South African musician uses his voice for the Oceans - SAMA Award-winning musician Matthew Mole recently added his voice to the chorus calling for increased ocean protection within Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in South Africa, in partnership with local environmental NPO, WILDTRUST. South Africa currently only protects 5% of its oceans and the need to increase this is urgent.

Mole and his beautiful wife, Jess, are featured in a powerful video doing its rounds on social media (WATCH: https://fb.watch/1YzeMeJ84B/), which forms part of a series that while stating, WE DON’T NEED OUR OCEANS, looks to highlight all the reasons why we do.

In reality, if our oceans were to die, we would no longer be around, but the WE DON’T NEED OUR OCEANS campaign hopes to help us see and understand all that the ocean gives us. One way of doing this is by showing South Africans what a world without our oceans looks like.
In the video Mole, in a world with no oceans, is seen wearing an oxygen mask reflecting back on all the times him and Jess could surf, take walks on the beach, relax and unwind in a lush, green park.

Every second breath we take comes from the ocean. A world without our oceans means a world with less than half the current oxygen levels.
South Africa is known as an adventure destination, and the coast provides countless activities – snorkelling, scuba diving, fishing, shark diving, whale watching, coastal hiking, bird-watching and good surfing. The ocean also adds a psychological benefit to people who engage with it, whale watching for example has been found to increase a person’s overall enrichment from the ocean.

When asked why he chose to get involved in spreading the message for increased ocean protection Mole said: “Jess and I have always had a love and appreciation for the ocean and everything in it. I think everyone wants to help save our planet but are not always sure how. This way Jess and I can do our bit and hopefully inspire a wave of positive change, no matter how small.”

“We really need to start acting like we need our oceans. There is an amazing take action page on oceanimpact.co.za, with lists of things every single South African can do to benefit our oceans. Some simple things for you to do include using a reusable coffee cup when buying your takeaway coffee, saying no to straws and other single-use plastics, and going for a walk around your block and picking up litter. Obviously, the best thing we can do is increase our Marine Protected Areas, but essentially only our government can do that. That said – if our voices combined are loud enough – an increase in at least 5% Marine Protected Areas, taking us to 10%, could happen!”

Matthew Mole in collaboration with WILDOCEANS (a programme of the WILDTRUST) are rewarding you for doing something good for the planet. Take the "Clean up your hood" challenge and you could win one of two sets of 5 tickets, to Mole's next concert – in your hood.

To enter, you need to:
1. Pick up at least one bag of rubbish in your neighbourhood, in your local park or on a beach close-by
2. Post the evidence on social media with #OceanChallengeAccepted
3. Tag Ocean Impact (@OceanimpactSA) in your post

If you are in KwaZulu-Natal and looking for a beach clean-up event to join, get to the Umgeni River Mouth at 8am on the 28th of November. The “one change initiative” together with several KZN based organisations, will be hosting a clean-up all the way along the Durban coast.

“We are unbelievably grateful to Matthew and Jess for giving up their time and adding their voices to this very important campaign,” said Campaign Manager Ruth Mthembu. “We already have the most amazing MPAs in South Africa that support multiple ocean activities and look after our diverse marine life such as, Addo, De Hoop, Table Mountain, iSimangaliso, Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks, let’s keep the momentum going and add more to the list. A 10% MPA footprint in our oceans will see the rolling out of multiple benefits for our country – lets stand together united on better protection for our oceans and everything in it.”

IMAGE CREDIT: Taryn Hatchett

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If there was ever a year we needed extra holiday cheer, it's 2020. That's why Ivangeli Gospel are gearing up to release their very Special six-track Christmas album – ‘UKHUSIMUSI (Christmas Carols)’ just in time for the holiday season.

‘UKHISIMUSI (Christmas Carols)’ is the Durban based Ivangeli Gospel’s debut EP, paving the way for their forthcoming album in February 2021. The EP features five popular traditional Christmas Carols sang in isiZulu and one original track. The Carols have been interpreted in melodious, African soulful arrangements that guarantee that the whole family will be singing together during this festive season.

The project has been produced and arranged by the Legendary Gospel Producer/singer/Composer Sipho Mbele and the maestro singer/songwriter/musical director Zolani Maseko - Mkhize. It features some incredible, fresh talent who have been invited as guest vocalists on the project, in addition to the producers’ vocal performances on some of the songs.

