AfricA’s firstAfricA’s first Green Bird nursery!

Where is the new centre of sustainability on the Earth? AmAshovA on A whAt?new President for rAs

bushwise......

Just KeeP reAding.....

Edition - 122 - novEmbEr

A baby Crane is fed by it’s puppet parent...

AfricA’s first Green Bird nursery!Fordoun Hotel and Spa played host to a capacity crowd recently, where Ann Burke, Di-

rector Kwazulu-Natal Crane Foundation announced the public launch of a grand design for the Foundation.

“As some of you may be aware, the KwaZulu-Natal Crane Foundation has recently launched a fund raising campaign to build an isolation-rearing facility for cranes. This facility will used to rear Wattled Crane chicks collected from the wild as abandoned second eggs. The rearing technique involving the use of crane puppets and costumed care-takers is a time-tested and proven one – and is currently being used in North America, Europe and Russia to successfully rear and release endangered species of cranes into the wild.

Tonight, we are proud to have the opportunity to recognize and thank architect Marita Nell, of Elements Architecture for her invaluable contributions to the KwaZulu-Natal Crane Foundation by presenting her with our highest award, Crane Champion 2012.” The sculpture of a Wattled Crane was made by local artist, Sarah Richards, a long time supporter of cranes, wetlands and the KZN Crane Foundation.”

Burke thanked Fordoun owners, Jon and Micheline Bates and their family, as well as committee members, Margie Fraser and Roy Tabenor for assistance in making the special event a reality.

“It all began in early 2011,” recounted Burke, “through our collaboration with the Jhb Zoo and the Wattled Crane Recovery Programme, we began to review plans and designs for an isolation rearing facility for cranes. We quickly realized that as a conservation organization concerned with the environment, building a traditional type of building - one heavily reliant upon electricity from Eskom and constructed with non-environmentally friendly materials - was simply not in keeping with our organization’s mission or vision.”

Jon Bates knew that Marita Nell might be interested in this type of project and it took one phone call to her and as Burke says “from that day, Marita, along with Ian Dickson, Christie Muller, Darrel de Wal, Andrew Smith, Clinton Miles, and Grant Findlay have carried our vision forward. Marita has embraced and nurtured our dreams of a “green” chick rearing building. Compared to conventional building methods, Marita has designed a building that will bring environmental efficiency - in much lower operating and energy costs - and comfort to both its feathered and human occupants. We hope our example will inspire others to move towards the use of alternative energy and to motivate for expanded protection of wetlands and grasslands that we, and the cranes so depend upon for clean fresh water, food production and our livelihoods.”

The DesignAll the construction professionals and suppliers involved, who have donated or pledged

time and skill, live and or work in the area.. The aim is also to employ and train people from the community as caretakers as a job creation and skills development oppurtunity. The energy system for the underfloor water heating system( or hydronic system) will be powered by solar water heating panels and a heat pump. This will also provide hot water to the building for the bathroom and kitchen.The electrical needs of the building will be provided for by PV panels (photo-voltaic panels) and the energy generated this way will be converted by and stored in a battery bank until needed. This system will aim to make the building as independant as possible from ESKOM, especially during winter when the building will be in use 24 hrs a day.The floors, walls and roof space will also be well insulated according to the new building reglations and all the windows are double glazed. It does not make financial sense to install a state of the art energy system if there is heat loss through the above mentioned elements. A small sewage and waste water treatment plant with biogas and fertiliser as a by-product will be used. Instead of using a standard soak pit where the waste will just sit, the digestate or fluid from the waste treatment plant in the form of fertiliser will be released back into the natural environment after it has been”scrubbed” (this is a term that refers to the pathogens in the waste being removed by ozone treatment and then filtered through a reedbed that obviously does not have to be installed as it occurs naturally on site) This waste water treatment plant has a small footprint, 3sqm and can also sit above ground so valuable wetland area on the site will not be destroyed by digging it up.

