Artefacts was born when the owner Sandi, had finished a huge Company Rehabilitation Consultancy and could not decide whether to continue Financial Consulting or start on a completely new project.

While driving around Howick one day I drove past the old "Bloo Monkey" in the Falls Precinct and an idea began!! It had the space, it had the potential position and it could bring out a passion that started as a young child being dragged by my father to Auctions and Antique shops collecting high end Art, furniture and Glass.

So with a deep breath I purchased the property and went about redecorating and redesigning the property to suite Antiques, Art, Gifting, Jewellry and generally a shop that anyone of any age could come in and buy something for everyone for every occasion as well as an Interior Decorators Heaven for their clients.

The Art Gallery side came about by mistake, I was in a shopping centre and saw a little HARTS Art Exhibition. On chatting to a member I found out that there are 100's of Artists and Crafters who have no outlet or a place to sell their amazing treasures. So the concept of being Howicks Art Gallery started most especially as there is so much wall space in the shop.

All products are of the highest quality and if anyone brings in furniture or items that need repair before going on the floor we have a workshop to bring the love back. Anyone can bring in their Art and Furniture on a consignment basis and I add on a mark up to cover the overheads and insurances as well as marketing and sales of their products.

To compliment that I purchase new items that always work with the shops eclectic concept as well as refurbish furniture and make specialised items.

Our biggest selling points are the atmosphere and layout of the shop that all our customers love, but also you cannot find the same anywhere else in the Midlands and we try and keep prices at a Howick rate and not tourist rate even though we do have some good tourist traffic and accommodate their shopping requirements which also gives our locals the options to buy goodies for their overseas visits and visitors to our part of the Midlands Meander.

We are based on the far side of the Falls Precinct being 2 Harvart Street, Howick.

There is plenty of safe parking and if you want a cup of coffee while you wander around we can do that for you too...

News supplied by Artefacts Gallery.

Finding balance, this is what CBD boils down to. ⁠
⁠
Just like you, your body is in a constant quest for balance—or, in biological terms, “homeostasis.” Homeostasis depends on your body maintaining a stable internal environment. Overall homeostasis includes each variable within your body—countless things like blood glucose, body temperature, blood pressure, hormonal levels, and more.⁠
⁠
One of the most important tools your body uses to achieve homeostasis is the endocannabinoid system (ECS). In basic terms, CBD helps your ECS to function better so you can manage outside stressors while maintaining your inner equilibrium: home sweet homeostasis.

News supplied by The Hemp People.

Anyone can enjoy a pint at their local pub, but Lions River beergarden offers a very different experience. Just imagine sharing a craftbeer with good friends while nibbling on a home-grown country platter and enjoying the beauty of Lions River. We don’t offer the ordinary. For an extraordinary BrewWithAView, come visit us!

You can hire us for your event. We’ll bring the kegs and our mobile bar and serve your guests.

News supplied by Lions River Craft Bewery.

Holiday Opening TImes for Howick Businesses

Active Fire Services

Annual shutdown from 13th December to 13th January.

Casablanca Flooring

Annual shutdown from 18 December till 8 January 2020.

Phalane Property Group Midlands

Close 20 December reopening 6 January 2019.

Eat at Andrew's

Open 7 days a week during school holidays.

Open Christmas Eve for a booked lunch and Christmas Day for a booked lunch.

Home Trends

Monday to Friday 9h00am to 4h30pm.

Saturday 8h00am till 2h00pm.

Howick Hospice

16 - 23 December 8h00am to 3h00pm

24 December 8h00am till 12h00pm.

Closed 25 December reopening 2 January 2020.

HowickVillage.co.za

Annual Shutdown: 23 December 2019 to 10 January 2020. Office opens 13 January 2020.

Little Mozambique

Open 25th December till 16H00 and closed on the 26th December.

Midlands Building Supplies

24 December close at 12pm

25, 26, 27, 28 December Closed.

31 December close at 12pm.

Closed all public holidays.

Sisonke Transfer Services

Closed 25 December only.

