Gail Bristow was just 14 years old when she lined up for her first aQuellé Midmar Mile. There was no medal waiting for her when she reached the other side of the dam, however. That’s because it was 1974, and women weren’t officially allowed to enter the race.

Plenty has changed since then, with over 12,000 instead of 150 swimmers set to line up for the 2020 edition of what’s grown into the world’s largest open water swimming event. Now 60, Bristow will still be one of them, though, as she competes for a 46th official and 47th unofficial year.

“I started the very first one in 1974. The girls weren’t allowed to swim, so a handful of us went along with our brothers and friends and we lined up at the start, but we didn’t get a medal,” she recalled. “Can you imagine anything more ridiculous? The girls were all unofficial, as they were at the Comrades Marathon and all those events back then.”

That all changed a year later after an uproar from the country’s female swimmers.

“So we lined up with our mates and swam it and that’s how it’s been ever since. I think part of the fun is that a lot of those same people – although they might not have made it every year – are still doing it, so I see a lot of my friends that I swam with as a teenager every year. It’s a really social event now. I’m not as competitive as I was. It’s all about the camaraderie and it’s a great event.”

Bristow represented both Natal and South Africa in the pool back in the day, although it was during the period of international isolation. She’s also claimed podium places in various age categories at the aQuellé Midmar Mile, and still competes in the pool at Masters level.

“We have quite a strong Masters team that travels all over to compete at World Championships, so I do still swim competitively, even though I turned 60 last year. It’s a lot of fun, it gives you some motivation, otherwise it’s easy just to get lazy.

“I think I have three world titles and our Cape Town team has six world relay records, so we are very competitive in that group, which is nice, because we grew up when we couldn’t compete internationally.”

Swimming has always played an important part in Bristow’s life.

“I grew up in KwaZulu-Natal and we used to swim at the Pinetown pool. My brother and all my friends swam, so I just kind of got into it like that, and we spent all our holidays at the pool. It’s what we did, and it’s what I’ve always done,” explained the recently retired teacher, who taught PE at St Mary’s in Kloof and then geography at Wynberg Girls’ High in Cape Town.

“The main thing for me is that on the second Sunday in February, I’ve been at Midmar for the last 47 years. It’s now a case of getting there. I always think the car might break down or the flight could be delayed. There’s always that possibility, so I feel very grateful that I’ve been able to make it every year. It’s just something I’ve added onto my calendar every year, which became a bit more challenging when I moved to Cape Town.”

Over the years she’s faced storms and choppy water, and had to wait for mist to lift to be able to make it across the dam, but Bristow’s most challenging race was last year, when she competed just a couple of months after undergoing a knee replacement.

“That was the only one I didn’t feel very confident of and wasn’t sure what was going to happen without the usual training,” she explained. “But I entered in the family race, not the main race, so my son and husband swam with me and I still managed it, but I was anxious about it.

“It’s a great event and it’s something I’ll try and keep doing for as long as I can do it,” added the only woman to have been there every year since 1974.

Pictured above Gail Bristow

Photo credit Jetline Action Photos.

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We think our Howick Hospice House is a real looker but we are a bit biased. We have a few aspects we would love to improve;

New Donation Depot
Roofing for our carports
Front Office Revamp...to name a few.

If you would like to get involved get in touch.

Call +27 (0)33 330 5257.

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"The world needs who you were made to be." 

A little inspiration for living from our lovely shared kitchen at The Co.Lab. 

We can't be who we were made to be or do what we were made to do if we don't have health and inner balance. 

This Peach & Moon organics natural mint-flavored CBD hemp extract is one of our favorite ways to give ourselves a boost from Mother Nature when we need it most.

News supplied by The Hemp People.

Nightingales Home Based Caring Service is based in Howick. We specialise in placing qualified home carers in the private homes of individuals who require either long or short term care, but wish to remain at home. We provide a personalised service that can be customised to meet the unique health requirement of our patients, while taking into consideration their lifestyle, cultural, spiritual and personal needs.

Nightingales provides experienced care and support to patients, enabling them to reside independently in their own homes, improving their quality of life for themselves and their family.

