swimmers the massive target of raising R5 million for the various charities next year and I certainly believe this is possible to achieve if we all pull together.

“We are so grateful to all the swimmers who really put in an incredible amount of effort to raise funds for the various amazing causes as we look to be a force for good in our country and we wish them all the best with their training and fundraising in the months ahead.”

Those who would like to support PinkDrive or any of the other aQuellé Midmar Mile charities can head to www.midmarmile.co.za for more information.

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