As the festive season approaches we would like you to join us in giving our community a gift that will not only provide momentary happiness but also the means to make their school year successful. We aim to distribute 500 SCHOOLBOXES to underprivileged learners at the start of the 2020 school year.

Many of these learners start their school year with little to no stationery, thus making it difficult to reach their dreams. Through your generous partnership, we hope to change so many young lives by giving them the right start. Join us in making a difference this Christmas!

There are a number of ways you can partner with us:
1. Purchase a SchoolBox by donating R200 and we will fill it for you.
Account Name: Love Howick NPC
Account Number: 62774727039
Branch: Howick, KZN
Branch Code: 220725
Reference: SANTA’S SCHOOLBOX
2. Donate items on our SchoolBox List and we will make up a SchoolBox on your behalf
ALL DONATIONS WILL BE COLLECTED FROM 1 OCTOBER – 20 DECEMBER 2019. Donations can be dropped off at Oasis Church, 70 Main Street, Howick, 3290 during this time. Please contact (033) 330 3456 for all queries.

News supplied by Love Howick.

#Stronger Together

Since the beginning of Sisonke Transfer Services in 2006 we have empowered over 1000 chauffeurs, training and equipping them to be Driven On Purpose, Driven With Service Excellence Always In Mind.

For your next transfer ...

Tel: 0861 SISONKE, 0861-747-6653

Cell/WhatsApp: 083-225-5585

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

News supplied by Sisonke Transfer Services.

The UCSI now has 16 UCSI gantries feeding through to the UCSI Operations Manager and the SNIPR TrackBox Control Centre. This has all been done through Community funding and support.

The 3 latest UCSI gantries have gone up in Hilton at the Anew Hilton Hotel (funded by Fogden Properties, Voigts Group and Anew Hilton Hotel), Crompton Road on Dennis Shepstone Drive (funded by Cowan House and The Hilton Ratepayers Association), and then at the Rotunda (funded by J Leslie Smith Attorneys and Rotunda).

We still need to “plug some holes” – especially in Merrivale, Merrivale Rural, Cedara, Howick West and Mpophomeni, and we need to grow our monthly contributions towards the UCSI from the community.

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 and private individuals. 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 R50pm and business entities from R300pm.

The UCSI is making a difference and herewith from Hilton SAPS - “At the Hilton Police station we have already noticed a reduction in our reported crime which there is no doubt that the Umgeni Community Safety Initiative {UCSI} has played a major role towards”.

The UCSI receives numerous alerts on a monthly basis. These alerts include “watch and monitor”, “misreads” and legitimate “positive alerts” (generated through the SAPS CAS database which is linked directly to SNIPR). The UCSI manages all these various alerts and follows-up to make sure that each one is dealt with accordingly.

Who are the affiliated Security Companies?

Knight Security Solutions
Ballid Security
PMB Security

These affiliated security companies have “bought” into holistic COMMUNITY safety. Has your security company affiliated? To become an affiliated security company they need to register with the UCSI and make a monthly contribution in order to receive information about “alerts” generated locally, so that they can assist Law Enforcement with criminal incidents and man-power in the area.

Be a part of a “Best Practice Model” community project and help make a difference, locally, in KZN and South Africa.

News supplied by USCI.

The Midlands Hiking Club is a very friendly club for lovers of nature and the great outdoors, and has over 140 members from all over the Kwazulu-Natal Midlands. The club caters for all levels of hiking fitness, and hikes range from day hikes to weekend backpacking to strenuous multi-day backpacking expeditions.

Day hikes are generally in the Midlands area and are enjoyed by both new and experienced hikers.

Weekend backpacking trips usually take place in the Drakensberg Mountains but sometimes on closer trails like the Blinkwater Trail near Greytown. Hikers spend the nights in caves in the heart of the mountains, in tents, or in huts along the trail.

Weekend outings also include camping, mainly in the Drakensberg or at the coast, with hikes each day from the campsite followed by social braais in the evening. Hikes from well-equipped Berg Cottages are also included.

