'The COVID 19 pandemic has had an impact on all of us in more ways than one, including a new trend in dogs' names.

Abongwe Sithole arrived at the Funda Nenja shop this afternoon to buy some things for his absolutely gorgeous puppy who is named Sanitizer. Sanitizer arrived beautifully clean, despite it being a wet and muddy day, as he had been lovingly carried all the way from home to the dog school. This lucky pup was fitted with a brand new collar, and Abongwe purchased some puppy shampoo and dog food.

Before they returned home Sanitizer got some extra cuddles from Lisa Button, our Project Administrator.

We look forward to welcoming them back next week when we have our monthly intake for new participants to the dog school programme' from Funda Nenja.

You are invited to attend a FREE TALK: How to cultivate calm in one’s daily life with Alistair Mork-Chadwick. This enlightening presentation this week, Thursday evening (the 1st Oct), from 18:00 – 19:00, at 15 Riley Crescent, Howick.

RSVP for catering purposes: 066 269 8229 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Alistair’s 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction course begins next week on Wednesday evening, the 7th October. There are still places left, so send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for the course brochure.

News from Alistair Mork-Chadwick.

Welcome to Sharon Spiers, the newest sales agent at Pam Golding Properties in Howick. You can contact Sharon on 082 894 7090 or email her This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Wishing you success and happiness in the lovely village-like community of Howick town!

This is a question that I am frequently asked. And if it is a female client asking the question it is usually followed by the question: And why is it that my husband and other men deal with stress so well?

Let’s look at the second question, relating to the common perception that men seem to deal with emotional stress better than women. We need to look closely at what is meant by “men deal well with stress.”

It seems that one of the key reasons many people believe that men deal well with stress is because men often do not show obvious signs that they are experiencing stress.

The lack of outward signs of stress does not mean, however, that a man or woman or, even, a young person is not experiencing stress. It often simply means that the individual has learned how to ignore or avoid the signs of stress and/or to hide the signs of stress from others.

And I was one of those children and then, eventually, one of those adults who appeared to deal well with stress when, in fact, I was simply doing everything I could not to think about or feel the unpleasant emotion of anxiety (or sadness, or hurt, or anger, etc).

Avoiding and/or hiding the signs of anxiety and stress is not the same as dealing with stress effectively! These are, in fact, self-defeating habits. And the reason that I say this is because if you are experiencing stress, especially chronic stress, then you have stress hormones, specifically cortisol, regularly circulating in your bloodstream.

And the human body and brain are not designed to have cortisol released into the bloodstream apart from approximately 30 minutes before waking up in the morning and during life-threatening situations.

Practising mindfulness on a daily basis over the past decade or so has enabled me, however, to slowly but surely release the above self-defeating habits and build new, far healthier ways of working with stress and unwanted emotions.

One of the first new habits that I developed and that you can begin experimenting with is to regularly pause and take the time to check-in, or place your attention on, what is happening to you in your mind and body during those times when you are experiencing stress and/or elevated levels of anxiety.

In other words, try to give attention to how your mind and body react when stress is experienced. In particular, what thoughts arise in your mind and what parts of your body tighten up or begin to feel uncomfortable?

For example, do your thoughts start to include worst-case scenarios or, alternatively, do you immediately turn your thoughts away from the stressor and towards something that can distract you?

And, do you notice that your upper body tenses or that you regularly hold your breath or that your heart rate increases or that your shoulders tighten and move upwards towards your ears, etc?

Importantly, pausing and taking the time to look at what happens to you when you experience stress means that you will more likely be able to start to release the old habit of simply reacting to stressors in an automatic, largely unconscious, and, perhaps, self-defeating manner.

Sadly, when we are rushing from one task to the next most of us are likely to miss the first physical signs of low-grade stress that often accompany a challenging time like this.

Possibly the most important, yet easily overlooked, a sign of stress includes muscular tightness or tension, especially in one's upper body. If you don't catch this process early on then before long, you will be feeling exhausted or depleted because of the muscular tension that you have been holding over the previous hours.

Crucially, muscular tension also prevents one from breathing deeply, causing one to breathe shallow breaths instead, which further raises our stress levels and feelings of depletion.

