This month we have some extra kombucha vinegar (raw kombucha - without any flavourants) benefits we have been trying at home and confident to share . Did you know that when you have an ear infection or a blocked ear, you can put a few drops of kombucha vinegar in your ear and its helps heal it, my ear was blocked for 2 weeks so I put kombucha vinegar in my ear and within 24 hrs my ear was open again. Another great use is for your hair, if you are battling with hair loss, damaged hair or just want to thicken your hair put some kombucha vinegar in after washing your hair.Kombucha vinegar is also a great alternative for vinegar used in the kitchen. Due to these additional benefits we will be selling kombucha vinegar. Contact us to place an order, details below.

EXPRESS NOT SUPPRESS
This month we will be focusing on the throat chakra, or vishuddha chakra in Sanskrit, is located at the center of the neck. It acts as the individual’s force of expression and individual truth, both internally and externally. A balanced throat chakra helps to set us free from the fear of judgement or need for approval from others. This chakra helps us to embrace our originality and unique individual experiences in the world. It is also associated with purity, thus connecting it to the concept of truth.

A throat chakra which is out of alignment can lead to a variety of issues throughout the body, mind, and emotions. For one thing, ailments like laryngitis, hoarseness, sore throats, tension and pain in the neck, shoulders, or jaw, difficulties within the thyroid, lymph system, or pituitary gland, and problems with the teeth, gums, nose, ears, lower sinuses or upper respiratory system could arise if the throat chakra is blocked (again I’m not a doctor and cannot replace one, these are just possibilities).

Emotionally, one might feel shy, insecure, or socially anxious around others, choose not to speak at all, or be unable to express oneself. Conversely, one might dominate conversations, complain excessively, gossip, speak aggressively or without thinking, not allow others to express themselves, or have the need to always be right.

To help unblock this Chakra try the following:
Drink BMS Biotics kombucha in the following flavours:
Lemongrass and ginger
Lemongrass and lemon
Blueberry apple
Blueberry apple mint

Further suggestions to enhance expression with loving kindness:
Surrounded yourself with light blue colors or visualise them.
Practice meditation breathing, humming and yoga pose.
Soothe the neck with a gentle massage
Sleep with or wear blue colored crystals or stones
If you have an opportunity to roar, scream or shout out in the open where no one will be alarmed of course, then do so.

We wish everyone a beautiful, expressive month ahead and look forward to hearing from you.

Please note BMS Biotics homemade kombucha can be found at Dovehouse Howick and Biltong Barn Hilton. You can also find us at the Karkloof Farmers Market every Saturday morning.

Note that at time of publishing the Kombucha Vinegar is R20 per 750ml bottle.

To order directly from us:

WhatsApp Terry ‪0741661710‬/ Brendon ‪0678613310‬

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

Find us on Facebook BMS Biotics, body, mind and soul homemade kombucha.

More about BMS Biotics Homemade Kombucha.

Local artist, Kylie Buys, will be one of the many talented artists to display their work at the Harcourts Hilton Art in the country. May 27-29 @ Harrington House - Hilton.

'I am a self taught artist from Merrivale, KZN. I specialise in realistic pet portraits, wildlife and botanical art. I spent 6 years after school studying science, though that was never where my passion was. As a child I was always interested in drawing, however through school that creative side was lost. In 2016 I was at university and I had a random urge to draw again. Encouraged by my friend, that is exactly what I did! Since that day my spark for creating and my love for realism was born. I found myself getting lost for hours in the details of a piece of work. A passion was ignited and I have been creating almost everyday since.' shared Kylie Buys.

More about ART in the Country at Harrington House in Hilton, KZN Midlands.

Africa Day is celebrated every year on 25 May. It is an opportunity to celebrate African diversity and success, and to highlight the cultural and economic potential that exists on the African continent.

Africa Day celebrations acknowledge the progress that Africans have made while reflecting upon the common challenges we face in a global , regional and local context.

