Harvard Electrical is the only ELECTRICAL WHOLESALER in the greater Howick area.

When you shop at Harvard Electrical you will find safe and secure parking and top class customer service.

Visit Harvard Electrical Wholesaler's showroom at 22 Harvard Street, Howick.

News supplied by Harvard Electrical.

The Midlands Hiking Club is a very friendly club for lovers of nature & the great outdoors & has over 130 members from all over the Natal Midlands. The club caters for all levels of hiking fitness, from day hikes which are generally undertaken on Sundays to strenuous 3/4-day backing expeditions. Day hikes in local areas are usually not more than 1 hour from Pietermaritzburg.
Some of their aims include:
Promoting hiking and backpacking activities
Fostering good relationships between hikers
Promoting nature conservation
Training members in skills for leading groups of hikers on trails
Encouraging the development of awareness of nature and respect for the environment

 On 21 July 2019 the hiking club tackled the Blinkwater Hiking Trail in the KZN Midlands, this is an old hiking trail crisscrossing Forest, Beautiful Natural Bush and open Grasslands. The hiking route area covers a great diversity of natural habitats, and also offers hikers a good leg stretch.

May is now over - the last of the best months to hike the berg in. Great views will now diminish into blue haze as the fire burning volume increase and blocks clear berg views. The grass will become drier and drier, all hikers missions now are - no fires in the berg. Make sure you know where you are going, watch the wind, and watch the horizon for smoke that may indicate a future problem for you. If wind and smoke are coming towards you, start making "evacuation to safe area plans". Don't wait till you can see the fire, it may be too late to get out of its way.

 AGAIN A PLEA TO ALL BERG HIKERS - PLEASE FILL IN THE MOUNTAIN WALKING REGISTER PROPERLY AND ACCURATELY, AND GET THE EMERGENCY NUMBER OF THE OFFICE FROM WHICH YOU LEAVE. IT IS IN YOUR BEST INTEREST AT ALL TIMES.
Don't see it as a nuisance, see it as your insurance in a time of emergency.

Photo credit to Dave Sclanders.

Contact http://www.gohiking.co.za/

News taken from GO HIKING website.

At the annual Trashion Show held on Saturday 13 July, discarded cans, defunct fans, torn magazines and abandoned coffee cups took on a new life at the hands of creative eco-conscious students intent on standing out on the ramp. Bottle tops and bubble wrap burst out of buses that had trundled all the way from Impendle, Ixopo and Amanzimtoti, bearing excited trashionistas. The Khazimula Marimba Band wearing funky pet food waistcoats welcomed them with lively beats.

The show enables learners who do not have spare money to spend on materials, to explore their design skills, express their creativity and shine – the suburban kids use more yoghurt tubs, the farm kids make the most of horse feed bags and the township kids collect chip packets and sweet wrappers for their costumes.

Great fun was had by everyone!

The Trashion Show is powered by volunteers of the creative, conscious Midlands community - making costumes, transporting kids, cutting sandwiches, judging, donating prizes. Financial support towards costs comes from Dargle Conservancy, Water Explorer, E’Yako Green, Mpophomeni Conservation Group and Midlands Meander Education Project.
Recycled, reusable, low waste prizes were sponsored by E'Yako Green, Consol, PinkCare, Meriel Mitchell, Mish Mash, The Green Needle, Afribag, Bear Neccessities, Steampunk Coffee, Rondavel Soap, Singakwenza.

Thanks to Guy McGowan for the photos - and Barry Downard, Charlene Russell, Bridget Ringdahl, Nikki Brighton, Karen Zunckel, Garth Johnstone for their contributions too.

News supplied by Dargle Conservancy.

Mandela Day 18 July & the rest of July.
Sunfield Home Howick will be celebrating Mandela Day through a number of initiatives and activities on the 18th of July and thereafter.
1. From tomorrow you can drop of items needed by the organizations we are working with as they are often difficult to reach and we are ideally centrally located - there will be round bins clearly marked as you enter our gates and we will daily collect and safely store the items and then deliver at the end of July - Please see the posters attached.
2. On Mandela Day 18th July St John's Organization and their optometrists will be offering free eye screening in our Chapel and advise you if you need additional eye examinations or eye care - from 9 am till 11 am - Please follow the parking signs once you enter our gates and the signs to the Chapel.
3. On Mandela Day 18 July - Sunfield Home will also have a open auction on 4 of the craft items our residents have made - the money raised with Auction will be donated or used for another organization similar to ours.
4. Sunfield Residents will also be spending some time in a few areas of Howick helping to clean up our beautiful town.
5. Sunfield resident will visit a local crèche and spend some time with the little people .Designated bins will be available at our Main Gate and clearly marked.
Please have a look at the wish lists each organization has forwarded – this is what they truly need!
You can start by dropping off items from 16 – 31 July (ends at 3pm on 31st July)
A short form will be available at each bin for you to leave contact details if you would like more correspondence from the organization.
We know it is often difficult to drop odd items you would like to donate at the specific organisations.
Sunfield Home Howick will have big donation drop off bins available from 16 July 2019 until 31 July 2019 for the following organisations.

