The future of recycling is in your hands, literally!

Waste management and recycling has taken a huge step sideways since December 2019 when the pandemic first began. On the local front many plants will close as sorting recycling by hand while maintaining COVID-19 health and safety standards is virtually impossible. Recycling businesses that remain active are plotting a new way forward and need your active commitment to a healthier planet for them to survive.

There is only one solution for household and business waste going forward, you must sort into categories, place into clear plastic bags, and drop or arrange collection once done. This is critical as a single mistake in sorting can close a recycling plant!

Guide to the separate categories for your recycling;
Paper (old books, newspapers, magazines all with staples removed)
Board (cardboard, boxes)
Glass (containers - jars and bottles no metal lids)
Plastics hard (containers – bottles – plastic lids)
Plastics soft (shopping carry bags, bread bags)
Milk cartons (lids off and pack separately, cleaned, and squashed flat)
Metal (Food and drink cans, metal lids removed form bottles)
Tetra Packs (foil-lined containers e.g. milk and juice boxes)

Important notes:
• Remove all caps and lids and place in correct categories
• Empty all contents and rinse (bottles and jars)
• Flatten all plastic and paper containers/boxes
• Ensure that bottles are not broken

It is important to note that there are items that must go to your “Other Waste” bin as these will not be accepted or collected by Central Waste;
Chemicals: medicine, paint, solvents
Organics (Food leftovers, vegetable and fruit peels, garden waste are meant for your composting system and if you do not have one find a neighbour who does!)
Clothing
Disposable nappies
E-waste e.g. cell phones
Batteries
Polystyrene

While some components of the waste listed above are recyclable, they are not processed by Central Waste.

Complimentary Service for Confidential Shredding
Central Waste offers a confidential shredding service, this is available free for paper collections that exceed 1 cubic metre. Your papers will be collected and shredded at no charge if you live in Hilton, Howick, Merrivale or Pietermaritzburg. A Certificate confirming that your documents have been confidentially shredded is available if you need one.

More about Central Waste.

We are happy to announce that our offices are now open and ready to operate under the Regulations of Alert Level 3. We would like to take this opportunity to assure you that we have initiated strict safety protocols and checks in order to protect and prioritise your well-being and ours. These are outlined below.

While we are now able to re-open our Pam Golding Properties offices, our agents and staff are still encouraged to work from home where possible in order to limit the spread of the Coronavirus.

With this in mind, a workplace plan and safety measures have been put in place in accordance with health and safety guidelines as published by Government.

Our offices will be open Monday to Friday at the following times:
Pietermaritzburg 09:00 to 16:30 (t) 033 342 8108
Hilton 09:30 to 15:30 (t) 033 343 1233
Howick 09:30 to 15:30 (t) 033 330 4331
Nottingham Road 09:30 to 13:30 (t) 033 266 6000

Thereafter, meetings can be arranged by appointment between the hours of 9am and 7pm, Monday to Sunday, as stipulated under the Guidelines.

As far as possible, meetings with clients will continue to be conducted via telephone and/or video call. With regard to in person client meetings at properties for valuations, listing and viewings, this is only done by appointment and safety protocol measures will be followed. Please note that we have been advised that all showhouses are strictly prohibited at this stage.

We would like to thank all of our clients for their continued support and we wish you all good health, success, and enhanced emotional well-being as we start this new chapter of “unlock”.

Belinda Driemeyer
Principal
Pam Golding Properties, Pietermaritzburg & KZN Midlands

'The time to get back to work has arrived. The GARDENATOMY Team return this coming week as we see our lowering to Level 3 of the lockdown. We're ready, well-rested and eager, and anticipate some interesting times ahead in getting gardens back to their former glory through our Garden Care Program service as well as landscaping contracting using all manner of hard and soft materials to create stunning living spaces and aesthetically appealing surroundings. Can't wait!' shared Gardenatomy in their excitement to garden in and around Howick once again. As permitted in Level 3.