Both Sipho and Zolani have achieved their fair share of success with Sipho having written and produced hits for Gospel artists like Deborah Fraser, Sifiso Ncwane and Lundi to name but a few, while Zolani has been a music director in different projects that includes the popular SA Gospel Awards.. This gives the project an edge and great chance at making it one of your favourite music experiences.

The timing of this release is perfect as it ushers us to the Christmas holidays in style as loved ones come together to celebrate this dear season. “UKHISIMUSI (Christmas Carols)” will be available on all digital music platforms for streaming and downloads from this Friday, 27th of November.

Ivangeli Gospel's "UKHISIMUSI (Christmas Carols) gives a great experience of an African Christmas.

‘UKHISIMUSI (Christmas Carols)' Tracklisting:

1. Ubusuku Obuhle (Silent Night)
2. Thokozani (Joy to the World)
3. Wozani Sikhuleke (O Come Let us Adore Him”
4. Hosana (Hosanna)
5. Sizalelwe Indodana (Unto us a Son is Born)
6. Jerusalem

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We made some delicious chocolates to celebrate Valentines this year, so we decided Christmas Chocolates would be a good way to end off the year. The cost is R10 for a Santa and Merry Christmas, packed with a Merry Christmas sticker. These are perfect as a Christmas token for employees, colleagues, friends or even as a stocking filler.

Get in touch soon to place your order as we will only be making a limited number to celebrate Christmas this year.

Contact Meghan on 033 330 5257 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Hydrofire Toledo is a sleek model that is a popular choice due to its efficient, effective heating abilities and attractive design, which makes it a great feature in any room. The Toledo features a large glass window into the combustion chamber, which allows for high visibility and greater enjoyment of your magnificent, glowing fire.

News from Fires and Braais, Piggy Wiggly, R103.

The film Sweat, currently available free as part of the online 2020 European Film Festival in South Africa, is about four days in the life of a fitness motivator whose presence on social media has made her a celebrity. The film is described by Cineuropa as ‘a rivetingly sober, incisive investigation of loneliness and intimacy in the Instagram era, a psychological profile of an influencer.’ Using Sweat as an entry point, the festival’s Special Event programme presents a Live Zoom discussion entitled Social Media and Me - Who is Winning? featuring the director of the film, Magnus von Horn, in conversation with clinical psychologist Dr. Khosi Jiyane, well-known for her contributions as the resident psychologist on Radio 702, 3Talk with Noeleen on SABC, and in other media.

In this day and age when social media has occupied such a dominant part of our modernised lives, and with COVID lockdowns doubling the amount of time people spend on social media, this is a timeous exploration of how we manage our use of social media. How real are the social media personas we present to the world? Does social media distort our sense of who we are, and alienate us from a meaningful relationship with the world and, crucially, with ourselves? Where is it all headed?

For more about Sweat and the festival films visit www.eurofilmfest.co.za. Join the Live Zoom discussion at 18.00 on Monday 16 November, log in on the Special Events page for access.

The European Film Festival 2020 is a partnership project of the Delegation of the European Union to South Africa and 12 other European embassies and cultural agencies in South Africa: the Embassies of Austria, Belgium, Ireland, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden and Wallonie-Bruxelles International, the French Institute in South Africa, the Goethe-Institut, the Italian Cultural Institute, and the British Council. The festival is organised in cooperation with CineEuropa and coordinated by Creative WorkZone.

Photograph supplied: Photo©Natalia Łączyńska ©Lava Films

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'Please help us by donating any of your unwanted household items for our pre-loved store section at our monthly Mini Market.
Next Mini Market day: 26 & 27 November 2020.

9am - 2pm at Sunfield Home Howick.' shared Sunfield Home.

CASH ONLY

*Please note when you visit the Market you may park inside the Sunfield property.

One of the films in this year’s European Film Festival is I am Greta the new documentary on Greta Thunberg, the Swedish teenager whose quiet yet laser-sharp focus has generated massive public attention on climate change, and inspired a generation of young activists. The film will be screened online in South Africa, from 12 to 22 November, and will be augmented by a number of climate action activities including a live discussion on Friday, 13 November at 18:00 (SA Time).

Climate change is undoubtedly one of the greatest crises humanity has ever faced. In 2015, 196 countries signed the Paris Climate Accord to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and slow global warming. There are many who say the Paris Climate Agreement does not go nearly far enough to address the urgencies, or the imperative of climate justice. Another question is how effective the commitments are in practice. Signing a non-binding Agreement is one thing, but implementation is another – especially here in the world’s most unequal country, where an internal Global North way overproduces and overconsumes our fair share of the continent’s emissions. This hard-to-hear reality underscores the importance of both climate action and climate justice organisations and watchdogs. They monitor progress or shortcomings, and hold governments, corporations, the wealthy and multilateral transgressors accountable.