Ahead of Africa Day 2022, Mnandi shared, 'Who has tried our indigenous African horned cucumber? Today, we celebrate this abundant food that grows prolifically, with little input and is indigenous to our region.

Cucumis metuliferus is also called horned melon, spiked melon, jelly melon or Kiwano.

It is an annual plant that can produce up to 100 fruits on a single vine. It can be eaten at any stage – the leaves and tendrils are delicious, the young fruit tastes cross between cucumber and courgette, and as it ripens to orange it tastes more like melon. Slice and nibble on the juicy flesh and edible seeds or scoop the flesh out of the shell with a spoon to add to salads. A jelly can be made by boiling, straining, and then boiling the pulp again with a cup of sugar. It is also very tasty pickled.'

Find a copy of Mnandi, a taste of Mphophomeni (The recipe book that celebrates Mpophomeni gardeners and cooks.) here.

Reference: https://www.parliament.gov.za/storage/app/media/BusinessPubs/africaday2017/Africa_Day_Poster_Final.pdf

'Autumn really feels like the most romantic & wholesome time in the Midlands. Embrace it this weekend at Piggly; bring your family and enjoy a wholesome country lunch while you watch the kiddies play & make friends on the jungle gym. Sounds like the ideal afternoon to us!' shared Piggly Wiggly Midlands.

Get your Super Chem 150 set through Nuts About Books & Toys in Howick, KZN Midlands.

This new version has 150 exciting science activities using only products found in the kitchen. There are over 40 pieces of equipment enabling you to carry out all of the 150 activities. These activities include the following science phenomena:
- Chemistry
- Optics
- Bubbles
- Magnetism
- Physics
- Chromatography.

Includes:
- 2 x Conical Glass Flasks (with hole stoppers)
- Plastic Base
- Tweezers
- 2 x Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoon
- Funnel
- Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate
- 2 x Calcium Carbonate
- Calcium Sulphate
- Glycerine
- Bottle of Bubble Solution
- 10 x Long Bubble Construction Wires
- 10 x Short Bubble Construction Wires
- Coloured Felt Pen
- Moulding Dough
- Magnifying Glass
- Soap Tablet
- 2 x Plastic Soap Moulds
- 2 x Plastic Tubes
- Dropper
- Magnet
- Thermometer
- Thread
- Coloured Filters
- Syringe
- 2 x Plastic Test Tubes (with stoppers)
- Coin Maker
- 3 x Plastic Coin Discs
- Test Tube Cleaner
- Safety Goggles
- Plastic Container
- 2 x Balloons
- PH Indicator Paper (with pH scale chart box)
- Instruction Manual

Age: 10 Years +

Another happy dog, no longer living his life on a short chain. Thanks to funding received for our fencing project, this lovely boy is now enjoying his freedom in a safely fenced off area on the property. Families are identified by our Animal Welfare officer, Nomonde. She looks for families who are very caring and provide for their dog to the best of their abilities. We would like to say a very big thank you to Outpost Treated Timber for supplying all the wooden poles for free, which they do for all our fencing projects. Your support and generosity is greatly appreciated and goes a long way in helping the dogs.

Outpost Treated Timber are situated in Merrivale, KZN, so please do support them if you are needing poles for anything. www.outposttreatedtimber.co.za

If anyone would like to make a donation towards our fencing programme, here are our bank details:
Funda Nenja
FNB - Howick
Acc. No. 6245 8766 197
Branch. 220 725
Reference: FENCING

More about Funda Nenja

Meet Karen Poltera…. Another one of our exciting new exhibitors exhibiting at ART in the Country… sponsored by Harcourts Hilton.

WHEN: May 27-29
WHERE: Harrington House - Hilton

Karen is an artist of 45 years experience. She is interested in the story beneath the surface, with atmosphere, colour and line being all important. She is equally comfortable in all mediums, but prefers the richness of oils.