For further information regarding the Kwazulu-Natal Crane Foundation log onto www.kzn-crane.co.za. Perhaps you have something to contribute or know of individuals or compa-nies interested in funding such a worthwhile initiative. Contact Jon Bates: 082 821 3676 or Ann Burke: 078 599 0212

Architect Marita Nell is “Giving flight to our dreams

of a facility that will allow us to rear and release critically endangered Wattled Cranes - giving hope to their continued

persistence in the wild and demonstrating that when

people so generously share their time and passion, the

world becomes a brighter and more hopeful place.”

Anne Burke.

The DesignAll the construction professionals and suppliers involved, who have donated or pledged

time and skill, live and or work in the area.. The aim is also to employ and train people from the community as caretakers as a job creation and skills development oppurtunity. The energy system for the underfloor water heating system( or hydronic system) will be powered by solar water heating panels and a heat pump. This will also provide hot water to the building for the bathroom and kitchen.The electrical needs of the building will be provided for by PV panels (photo-voltaic panels) and the energy generated this way will be converted by and stored in a battery bank until needed. This system will aim to make the building as independant as possible from ESKOM, especially during winter when the building will be in use 24 hrs a day.The floors, walls and roof space will also be well insulated according to the new building reglations and all the windows are double glazed. It does not make financial sense to install a state of the art energy system if there is heat loss through the above mentioned elements. A small sewage and waste water treatment plant with biogas and fertiliser as a by-product will be used. Instead of using a standard soak pit where the waste will just sit, the digestate or fluid from the waste treatment plant in the form of fertiliser will be released back into the natural environment after it has been”scrubbed” (this is a term that refers to the pathogens in the waste being removed by ozone treatment and then filtered through a reedbed that obviously does not have to be installed as it occurs naturally on site) This waste water treatment plant has a small footprint, 3sqm and can also sit above ground so valuable wetland area on the site will not be destroyed by digging it up.

For further information regarding the Kwazulu-Natal Crane Foundation log onto www.kzn-crane.co.za. Perhaps you have something to contribute or know of individuals or compa-nies interested in funding such a worthwhile initiative. Contact Jon Bates: 082 821 3676 or Ann Burke: 078 599 0212

Architect Marita Nell, doesn’t define herself as an “eco-architect” or a “green architecture” specialist. She says that “ any and all design decisions that I make are based on a philosophy of finding a solution that answers the brief, whilst having the smallest impact on the environment as possible. As consumers become more demanding and better informed, the market will, and has responded. It is up to all of us to drive the speed of thise change by our behaviour.” Nell loves the Midlands and has worked on other projects in the area. “This was an unusual brief because a gem like this does not come along often. I say gem because there is so much negativity in the world that it is incredibly satifying to be involved in something so positive, and especially to work with such a dedicated and environmentally sensitive community, all with a common goal.”

According to Nell aspects of the project are both fascinating and challenging. “I find it fascinating that the same building can house the “wild” chicks and the human element side by side, divided only by a brick wall, but united in an effort to exist together and find harmony in that existence, and how architecture can be used to explore that relationship. This provided the biggest challenge -, designing two distinct spaces, side by side both supporting the function of the building, but which are at opposite ends of the spectrum as far as needs are concerned. Another interesting aspect is to not to try and hide the fact that it is a building, but to use natural materials, that the birds will encounter in their natural envvironment, to clad the building so that there is no negative imprint on thebirds. The birds are so sensitive to imprinting, that the caretakers are not allowed to talk to the birds or make any sound while raising and teaching them to behave like cranes.

The ArchiecT

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Matric ends, a career begins: Why the beginnings of a career in the bush is worth two part-time jobs in the hand

School’s out for summer, school’s out for…ever? Your sons and daughters are finished matric…so now what? The party ends, the dust settles and reality sets in. Usually one of four things happens. 1. They continue to study in the formal sense (university, technikon etc.); 2. they sit around the house in their underwear while watching television; 3. They get a job of some sorts, usually of the menial variety; 4. they attempt the traditional model of leaving home to travel Europe or pull pints in a UK pub.