Sharpening the spear
The festival’s climate programme includes screenings of the I am Greta documentary and awareness discussions in schools and community centres around the country and the live Zoom event Climate Justice South Africa: sharpening the spear. This Zoom event brings pertinent experts together for a series of short presentations articulating the status of local climate change impacts, and outlining mitigation strategies, initiatives, and ways forward for South Africa.

In a presentation entitled From Climate (in)Action to Climate Justice, an author of numerous books and articles, Professor Patrick Bond of the University of the Western Cape School of Government, will offer an overview of climate politics and projects in South Africa. His critiques are razor sharp, and tackle the UN, national and municipal governments, corporations and activists, in turn.

From the renowned advocacy and activist group Earthlife Africa, Ulrich Steenkamp’s presentation on Energy Democracy is framed against the democratic rights of the citizens of this country, the need for access to clean energy, and for participation in decision-making processes.

Avena Jacklin of the Pietermaritzburg-based NGO groundWork/Friends of the Earth South Africa addresses Environmental Protection Urgencies. She connects the dots from climate to the devastating water crises – droughts and periodic floods – and the importance of reshaping management of this basic resource.

The younger generation is whose future is most at stake, as explained by Ayakha Melithafa from the Africa Climate Alliance. What innovative approaches do the youth bring to advocacy efforts and awareness campaigns, how does Youth Activism feed into policy and legislative processes so that South Africa is able to address the challenges with integrity, fairness and justice? What ecological and social rights do we need to recognise what must be ensured for future generations?

All the member states participating in this European Film Festival are signatories to the Paris Agreement. South Africa is a signatory. Now that the United States is going to rejoin Paris, once Donald Trump vacates the White House next January 20, a global-to-national-to-local scan is vital. Greta Thunberg teaches us how to do this through the idealistic eyes of the youth, and we must turn a laser glare to addressing this greatest crisis humanity has ever faced, especially since the “Just Transition”, “decarbonisation” and “Build Back Better” refrains are still being heard from the South African presidency. This Live Zoom discussion is a reminder of the climate catastrophe and a call to action, to all of us. Access the event at 18.00 (SA time) on Friday 13 November through a link from the Special Events page on www.eurofilmfest.co.za.

This event is dedicated to the memory of Fikile Ntshangase, the anti-mining activist who was assassinated on 22 October. Ntshangase was the deputy chairperson of the Mfolozi Community Environmental Justice Organisation (Mcejo), which has stood steadfastly against the Tendele Coal Mine’s expansion in the Somkhele village area.

The European Film Festival 2020 is a partnership project of the Delegation of the European Union to South Africa and 12 other European embassies and cultural agencies in South Africa: the Embassies of Austria, Belgium, Ireland, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden and Wallonie-Bruxelles International, the French Institute in South Africa, the Goethe-Institut, the Italian Cultural Institute, and the British Council. The festival is organised in cooperation with CineEuropa and coordinated by Creative WorkZone.

Photograph supplied: I Am Greta Poster

On Tuesday, 3 November 2020, the Class of 2020 attended a farewell luncheon in their honour, held under the gorgeous trees in Founders’ Lane. We enjoyed interacting with the matrics, who looked elegant and dapper in their Garden Party attire, and celebrating them for the wonderful young adults they have become. Age Quod Agis!

News from Howick High School.

Dot Mallett planted this Protea five years ago. It is a Protea Pincushion - Leucospermum cordifolium “VLAM”. It is the largest red pincushion available.

Photo credit: Brian Wakeford

News from Amberglen Retirement Village, Howick, KZN.

'My online Mindfulness course is available for the whole of this Black Friday week at the significantly discounted rate of only $49 for you and your spouse, partner or someone else important to you. (The course would usually cost an individual $79.) Your course coupon code is: OATPAT20

TAKE ME TO THE COURSE WEBPAGE

Once you have signed up for the course, send me an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to obtain the course coupon code for that special person in your life, giving them completely FREE access to the course.' shared local psychologist Alistair Mork-Chadwick.

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Lack of access to basic human rights is wreaking havoc for the children of Parkwood Estate. With the help of Container Intermodal Trading (CIT) and the Jabulani Feeding Scheme, recycled containers are being used to provide these children with a safe haven, food and access to basic education to ultimately break the cycle of poverty.