Nightingales will offer you peace of mind that your loved ones are cared for by qualified caregivers and supported and supervised by caring and experienced management staff.

News supplied by Nightingales Home Based Caring Service.

These Harvard Electrical Wholesalers specials are just in time for the end of Summer heat.

This offer is available till the end of February or until stock lasts.

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

While much has changed over 47 years of aQuellé Midmar Mile history, there has been one constant throughout, and that’s the presence of Mike “Buthie” Arbuthnot.

The 87-year-old was one of the founders of the famous race back in 1974 and remains the only swimmer to have officially competed each year.

Arbuthnot will once again be part of the throng of thousands who will flock to Midmar Dam on the weekend on 8-9 February 2020 to take part in the world’s largest open water race.

Photo credits: Jetline Action Photo

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Dynalogic Computer's offer computer sales and repairs, servers , networking, cloud server and backup solutions.

For CCTV surveillance systems with remote monitoring and corporate service level agreements.

Contact Dynalogic Computers if you have any problems with your computer.

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Home Trends, previously known as Repurposed is  ready for your visit...

Design... Build... Furnish 

We align with a wonderful architect, Kwasani Projects Building and Civils, Cosy Couch and Leicester Floors Pietermaritzburg.

We provide a Professional, Personal Decor Service and have some amazing home decor items...

And now our Deli is open, making the most delicious home cooked meals and cakes, jams, Marmalades, Pickles...

It’s a treasure in Howick... make sure you visit.

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KwaZulu-Natal Swimmer Chad Ho will be chasing an elusive eighth title when he takes on a strong international field at the famous aQuellé Midmar Mile, taking place near Howick from 8-9 February.

The two-time Olympian last won the race in 2016, when he also set the record for the fastest time of 17 minutes flat. But he’s determined to add title number eight to his impressive haul of accolades which includes a 5km open water world title.

“Winning is always the main priority and I am confident in my ability to win my eighth title,” said the race’s most successful swimmer. “However, it will come down to race day and if it is my day.”

Ho’s first taste of victory came in the 13 years and under category, which he won back in 2004, and since 2008 he’s finished in the top 10 in the main race every year, including his run of seven titles from 2010 to 2016.

“I don’t think there are any secrets to success in open water swimming. It is all about who performs on the day, who is in their best condition, who has picked the best line and the water conditions during the race. It's anyone's race, which is what I love about it.”

The 29-year-old added: “The international swimmers definitely add a competitive edge, they push you harder and it makes for great viewing for the spectators. In saying that, it is also not something I allow to cloud my focus. I can only control my swim and how I do on the day, so I choose to remain focused on that.”

While the mile distance isn’t contested at the Olympics, Ho explained that the aQuellé Midmar Mile still forms an important part of his preparation as he looks to qualify for his third Games.

“Midmar allows me to assess my current progress. It is not the distance I need to qualify for but it is an opportunity to race. Every opportunity to push yourself before the Olympics is a good one,” he explained.

The first step in achieving that qualification for Tokyo 2020 will be finishing in the top two at the national championships in Jeffrey’s Bay in March.

“It is every professional athlete's dream to compete at the highest level of competition. To say I have not only been to one, not two, but three Olympics is an indescribable feeling. This is what I spend every day working towards, and knowing my efforts paid off, in the end, will make it all worth it.”

But first, he’ll be looking for another Midmar win and training has been ramped up to give him the best possible shot at that.

“Training has been going well. We are currently in a period of doing high mileage and have been for about two weeks now. Some days are really tough and I am finished at the end of the day, but it is what is required to compete at the level I am aiming for.”

Ho has been lining up on the banks of the KZN dam since the age of six, so the event is of particular significance to him.

“Midmar is an event whereby family, co-workers and friends can come together and take part in an event as a team or even as support for any individuals taking part,” he explained.

“For me personally it is a family-orientated weekend. I don’t get to have my family by my side at races very often and this is the one event that allows for that. I have been doing Midmar since the age of six and it has always been a significant event for myself and my family.”