She has studied and worked with Bill Ainsley, William Kentridge, Ricky Burnett, Chris Tugwell, and Dee Donalson.

Her influences include Turner, Monet, Munch, Edwige Fouvry and Joan Mitchell.

More about ART in the Country.

Bowls is a target sport, a game of strategy and you are never too old or too young to start playing.

These amazing physical and mental health benefits can be achieved.
• 1.Motor skills- improves eye, hand and foot coordination, timing, rhythm, a sense of depth perception and direction.
• 2.Physical skills – fitness, core stability, flexibility, mobility and muscle tone.
• 3.Psychological skills- Emotional control, focusing, concentration, positive imagery, relaxation, self motivation and most of all goal setting.
• 4. Social Skills- respect, sportsmanship, communication, cooperation, tolerance, teamwork and unselfishness.

If you are interested in learning to play, please contact Bernice Burden on 071 164 3162.

RESULTS
The Toyota Halfway Howick competition was held on Wednesday and the
Results were as follows:
1st Place Bob Chetty and Pat Norris
2nd Place Colin Burden and Neil Birdsey

FORTHCOMING CLUB SPONSORED EVENTS FOR MAY
Tuesday, 17th: J Leslie Smith and Alan Sara Pre-Drawn:
2-4-2 competition Start time: 09h00.
Friday, 27th: Woodstone Nominated Two Bowl Trips.

Start time 09h00. Entries via Woodstone Trips WhatsApp group. Anyone wishing to enter a new team may WhatsApp 071 164 3162.

Pictured here; Ladies from various clubs around KZN supporting Hospice at Umgeni Waterfall Bowling Club.

More about Umgeni Waterfall Bowling Club

Exciting news!! International Comedian Masood Boomgaard will be performing live on the 17th June in our Fern Theatre! The show will be followed by fun karaoke in the bar.

Bookings now open 033 330 5071!

More about Fern Hill Hotel

'Join us this Sunday 29 May from 14:00-16:00 for tea and a tour of Amber Glades, in Howick KZN. Debbie and Tiffiny will be there to welcome you. We look forward to meeting you.

Contact Michele for more information (078) 868 4736.' shared Amber Glades.

Read more here.

Denise Beuke grew up in Zimbabwe where her deep love for nature was born. "I try and create the magic of nature in every painting I do."

She paints in acrylic paints and covers wildlife, birds, seascapes and landscapes.

Denise lives in Howick KZN, and has a small country gallery just out of Howick.

ART in the Country takes place, for the first time ever, at Harrington House in Hilton this coming weekend.

Upcoming events:
Woodstone 2 ball trips competition Friday 27th May. This monthly competition includes players from clubs around Howick, Hilton and Pietermaritzburg. Bowlers compete for good prizes sponsored by Woodstone Craft Café at St Johns Village shopping centre, but best of all are the scones and cream supplied at tea time.

Results of the J Leslie Smith 2-4-2 competition held on Tuesday:
1st Colin Norris and Neil Birdsey
2nd Cindy Bro and Des Blackford

Plate Prize Colin Burden and Arlene Malloy.

If you would like to learn to play lawn bowls please contact Bernice Burden on 071 1643162.

More about Umgeni Waterfall Bowling Club

Christiane Jamar Varney, born in Belgium and raised in the Congo. As a result her love for Africa , the people, their energy and the magic developed.

Her paintings are a reflection of that passion…. The warm vibrant colours reflect the beauty of Africa.

Meet Christiane at ART in the Country, the very first art show of this calibre to be hosted at Harrington House in Hilton, KZN Midlands from 27 to 29 May 2022. Convenor, Kathy Jacob, an artist herself and owner of Kathy's Art Studio at Rotunda Centre is determind to make this a regular annual occasion. The event has a number of headline sponsors including; Harcourts Hilton, PnP The Avenues, Land Rover Pietermaritzburg, Harrington House and Midlands Stretch Tents.