-Sunfield Home
-Funda Nenja
-Howick Child Welfare
-Angels Care
-Free Me
-School in need

News supplied by Sunfield Home.

Another local high school learner was mugged this past week. A cell phone was stolen and the learner bitten. This is the third case this year along with the attempted kidnapping in Hilton. KSS advises that scholars (of all ages) be supervised by an adult or walk in groups of 3 or more when walking home after school. Also don’t have cell phones or any valuables visible. Earphones are a give-away that you have a cell phone on you. Always tell someone where you are going. Always have an emergency plan in your head. SCREAM loudly if accosted – someone will hear you and come to your help.

We suggest having emergency numbers on speed dial and also memorise significant phone numbers (like your parents numbers in case your phone is stolen). The KSS Control Room is 033 330 5911 and TrackBox is 0861672226. TrackBox is also a useful App to download (developed by SA CAN) and as a paying member to TrackBox you can also download MDDR which only allows your cell phone to be switched of if they know the code. This makes tracking and tracing the phone much easier. Another point to note is that MTN and Vodacom are significantly easier to track.

News supplied by Knight Security Solutions.

General Security Advice
1. If you park your car outside your garage, ensure that you have external beams linked to your alarm system to alert you if you have an intruder on your property.
2. Secure any outbuildings, sheds, veranda’s and garages with some sort of external protection. These areas can be linked to your existing house alarm.
3. Now is a perfect time to trim all excess foliage and clean up your property and verges.
4. Number your property clearly so that emergency services can easily locate your address.
5. Don’t leave items lying around outside in view of the road. There are opportunistic criminals that quickly jump into and out of yards and steal these smaller items.

For all your alarm system installations and upgrades, CCTV cameras, biometrics, access control, guarding and other security advice, KSS are able to assist you. For more information and advice call Gary on 0828947628 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Keshen at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 0833935265.

Administration
Please advise the KSS administration office if any of your details have changed (email address, phone numbers, and key holders). You can contact Elaine on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Monique on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 033 330 5911.

Vehicle related crimes
When reporting the theft of a motor vehicle or giving a description of a motor vehicle involved in a crime, it is important to get as many details as possible so that the vehicle can be loaded onto the SNIPR camera system as soon as possible (with a CAS No. from SAPS). Vehicle registration number details are the most critical. The UCSI NPC manages the SNIPR cameras in the uMngeni Municipal area and the community are encouraged to affiliate to the UCSI in order to benefit from their services. You can visit the UCSI Facebook page, website at www.ucsi.org.za or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information on costs and affiliation benefits.

It is also a good idea to have your vehicle info on your phone so that you can have it on hand if it is ever stolen. You can also download the Trackbox App and load your vehicle details onto your TrackBox profile. TrackBox and SNIPR are seamlessly integrated.

News supplied by Knight Security Solutions.

A routine appendectomy has left Grade 10 Howick High pupil, Isabel Botha, in life threatening condition. The original surgery has caused major complications resulting in those close to her having to transfer her to another hospital for additional surgery to repair the damage and save her. Unfortunately, without medical aid, the costs will be huge and Isabel's family and friends are appealing to the community for any help that can be given.

Donations can be made to:
Hilton Life Hospital, FNB, branch code 255005, account number 62416915520, Ref Isabel Botha. Please send your POP to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and WhatsApp your name and the amount donated to 073 937 2238.

KSS – really caring about our community!

News supplied by Knight Security Solutions.

The DUCT Yes4Youth team hosted a trash fashion workshop and pre-show to select the best designs to attend the Trashion Show in Howick on 13 July.

Great to see some creative wire and waste cars will be entering too.

News supplied.

Greendale Spar will soon have Harvard Electrical Wholesalers Special offer printed on the rear of their till slips.

10% discount is offered on presentation of the till slip on all the stock items excluding specials.

News supplied.

We are thrilled that the MidLit2019 programme is filling up fast with fantastic authors. This list is by no means final but will give you an idea of what to expect - subject to the whims of the authors.