Dubbed the world’s largest open water race, the aQuellé Midmar Mile sees over 12,000 swimmers covering the 1.6km distance over two days of racing. Entries close on 26 January. For more information, head to https://www.midmarmile.co.za/how-to-enter/

Photo credit: Jetline Action Photo.

News supplied.

5 February 2020 – It has been brought to the attention of the organisers of the annual aQuellé Midmar Mile that there are reports and concerns circulating with regards to the water quality at Midmar Dam following the Mpophomeni Wastewater Works spillage last year, and the safety of swimmers at the event this weekend, from 8-9 February.

These concerns are completely unfounded.

Race organiser Wayne Riddin explained: “These reports are disingenuous. The water is perfectly safe to swim in. The spill was on the other side of the dam (some 6km from the race course) and was contained.

“We have done extensive testing and the E.coli levels are in fact lower than any dam in the country – lower also than any of the previous events in the many years I have been involved. There is no way we as the organisers would place the health of thousands of entrants at risk. As the event organiser, I myself would be prepared to drink the water at any stage along the course.

“The Capital K event was successfully completed in December without incident or medical issues from swimmers. The race is going ahead as planned and we expect a phenomenal weekend of festivities as usual.”

News supplied.

British swimming star Ashley Hogg has come nail-bitingly close to victory at the aQuellé Midmar Mile, and he’s determined this time he’ll top the podium.

Hogg will be one of the main international threats, along with American Brendan Casey, in the main men’s race when the world’s largest open water swimming event takes place at Midmar Dam this weekend, from 8-9 February.

 Picture above Ashley Hogg photo credit: Jetline Action Photo.

She’s one of the country’s top open water swimming prospects, targeting her second Olympic Games, but for Michelle Weber, the aQuellé Midmar Mile is all about the festive vibe.

The 2016 champion has been competing in the event from the age of 11, racking up a remarkable record along the way. While she’s all focus and resolve when she’s in the water, it’s what takes place before and after the racing that brings her back each year.

She’ll be returning for the 2020 edition of the world’s largest open water swimming event from 8-9 February, where she’ll be gunning for more glory.

“I love the Midmar Mile. I was raised in Umhlanga, so we went up every year for it. I think it’s just so special to me because my family started out just going to open water events for fun. We used to camp on the weekend and take a boat out, and our canoes and stuff, and just enjoy the weekend and then have a swim and braai. So I think that’s what makes it so special for me, and it holds a very dear place in my heart,” she explained.

Weber’s chief target for the year is competing in the 10km open water swim at her second Olympic Games in Tokyo this August, so the aQuellé Midmar Mile is not quite as gruelling a challenge, but it will still provide a crucial opportunity for Weber to test herself against some tough competition.

“My training has been going well. It’s an Olympic year, so it’s obviously a really big year for me as well as a lot of other athletes. I think the competition is going to be quite tough on both the men’s and women’s side. Everyone is going to be swimming really fast,” said the 23-year-old, who’s now based in Franschhoek in the Western Cape.

“I love doing the Midmar and I think it’s cool for Olympics. Firstly because I get to see all my friends and just to get a break, but also it fits into my training schedule for the Games – just to see how fast I’m getting and how I’m feeling in the water. It’s great because it’s a month before Nationals, so any concerns or anything I feel isn’t right in my training, I can fix very quickly.”

A top-two spot at the National Championships will be the first step to qualifying for Tokyo, where only a limited number get the opportunity to compete.

“It’s pretty tight, and it’s hard, because in open water swimming, we only have 25 swimmers in the event compared to pool swimmers, where there are a lot more. It’s hard because conditions change, race tactics change – you need a lot of experience for this, and I’ve been doing this for a while, so I’m pretty excited to see how I’m going to do.”

Much of that experience has come at the famous KwaZulu-Natal dam, where Weber has notched up an incredible record over the years. She’s finished in the top eight on each of the 12 occasions she’s competed, winning the 13 years and under category in 2009 and 2010, and the senior title in 2016, while finishing second last year behind Australia’s Kareena Lee.

“It’s always amazing having the internationals coming through. It’s cool to race against them and also see how they do and chat to them while they’re here. I think that’s the nice thing about open water – a lot of people do take it seriously, but it’s also a lot more social than pool swimming. So just the vibe they bring is pretty amazing.”