Groundcover is more than just a leather shop selling shoes and handbags it is a place where commitment to staff and community is taken seriously.
Situated along the scenic Curry’s Post road the historic shop selling the sought after genuine leather goods may be all you notice if you pop in on a sunny day. Smiling Thuli, the sales lady usually offers customers advice and a smile. The smell of tanned leather is likely to leave a deep impression and if you look out of the window you will see a herd of Nguni cattle grazing on the hill.

But around the corner, the busy leather workshop is a hive of activity as this is where the shoes, are manufactured, up the wooden and Nguni hide stairs you may find Amanda McCarthy checking her emails and trying to sort out customer queries.

Groundcover was her husband Justin’s vision and together they worked very hard to build the brand and establish the workshop and shop, tragedy struck when he was killed in a tragic bicycle accident a few years ago, Amanda was left to make the business work.

It may have been a temptation to pack up and leave, but for this Midlands stalwart, Amanda felt she was too deeply connected to the land and to the families who have built up the business with her, the business had become them, Amanda McCarthy was not going anywhere.

One of her beliefs is that her staff’s children should get the best access to education possible and often you may see the Groundcover delivery vehicle stopping off at the local schools in Howick fetching the children after school.

The staff at the shop and at the factory may not be paid enormous salaries but the friendly attitude and perks make up for a traditional setting; they know they are valuable members of this industrious little company. Amanda said: “We grew up in the Apartheid era and we knew it was wrong for certain people to have access to all the benefits.

We felt that we really ought to make a difference, so we left the country after University and joined a cultural development project in Lesotho, where the idea was to teach the local people how to make leather goods.

“Our idea was to empower people by sharing skills. We had a wonderful time and at that time we focused a lot on hand-stitching and giving people skills they could adapt.

“When we decided to come back to South Africa and we decided to settle in the Midlands, we thought Groundcover would be a vehicle to teach people skills to create their own micro-businesses, but our focus moved to uplifting our immediate community. Our staffers needed housing and their children needed schooling and so our focus changed.

Some people make shoes to make profits, but we like to think that we make shoes to build community. They employ 25 people and they sell their shoes through other outlets.

Amanda said they liked to make decisions together with their staff and if someone was off sick, the others pulled their weight, because they knew if they got sick they would also be supported.

A strong part of their ethos is after-sales service and shoes can be re-soled. One of the initiatives that Justin started was to make shoes for those people who battled to find shoes because of their strange feet. Podiatrists refer clients to their shop to get comfortable shoes made up.

Amanda said their shoes were supported by locals because they knew the shoes were made by a local business “with heart”. She added: “The process has become more mechanized but we still make sure we stick to the principles of good leatherwork.”

The little historical sales shop is a tourism drawcard. It is an Oregon pine and tin house. They bought and re-assembled it on their property in 1994. It originally came from England as a house kit over 100 years ago and was ordered by a colonial farmer who needed a home. It arrived in Delagoa Bay and was transported to Creighton by ox-wagon to the Smiths who owned it originally. The McCarthy’s bought it 80 years later and it re-assembled it as their shop and showroom in Curry’s Post.

Another beautiful feature at Groundcover is the exquisite sculpture in the garden of the Grimm’s - Elves and the Shoemaker done by Karkloof sculptor Abbo Hall. It is a fine and detailed permanent sculpture that captures some of the magic of the story and of the labour and dedication that goes into making fine handmade goods.

The latest addition is The Barn Owl, a beautiful artisan Coffee Shop situated in front of the Groundcover Shop. It also does cakes and light lunches. Lately, it has broken into the niche market of small weddings, ideally suited to this with its beautiful location, and attractive interior.

More about Groundcover Leather Company.

As we look forward to the easing of restrictions on our day to day lives, we eagerly anticipate the joy of spending time with our families again.

Grandparents have been missed, during the last 11 weeks, their absence has been deeply felt. Grandparents provide an extra layer of support and are an important, positive, influence on the social and emotional development of children. They listen, advise and are a link to our children’s cultural heritage.

They offer an affordable babysitting service too!

From our CG Carers' family to all the amazing Grandparents, ‘We love and miss you, see you soon!'

More about CG Carers.

