Katherine McClelland and Erin Fourie, in association with Just Theatre productions, present a collection of their favourite songs.

McClelland has been taking the midlands by storm in recent years both as a performer and as the director of the Music Voyage outreach project. She’s currently in The Heart of Saturday Night, a musical journey documenting the life of musician Tom Waits and has swept away audiences with her rich and sensual vocals.

Fourie has been on the Midlands music scene for almost two decades and while some may know her more for her solo work, others may recognise her from shows, including a recent run of Feelin’ Good in Howick.
Under the expert eye of Peter Mitchell’s direction, Our Favourite Things takes a stroll down memory lane, showcasing numbers by artists from The Everly brothers and The Marvellettes to Bob Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel and, of course, Julie Andrews. With McClelland on Piano and Fourie on guitar in addition to the pair’s fantastic vocals, this repast is chock-full of treats with a little something for everyone to enjoy.

Join us at the La Petite France Cafe Indoor Playhouse. Bring your own picnic meal, BYOB. The coffee shop will be open serving drinks and coffee and cheese boards for 2 are available by pre-order.

BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL - book your tickets by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Date: Saturday 19 Feb 7pm - and - Sunday 20 Feb 2pm
Venue: La Petite France Cafe
Tickets: R100 p.p.
Bookings: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Preorder cheese boards: 063 150 6099

Funda Nenja's dog school classes are largely dependent on the input of our young instructors who have all themselves previously gone through the programme with their own dogs. This peer to peer approach has many advantages. Instruction can be given in isiZulu, the instructor can relate to the learner, some learners feel more comfortable with an instructor closer in age to themselves and the instructors benefit from increased self-worth, personal growth, leadership training and much more.

All in all, its a win-win scenario.

More about Funda Nenja in Howick, KZN Midlands

It was with much relief that organisers of the 2022 aQuellé Midmar Mile received confirmation today from Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, who oversee Midmar Dam, that participants and support crew will not be required to show proof of vaccination nor provide a negative Covid test result at the entrance to the dam.

While every precaution is being taken to make the event as safe as possible for all those taking part, this decision will make entry to the dam a much smoother process for all involved in the aQuellé Midmar Mile which takes place from 10-13 February 2022.

"We are looking forward to another great event and are thrilled with this decision which will make things easier and quicker for swimmers and their supporters arriving at the dam,” said race director Wayne Riddin.

"Of course, we still encourage people to get vaccinated when they can to stay as safe as possible as we continue to fight this pandemic together and look forward to eventually returning to normal life,” he added.

The 2022 aQuellé Midmar Mile is already taking one step closer to that return to normal with swimmers returning to the famous KwaZulu-Natal dam after last year’s virtual event.

The events have been spread over four days with the 8 and 16 Mile charity swims taking place from 10-11 February before the disabled, age group and elite events from 12-13 February.

Online pre-entries close on 9 February, but late entries will be accepted at the dam itself, at a higher fee. For more information and entry details, head to www.midmarmile.co.za

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"Vividly set against the backdrop of 19th century India and the British-owned sugarcane plantations of Natal, written with great tenderness and lyricism, Children of Sugarcane paints an intimate and wrenching picture of indenture told from a woman’s perspective.

Shanti, a bright teenager stifled by life in rural India and facing an arranged marriage, dreams that South Africa is an opportunity to start afresh. The Colony of Natal is where Shanti believes she can escape the poverty, caste, and troubling fate of young girls in her village. Months later, after a harrowing sea voyage, she arrives in Natal only to discover the profound hardship and slave labour that await her.

Spanning four decades and two continents, Children of Sugarcane demonstrates the lifegiving power of love, heartache, and the indestructible bonds between family and friends. These bonds prompt heroism and sacrifice, the final act of which leads to Shanti's redemption."

Available at Nuts About Books & Toys

Umgeni Waterfall Bowling Club has seen a surge in interest from folk around Howick, Hilton and Nottingham Road recently. The number of prospective new members requesting coaching has risen over the past few weeks. This certainly bodes well for our club. Coaching will recommence in February.

We have responded to Howick Hospice’s appeal for organisations to “Host for Hospice” during February and we invite ladies to participate in this event. See further details under Forthcoming Events.