How you support them and the next move you make as a parent in supporting or guiding them can have long-lasting effects on your child’s future and overall happiness. The approach of our parents – get a job, do 40 years’ service, receive a gold watch and retirement – is no longer always an easy fit. Force a youngster into a collar and tie desk job and they will wear it like a ball and chain if they’re not suited to the office-style 9-5. As you’ve probably worked out by now, not everyone is designed to work their way through Excel spreadsheets and skinner around the water cooler. You’ve got to try and do what you love.

Even the travel option is no longer so attractive due to the global economic downturn of the last few years. Economies across the EU are struggling and it’s harder and harder for young South Africans to take the kind of working gap years we used to assume as a right of passage. There’s an undeniable urge to

Best Post-MAtric eMPloyMent oPPortunities & why

leave the nest for many young school-leavers, but with the traditional options less attractive, trying something hands-on in your own home country – yet not at home – becomes an attractive alternative. If your kids are seeking a different kind of career and life path, then perhaps it’s time to consider Southern Africa’s finest bush skills academy.

Bushwise’s 2013 field guiding courses kick off in January and July and could prove to be the launch pad for an exciting career in the bush for your child. And it’s worth bearing in mind that while most industries are struggling across the board both locally and across the world, tourism is growing in South Africa because as a country we are blessed with magnificent natural resources. If your child has a deep love for the outdoors, working with animals, an aptitude for working with the environment and people, then steering them towards the kind of field guiding Bushwise can offer is a smart option.

One of the best field guiding schools in the business, Bushwise’s course give aspirant Field Guides the necessary skills and FGASA (Field Guides Association of South Africa) accreditation for a career in the bush. Whether your son or daughter opts for the six-month or year-long course, both of which provide theoretical and practical learnings delivered by qualified guides and environmentalists, the process will forge their raw enthusiasm for the environment and turn them into skilled, capable young field guides ready for employment. And if your kid is not a new matriculant, but has instead been out of school for a few years, tried the traveling thing and is at a loss for the future, Bushwise is still a good bet. In fact, with the industry having a minimum acceptance age of 21 for placements in reserves, perhaps your child’s two or three years of post-school wandering will work in their favour.

But make no mistake, this is not a holiday camp. Bushwise is a fully accredited and run by seasoned industry professionals. From essential bush skills like 4x4 driving and rifle handling to bush knowledge (flora, fauna, animal behaviour and tracking etc) Bushwise’s field guide training also offers students exposure to dangerous game. While that may petrify parents, it will equip students with the kind of comprehensive preparation required for anyone looking for a career in a Big 5 game reserve. For the year-long course students, Bushwise will find placements for them with partner lodges or research venues for the six-month section of the course that gives them the career headstart to their bush CV.

Forget throwing your child to the critters of the concrete jungle and the global village and talk to them about a potential career in the South African bush. For more on Bushwise Field Guides and their courses, visit www.bushwise.co.za.

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e The KZN Midlands is rich with cycling sto-ries every month.

Sometimes the twist in the tale is in the distance undertaken, sometimes it’s the nature of the trail. This year’s Amashova Cycle Race from Pieter-maritzburg to Durban en-tertained from start to fin-ish – whether you were a competitor or a spectator.

Taking cycling to a different level was 17 year old Grace College learner Juan Miller, who entered the race earlier this year – on a uinicycle!

AMAshovA on A whAt?

Juan has been riding a small unicycle since 2006, and, set up with a 36 inch wheel unicycle from Odd Wheel Unicycles in Cape Town, he got to work training in April.