The antidote to this is to regularly, every hour or so, "check-in" on your body, and over a period of 5 - 10 seconds "scan" yourself from head to toe. If there are any signs of muscular tightness or tension then consciously try to relax and loosen up these areas. And, importantly, give your breathing attention as well, making very sure to breathe deeply and slowly.

Over the coming weeks try to cultivate the new habit of "checking in" and you are likely to feel the benefits soon.

The more you become aware of your bodily sensations, when and how they change, the more you will develop your ability to see your stress with clarity, which will lead you to respond to it with more self-care, less self-concern and manage it more effectively during the day.

If you would like to learn further mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques and practices why not consider enrolling on my new online mindfulness course? A significantly discounted rate is on offer for the month of September. Send me an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to obtain your course coupon which will give you access to this discounted rate.

Visit the course page.

I am also going to be running the very popular face-to-face 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction course, starting on the evening of the 7th October 2020. There are places for a maximum of 10-course participants. (The free introductory talk will take place on Thursday the 1st October.) Send me an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further information and/or to obtain a detailed course brochure.

News from Alistair Mork-Chadwick Counselling Psychologist.

'The Charity Bass Challenge was held at Albert Falls Dam in January this year and raised R16 200 for FreeMe Wildlife!

Huge thank you to Alistar Moores-Pitt Free-Range Poultry and each and every fisherman (and woman) who took part to support FreeMe Wildlife, we love you! ♥️

FreeMe used this funding for two projects; installing contra-vision for our up and coming surgery room windows and laying cement slabbing for our "hands-off" antelope handling system upgrading our antelope enclosures. ♥️♥️

We are all about developing and growing to ensure that the wildlife admitted to FreeMe Wildlife has the best possible care👨‍🔬🐾 Without support from members of the public, we would never be able to achieve the great things we do for KZN's wildlife. 🤗♥️' shared FreeMe Wildlife.

Caption: Wade and Anette accept the cheque from Alistair on behalf of FreeMe Wildlife.

What’s on the September #beer calendar? It’s an exciting month with the first day of Oktoberfest on the 19th, Heritage Day on the 24th and Drink A Beer Day on the 28th. Let’s raise a glass of locally brewed #craftbeer and celebrate our beautiful country and our delicious beer.

Lions River Craft Brewery and Beer Garden is open Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 4.30pm and offer craft beers on tap, mixed braai packs at R85 per person per pack, order pizza from Il Postino directly and they will deliver to the beer garden, sandwiches and brewery tours. Call 0818959605 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

We look forward to hosting you!
The team at Lions River Craft Brewery and Beer Garden
#kzncraftbeer

News supplied.

Whilst our school was closed during lockdown, a pair of Spotted Eagle Owls made a very wise decision to nest in a tree on our quiet school playground at Heritage House Preschool.

It wasn't long after our school re-opened in July, that one of our 'alert mini rangers' Sion, first spotted an owl in the trees. This was exciting news for all of us. Two weeks later to our surprise, out from the trees drop-fluttered a baby owl! This caused a degree of consternation; how was Owlet going to get back to safety? We stood back and watched; to our delight nature took care of itself. He managed to pick his way carefully back by choosing short distance flights, from ground level onto something a little higher and higher, using even the jungle gym as part of his course.

Day by day we have been observing this family which soon proved to be a family of four - both parents plus two chicks. It has been a great educational experience for staff and children alike. Now some five weeks later this little feathered family, whom we have grown rather fond of, have taken to their wings and ventured off into the big wide world. It leaves one thought with us; will they be safe from man and predator? Please think carefully before using harmful rat poisons. Judging by the evidence, rats appeared to be their main source of nutrition.

We have felt truly blessed by the presence of these Spotted Eagle Owls.

News supplied.