“For this year, I’m not sure who will be the biggest competition. You never know what’s going to happen on the day. Open water is strange like that. Conditions change, you can get a wrong line, and it could just not be your day.”

“I just love open water swimming, though, because I get to travel to so many different countries and I don’t just swim in a pool, I get to swim in some of the most beautiful oceans, lakes, dams and rivers, so I think that’s what makes it so incredible. I love the adventure that comes with it.”

For more information on the aQuellé Midmar Mile, head to www.midmarmile.co.za

Photo credit: Jetline Action Photo.

News Supplied.

Our first dog guardian of the week for 2020 is young Sabelo Radebe. Sabelo is only 7 years old and he started at Funda Nenja at the beginning of this term. During his first puppy class he learnt the importance of giving your dog a good name and he decided to name his beautiful puppy Umngani, which means ‘friend’ in isiZulu.

Sabelo said that he came to Funda Nenja to “learn how to be good to Umngani” and “to learn Umngani how to be good to me and to learn him to be my friend”.

Sabelo takes training very seriously and is a very attentive and gentle student. After only two lessons he has already taught sweet Umngani to sit and shake paws using food rewards. He also spends a lot of time talking intently to Umngani, telling him how clever and good he is, and what he is trying to teach him and why it is important.

During one exchange, while Sabelo was totally unaware he was been observed, he told Umngani that “I will teach you to shake hands so that you can greet the people and the dogs nicely when you see them, and they will like you lots and be your friend, and to do this you must put your hand in my hand and we must shake hands like this (as he cups his hand under Umngani’s paw)... and then we know that we can be friends forever” [quote translated from isiZulu].

It is very heartwarming to watch these two boys interact as they only have eyes for each other.

Umngani is a very sweet, calm and gentle young puppy, and obviously devoted to his young handler. Sabelo says that the best thing about Umngani is that he “loves to play… I love to play ball and Umngani loves to play with the ball… we run and we chase… then we run and chase more… and then we fall down because the legs are too tired…but still we play together”. He says that he also likes “to give food to Umngani because he gets so happy when I give him the food”.

When he grows up this caring and gentle young man would like to be a “policeman... with Umngani... because Umngani can run fast and catch the bad men”.

Pictured above is Sabelo Radebeand his dog Umngani.

News supplied by Funda Nenja.

The UCSI is going well and we continue to have a positive impact in our community. The UCSI membership is growing, and we really need to encourage more local businesses, shopping centres, estates, security companies and schools to come on board. Support a wonderful, local initiative.

UCSI vehicle
The UCSI is in need of a vehicle for our Operations Manager. If anyone is able to assist with:

1. Selling a reliable, cost effective, second-hand vehicle to the UCSI
OR
2. Donating a vehicle to the UCSI (Section 18A can be issued) 
OR
3. Any other helpful, cost effective option

Please contact Frans on 063 068 9652 as soon as possible. That would be greatly appreciated.

Gantry update
The UCSI has the full CAPEX funding amount to get Gantry 14 erected on the R617 (Boston / Bulwer Road towards Mpophomeni) outside Dunning House (near Midmar Building supplies). We just need more monthly operational membership funding (OPEX) to come in. Please can we encourage residents and business entities in the Merrivale, Merrivale Heights and Howick West areas to come on board.

The UCSI also has partial CAPEX funding for Gantry 18 on Prospect Road outside Fairfield Dairy (as one enters Howick / Howick West from the N3) and for Gantry 26 outside Stockowners (as one comes off the N3 heading towards Tweedie). If there are any other businesses out there that would like to donate between R20k – R40k towards these gantries, please contact Frans.

The UCSI is a registered NPC and able to issue a Section 18A certificate for any donations made.

Operations update
The UCSI Operations Manager is monitoring numerous vehicles entering our communities on a daily basis. SAPS is contacted and checks are done. Discernment is a key skill needed in order to do this, as numerous vehicles pass through our UCSI SNIPR cameras that need following up for various reasons. This close working relationship with SAPS is key to making the right calls to action. Over the past 10 days the UCSI has followed up on 14 such vehicles successfully.