Mushka has a gorgeous selection of Cape Mohair blankets to keep you warm this winter. These winter blankets deliver the ultimate in quality and warmth.

Special offer - free courier during lockdown.

News supplied by Mushka.

"Wait and see" is the current status of The Hill’s 1000 Paws Walk which brings in a large chunk of funds annually for our SPCA. Due to the Covid-19 restrictions, the event may not be permitted. We appeal to everyone to support this necessary service.

For donations:
uMngeni SPCA
Nedbank
Account number 1133791700
Branch code 198765
Reference: Your name

More about uMngeni SPCA.

Howick High's Grade 9 learners have been creating the most awesome masks as their learning task during the COVID-10 Lockdown. Age Quod Agis Grade 9's!

The staff look forward to seeing more wonderful masks soon.

News from Howick High School.

'Today we celebrate our Howick Hospice Nurses. The amazing women that they are that go above and beyond!

May all the care and kindness you give come back to warm your heart.' shared Howick Hospice of their Facebook page.

Pictured from left to right: Sister Carolee Thompson, Sister Chantal Hathorn, Clinical Manager Charlotte Woudberg, Sister Bev Gibson and Sister Nola Poole.

News supplied by Howick Hospice.

Mediclinic has been a trusted healthcare partner to many families for decades and, as such, we regard the safety of our patients, staff and doctors as our highest priority.

During these trying times, we understand that many potential patients are avoiding Emergency Centres or visiting their doctors for care. We recognise that the public has been told to stay at home in order to reduce the risk during the lockdown period. We are also aware of the concern that individuals may have of being exposed to the virus by coming to a hospital and, as a result thereof, urgent medical care is potentially being delayed.

We want to assure you that during the lockdown period, Mediclinic and our supporting specialists have implemented a number of measures to ensure, as best possible, each individual’s safety. You have trusted us in your times of need and we will continue to carry you through these challenging times of unprecedented crisis with expertise.

Mediclinic is striving to make our facilities as safe as possible for our community, placing our patients in the centre of every decision that we make. We have implemented screening for patients, staff, doctors and all other individuals coming to the hospital. We have separate COVID-19- and non-COVID-19-related treatment areas to further reduce the risk. Our staff have all been equipped with the necessary Personal Protective Equipment to ensure that we are able to care for all our patients, whatever their medical needs. Our procurement team has ensured the availability of stock so that each patient who doesn’t have their own may be issued with a cloth mask for the period of admission unless a surgical mask is appropriate in order to further reduce the risk of transmission. We follow the National Institute of Communicable Diseases’ guidelines when our staff members are exposed to or infected with the COVID-19 virus to protect you and other members of the public. This may entail quarantine or in extreme circumstances, the closure of a unit.

Rest assured that if you or a family member require any form of medical care during the coming weeks and months, the Mediclinic Emergency Centres and hospitals, as well as all our supporting doctors, are, as always, ready to treat and assist you. We want you to feel comfortable seeking out care, rather than placing your health at further risk through delayed treatment.

Should you require any information regarding symptoms or other queries, you are welcome to call the Mediclinic COVID-19 hotline on 0860 24 00 24 or visit our website (www.mediclinic.co.za) for further information.

We would like to thank you for choosing to place your trust in our expertise. Our teams are here to assist.

Kind regards

Koert Pretorius

KSS is proactive and is involved with special operations with SAPS on a continuous basis. With the recent spike in crime, KSS is out there working with SAPS, community groups and community members. KSS Officers have also affected more arrests over the past 10 days.

Remember - Your security starts with YOU. What have you done and what measures have YOU taken in order to safeguard your home and business?

How vigilant are you really? Do you leave items in view from the road with doors and windows open? Are you working from home and have a laptop lying on the dining room table?

Please be aware – there is a lot of opportunistic crime where criminals are taking advantage of people being slack about their security while at home.

Technical advice
Do you have an electric fence and would like it monitored so that early warning activations can be responded to? KSS can do this for you.

Would you like CCTV cameras installed that also trigger an intruder alert? KSS can do this for you.