 The objectives of the club are to:

- Promote hiking and backpacking activities
- Foster good relationships between hikers; and work with other similar clubs and associations
- Train members in skills and competence for leading groups of hikers
- Encourage the development of awareness of nature; and promote nature conservation
- Encourage the improvement of facilities and trails.

Photo credit to Midlands Hiking Club.

Can any of us understand how it would feel to have been in boarding school since you were five years old?

To have never had your mother attend a single performance or award ceremony? To have never had a parent with you to acknowledge any of your achievements?
Can anyone relate to this statement: "I feel like my school IS my family. Sometimes I feel like they are all I have." Or this statement: “The ONLY good thing in my life is singing.”

We need to find funding for our beautiful girls who, through no faults of their own, have parents who have fallen on hard times and can no longer afford their fees.
Yes they are in a private school, and some might say they should just leave and return to government schooling - but we need to remember they are here for a reason. They are here because they have unique artistic talents that they will not be able to nurture and grow in a normal school environment.
I just cannot look them in the eye and tell them that they must leave. PLEASE HELP!

Read their stories. These are all genuine cases, but we are just calling them Angel 1, Angel 2, etc. in order to protect their identities. These reference numbers will be used to ensure the right girl gets the funding.

And if you feel you want to help, there are several ways you can do this:
1. SMS SING TO 42646. R30 will be taken off your airtime / contract.

2. Make a donation to Drakondale, into the following account, and use Angel 1 or Angel 2 as your reference.
Drakondale Girls Choir School
FNB Howick
ACC No. 62636342925
REF. ANGEL 1 or ANGEL 2

3. Corporate or Company donors needing to take advantage of tax rebates will receive a Section 18a Certificate from The United Africa Girls Choir Organisation who have offered to collect funds on our behalf.
UNITED AFRICA GIRLS CHOIR (NGO, Registered Section 18a Company)
NEDBANK Branch Code 198765
ACC No. 1140512536
ACC TYPE: Current
REF. ANGEL 1 or ANGEL 2

4. PLEDGE a monthly amount towards school fees for 2020. Just give us your name and email address and we will send you a pledge agreement. You can choose the following options:
1. R100 a month 2. R250 a month 3. R500 a month 4. R1000 a month

“My name is Angel 1. That’s not my real name but I can’t tell you that - and I like Angel better than my real name anyway, so I don’t mind.”

“I have always loved singing. In 2017 I was singing a solo at my junior school concert when I was approached and offered a 50% scholarship to attend Drakondale Girls Choir School. This was the MOST exciting thing that had ever happened to me. I had not had a very easy life before this, with some quite horrible things happening to me which I also can’t talk about, and had never been offered anything this amazing before.
I begged my parents day and night, and sang to them continuously until they finally agreed.
2018 was probably the best year of my life, and included our choir winning GOLD in the WORLD CHOIR GAMES.”

“In about September last year though, my parents got divorced ... and suddenly my father just disappeared out of my life. I didn’t know it at the time, but my mother was no longer able to keep paying the full fees, even after the scholarship, because my father was the chief breadwinner and he was nowhere to be seen.
Finally, a year later, my mother admitted to me that I am going to have to leave school because she already owes so much money and can no longer make the payments.”

“I am so, so sad. Initially I even tried to commit suicide but I am now under a psychologist’s care and learning to cope. Fortunately, my grades have always been quite good so I have been able to keep them up - and the singing helps me on a daily basis. But...singing is the only GOOD thing in my life and I desperately want to stay at Drakondale and keep singing. I have grown so much here and have some wonderful friends.” ANGEL1

My ‘name’ is Angel 2. In 2018 I joined Darkondale Girls Choir School and I was immensely proud to have passed the singing audition.
Daily life at Drakondale is filled with incredible experiences. I am proud to be attending a private school, but I am also determined not to lose sight of my roots.
I recently attended the Reed Dance. I was amazed that this could be every day life for some people - and I loved the experience. I felt “cultured” because absolutely no private school girls were there as they tend to look down on this event. I hope I made history ... and I got to meet the King.

My Reed Dance experience was so much fun and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. It made me appreciate what I have, but it also made me proud to not be afraid to explore my cultural roots.