Armed with wheelbarrows, hardy shoes and gloves and, inspired by the spirit of ubuntu, residents from Merrivale, Merrivale Heights and Birnamwood set out to pick up litter from Cedara Agricultural College to the bridge over the highway. This clean up covered about 1,5km of road, with many more than the expected handful of volunteers turning out. Notable support came from; Skip Go who sponsored the use of a skip, Merrivale Xtra group and SA Recycling for bags, St Joseph's Theological Institute for endless helping hands, Merrivale SuperSpar and Tops for juice, treats and hands-on help. Pam Passmoor and Janis Homes from the DA uMngeni pitched in as did a large number of residents, all offering their labour, funds, fuel or bags for the morning clean up.

Also deserving of a mention is our uMngeni Municipality who promptly responded to this effort by collecting the packed up rubbish bags within a couple of hours of being advised that the work was complete. 

The driving lady behind this successfully executed clean up, Kate Janse Van Rensburg said, 'My cup is full again. What I thought was impossible turned into a restoration of my faith in humanity.'

Well done to all involved, may the spirit of ubuntu continue to spread among the KZN, Midlands.

Pictured below: Kate with her family.

News supplied.

Congratulations to Alexandra Candler of Howick High School who received the award for Provincial T20 Player of the Year at a presentation made at Kingsmead yesterday. Age Quod Agis!

News Supplied.

'Cold rainy days are the worst, but thanks to everyone who donates to our storeroom, we can make them a little better. Jerseys, beanies, gumboots and shoes were handed out with food parcels today. Please consider having a spring clean and donating to us to allow us to keep helping as much as we can.' from Angel's Care Centre, Howick, KZN.

After getting tired of playing dead, this Long-crested Eagle finally woke up and took some time to explore the new aviary.  It is now just a matter of regaining muscle strength and preforming a few flight tests so that we can ensure he is ready for release.  Did you know that the Long-crested Eagle is one of the smaller Eagle species in South Africa, weighing between 900g to 1.5kgs (Depending on sex)?

This, however, does not mean that they are not effective hunters. Long-crested Eagles are rodent specialists and use the patient approach of perching quietly and dive-bombing any rodents that come into sight. 

This is one of the reasons you will often see Long-crested Eagles perched on tall posts alongside the road.

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

If you would like to donate towards our work, you can do so directly:
FreeMe Wildlife
First National Bank
Branch code: 220 725
Account number: 6214 1246 068

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

SWIFT CODE FOR INTERNATIONAL TRANSFERS:
FIRNZAJJ

Contact number: 033 330 3036

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

Pictured above: Long-crested Eagles fall into the True Eagle category. One of the ways to note this is his fully feathered legs.

Pictured on the right: Perching nicely and showing off his distinctive long crest.

News from FreeMe Wildlife.

The town of Howick welcomed J Theron & Pietersen, Auditors, Accountants and Tax Practitioners, in 2010 when Jacques, the founding partner of the firm, opened a branch of his office here in the Midlands. His business supported his and his families desire to get away from the big city to return to the farmlands their childhood had given them. His office in Johannesburg was established in 2004 and is fully operational with Jacques returning monthly to consult with these clients. The practice here in Howick has grown significantly this year celebrating 10 years of service to an ever-increasing client base in the area.

In 2014 Jacques had the opportunity to buy over a Howick accounting practise and this made his move to Howick permanent. His partner Nadia Pietersen is running the Johannesburg office.

Howick offices are situated in the Whitehouse Centre, 50 Main Road, Howick and his local staff of Vimal, Raymond, Tash, Muhammad, Marie and Gerda are committed to ensure clients work is efficiently attended to. Giving clients peace of mind that their companies Accounts, Annual Financial Statements, Tax and Audits are working to provide them with the information they need to create a success of their businesses.

Pictured here L-R: Gerda Marais, Raymond Madondo, Vimal Koosihal, Jacques Theron, Muhammad Amod, Marie Speirs, Tash Pillay and Lucia Hlabangani.

News supplied by J Theron and Associates Accounting.

Lockdown with Leanne...

My husband and I had been Darby and Joan for a few years and then lockdown hit. Shock of shock! All our plans for the year – halted and now definitely scrapped and to top it, the children came back to live with us.

My first thoughts were how lucky that we could be safe and together and then the reality set in. I had a son arriving from Belgium. A foreign traveler in the home meant self-isolation a week before lockdown. The measures we took were exhausting and stringent with the potential risk of Coronavirus. I had survived numerous near-death experiences due to a persistent brain tumor and there was no way Covid-19 was going to claim me or a family member.