RESULTS
The Woodstone Two Bowl Trips Competition held on Friday, 28 January was well-supported with 18 teams participating. The winners were Mike Scheffer, Bob Chetty and Barry Fairbrother all members of Umgeni Waterfall. Second Prize went to Craig Whitby, Mark Taylor (Howick Bowing Club) and Tara Jansen van Rensburg (Maritzburg West).
The winners of the plate event were Peter Freer, Stephanie Crause (Howick) and Mike Crause (Umgeni). Well done to all winners and many thanks to the generous sponsors.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS FOR FEBRUARY
Saturday, 05 February: Tabs in Competition sponsored by Greendale SuperSpar Tabs in by 13h15, Dress: Whites or Club colours.
Wednesday, 09 February: Drawn Trips Competition sponsored by Halfway Toyota Howick. Tabs in by 13h15. Dress: Casual
Tuesday, 15 February: Drawn 2-4-2 Competition sponsored by J Leslie Smith. Start time 08h30. Please be at the club by 08h15. Entries to be in by Saturday, 12 Feb. Dress Casual.
Friday, 25 February: Nominated Trips sponsored by Woodstone Craft Cafe. Start time 09h00. Please be at the club 15 minutes before start of play. Entries before Thursday, 24 Feb.
Saturday, 26 February. ‘Host for Hospice’ Event. Ladies Trips starting at 11h00. Entry fee includes High Tea. Wonderful prizes to be won. Enter your team asap by contacting Lisa on 084 586 6984.

All registered players are welcome to participate on tabs in days and in all our sponsored competitions.

Coaching by registered coaches will recommence in February. Phone/Whatsapp 071 164 3162

 More about Umgeni Waterfall Bowling Club.

"Oh, books, what books they used to know,
Those children living long ago!
So please, oh please, we beg, we pray,
Go throw your TV set away.
And in it's place you can install
A lovely bookshelf on the wall."
- Roald Dahl

Howick's favourite children's book shop has to be... Nuts About Books & Toys in Mare Street

It’s generally thought that money and status are the greatest motivators in life, however, this may be true for some people but many other motivators can get your team to a place of high performance and success.

Motivation is a key force that drives behaviour and when staff morale is low performance is low and when morale is high your staff will be ready to go to battle with you. So how do you achieve this?

Meaning:
To come to work day in and day out, in most cases a minimum of 8 hours a day at work the employee’s job needs to have meaning. When a person understands and finds meaning in their role they are more likely to want to achieve their goals if not exceed them. Meaning can be derived by understanding their role in a process such a factory worker taking care in ensuring the production of their product to ensure the safety of the eventual customer; a nurse ensuring a patient is cared for and has a positive medical experience or accounts staff gathering outstanding debt to keep the company afloat. When communicating with your team express and reinforce the meaning of their contribution to the company.

Recognition:
Recognition can go a long way -recognise what your staff do, and express gratitude and appreciation. A common complaint I have when interacting with staff is “they” – the bosses - don’t see how much effort and time goes into the employee’s job and how much the employee puts in sometimes in their own time to get things done, in their view all employers care about are outputs and eventual financial gain. As a leader when you see and know someone has done something worthy of praise give them the praise. Be consistent with your praise others watch when you give recognition and this will help encourage others to emulate the desired behaviour. Recognition does not always have to be monetary it can be a can of Coke after a gruelling shift, a thank you braai, or perhaps an afternoon off when extra time has been put i to achieve a deadline. And never ever underestimate the words “thank you” this is the simplest way to make an employee feel valued.

Respect:
Yes, the employee exchanges their time for a salary, but this does not mean that they are any lesser of a person because of the power imbalance. Every staff member should be treated with respect and dignity no matter who they are. All employees are a cog in the wheel that drives the success of the company. Leaders that show respect to staff get so much more out of them than those who don’t.

Challenge:
Challenge is a great motivator. Boredom and monotony can set in when an employee is employed at the same company for a while. Give your employee stretch goals, something to get them out of their comfort zones to allow them to grow and learn and test their abilities. Be supportive during these times, don’t micromanage the process allow the employee the freedom to figure things out by themselves but be in the background available to provide guidance when uncertainty arises.

Communication and Relationships:
Communication is critical in building a relationship of trust and fostering teamwork. So often I note an “us and them” scenario. Mangers often keep information to themselves that would be of value to staff (if something affects staff then communicate with them) withholding information from staff breeds contempt and mistrust. Don’t communicate confidential information or information that does not have a final stamp of approval as changing your mind also breeds mistrust. Communication is essential in building a team and pulling everyone in the same direction to meet company goals.

Independence:
Allow the employee independence to achieve the objectives of their role. Don’t micromanage employees if they have given you no reasons to, you will need to micromanage your poor performers and keep an eye on them. There is nothing more soul-destroying for a capable and performing employee to be micromanaged. Micromanagement tends to be a sign of anxiety and a need for control for a manager however the employee sees micromanaging as a form of mistrust and the managers' inability to see their capabilities. All employees need boundaries and rules which need to be consistently applied, in providing independence do not allow the employee the other extreme where they rule the roost this will create a whole host of other problems.