Which brings me to the reason for this letter, and not being afraid to ask for help when you need it.
My mother is a single, very hard working parent who does everything she can to support me financially. Because of this I very seldom get to see her and she can never manage to attend any of my shows or concerts. However, I did not quite understand how much she was battling to keep me at Drakondale. Finally, my mother has admitted to me that I am going to have to leave school because she already owes the school so much money and can no longer pay the fees.

I do NOT want to leave Drakondale. I want to keep singing and I want to be here with my friends who ARE my family, because my mother has to go away so much that I don’t often see her.

I would be most grateful if you could help. That would be super amazing.” - ANGEL 2

News supplied.

Working with ToPS Species (Threatened or Protected Species).

This time it's a very rare (and absolutely adorable)... Tree Hyrax (Denrohyrax arboreus).

This juvenile arrived earlier this week after being found in the Balgowan Conservancy, wandering alone in the daytime. Being nocturnal mammals this was highly unusual.

Tree Hyrax, unlike the Rock Hyrax are solitary and tend to stay in their immediate family group, consisting of a mother and her young during the breeding season.

They are arboreal folivores, this means that they feed on foliage (leaves), and make use of cavities in trees as dens, which the mother and her young will inhabit during the daylight hours. This little one can skillfully climb tress at the amazing age of 1 day and eats solid food from day 3!!! It will be returned to the wild shortly.

We would love you to join our Custodianship Program. It is a fun way of supporting us and being involved. To find out more, just click this link: http://www.freemekzn.co.za/become-a-custodian/

News taken from FreeMe WIldlife Facebook page.

What started out as a small farm stall, Piggly Wiggly has now grown into a formidable force in the Midlands offering a one-stop shop for all good country experiences.

The Coffee Shop serves up generous breakfasts and is the perfect lunch-time spot. Grab an award-winning cappuccino, nosh on a fresh farm-ranch salad and enjoy the relaxed, pretty setting.

So from fresh organic food, to incredible home decor, ceramic painting, candle dipping, and plenty of kids activities, make Piggly Wiggly your favourite spot!

Piggly Wiggly parkrun is a free weekly 5km timed run
we meet every Saturday at 8am you can register online at www.parkrun.co.za

News supplied by Piggly Wiggly.

Christmas Service Times for Howick Churches.

Assemblies of God

25 December 2019       Christmas Day Service 7:30 am
31 December 2019        New Year’s Eve  Service 10:15 pm

Christ Church Howick

22 December 2019  5:00pm    Picnic and "Carols by Candlelight"  5:00pm (actual service will start at 6:00pm).

25 December 2019              Christmas Day Service 8:00am - 9:00am.

Howick Family Fellowship

25 December 2019               Christmas Day Service 8:30am - 9:30am.

Howick Presbyterian Church

25 December 2019           Christmas Day Service 8:30am.

To all stakeholders, friends, visitors, hikers, trail runners, mountain bikers, season ticket holders, climbers, teachers, school groups and guests:

We want to firstly direct our sincere condolences to the lady who was hiking on the reserve on Sunday afternoon and who experienced the unfortunate incident with poachers. We have engaged directly with her and her family, and are providing any support that is necessary to deal with the specific incident.

We are working extremely hard with the relevant authorities to combat this threat to our precious wildlife, and to maintain a level of safety on our reserve so that all people can enjoy the beauty of the location. This is the first incident of violent crime we have experienced on our reserve.

We have setup patrols, fly-overs, weekend camp outs and even local community volunteer walks. We have also engaged with the local communities and done several education and awareness programmes with our neighbours over the last two years.

The safety of all our visitors is a priority to WESSA and we appeal to the authorities to apprehend the perpetrators, and to work with the community to reduce the scourge of poaching and its related crimes.

We ask the local municipality to assist us with improving the safety of the community so that we can use our proclaimed nature reserve for tourism activities.