A special dispensation from the organisers saw him pedal off at 06h30 from Pietermaritzburg, accompanied by back up team Mike Goldstone and Russell Humphrey who carried the spares, and 7 hrs and 20 minutes later saw him triumphantly enter Moses Mabida Stadium to complete the race. Delighted with his achievement, Juan said that a combination of determination and focus, plus fitness, endurance and upper body strength helped him reach his goal.

Something’s missing from this pic! - did the wheels fall off or what?

On Saturday 3 November, enthusiastic Dargle residents and friends gathered for an Alter-nate Energy Showcase to learn more about Biogas digesters from Warren Confait of Renen Energy. It was an opportunity to share information, personal experiences and demon-

strate solar, wind and other devices to assist the community to build energy resilience. The Dargle Conservancy recognises that lifestyle is a conservation issue and we need to make some major changes in order to protect our biodiversity. www.dargleconservancy.org.za www.darglelocalliving.wordpress.com

the dArGle is the new centre of sustAinABility on the eArth!

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HIRSCH’S – GIVING BACK THIS CHRISTMAS

riding for horses, the equine out-reach Programme initiated by lloyd Gillespie and isabel wolf

has launched its latest fundraising initiative – a beautiful series of pho-tographs in a 2013 calendar. the pic-tures were taken by a professional photographer from capetown (tracy robertson photography), who visited them at their project in the eastern cape and kindly donated her time to their cause.

Please contact Isabel and Lloyd on isabel@ridingforhorses.co.za or 076 577 1936 should you wish to support their organization with the purchase of a calendar. An ebook on their incredible 7411km journey around South Africa will be available very soon. Their website www.ridingforhorses.co.za is very informative and keeps one up to date on the progress.

“ridinG for horses” 2013 cAlendAr.

Every year at this time, Hirsch’s find a way of giving back to the communities in which they operate.

This year, each branch throughout the group will be focusing on charities, NGO’s and NPO’s in need in their

communities and will be donating food hampers that will include all the basic needs for a family. Coming on board with them in their “Giving Back This Christmas” campaign are Elec-trolux, Sunlight, Omo, Iwisa, Snowflake, Caxton and Nu World. CEO of Hirsch’s, Allan Hirsch explained that every time a cus-tomer purchases a “smalls” product from Hirsch’s - eg: ket-tles, toasters, irons etc. valued at over R200, a food or clean-ing item will automatically go towards a hamper for a charity. The hampers will be handed over to the charities on the 24th November and the 24th December – in time to give families in need a happy, healthy Christmas!

A succesfull Women in Business networking Forum was held in October at the Ascot Inn in Pietermaritzburg where Margaret Hirsch,

2012’s Business Woman of the Year, delivered her very inspiring “Passionate Road to Success” talk.

Margaret Hirsch, co-founder with husband Allan, of the Hirsch’s Stores shared her business success story with guests, sharing the lows, the highs and ultimately the secrets of the Hirsch journey, from its microwave beginnings in a back room on their property, to the multi-million rand business it is today.

Margaret recounts the tale of that day when her repair man husband Allan was given an interesting kitchen appliance called a “microwave” to sell. Margaret recalls how fantastic this discovery was “an appliance that coooked a full roast chicken in under 20 minutes!” The HIrsch’s placed an order for more microwaves, Margaret started demonstrating the culinary wonders of the microwave from their kitchen, and on the first demo night they sold 11 microwaves. A new business was born!

Sales, training, social projects, advice, help and information to staff and customers alike have made Hirsch’s and the Hirsch family into a name synonymous with caring and sharing.

Margaret says “I am passionate about SA it is a country of wealth and abundance. South Africa is a country of opportunity and entrepreneurship – if you do it right it is so easy and I will help everyone I can to succeed!”