Level 5 began, and no one was sick. “Well of course not, “said the kids, “how could it be with such strict hygiene rules!”

Days were spent cooking and feeding and cleaning and gardening. Added to the mix was the cats and dogs that thought that Christmas was never going to end! It was eerily quiet – no traffic, no dogs barking – the world seemed to have stopped and every little sound of nature was amplified.

After a short while, I had had enough and a roster was designed – who cooked when, who was responsible for cleaning certain rooms, garden and home chores. I resigned from ironing and so my husband started seeing how far along he could get with the clothes in his cupboard – he was one of the few that went to work each day – and with far too many items of clothing – no ironing was required. The rest of us wore the non-creasing items of clothing and as often as possible.

Every day I tended my vegetable garden – it was my sanity as it allowed me peace and quiet time, even though my back broke most days. Apart from all the household chores I continued with on-line webinars and courses, Zoom meetings, got up to date with most of my work and clients and spent time on property portals and my listings. It became evident that things were changing in the property market in the areas I serviced. In the evenings I was exhausted and so when lockdown was extended it was with mixed reactions that I greeted the news.

Lockdown had allowed a slowness in some cases, but I didn’t have a spare minute to do what I had envisaged – there was no reading a novel or watching movie after movie. We seldom went out and when my husband came back from work, we would eagerly question him on what he had seen – such was the isolation.

From 1 May, it became evident that many buyers were ready to start viewing and buying – many with disbelief that real estate was zoned Level 2! And so my list of buyers to view properties began.

Come 1 June (Level 3), we were allowed to start work – sanitizer, masks, Covid-19 consent and waiver documentation, separate vehicles, social distancing, home offices and extra precautions was and still is the order of the day. And the pent-up demand started, welcomed by the lowest interest rates ever. Three months later and the market is still buoyant, however change is definitely on the horizon.

So the days have become weeks and then months. The question we all ask is when and if it will end; how many waves will we endure? How long will the interest rates stay this low? When will the present market change? When will we have the chance to travel, to see distant friends and family?
No one is going to forget 2020 – for many, it will be traumatic and for the lucky few it will be special. My hope is that everyone is in some way able to find a silver lining.

News from Pam Golding Properties.

Lockdown with Lauren...

So, what happened during the initial lockdown period? Well, we planned ahead, made sure the cupboards were stocked enough for 21 days so that going out would be kept to an absolute minimum. We made To-Do lists for DIY and other “jobs” around the house, most of which have now been completed. We took “time-out” to recharge, sleep in late and have lazy afternoons outside in the sun spending much needed time together as a family.

Then lockdown is extended, the anxiety about the future set in and Zoom became our friend, from weekly meetings with colleagues and almost daily training and information sessions with industry specialists, we kept going until we were allowed back to work under level 3. Now the new normal is here and we go out when necessary for the shortest amount of time with our masks, sanitisers and record-keeping forms to see clients and do business in the most efficient and practical way possible.

And so where to from now? Covid-19 is not going anywhere anytime soon so for now, stay positive, stay safe and look forward to what the future holds…

 News from Pam Golding Properties.

THE YEAR 2020: THE WORLD CAME TOGETHER AS THE PEOPLE STAYED APART

The exhibition runs from the 3rd September – 31st October 2020 

Everyday life has undergone dramatic changes over the past few months. That holds true for people around the globe. There is no denying that the COVID 19 virus has brought immeasurable misery, in many forms. Ironically, it has also triggered an unprecedented outburst of creativity. Out of adversity, ingenuity and resourcefulness have flourished.

Ardmore artists were subject to the weeks-long lockdown like everyone else in South Africa. Human imagination cannot easily be stifled, however. Staying at home afforded these artists the time and opportunity to reflect upon and interpret the narrative of this perplexing turnabout in history.
They have mobilized their hopes and fears to fire up the creative process.