Here are some safety tips should you wish to visit us in the future:
1. Sign the registration form at the reception so that we know you are on the reserve.
2. Depart from the reserve before the official closing times and preferably please sign out from reception.
3. Engage with the onsite receptionist about the different trails available and their locations. They will also give you a printed map.
4. Never walk alone when on the reserve, and carry a mobile phone in case of emergency.

#WearePeopleCaringForTheEarth

News supplied by Wessa uMngeni Valley Nature Reserve.

If you have ever been to the Midlands Meander near Nottingham Road, KwaZulu Natal, then you would have either been to The Ugly Duckling, heard of this quirky shop that sells just about anything, or driven past this big blue rustic building with a massive wooden elephant in the front to welcome you, on the old R103 road on your way to the Kamberg/Giant’s Castle, or if you decided to take the scenic route to Durban or Johannesburg.
Wander into The Ugly Duckling, and you are immediately greeted by the friendly staff and the sound of music jamming in the background. It doesn’t get any better than browsing through all of the unique items for sale and listening to some epic, retro upbeat classics like The Rolling Stones, Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, The Beatles and many, many more.
As you immerse yourself in this fun shop you cannot help but be in awe of the vast amount and huge variety of items for sale.
The Ugly Duckling is a décor, gifting and furniture store like you have never seen before. The Ugly Duckling specializes in unique imported handicrafts from India and Indonesia, and also local crafters who supply The Ugly Duckling. You will find the most beautiful unique wooden furniture, locally made Sleeper Wood furniture, ornate mirrors, word sign boards, metal art paintings, décor bowls, handicrafts, chimes, bamboo gongs, retro antiques, unique clothing from the East, jewellery, embellished bling pens, leather wallets, antique replica gramophones (and they work!), antique replica brass nautical goods, fun wooden toys, 100% cotton throws in almost every colour, jute carpets, a massive selection of atlas globes, handmade and hand painted musical instruments that will blow that music teacher at school’s socks off, ceramic doorknobs for days, and much, much more!
Now these ceramic doorknobs are something that we need to focus on a little bit more in depth.
The Ugly Duckling has got to arguably be the shop that stocks the biggest selection of ceramic doorknobs in the country. With over 350 different designs and patterns to choose from, you are bound to find something to spruce up those kitchen cupboards, bedroom cupboards or that little dresser that you have been itching to tackle one weekend with some chalk paint.
However, let us go back 30 years and start at the beginning.
The Ugly Duckling is a family run business. In 1998, Rolfe Bettison saw the potential to open a handicraft shop in what was a dilapidated building in Rosetta that was trading as a community trading store, post office and scrap yard. With the help of his wife, Susan, together they started working on creating the Ugly Duckling in Rosetta that opened its doors in September 1998.
What started out as one shop in Rosetta on the Midlands Meander, KwaZulu Natal has expanded to more branches which are scattered across our beautiful Country. All of The Ugly Duckling Shops are situated in tranquil, lifestyle areas away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
You can now find The Ugly Duckling in tourist destinations like Parys – Free State, Clarens – Free State, Central Drakensberg – Opposite Champagne Sports Resort, 2 branches in Hartbeespoort by Chameleon Village and one opposite The Snake Park, and 3 branches in the beautiful Midlands Meander at Rosetta, The Junction – Nottingham Road, and Balgowan – Opposite Granny Mouse.
There is something for everyone so we invite you to waddle on out to any of The Ugly Duckling Stores to be amazed. It really lives up to its slogan, “The Fun Shop That’s Worth a Stop”.

News supplied by The Ugly Duckling.

The Bahá’ís of uMngeni joined millions of their fellow believers in universally celebrating the Births of Bahá’u’lláh, Founder of their Faith, and the Báb, His Forerunner, on 29 and 30 October. This year, 29 October marked the 200th anniversary of the Birth of the Báb in Shiraz, Persia (now Iran).

To some, these names may be unfamiliar. In English, Bahá’u’lláh means “the Glory of God”, in isiZulu, “iNkazimulo kaNkulunkulu”. The Báb means “the Gate” or “iSango”.