Margaret Hirsch’s 3 “must have” business guidelines: Passion is a vital ingredient for an entrepreneur; success takes hard work, and working smart; Focusing on what is important – one cannot be everything to everyone.

seniors cArols eveninG

Rotarians of the Rotary Club of Pietermaritzburg recently organized the Annual Christmas Carols

Evening for residents of Allison Homes for the Aged in Burger St, Pietermaritzburg. The event had a bumper turnout of over forty. Rotarian Reverend Desiree Golding gave a talk on the meaning of Christmas, and led the singing. A fun time was had by all who attended! The Rotary Club wishes all our senior citizens, especially those who are far from their families a joyous festive season.

The Rotary Club of Pietermaritzburg has conferred a Vocational Service Award on Dr Neil McKerrow in

recognition of a life devoted to his professional vocation as a specialist paediatrician. In making the award, Rotary President Brian Bassett said ‘Not only is Neil a qualified medical man but he is a leader, researcher and teacher. We all admire him for his exceptional achievement in raising public awareness of the plight of children abandoned in hospitals as a consequence of social and political conflict and for creating opportunities for caring communities to come to their aid. We admire his unique contribution to the creation of Thandanani Children’s Foundation and the CINDI Network that continue his work for the protection of children. Our Club appreciates his ability to identify both the developmental and health needs of children and to recognize the value and relevance of partnerships between health practitioners, politicians and people from all levels of society and all walks of life in creating a secure and stimulating environment that will enable children to reach their full potential to the satisfaction and benefit of all concerned’. The people of Pietermaritzburg are indeed fortunate to have the services of Dr McKerrow.

Pictured at the Carols Evening is (L to R) Allison Home residents Ohna Turner and Mavis Lee together with Rotar-ian Shirley Steyn. Photo: Trudy Stegan.

PrestiGeous AwArd for locAl doctor

Pic: Rotary Club President Brian Bassett (left) congratulated Dr Neil McKerrow on his Vocational Service Award. Photo: Aubrey Bowles.

Dear Editor,On Friday the 12th October, a group of Ladies from the Kamberg,travelled to Durban,early in the morning to attend the Ladies’ Breakast at the Hellenic Club.We thoroughly enjoyed the fun day,with plenty of snacks, interesting speakers, a fashion Show,as well as “Goodie” Bags to take home.We travelled back inland to the mist,happily exhausted. In the pic, left to right, Elza Reynolds, Pearl Anthony,Merle Ratsi &MaryAnne.

The Official School PageRussell Prize Giving russEll HEad’s spEEcH day addrEss

Russell High recently held their Senior Prizegiving. Guest speaker was Dr Andrew Venter, CEO of Wildlands Con-servation Trust. Seen with Dr Venter and Principal, Jean Rose is 2012 Chairlady Nolothando Gasa and her Deputy, Naledi Mntambo.

In a moving address to the Class of 2012, and guests, at the recent final prizegiving, Russell High School

Principal Jean Rose addressed the Class of 2012. We quote an excerpt of this speech.

“I now turn to you the class of 2012:All Russell girls are special but you as a Grade have

been extra special, you have been a unified group that have made us proud on many occasions. I thank all of you who have done your best to promote the essential values of the school.

The Senior Leaders headed by Noluthando and Naledi have been excellent role models and have done much to promote strong moral values, dignity and pride among the girls.

As you are about to enter into a new exciting but unknown world you need to be fully aware in the South Africa you now belong. It is considered the most diverse country in the world.

This year as a country we experienced the glory of our successes at the Olympic and Paralympic games. Then in the 2nd week of August, from this bright sunlight we were suddenly plunged into the dark tragedy of the Lonmin Mine in Marikana.

I quote from a seminar I attended recently:“We have one of the best stock exchanges and

banking systems in the world but our Government is riddled from top to bottom with incompetence, greed, corruption and arrogance.”

We have one of the highest budgets on education in the world but are ranked 132 out of 139 countries in quality.

In a survey compiled by the United Nations, South Africa is referred to as “the rape capital of the world” – how frightening! And I could go on.

You need to decide to what part of this country you want to belong. Ask yourself in what way you contribute to the negative aspect of your country and conversely ask yourself how you can contribute to a better POSITIVE country.