I wish you well in leading your teams in 2022 keep your staff motivated and performing.

More about Infinity HR Consulting

To connect call Sindy on 087 073 6940 or 083 305 6219.

As this year progresses, the numbers of members arriving to play increases. After all the rain of the past few weeks and the hard work of the Greens Manager and Green keeper, Both greens are verdant and provide good playing surfaces. It is wonderful to see both old and young making use of our facilities and coming together on the greens and in the clubhouse in a spirit of competitiveness an d camaraderie.

This week we managed to hold our 2021 Prize-giving with all winners present.

The winners were Melanie Ross, most improved bowler; Ed Speed winner of Men’s Singles and of Nominated Mixed Pairs with Pat Ciro; Lisa Nagel, winner of the Ladies’ Singles and Colin Burden and Bob Chetty, winners of Nominated Men’s Pairs.

RESULTS
The monthly 2-4-2 drawn competition sponsored by J Leslie Smith was well supported. The event was won by Lisa Nagel and Koos Marais; Runners up were John Spence and Chantal D’Hotman. The plate event was won by Neill Birdsey and Kevin Palmer. Well done to all of them. Thank you to J Leslie Smith for their continued sponsorship and to Kirsten Hughes who represented the sponsors and presented the prizes.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS FOR JANUARY:
Friday, 28 January: Nominated Two Bowl Trips sponsored by Woodstone Craft Cafe. Dress Code – Casual or team colours. Pre-entry required by Thursday, 27 January. Phone/WhatsApp 071 164 3162.

All registered players are welcome to participate on tabs in days and in all our sponsored days.

Coaching by registered coaches will recommence in February. Phone/Whatsapp 071 164 3162.

More about Umgeni Waterfall Bowling Club

Friends of SA Comedy (FOSAC) Presents The Vern Comedy Night. The Vern is situated in Howick, KwaZulu-Natal and is an experience waiting to be had! Time spent with great people in a great place is never a regret. A vibe filled Beer Garden offering a selection of Brews & Hot Drinks, with tasty food and Fun Memories.

Four of Durban's Talented Comedians will be making their way to Howick to bring laughter to the locals and some local music with Josh Strydom.

Your line up will include Mmangaliso Mhlongo, Monde Blose, Andrew Hughes and Jacques Botha.

Mmangaliso Mhlongo is a Stand-up Comedian that has been dubbed by other comedians as a Tornado because of his ability to destroy on stage. He has been in the Comedy Industry over 5 years and if you don't know this young talent, chances are you will pretty soon!

Monde Blose is one of the finest up and coming StandUp Comedian on the block in Durban Comedy Scene. He first picked up the mic in 2016 telling hilarious, relatable stories about his childhood and sharing experiences of South African Life.

Andrew Hughes, a 36 year old comedian hails from Ixopo, KZN. He started his Journey in 2016 and since has been selling out shows across the country. He is very well-known for his tigh slapping Comedy Skits on Instagram. He has worked with some of the Biggest names in the country such as Carvin Goldstone, Marc Lottering, Dalin Oliver, Niel Green, The Goliath Brothers, with many more to name.

This hilarious Comedian is definitely not to be missed!

Jacques Botha reigns from Gillits, KZN. He got into comedy about a two years ago. How it started was a friend of mine got into a bad relationship and the more I spoke to him the less he listened. That made me realise the levels of denial people sink into when emotions are involved. So I drop little nuggets of truth in my jokes and the humour gets it past people’s denial filters. Someone will laugh at the joke and then it hits them and they are like “ oh flip, that’s me. “

Come join us at The Vern for a NIGHT of Fun & Laughter

Date: 30 January
Time:
Music 3-4PM
Comedy: 4-6PM
Tickets:
Pre-Bookings: R80
Door: R100

Payment Link:
https://pay.yoco.com/fosac-productions

Subscribe to WIN one of TWO sets of double tickets to this event!

For more ideas on how you can LOVE LOCAL FIRST and LOVE LOCAL REAL HARD, read the latest Howick newsletter. If you buy into the concept of supporting small businesses more often than not, please choose to subscribe to our newsletter so we can help you to be a champion of the awesome entrepreneurs in Howick and surrounds.

Photo credit: David van der Veen

Schools across the country will go head-to-head in a new event introduced for this month’s aQuellé Midmar Mile.