This incredible new Collection enables us to “ hear” their lockdown stories, as interpreted through the modelling of clay. We are delighted to present these extraordinary pieces, created while the Ardmore Studio was closed. They were incubated in less-than-ideal working conditions, in the nearby village of Lidgetton.

The Ardmore artists have brought to life amazing artworks and striking new ceramic designs. Without a doubt, these will enhance any personal or museum collection. Some pieces explore the themes of equilibrium and mutual co-operation in nature through interlocking animal forms. Others engender hope. Still, others are infused with a sense of playfulness. The surreal shared experience of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Arks filled with bats, pangolins and other African animals double as eloquent statements on the unquestionable necessity of protecting the environment. Safe houses and Zulu huts reference the human need for sanctuary. The large pangolin sculptures have become powerful symbols of the pandemic and our response to it. Curled up in their instinctive form of lockdown, they face the uncertainty of whether to emerge in public or to withdraw. This fresh Collection interweaves aesthetics and urgency, beauty with gravity.

“ The COVID 19 pandemic and the lockdown that followed came upon us suddenly and dramatically, changing all our lives. I have been astounded yet again by the incredible creations of the Ardmore artists, emerging from humble working conditions in the Lidgetton Village close to our studio. The artists were inevitably impacted and influenced by what was happening around us. The luxury of time gave us the opportunity to return to storytelling. We now question the way humans help create the conditions that led us into the pandemic, and the artists have explored new ways to find balance in nature.” Fée Halsted

For more information please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
+27 828529299

We are passionate and professional and just love spending time with puppies. We specialise in puppy training from basic obedience all the way up to advanced training and protection training. Not only do we train dogs, but we also teach humans. We are passionate about animal welfare and take time to explain to people how they should be treating their dogs and why.

We only use positive reinforcement training, which means that we reward dogs for correct behaviour and never hurt or abuse dogs with harsh punishment like shock collars, prong collars and physical punishment.

We are super passionate about animal welfare and conservation. That is why our very own Belgian Malinois (Sam) is training to track and apprehend poachers in conservation areas. Sam is a well-rounded dog and helps us out with socialising puppies. He is trained in advanced obedience and truffle hunting too!

HDDT K9 Services is super excited to be operating in the midlands and helping dog owners from Pietermaritzburg to Nottingham road and everywhere in between.

While animal welfare and conservation is at the top of our list of passions. In second place is our passion for developing well trained, obedient, and loyal family pets.

We have focused our training mainly around the family ‘pack’ and encourage dogs from an early age to be wary of strangers and protect their family.

While training we get the whole family involved so that everyone know what to do and how to treat the dog.

With the unfortunate crime stats in our country and in particular farmers, we have orientated our training around this. Our training is structured to produce an obedient, confident, and defensive dog. A dog that will be friendly to friends and defensive towards strangers.

We encourage people to carefully consider the breed of dog they get for their particular situation and offer guidance in selecting the right breed and the right pup from a litter to fit in perfectly with your family. With the right pup, and the right training, you will feel confident that you and your family are loved and well protected!

Check out our Facebook page for regular updates on everything dog. Our website has an awesome blog page which offers advice and help on common issues experience by South African dog owners.

More about HDDT K9 Services.

Were you planning on joining us for the 1000 Paws event this year?

Sadly, our major fundraiser was cancelled this year due to COVID-19, but you can still imprint your paws!

Please join the #1000PawsChallenge by making a donation (entry fees would have been R40), taking a fun photo of you, your family/ you and your pet and post the photo on social media (our page and your own with #1000PawsChallenge). You can print out this poster and challenge your mates to get involved.

#1000PawsChallenge - let's go!

uMngeni SPCA
Bank: Nedbank
Branch: 198 765
Account: 1133791700

Reference: 1000 Paws Challenge

More about uMngeni SPCA.

We really have some stunning dining room suites, cabinets, occasional tables, chairs, hand made and painted porcelain, magnificent Turkish/Persian Carpets and Runners, some Kelims at last, stunning local art and all sorts of Art Products and of course Gifts new and old for every occasion.

❣Howick's Favourite Place to Shop❣

Artefacts
2 Harvard Street, Howick
CELL/WHATSAPP 0762354813
Landline 0333303973

News supplied.