Saturday morning: Fiona Snyckers Lacuna; Julia Martin The Blackridge House; Fred Khumalo Talk of the Town; Zanele Njapha An Eye for Love; Cuba Ikaneng & YABI; Ekow Duker Yellowbone; Siya Khumalo You Have to be Gay to Know God; Steve Wimberley Dr Grumble

Saturday afternoon: Peter Storey I Beg to Differ; Hugh Bland Trappist Missions of KZN; Ralph Mathegka Ramaphosa’s Turn & When Zuma Turns; John Roff Poems for the nature-hungry soul; Richard Hunt Spirit of the Drakensberg; Ronnie Kasrils Catching Tadpoles.

Sunday morning: Martin Prozesky Honest to Goodness; Chris Hoare 'Mad Mike' Hoare: The Legend; Gloria Kaverne Achieving the international bestseller dream; Elana Bregin Not wanted on the voyage; Izak de Vries with Luke Molver and Hannes Barnard, JL Powers Representing Africa; Khaya Dhlanga These things happen to me; Peter Church Thrills and Spills of Crime Fiction (Bitter Pill, Dark Video & Crackerjack); Mogau Seshene The Lazy Makoti.

Sunday afternoon: Sonja Kruse The Ubuntu Girl; Desiree Anne Martin We don’t talk about this ever; Ashwin Desai; For Kids: one hour storytelling and meet some authors.

For more information on the authors watch our Facebook page.

Tickets are R100 per morning or afternoon (approx 6 sessions each), and R300 for the entire Festival -including a cup of tea or coffee. Book your spot online with Quicket.

Lunch needs to be booked on arrival at Fern Hill Hotel (R120 for a buffet, or R60 for a baguette)

Will you join us to celebrate 10 years of literary delights in the Midlands?
31 August - 1 September 2019
Fern Hill Hotel, Howick, KwaZulu-Natal.

News supplied.

Oasis Prep School's Grade 3 Class had an amazing time visiting Amberglen Frail Care.

They sang songs, recited poems, chatted to the residents and rubbed their hands with cream. What a privilege to spend time with these incredible individuals!

News supplied by Oasis Prep School.

Firstly, thank you to all who have already kindly donated pet food. We are still desperately short, and ANY pet food donations would be greatly appreciated - no matter how big or how small.

Please drop the food off at the kennels in Howick at 15 Campbell Road.

Thank you for your continued support! We couldn't do what we do without the kind hearts of our compassionate community!

Remember, the person who brings the most food will receive a sketch of their pet, thanks to incredible artist Vanessa Viljoen.

News supplied by uMngeni SPCA.

We’re all starting to hear a lot more about the health benefits of CBD (cannabidiol), a non-high-inducing plant molecule found most abundantly in hemp.

But buyer beware: as the cannabis industry grows worldwide, so do the number of snake-oil salesmen and gimmicky, even harmful CBD products. There is also good news, though.

Scientific evidence for this powerful plant supplement is also growing exponentially, and there are plenty of top quality, pharmaceutical-grade, lab-tested products which could help you with everything from pain management to anxiety, inflammation to insomnia.

This is why, at The Hemp People, we're on a mission to inform and empower South Africans to take charge of our health and happiness with well-researched, science-backed, no-nonsense advice and world-class products.

Pictured above Khara-Jade Warren.

News supplied by The Hemp People.

A big shout out to Richard from Sign Co for donating these “work done by Love Howick” boards. You will see these around town wherever the Love Howick teams are working. It takes individuals as well as business to build a community.

If you or your company would like to get involved with Love Howick, please contact them on the number below.

Do you care about Howick?  Please join Love Howick in volunteering to help improve the beauty of our environment?

Mandela Day, Thursday 18 July 2019
Gathering times: 8.30 am OR 12.30 pm
Artefacts Gallery, 2 Harvard St, Howick Falls precinct.

For Inquiries phone - 033 330 3456 or 081 762 7788

News supplied by Love Howick.

It was a chilly Wednesday morning, and no-one was venturing outside after the meeting had closed. Two ladies stood chatting; their hands clasped around steaming cups of coffee. Today’s meeting had been well supported and the room was buzzing with last minute follow-ups and goodbyes before we each started heading back to work. The ice breaker had really made us think. The members had been heart-wrenchingly honest in sharing their often-embarrassing experiences for the benefit of the rest of us. We sipped on our coffee, watching the groups interacting, our thoughts on the “mistakes I wouldn’t make again now” topic that had started the day.

I’ll never forget the look on Crystal’s face when she unexpectedly commented that it would be really awesome if we could have this exact event up in Howick…. My mind started racing, questions popping up like those silly voice bubbles in comic strips. Why hadn’t we thought of this before? Why did we just automatically drive down to Pietermaritzburg? Surely there would be other female business owners who would be keen to attend a meeting if it were in Howick? Do you think Ali would support it? Could we? Should we? ….. only one way to find out! Within 20 minutes of Crystal’s first statement – we had our answer and the rest, as they say, is history!