The Bahá’í Faith teaches that, from the time of the creation of mankind, God has sent a succession of Divine Educators, who have progressively revealed to us the Word of God. Each Divine Educator renews eternal spiritual truths and reveals social and moral teachings suited for that age and man’s capacity to understand. There have been many such Educators, some known to most people include Abraham, Moses, Buddha, Krishna, Zoroaster, Jesus, and Muhammad – and now the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh.

While most people may see these Educators and their teachings as separate, the Bahá’ís see them as one. The teachings of these Divine Educators unfold as chapters in an endless book. Each chapter renews the Word of God, refreshes God’s religion, expands the unity of human civilisation and improving the spiritual and material condition of the world.

Bahá’u’lláh, who publicly announced His Revelation in 1863, is the most recent of these Divine Educators. This chapter of progressive Revelation from God opened with the Báb who, in Iran in 1844, brought new teachings from God. The purpose of the Báb’s Revelation was to prepare the world for the Promised One of All Ages, Bahá’u’lláh.

The Báb’s teachings swept through Iran like wildfire. The fear and apprehension they caused among the political and religious leaders resulted in the public execution of the Báb by firing squad in 1850, the execution of over 20000 of His followers, and the imprisonment and exile of Bahá’u’lláh for the remainder of His earthly life. The intention was to extinguish this new Faith and bring an end to its proposed reforms to society.

Despite these efforts, as with all the Divine Educators, the teachings of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh and the stories of their lives survived to inspire millions of people around the world to work for the sole aim of uniting the peoples of the world as a single family as the children of the same Creator. In every corner of the globe, Bahá’ís continue to share and put into practice the teachings of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh through neighbourhood-level community building activities and service projects.

To celebrated these “twin birthdays”, the Bahá’ís of uMngeni have hosted several activities over the last few months. Most have been intimate celebrations in homes, where families and their friends and neighbours share stories and pray together, recounting episodes from the life of the Báb. A key part of their celebrations have been public and private viewings of a 48 minute movie called “Dawn of the Light” which tells the story of the Báb and of the efforts of the Bahá’ís in various parts of the world to address hard issues of building unity to overcome the many divisions in society. The movie is freely available for viewing or download at https://bicentenary.bahai.org.

To join one of these ongoing celebrations or to learn more about the Bahá’í Faith, call 083 7442490, write This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.bahai.org.za

News supplied.

November Is Adopt A Senior Pet Month!

A month dedicated to helping older pets find loving forever homes. Shelters and rescues across the country hope those looking to adopt a new furry friend will consider adding a senior pet to the family.

We care about sweet senior animals, help spread the word throughout November.

We can help older pets find homes together.

Further reading:

https://dogtime.com/…/18712-november-is-national-adopt-a-se…

From: www.dogtime.com

News supplied.

The search is on for science, technology and technical innovations that will help reduce and eliminate plastic waste, and be the next great 21st century innovation that could change the world, as the UK-based Commonwealth Litter Programme (CLIP), introduces its STOMP (Stamp Out Marine Plastic Pollution) Awards in South Africa.

The awards, which are open to all South African residents, are grouped into four categories: Technology or Technical Design, Product Development, Inspire through Creativity, and Action.

Finalists in the Technology or Technical Design category will present their ideas or projects at CLIP’s Innovation Conference co-hosted by the Sustainable Seas Trust, titled STEM the tide of plastic waste in Africa, in Cape Town in 4 and 5 December. The winner will also receive a trip to the UK in 2020, to attend the London CLIP Conference, along with winners from across the Commonwealth, where they will showcase their project. They will also receive further research and development mentoring and support from industry experts at South Africa’s Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

With 90% of marine litter made up of plastics that originate from land and sea-based sources, it is one of the most widespread problems facing oceans, and key to coming up with solutions to this plastic pollution problem, are the science, technology and technical innovators.

Speaking about their involvement in the awards Jerome Andrew, Senior Researcher and Project Manager at the CSIR said, “With the ever-increasing challenges around marine plastic that has a direct impact on the quality of life for the people of this country, and its marine life, we are very excited about the possibilities and potential of some ideas that may come through this initiative. It is our organisational objective to undertake directed, multidisciplinary research and technological innovation that contributes to the improved quality of life of South Africans. So we look forward to seeing the submissions and hopefully there will be one brilliant innovation that we can support in becoming a sustainable solution to the plastic problem.”