School rivalries will be taken to a new level as teams of four swimmers will complete a total of eight miles over two days as part of the aQuellé Midmar Mile Schools Charity Relay Challenge.

“We have a number of schools signed up already and they’re really excited to take part in this unique event,” explained race director Wayne Riddin.

How it will work is that one timing chip will be allocated to each team, meaning it will act as a type of baton for the relay. Each swimmer will complete one mile on 10 February, and another on 11 February. Once all the miles are completed, the winners will be announced.

“And the best part is, it’s all for a good cause,” added Riddin. “Each team is responsible for raising a minimum of R10,000. Afterwards, 25 per cent of that will be donated back to their school with the remaining 75 per cent going to the charities that are partnered with the aQuellé Midmar Mile.”

These charities include: Pink Drive, CHOC, CANSA, Ezemvelo – Save the Rhino, the Chad le Clos Foundation/Swimmers Trust Fund, Happy Bundles and many more.

“Keeping the fundraising events separate from the swims over the weekend gives the swimmers the time and space to complete their events in a more relaxed environment that focuses on their achievements both in the water and on the funds that are raised through their efforts,” said Riddin.

There are six categories within the Schools Charity Relay Challenge. These are junior girls, junior boys and junior mixed (for swimmers in grade 7 or below) and senior girls, senior boys and senior mixed (for swimmers from grade 8 to 12).

Schools are reminded that the entry deadline is this Friday, 4 February 2022. The deadline for raising fund is 31 March 2022.

For more information, head to www.midmarmile.co.za.

Photo caption: The Wykeham Collegiate grade 8 team of Georgie Hatton, Emma Ralfe, Keira Sim and Ella Haynes who will be taking part in the aQuellé Midmar Mile Schools Charity Relay Challenge next week.

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When a loved one passes away, it can be difficult to know what to do next when emotions are high and one is possibly in shock.

At Oakleigh Funeral Home, we walk alongside you every step of the way, to alleviate your stress.

Here are the first few steps to follow:
1. Contact your chosen Funeral Director. Oakleigh's well-trained staff will be able to guide you and arrange for the deceased to be collected no matter what the time, day or night.
2. Advise your Doctor and clergy-person.
3. Advise the employer and/or pension and medical aid
funds.
4. Advise the bank and building society.
5.Advise the nominated executor.
6. Advise the insurance companies

Remember when death occurs, all accounts are frozen (once advised by you), pending the executor's appointment and winding up of the estate. Insurance cover provided by homeowners and household policies and insurance of movables (e.g. all risks, cars, etc.) may also cease at the time of Death. Don't be at risk.

More about Oakleigh Funeral Home

Back in 1974, when the dam was almost a decade into supplying water for the surrounding industries and municipalities, it was about to become a brand. The story goes that Buthie and his Seals Club team were short of funds for a polo ball and a fund-raising one-mile dash would solve the team’s shortfall. In those years with petrol rationing, the alternative swim in Buffalo River Mile in East London would eat up several valuable fuel tokens for a road trip. Midmar Dam was much closer and much more appealing.

And so it was that at 40 years old, and water-polo fit, Buthie launched - quite by chance - the largest open water swimming event in the world , what became known as the aQuelle Midmar Mile. On that Sunday in February ’74, 153 male swimmers took the plunge.

A year later the entries had doubled, women were allowed to compete and Buthie had spawned a legendary race that over the decades has grown to a field of 15 000 swimmers, children, world-class swimmers, disabled athletes, Olympic medalists, amateurs, professionals, families, and company teams. And Mike ‘Buthie’ Arbuthnot is at the start every year.

News from Pam Golding Properties

2020 aQuellé Midmar Mile champion Robyn Kinghorn is looking to make up for the disappointment of a fifth place last year when she returns to the KwaZulu-Natal dam to take on the 2022 race next month.

The aQuellé Midmar Mile takes place from 10-13 February and Kinghorn is eager for a return to the podium.

“I always strive to win. So I will definitely put everything into the race and see how I do,” said the Durban swimmer. “However I always ensure that it remains a fun-filled day.”

Thousands of swimmers are expected to flock to Midmar Dam for the event which will be spread across four days, including two days for the charity swims and two for the main events, with all Covid safety measures in place.

While Kinghorn picked the perfect line across the dam in 2020, she went well wide of the pack in the 2021 race and that cost her.

“Last year was not my year but that is what competing is all about, learning from past mistakes and fixing them. I think just focusing on choosing the right line and getting a better start this year will be what I change,” she said.