More about ART in the Country

Meet Retired General TK, a 47 year young Zimbabwean artist… Married with three school going children back in Zim. TK has been perfecting his skills since the age of 18. General TK will be exhibiting his amazing beaded animal heads at the Harcourts Hilton Art in the Country art exhibtion at Harrington House, 27th -29th May.

More about Art in the Country, 27-29 May 2022 at Harrington House.

La Popote Café in Hilton evokes images of hearty, soul fulfilling tasty food at the fireside, chicken pot pies, colourful salads, deep French lemon tart slices, great coffee, country calm, friendship, and familiar faces at nearby tables.

After almost two decades at La Popote, Lesley Strachan has been lured away by the opportunity of a lifestyle shift. At the end of May 2022 Lesley will take on management of Terbodore Café on the Curry’s Post Road where she looks forward to contributing her expertise to a friend’s family business. Lesley has absolute confidence that her successor at La Popote will prosper and thrive.

A long and fruitful innings at La Popote has created for Lesley a wealth of incredible memories and precious friendships. Looking back through old newspaper and magazine cuttings with Lesley, one headline that encapsulates the essence of what La Popote delivers is “Where friends and food meet and time is lost.”, penned by MS Millaround.

Stepping into the void left at La Popote is Chef Andrew Giles, who many will know from the days of La Rose Wedding Venue, Eat at Andrew’s at Tweedie and more recently ANEW Hotel in Hilton. Trademarks which define Andrew as a chef and as a human are energy, positivity, warmth, and creativity along with a natural inclination to serve delicious seasonal and rustic food. All of this along with encouragement from his fiancé Anru-lee Pelser equip Andrew to build on Lesley’s legacy while still plating up the familiar dishes that have long been popular with La Popote’s regular patrons.

We wish both Lesley and Andrew happiness and success with their new adventures in the KZN Midlands as we continue to enjoy their meals and personality.

La Popote Café on Knoll Drive, 1km from Tanglewood Nursery, is open weekly from Wednesday to Sunday.

The Clooney Foundation for Justice, founded by Amal and George Clooney, has announced its inaugural awards ceremony in line with the Foundation’s vision to highlight brave justice activism in a number of sectors across the globe.

The Albie Awards named in honour of Justice Albie Sachs who is revered for his heroic commitment to ending apartheid will take place in New York later this year.

Not only have CFJ named the awards after South Africa’s Justice Albie Sachs but they will also award him with a Lifetime Achievement Award in Pursuit of Justice on the evening .

Other recipients at the ‘Albie’ will be the Nobel prize-winning Filipino journalist Maria Ressa who will receive the Justice for Journalists Award; iACT a ground breaking international organization that works alongside survivors of genocide and other mass atrocities will receive the Justice for Survivors Award; Viasna, a human rights group that has been a voice of resistance in Belarus for nearly 30 years as it has led a brave campaign for freedom and democracy against President Lukashenko's regime, will receive The Justice for Democracy Defenders award; and Dr. Josephine Kulea, the Kenyan women's rights campaigner and founder of the Samburu Girls Foundation that helps to rescue girls from child marriage, female genital mutilation, and other harmful practices received the Justice for Women Award.

Albert ‘Albie’ Louis Sachs is a South African activist, lawyer, writer, and a former judge appointed by Nelson Mandela to serve on the first Constitutional Court of South Africa. After twice being detained in South Africa for his anti-apartheid activities, in 1966 he went into exile and was later the victim of a car bombing executed by the South African security services. He lost his right arm and vision in one eye. In 1990 Sachs returned to South Africa to help write the Constitution of South Africa and later served for fifteen years on the country’s Constitutional Court.