‘While we are encouraging people to enter into any category in the awards, we are particular interested from a long-term and sustainable point of view, in those studying, researching and working in the science, technology and technical sectors who are the thinkers and creators that are finding new ideas, inventions and innovations that cut across so many aspects of our 21st century lifestyles,” says Duncan Pritchard, from Green Corridors in Durban, the Project Manager of the Awards. “This a global problem and we are looking for those individuals or institutions in South Africa who may have the solutions the world needs. Wouldn’t that be awesome to have a South African innovation blaze the trail in stamping out marine pollution?”


All categories are important to a holistic approach to dealing with the plastic pollution problem and will be awarded and acknowledged. CLIP, however, recognizes that innovations in the technology or technical design category will be where the practical solutions will emanate.

CLIP is led by the United Kingdom through the Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), funded by the UK’s Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), and has partnered with Green Corridors, a Durban based non-profit organisation to roll out the awards programme in South Africa.

For more information about all the categories and prizes or to enter go to www.stompawards.co.za. Entries close on 8 November after which there is a public voting period for one week until 15 November.

Photo Credit Val Adamson
The Clip Stomp Awards is a call to South Africans to come up with innovations and ideas to reduce marine plastic pollution. Like this simple litter boom - which is positioned on the Umngeni river in Durban, that picks up the litter before it heads into the ocean. Here Sifiso Mngoma of Green Corridors, (the NPC running the awards programme) looks at how successfully this boom innovation is in collecting plastic waste from the river which is then sent for recycling. "Better still, let’s just stop the use of plastic,” he says. "But in the meantime - we appeal to people to innovate by creating solutions to solve the plastic crisis, and enter the awards.” wwwstompawards.co.za.

News supplied.

Summer is here, warm long days, afternoon thunderstorms to quench the parched soils winter has left us and the smell of freshly cut grass triggers your memory of years gone by.
It is also what triggers the snake season which means that human/ snake encounters will be on the increase and members of the public are asked not to kill snakes but rather contact me to safely remove it. As it begins to heat up snakes come out of hibernation, taking advantage of the warmer weather they will be actively searching for prey items. It is also the beginning of the mating season for some species so it's not uncommon to find two or more snakes in the same area looking for a mate. The female releases a pheromone, leaving a scent trail which will attract the attention of at least one or many males looking to mate with her.
If you encounter a snake:
Don't panic.
Don't try to pick it up.
Don't try to kill the snake.
Do keep all pets and children safe from the snake's location in the home.
And probably the most important is to keep an eye on it until help arrives.
In the event of a snake bite:
DO NOT cut the bite site and try to suck out the venom. It does not work and you may end up making things worse for the patient.
DO NOT apply a tourniquet.
DO NOT inject antivenom yourself as the patient may have an allergic reaction to the antivenom. If required, antivenom must be administered by a doctor in a hospital as large quantities may be needed and should the patient go into anaphylactic shock, it can be treated promptly.
DO keep the patient calm. The faster the heartbeat, the faster the venom is spread.
DO take off any jewellery, wristwatch, tight clothing, shoes, or anything that may restrict blood flow if the patient is bitten on the arm, hand, lower leg, or foot.
DO contact the hospital so that they are aware of the emergency and
DO mark the site of the bite and the time at which you are bitten with a pen or a permanent marker. This will tell the doctor the time you were bitten and track the movement of the venom.
I am an experienced snake handler (30yrs) and I'm passionate when it comes to snakes. I operate from Howick and cover the Midlands and surrounding areas. All snakes that are removed will be assessed and if necessary will be fed and watered before being released in a safe place out of harm's way.
Should you encounter a snake/s on your property, instead of trying to kill the snake, please don’t hesitate to contact Lance van der Bank anytime on +27(0)79 615 1816 as I am available 24/7.

Pictured above : Lance with a snouted cobra.

News supplied.