It is also critical that legitimate and credible information is loaded onto the SNIPR system. Again, this is where the UCSI Operations Manager is clinical about the information loaded, as well as checking up on the information that has been loaded by other entities that utilise the broader SNIPR network. The SAPS Crime Administration System (CAS) also feeds live into SNIPR, so vehicles wanted by SAPS for various crimes committed, are also monitored by the UCSI and SAPS dispatched accordingly.

How can you get involved?
Please join the UCSI as a contributing member. The UCSI will not be sustainable without monthly community support from business entities, shopping centres, hospitals, schools, estates, security companies and private individuals.

Contact Frans on 063 068 9652 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information on how to join and make a contribution. Private individuals from R 50 pm and business entities from R 300 pm.

News supplied by UCSI.

And the time has finally come for this beautiful male Caracal to be released.

After a long wait in a Boma to get him used to his surroundings and break his homing instinct, we were finally able to release him back into the wild. 

A huge thank you to Dr Mike Toft for assisting us with this release and thank you to Clinton Wright (Wild Tomorrow Fund), who has welcomed this Caracal onto the Ukuwela Reserve. They have sponsored a Satellite Collar which means that we can track his progress for the next year. 

Post release monitoring is such an important step in what we do. It helps us to understand what we need to change and what we need to focus on during our rehabilitation processes.

Would you like to contribute and be involved in the work FreeMe Wildlife does? Then please join our family through the Custodianship Program, even businesses can be a part of our family.

News supplied by FreeMe .

A lot of South Africans are confused when it comes to CBD and cannabis products. And it's not surprising when, despite the law, there are plenty of people and even companies out there selling cannabis products illegally and offering misleading and unsubstantiated health advice.⁠
⁠
At The Hemp People, community and integrity are more important to us than profits, which is rare in this industry. ⁠
⁠
Our mission is to educate and empower our fellow South Africans when it comes to CBD (cannabidiol) and other hemp and cannabis products, whether or not you choose to shop our personally vetted range.

News supplied by The Hemp People.

Women Farmers getting it right.

Mpophomeni Conservation Group strive to spread environmental awareness, education, gardening, sustainability. "We are the change we want to see in to see in the world", and here is a success story.

 Lindiwe Phkiwane Ka Mkhonza and Khayelihle Mavuso received permission to use space at Mpophomeni High School to grow food.

First, they cleared lots of weeds (of course, they ate lots of the mbuya and uqadolo and the rest can be used as mulch), then they planted carrots and beans.

They will propose to supply the school feeding programme and then sell the excess organic produce.

News supplied.

The 1000 Paws Walk for SPCA is an annual event now in its 12th year. It has proven year after year to be the largest single fundraising event for the three participating branches of the SPCA, namely the Pietermaritzburg, Umngeni-Howick, and Mooi River & District SPCA branches.

The funding is used for outreach work to uplift and assist the area’s impoverished communities, where people rely on their animals for security and companionship, transport, and food. The SPCA serves the needs of all animals, from domestic pets to livestock, wildlife, birds, fish, and reptiles. No financial assistance is provided by government and all branches of the SPCA are required to raise money from their individual communities. This obviously has an impact on smaller SPCA branches in rural and indigent areas.

By joining forces, these three branches of the SPCA plan our successful multi-faceted event that also includes:
A raffle with top-notch prizes such as 5-star getaways and cruises.
A schools campaign where classes at schools across the three districts compete to raise the most money for 1000 Paws. The winning class per school is rewarded with a much-anticipated pizza party.

The 1000 Paws Walk event is extremely popular, attracting in excess of 1200 people (many with their dogs) and is based on an Australian fund-raising concept. There are two walks within the grounds of Hilton College, a 2km walk around the playing fields and a scenic 4km walk overlooking Albert Falls Dam. Families love a day in the open where kids can safely have fun with their pets, and those without dogs or who don’t want to bring them along have a fun-filled day nevertheless, with dog-focused activities, stalls, refreshments, displays and live entertainment.

More details to be revealed soon. SAVE THE DATE for now.

News Supplied.