"I take huge pleasure in working with Amal and George Clooney, and getting to understand and appreciate their deep feeling for justice. I delight in their imaginative, creative ways of doing things and connecting with people,“ says Justice Albie Sachs. “I am a living survivor of a generation of South African lawyers like Griffiths Mxenge and Bram Fischer, who gave their lives for freedom and justice. I will be thinking of them when I receive this wonderful award alongside the other remarkable people and organisations.”

The Awards hosted by George and Amal Clooney and Darren Walker, President of the Ford Foundation, will take place on 29 September at the New York Public Library, with so

me of the biggest names in international human rights, philanthropy, law, business, and entertainment in attendance and will include powerful stories of the Clooney Foundation for Justice’s work fighting for survivors of human rights abuses.

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SOLARWORLD AFRICA PARTNERS WITH MEYER BURGER TO BRING LEADING SOLAR TECHNOLOGY TO SOUTH AFRICA AND SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

The partnership will see both leading businesses serve the African renewable energy sector

Cape Town, May 2022 – SOLARWORLD Africa (Pty) Ltd, a leading importer and distributor of solar products in Southern and Sub-Saharan Africa, has partnered with Meyer Burger Technology AG, a European manufacturer of high-performance solar cells and modules. Together, they are well positioned to serve the renewable energy sector in the region.

As the exclusive distribution partner for Southern and Sub-Saharan Africa, SOLARWORLD Africa will now offer Meyer Burger’s high-performance Heterojunction/SmartWire solar modules in the region. Meyer Burger is well poised to meet the region’s growing renewable energy needs as its products are designed to perform best under hot conditions and offer up to 20 percent higher energy yields than standard solar modules.

Says Gregor Küpper, Managing Director of SOLARWORLD Africa, “We are proud to welcome Meyer Burger and their products into our product distribution portfolio. The outstanding quality and advanced technology will result in lower levelised cost of electricity and let the owner of the system benefit over at least 30 years, much longer than the standard technology currently sold in Africa.”

Made in Germany, designed in Switzerland, Meyer Burger products are of the highest technical standards, making them extremely durable. Thanks to the production processes and patented Heterojunction/SmartWire technology, they offer superior cell stability and maximum resilience with a high breakage resistance.

Sven Stoffers, Head of Sales at Meyer Burger, is excited to partner with SOLARWORLD Africa. “Solar installers, EPCs and developers can now benefit from our technological advantages for their projects in Africa. With the service structures and the international network that SOLARWORLD Africa has built and maintained, it offers peace of mind that our products will be used by quality and performance orientated solar specialists.”

SOLARWORLD Africa was established in 1984 and has been a pioneer in the photovoltaic industry in South Africa and neighbouring countries offering outstanding product quality with premium manufacturing partners. The business boasts over 25 000 projects including South Africa’s largest rooftop solar energy system in the agriculture sector.

To find out more about SOLARWORLD Africa (Pty) Ltd, visit the website, and for more information on Meyer Burger and its products, please visit the global website here.

Picture in the photograph is (L-R) is:
Tim Degen | Senior Sales Manager, Meyer Burger.
Gregor Kupper | Managing Director, SOLARWORLD Africa.

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Celebrating its third year, the SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge 2022 will return to the annual road-running calendar serving as a symbol of the country’s rise out of the ashes of the pandemic.

The 2022 SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge will build on the runaway success of last year’s race when entries were open nationwide, taking the most beautiful race to all corners of the country (and abroad). As a virtual event, there are no geographic boundaries to the race, participants get to decide on their route, be it in the Berg, Bush or along the Beach. Participants can set their own pace, and choose whether to do it alone, with friends, family or as a community.

This year’s theme, captured through the hashtag, #IRise, is a celebration of how South African women conquer their challenges. The 2022 SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge encourages all participants to harness their power, adopt the #IRise philosophy and become part of a collaborative community that collectively rises above their challenges.

The SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge was launched in 2020 as a homage to South African women’s resilience and strength amid the uncertainty and strife brought on by the CoViD-19 pandemic. Although the government has lifted the state of disaster, the pandemic remains in our midst, which prompted SPAR once again to take the beautiful road race into the virtual space.