A temporary committee of four was formed and a date was set. A venue for 30-40 guests booked, an invite created, and the event was put out on social media. Like the flames of a firebreak burn, the news of the event spread at an alarming speed. Business owners were clambering to book tickets and ensure their spot in this not-to-be-missed event. It is a known fact that things like this just don’t happen in Howick! Within 3 days the event was over-subscribed – an indication of the hunger and need for such a network group as well as the outstanding reputation of the WIB Brand. Everyone knows that it is something you WANT to be part of and associated with.

On the morning of the launch event, 63 ladies bundled up in scarves and jackets, arrived at the local restaurant bright and early, to secure the best seats and to ensure they didn’t miss a thing (or the delicious breakfast!) Lucky draw prizes by the dozen were being spread out across the table – yet another silent scream of excitement from these women who were eager to show their support and gratitude for the opportunity of such a Brand coming to their town. As registration closed and the main event started, the anticipation was like air being forced into an already large balloon about to explode! The laughter, friendly banter and excited squeals from prize winners was enough to let us know that the event was a success. But it was the unanimous vote of support from our community, to start our own Howick and KZN Midlands WIB Group, that really warmed our hearts and forged the path forward for growth and development of businesses in our town.

If friendship, mentorship, support, networking and growing your business within our community are top of your list of goals in 2019, then this is definitely the group you want to join.

Please CLICK HERE or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to receive more information and an application form. Being a member of Women In Business has other benefits too:

Women In Business is a member of Pietermaritzburg Chamber of Business, represented by Ali Engelbrecht.
Ali serves as the Treasurer and Board Member of the Pietermaritzburg Chamber of Business.
Ali Engelbrecht is a mentor of the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women.
Women In Business are members of the Business Womens' Association (BWA) and we interact with SAWID (South African Women In Dialogue)

These associations allow Women In Business to extend networking opportunities and linkages to entrepreneurial women. This strengthens the ability of entrepreneurial women to form alliances which will lead to enabling environments.

Women In Business offers social networking platforms for members to use to pursue entrepreneurial excellence.

The good news is that if you are a member of PCB there is NO CHARGE to be part of WIB.

If you are not a member of PCB we do encourage you to become a member.

Howick and KZN Midlands entrepreneurial ladies can now join the Midlands Women In Business Forum.

For those members who live outside of the geographical area of the Pietermaritzburg Chamber of Business online services are offered to entrepreneurial women on a one on one basis according to requirements and needs.

Contact us for further details.

News supplied by Women In Business.

Come party with Fern Hill Hotel, to the finest Rock-n-Roll from DJ JP Silver recently returned to South Africa after 2 years in Scotland. Expect music ranging from the 1950s all the way through to today at the Fern Hill Sunset Bar from 19:30 till late.

Free entrance for this one.

There will be a light pub menu and drink specials to be announced soon...

ROAR | no under 25 | no illegal substances | no aggressive nonsense

News supplied by Fern Hill Hotel.

BNI Nguni is hosting top Standard Bank Rising Star Entrepreneur (2016 National Winner), Grant Gavin, in a fundraising event for the uMngeni Community Safety Initiative (UCSI) and Love Howick, both local Not-for-Profit Companies in our community.

Come and listen to Grant Gavin’s inspirational presentation on “Lessons from a Traffic Light” and hear a little bit more about the UCSI and Love Howick NPC’s.

Details are:

Date: Wed 17 July 2019
Time: 6 – 8pm
Venue: Oasis Conference Centre, 72 Main Street, Howick
Cost: only R150pp
Light finger meal and snack provided
Coffee bar and soft drinks for sale

RSVP: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (tickets and payment details will be emailed)

News Supplied.

 If you are taking part in the 2019 Mandela Marathon we would love you to consider Running 4 Howick Hospice.

Run for our patients, make a difference as you enjoy a great day out running with your friends in support of the Howick Hospice. The running is sort of a celebration, and a day of fun out with your team and the supporters.

The challenge is not the run; the challenge is to provide for our patients. At Howick Hospice, we are always on the move looking after our patients within Howick and its surrounding communities. A good 20 square km’s. The running is one thing; it is in gathering the resources that can be a challenge. And we would like to ask you to help us out for this event!

Your challenge is to raise R5,000 before the start of the Mandela Marathon race on the 25th of August 2019. With your R5,000 we can do so much for the patients Running for a charity will give you an enormous sense of satisfaction from the knowledge that you are helping others.

What’s more, the pressure of meeting a target to satisfy both the charity and your sponsors can be the ideal motivation to put in the necessary training.

For more information or to register to Run 4 Howick Hospice, please contact Meghan on 033 330 5257 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

News supplied by Howick Hospice.