Amy Biele was a young white American graduate and Anti-Apartheid activist who was murdered in Cape Town by radical members of the PAC in 1993.

Mamphela Ramphele in her address at the Amy Biele Memorial lecture says:

“So 19 years after the killing of Amy Biehl, South Africa finds itself at yet another crossroad, where citizens like you and I are called to action.

The call to action is a call for every one of us to take ownership of South Africa and to create our future. It is a process that starts with myself, my home, my community, my city and ultimately my country.

It is about realising a South Africa which provides every child with the promise of a better tomorrow.”

This responsibility lies with you. I have great faith that everyone of you can meet this challenge. It will require perseverance, self-discipline and above all, moral behaviour.”

I leave you with Jeremiah 29v11: “I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,Plans to prosper you and not harm youPlans to give you a hope and a future”My best wishes go with you, Thank you.” Jean Rose

(School Principal Russell High School).

Seen with Dr Venter is 2012 Dux, Siphumelele Mabuya and Principal, Jean Rose.

The Grade 2 boys and girls at Cowan House recently visited Golden Pond Retirement Village and brought much joy to the grannies and grandpa’s. They walked around the village playing tunes on their recorders, sang Christmas songs, and handed out cards and mince pies to the older folk. An extract from a note received from one of the residents: “You are very special little people coming to visit us at Golden Pond. We en-joyed your Christmas cheer.”

Cowan House Brings Joy

After their excellent performance at the KZN Athletics Champs-Sub Youth U13 and U15 in Durban, Treverton College’s outstanding three athletes, who brought home six-medals between them, they achieved further success. The school was informed that they had been selected for the KZN team for an Inter-Provincial meeting in Pretoria on 24 November.They will compete mainly in field events. Eugh Nyakabau has been chosen for Long Jump, Triple Jump, and High Jump, and Nicole Whittick will participate in the discus event. Ayanda Tshuma will take part in a track event in the 300m hurdles, and show her versatility in the Triple Jump event. L-R: Ayanda Tshuma, Eugh Nyakabau and Nicole Whittick. (supplied)

For the Fifteenth year in a row Epworth School pupils made the journey to Cradock to take part in the Fish Riv-er Canoe Marathon. This race is one of the many high-lights on the Epworth Canoeing calendar. A total of 23 girls went to the Fish, of which 13 entered, all successful-ly completing this demanding race. The girls that did not enter the race went on the adventure to gain valuable canoeing experience. They spent 2 days paddling on the river prior to the race and during the race they gave the Epworth participants wonderful support in true Epworth style! This year’s Fish was the South African K1 Champi-onships. Epworth girls yet again featured prominently on the podium at Prize Giving. The 1st girl U18 - Jordan Peek, 1st girl U16 Camilla Pennefather and 2nd girl U16 Bianca Haw. Pictured: Epworth’s Bianca Haw, Camilla Pennefather, Jordan Peek and Coach Les Willows

The Official School Page

LADDSWORTH Primary School pupils (from left) Tian Buis, Nkosana Khumalo and Sonia Naicker with the artwork that won the school R10 000 in the Liberty Midlands Mall’s recent “re*think: Save our Rhino” school art competition. These pu-pils represented the classes, which created the prize-winning work. The Hilton school won the Grade 4-7 category while Athlone Primary won the Grade RR-3 category and Russell Girls’ High took the high school section. Laddsworth’s Grade 5 classes created artworks from waste materials and scraps mounted on corrugated cardboard. Teachers chose a selec-tion of pieces that were then mounted on a display board with splashes of shweshwe fabric to add a distinctive African look.

Treverton’s KZN Athletes

LADDSWORTH PUPILS DO THEIR BIT for rhinos

Grace College Pupil, Travis Teasdale seen here (Grade 9), is the new South African Junior National Off Road Champion. Travis put in many, long hours of train-ing and can be very proud of this outstanding achievement. “Well done Travis on this well-deserved title.”