KSS Client Care
Please note that KSS caters for the individual and does not just blanket our clients under one monthly rate. KSS takes the following into account: If you are a pensioner, working full-time, a one-income household or if you have been retrenched or are struggling financially. KSS knows that everyone is different and circumstances change.

KSS Patrols
KSS has increased patrols in all areas and increased the number of vehicles on the road. KSS has posted in previous newsletters that the Armed Response units with two (2) Armed Response Officers in them, were split so that KSS could have more vehicles, visible patrolling, eyes and Response Officers on the road.

Where KSS had four (4) vehicles on the road, we now have eight (8) vehicles. KSS has the most vehicles and Response Officers in the Howick, Howick West, Merrivale, Merrivale Heights and surrounding areas, and back-up is never far away.

More about Knight Security Solutions.

'Please be careful driving up Main Road in Howick towards Greendale side. Outside the Methodist Church there is a massive pothole that takes up half the lane. We have requested that it is repaired urgently.

We painted a white line around it this afternoon to warn those motorists who may not know about it.' shared Janis Holmes on Facebook.

Thank you Janis, your effort is appreciated as this has been a growing problem.

'In the midst of a rapidly contracting economy in limbo under an extended lockdown, today’s (21 May 2020) announcement of a further reduction of 50 bps in the repo rate will have a positive effect on the residential property market, albeit deferred until potential buyers can begin transacting in earnest.' says Dr Andrew Golding, chief executive of the Pam Golding Property group.

More about your local Pam Golding Properties.

As the first cold front rolled in last week, Angel's Care Centre managed to get 350 blankets to desperately cold and needy children. They honestly cannot thank everyone enough for making this possible and only wish they could have shared the moment of pure joy and gratitude with you. They hope to continue raising funds for the expansion of our winter warmth programme to not only ensure that the children are warm but also their families. If you can contribute towards blankets (R100 each), or drop off anything warm at the centre it would be hugely appreciated. http://www.angelscare.co.za/donate.

Their thanks goes out to Makro PMB for sourcing 350 blankets for Angel's Care in record time and helping to load into not one but two bakkies (thankfully Qondile Branding and Signage Qondile Stay Real came to the rescue as they ran out of space). They have been completely overwhelmed by the incredible support received and promise that they are doing everything in their power and budget to look after the most precious children and their families.

Photo credit: Dané Turvey.

News from Angel's Care Centre.

Congratulations to Alex Candler who was selected to be a part of the U19 Shadow Squad of the U19 South African Girls Team that will attend the inaugural U19 Girls World Cup.

News supplied.

The Ugly Duckling is pleased to announce that their new and improved website is live! They are now allowed to sell all products online and ship immediately - please visit their website to see what beautiful products we have on offer at www.theuglyduckling.co.za.

More about The Ugly Duckling.

Bridget Erskine, a KZN Midlands property agent with Pam Golding Properties shares her lockdown thoughts, 'Hello fellow South Africans, I am so proud of this wonderful country and how we are all making the very best of this difficult situation. During this time, I have decided we are definitely not turning into the ‘Lockdown Loners’ but the ‘Lockdown Learners’! Pam Golding is forging ahead with updating and enhancing our skills as agents. After many years in the property business, I realise up-skilling is an ongoing and empowering exercise which I have fully embraced!

Our property market in Hilton and Howick – which includes the beautiful St. John’s Village is moving steadily upwards due to new developments and the general expansion in the area which is so encouraging. Now is definitely the time to browse what is available on our webpage and contact us agents for many more properties.

It’s great to be able to exercise in the early morning and I have sensed a much kinder and friendlier attitude by all. We have always been a happy nation and now the concern for each other is something we have embraced and will carry forward into the future. I miss face-to-face chats as does everyone else but we are strong and will survive!'

News supplied by Pam Golding Properties.

Hello Little Mozambique Familia! We have a special Lockdown menu designed just for you. Give us a call to book and we will talk you through our pick up/delivery process and payment.

Tel. 073 997 4747

Visit our website for more information - https://www.littlemozambique.com/