The Jabulani Feeding Scheme, in Parkwood Estate Cape Town, sits in an official Zone of Poverty declared by the Department of Social Development. The centre is built on reclaimed land that used to be a dumpsite, so any structure erected must be removable.

Yasmine Abrahams, the Founder of the feeding scheme, has made it her life’s mission to feed, protect and be a mother to the children of this community and her centre provides for over 500 impoverished children every day. In her mission to keep the children safe, containers are essential, and much thought was put into the materials used and layout of the centre.

Set in a fort-like fashion and stacked two-levels high, the containers form an enclosed courtyard haven within their boundaries with one easy to monitor small gate for entry and exit. The fortified metal walls of the containers are pivotal, as Parkwood Estate is heavily burdened by gang violence, and the metal containers create a barrier for the children inside and aid in getting them out of the potential crossfire of stray bullets.

Yasmine says that the children need to be able to come into the Jabulani centre and eat for many reasons. Unfortunately, they have found that if the food gets taken home to eat, parents or adult siblings often take the food for themselves. Being able to supervise the children as they eat at the large table, allows the caretakers at Jabulani to ensure the food is going to the child as well as provide them with the sense of dignity that comes from eating together at a table.

Over and above their security role, the containers serve as storage for perishable food and equipment, kitchen facilities and as space for children to do their homework after school. The amazing resilience of the human spirit is evident in the effort that has gone into making the containers feel homely.

Over the last few years, CIT has donated 40’ high cube containers, and have played an essential role in enabling Jabulani to set up a sustainable and secure environment. Kashief Schroeder, the owner and co-founder of CIT also offers Jabulani cost price rates and gives his professional advice on purchasing containers on a pro bona basis.

Kashief says that he collaborates with the Jabulani Feeding Scheme's because of the example his late father set through his longstanding friendship with the scheme’s founder Yasmine Abrahams. He says that by donating his time and containers, he continues this tradition of friendship, and honours the memory of his late father.

“I know my late father is smiling down and is pleased and proud of how we continue to show that when organisations and communities stand together, life-changing things happen”

Poverty can only be broken by education, which is why having a space of their own to provide safe afterschool care and assist children with their homework is absolutely essential to Jabulani’s mission. Jabulani is also planning on starting a home-schooling program for the many children who don’t have birth certificates and cannot enrol in formal government schooling. This will allow the children the opportunity to catch up on schooling or to learn the basics of grade R, while Jabulani goes through the process of getting them birth certificates.

The COVID-19 pandemic posed new challenges for the program, as many children were left without masks or ways to sanitise and protect themselves against the virus. However, ingenuity always overcomes obstacles and Jabulani is able to provide sanitising stations and masks to those who don’t have. Due to social distancing laws, they were no longer able to have all 500 + children in the same facility at the same time, which exacerbated the need for more space. With the additional containers from CIT, they were able to schedule all children for their meals in groups.

South Africa’s high levels of unemployment, gangsterism, and drug and alcohol abuse lead to a myriad of social evils for the children of our society. It is so important for us to remember that we can all make a difference. We should all take a lesson from what is possible when inspirational women, like Yasmine, and companies, like CIT, come together to use their imaginations to find creative solutions to the challenges that the children of South Africa face.

News supplied by GET PUBLISHED.

Did you know that The Snooty Fox team from Fern Hill Hotel is now trading at both Fern Hill Hotel and at Garlingtons? Mik, Steph, Alex and their team have opened Garlingtons Bistro and Deli in Hilton.

'Chef Alex Poltera will head up the kitchen, while Steph oversees the front of house. Mik is our admin body, ensuring we keep on track with orders and finance. Together we are so looking forward to creating a happy space for our guests to enjoy. A big thank you to Sean Moffatt and the Garlington residents for trusting us with your special space.' shared the team on the occasion of their soft launch.

They look forward to welcoming you when you visit one of these two venues and the Village Media Team wishes them unending success.

For bookings at Garlingtons Bistro and Deli call +27 (0)33 329 5200.

For bookings at The Snooty Fox call +27 (0)33 330 5071.

Pictured below L-R: Alex Poltera, Steph and Mik Szecsei at Garlingtons.

'The year 2020 brought many lifestyle changes, some of which will be adopted going forward, some of which we shall be glad to see the back of.

Travel and holiday plans were cancelled or postponed, the workplace shifted into homes, we all learned new words like “social distancing” and “co-morbidities”. We also learned new communication skills, as meetings and classes had to take place virtually, even bridge has been played online.