Like last year, the group of 20 elite female swimmers will start their race from a pontoon rather than on the dam’s edge like in previous editions of the famous race.

“The smaller elite field makes the race quite interesting as you have a better view of where your competitors are during the race,” reckoned Kinghorn. “Having a pontoon start is always exciting as it allows you to get a good dive start and sets up how the rest of the race goes.

“I don’t believe that there is one person that is considered to be the toughest competition, as open water swimming is so versatile with so many factors on the day that can influence position. I feel that nobody should be ruled out as you never know how competitors are feeling on the day,” she added.

The conditions on the dam were significantly choppy when Kinghorn won her title in 2020 and she is hoping for more of the same this year.

“I would like a bit of choppy water this year. I always feel that if you are racing in a dam then choppy conditions are ideal as that’s what makes open water swimming so exciting.”

As for what makes the aQuellé Midmar Mile such a great event, the 22-year-old added: “For me personally the Midmar Mile has always been special because I associate it with my family and friends. The Midmar Mile is such a unique race that I love being a part of and whether someone can say that they have done it once or they have done it 20 times it is still a wonderful achievement.

“A big thank you to Wayne Riddin and his whole team for all that they do to get the Midmar Mile ready for us to race, as well as thank you to the sponsors that support this event… And a big thanks to my coach Alisdair Hatfield as well as Prime Human Performance Institute who are keeping me fit and ready to race.”

Those swimmers still planning to enter the aQuellé Midmar Mile are encouraged to do so in the next few days with the second entry deadline approaching on 31 January. For more information, head to www.midmarmile.co.za

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Are you looking to get rid of unwanted electronic waste? Feel free to bring your old E-Waste to us for disposal. We have our E-Waste collected once a month to be disposed of in the correct way.

PLEASE NOTE THAT WE DO NOT ACCEPT BATTERIES OR LIGHTBULBS/TUBES

More about Giovision Expert

'We can’t get enough of our hand painted wallpaper, with accents of gold leaf inside the coffee shop leading to the @brustarcoffee roastery.' shared Piggly Wiggly Midlands.

We agree, it is an illustration of the magic to be found at a favourite KZN Midlands destination.

More about Piggly Wiggly

For more ideas on how you can LOVE LOCAL FIRST and LOVE LOCAL REAL HARD, read the latest Howick newsletter. If you buy into the concept of supporting small businesses more often than not, please choose to subscribe to our newsletter so we can help you to be a champion of the awesome entrepreneurs in Howick and surrounds.

Thousands of swimmers will make a welcome return to Midmar Dam in KwaZulu-Natal as the aQuellé Midmar Mile reverts to its regular slot in the second weekend of February this year.

After a Covid-induced change to the popular event last year, swimmers can expect a more familiar feel to the 2022 edition which will be held from 12-13 February, with the charity events taking place from 10-11 February.

With a star-studded field of swimmers expected to take part, the elite event will be a hugely competitive one, while social swimmers can look forward to the return of the usual fun, social vibe over the weekend.

Race Director Wayne Riddin explained: “We are thrilled that the aQuellé Midmar Mile can go ahead as planned this year. Obviously all Covid protocols will be observed and the event will be run according to the extremely high safety standards that swimmers have come to expect over the years.

“We are thrilled to be welcoming back some big names in open water swimming including our own Olympians for the elite races.

“As usual we will also be hosting the phenomenal charity side of the event which raises millions for good causes across the country each year.”

The names of those in the elite field will be announced shortly. A limited-field elite event was held in 2021 with Michelle Weber and Michael McGlynn emerging as the women’s and men’s winners. The duo then went on to represent the country at the Olympic Games in Tokyo later in the year.

Social swimmers were encouraged to participate in a virtual event last year and will be relishing a return to the dam in 2022.

Also making a return this year is the specific category for disabled swimmers, who will swim on Saturday morning, 12 February. The event for girls 13 and under together with the women 31 and over will take place on Sunday morning, 13 February, with the boys 13 and under and men 31 and over also on Sunday, followed by the rest of the competitive categories. The top-20 seeded swimmers will contest their own elite race on Sunday with the time to be announced shortly.

Swimmers are reminded that the second entry deadline for the aQuellé Midmar Mile is fast approaching on 31 January. For more information on how to enter, event details and deferment of 2021 entries, head to www.midmarmile.co.za

Meanwhile, the final seeding event for the aQuellé Midmar Mile is the Lake Heritage Water Festival at Cradle Moon Lakeside Lodge in Muldersdrift, Gauteng which takes place from 22-23 January 2022. Entries can be made via the Midmar Mile website.

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