“For the safety of our participants, based on the fluctuating CoViD-19 regulations and the unprecedented times we find ourselves in, we have gone virtual again this year,” said Charlene Subbarayan, SPAR Group Sponsorship & Events Manager. “However, that does not mean we have compromised on the fun. Get your friends together, work out a route in your local community and share all the fun by tagging us in your pictures #IRise #YourRaceYourPace.”

Online entries are now open for the 2022 SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge. SPAR invites women in KwaZulu Natal, across the country and beyond to join in on Saturday 3 September, anytime between 06h00 and 18h00 (subject to government lockdown regulations). Participants can run, jog, or walk their virtual challenge at their own pace anywhere in South Africa.

The SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge is more than a race, it is a celebration of female camaraderie and is a social compact aimed at improving the lives of our fellow humans. Each year the Virtual Challenge adopts a charitable cause that addresses a broader societal issue.

By entering this year’s SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge, participants will make a meaningful contribution to the lives of young girls. For every entry, a pack of sanitary pads will be donated to help keep a girl in school through the SPAR Petals Project. The Project advocates for a shame-free education for all young women, and through their contributions, participants will help these girls rise above their challenges.

“The SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge has grown beyond the boundaries of racecourses or geographical areas. It is a movement that celebrates the resilience of women across the breadth and width of the country,” said Mike Prentice, SPAR Group Marketing Executive. “The sight of women from different walks of life taking to the streets and trails around South Africa has filled us with immense pride. SPAR looks forward to the thousands of posts to light up social media platforms.”

The Virtual Challenge also boasts a dedicated group of brand ambassadors who help spread the #IRise message and promote the causes that we support. The list includes familiar fan favourites and some new ambassadors eager to get SA excited about the challenge.

Entry to the SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge is R120, and as part of the entry fee, every participant will receive a virtual challenge pack. The pack includes an official virtual challenge t-shirt, access to the My Virtual Challenge digital magazine, a face buff and a medal.

This year there are even more ways to join in the fun online. Participants can visit the official race website, www.sparvirtualchallenge.co.za to generate their race number and finish line certificate – perfect for pre and post-race selfies! Use #IRise and #SPARVirtualChallenge when posting to join the challenge community online!

For more information and to find out how to enter, visit www.sparvirtualchallenge.co.za. Entries are limited to 60 000 participants – enter now to avoid disappointment.

The SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge and Theme:

Difficulty calls us to rise, and in that rising, we learn what we are capable of. The theme the SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge 2022 is built on the concept of rising despite difficulty, like a phoenix from the ashes, which the Virtual Challenge itself has done amidst a global pandemic. In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity, and there is a plethora of opportunity for creativity amidst the current challenges that we face.

This year we anticipate rising again as the SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge 2022, in celebration of a South African stalwart, accompanied by a powerful digital strategy and virtual challenge, to become the most inclusive challenge South Africa has seen.

Over the years, the challenge has brought women from all walks of life together, to make a difference in our communities and once again, this year will be no different, as we rise to the challenge as a nation, leaving no woman (or man) behind. While the challenge is still fully focused on women, we encourage women to bring their families, friends and animals, and welcome everyone, irrespective of gender, for this inclusive challenge.

EVENT DIARY DETAILS:

Date: 3 September 2022
Time: 06h00 – 18h00 (subject to current lockdown restrictions)
Location: Virtual Event (participants can select own route and distance)
Entries+Website: https://sparvirtualchallenge.co.za/

Pictured here: Thandy Matlaila (SPAR Grand Prix Series ambassador) in a round table discussion during the SPAR Women's Challenge launch at Infinity Studios on May 10, 2022 in Cape Town, South Africa.

Photo credit: Reg Caldecott/Gallo Images

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