Throughout all the turbulence I found myself becoming really proud of the way that we, South Africans, have for the most part been compliant with, and uncomplaining about, all the Covid 19 regulations.

I have great admiration for the manner in which all the agents and administration staff have coped and managed to keep the business running.

I hope that next year will bring an end to the stress and constraints that we have weathered in 2020 and that we will all look back in awe at what was achieved by resilience and optimism under such difficult conditions.

My best wishes go to family, friends, colleagues and clients for a happy successful New Year.' shared Barbara Becker, Pam Golding Properties - Midlands in KwaZulu-Natal.

Update on the female Serval that has been in our care since May. She is very secretive and only ventures out of her den area in the early mornings, late afternoons, and at night. When we do get the chance to see her out and about in the enclosure she has no issue telling the rehabilitators to back off.

We never "pet" or tame any animals under our care at FreeMe Wildlife. There is never any reason to do so. We allow the wildlife in our care their inherent right to be wild without habituation.

Her favourite spot, when you are lucky enough to see her, is high up on top of the swing, keeping a watchful eye out for any danger or people that pass by.

We love what we do, and how we do it.

If you would like to donate towards our work, you can do so directly:

FreeMe Wildlife
First National Bank
Branch code: 220 725
Account number: 6214 1246 068

PAYPAL ACCOUNT:
http://paypal.me/FreeMeWildlife

SWIFT CODE FOR INTERNATIONAL TRANSFERS:
FIRNZAJJ

Contact number: 033 330 3036

Businesses can also join as a Corporate Custodian;
http://www.freemekzn.co.za/become-a-custodian/ 

More about FreeMe Wildlife.

Join Women In Business for a virtual Coffee & Conversation with Paula Hall. We will be discussing how Women can help Women in the AI (Artificial Intelligence) Era.

Wednesday 11th November 2020 at 8am.

Book your virtual seat for a very interesting conversation with Paula Hall. Click here to book: https://forms.gle/XHn1HnJULHnEVGGi9

News from Women in Business.

'On Saturday, 7 November 2020, our 1st Cricket Team played their first and only  against their parents.

The parents scored 167 in their 20 overs which the 1st Team reached in their 17th over. They went on to make 183 after 20 overs. Mr Paul Rencken, Mr Leon Rennison and Mr Richard Pieters scored 24, 23 and 22 respectively. Special mention is made of Mrs Lisa Candler who faced nearly 5 overs for her 17 runs. 1st Team players Aiden Pieters, Craig Pike and Daniel Sookdhew all retired after 30 runs whilst Luke Rennison and Stuart Rencken were caught out by their dads!' shared Howick High School.

Harvard Electrical Wholesalers proudly celebrates ten years in Howick, KZN. 

Manager, Moosa Sadiq says, ‘First we had a tiny shop, thanks to great support from the local community, within six months we outgrew the space and had to move to the bigger shop next door. Since then we have quadrupled in space and staff.

Harvard Electrical Wholesalers offers a broad range of products at pleasing prices;
Outdoor lighting

Interior lighting

Light bulbs of all shapes and sizes

Ceiling fans

Designer fans by Solent

Standing fans

Industrial fans

Domestic, commercial and industrial components

Fridge & stove components

Electrical tools and accessories.

We have daily specials on chandeliers, light fittings and globes.

We serve clients from as far away as the Drakensberg, Ladysmith and Lions river and we truly value the many who have loyally supported us from day one.

Our 65 quality suppliers have been a source of consistent support for our trade. Amongst these are Bright Star Lighting, Crabtree, Ellies, Eurolux , Flash Components, Pioled, Radiant, South Ocean Cables, SPAZIO and HellermannTyton.

We welcome visits by contractors who bring clients along to browse through our showroom and collection of catalogues so they get exactly what they want.'

The HowickVillage.co.za team wishes Harvard Electrical Wholesalers many more successful years of trading and appreciate their attention to the details that keep their customers coming back, like secure parking with CCTV coverage and a security guard.

Pictured here L to R; Whitey Mbela, Moosa Sadiq, Fathima, Omar Swerd, Gideon Khenisa, Cosmas Ndlovu, Reginald Naidoo, Jesse Reddy & Shane Maharaj.

Photo credit: Jesse Reddy

News from Harvard Electrical Wholesalers.

Playing or fighting?

Reading a dog's body language is important when interacting with a dog but also when two dogs are interacting. You need to know when they are playing and when things are getting serious!

Check out this blog to learn more:
https://bit.ly/306m4iz

News from HDDT K9 Services