Epworth Canoeists do the Fish...

Grace's Off-Road Champ.

18 grade 11’s have been appointed as office bearers until October 2013. They are: Heads And Deputies: Head Girl, Shirley Jensen. Head Boy, Brendan Fourie. Deputy Head Girl, Natalie Ferguson. Deputy Head Boy, Amile Ndlovu. Pre-fects: Rosie Anderson Siyanda Buthelezi Zamo Buthelezi Mesuli Makoba, Thembi Mswane, San-dile Mnikathi, Ashley Nanni, Dillon Nelson, Calvin Reynders, Brendan Stead, Abigail Taylor, Mat-thew Webb, Michelle Wegener.

howick high prefects-2013

Weston teacher Colleen Lucey took three shotists to shoot at the SAARA National Championships in Klerks-dorp during the holidays. Ruan Enslin (left) came 3rd in the U20 Springer category and the KZN team that he was part of came 2nd overall in the Springer group. Ruan was awarded school honours for shooting as he has represented KZN for 3 years. Brian Buys (centre), came 13th overall in the Sporter category. He achieved Midlands colours for shooting this year. Curtis Rudling, (right), was part of the KZN team that came 2nd in the Standing competition and 3rd in the 3P competition. He was awarded KZN colours for shooting this year.

The Official School Page The Official School Page

St Johns School, Pietermaritzburg announced its Top 3 for 2013 recently: Pictured left to right: Deputy Head Girl, Dimpho Liphapang, Head Girl, Emma Sorour and Senior Boarder Prefect, Mutepa Kanyika

At the annual Speech Day at Maritzburg College, many special prizes were awarded - The guest speaker at the event was Simon Hurry (Old Hiltonian currently living in Cape Town) had the following to say:“I was enormously impressed by the event and wish to congratulate you for all your work. It was well worth it and the young men that I had contact with impressed me. I consider it a privilege to have been involved in such an occasion.”

St John’s Diocesan School for Girls, Scottsville, Pieter-maritzburg is proud to announce their Dux for 2012, Nkosinothando Mayisela.Picture: Mrs Thandazile Mayisela, Nkosinothando May-isela and Mr Muzi Mayisela

Weston’s shottists

There’s no doubt about it: Creativity is as natural and necessary for children as fresh air and sunshine! The diverse range of creative activities children at New Ha-nover Prep have been exposed to this term has included form dancing, icing of cakes, inter-active puppet shows, learning how to run a bed and breakfast, baking pizzas, creating of “aliens” and a variety of excursions, to name but a few. New Hanover Prep believes it’s never too late to foster creativity, although the sooner we begin, the better! Some of the Gr 3’s (Hanelie Van der Spuy, Ste-fanie Ortmann, Caitlin Gordon, Charne’ Scheuer and Erin Crookes eating our home-made pizzas Pic & words: (By: S. Redinger).

New Hanover Prep Fosters Creative Thinking

St John’s Top Candidates

Left to right: Matthew Piper (3rd in Form), Julian Vorster (Dux) and Jesse Filaferro (Head Boy 2012 and 2nd in Form)

Maritzburg College, speech day.

The Official School Page

Michaelhouse School announced its prefects for 2013. From left to right: Merrick Pringle, Cian Grendon, Ciaran Furniss, Ryan Thompson (Senior Pre-fect 2013), Matthew Potter (Second Prefect 2013), Stephan Bosch, Cameron Bird, Murray McDonald, Kura Maswera

The Wykeham Collegiate Junior School Open A Team were once again successful in retaining the Durban Girls College Tennis Trophy for the third consecutive year. The runners-up were TWC Open B Team consisting of Shannon Firman and Kate Dunton with the winners be-ing Samantha Yeats and Megan McDonald, TWC Open A Team. These girls, who are all in Grade 7, are to be congratulated. Left to right : Shannon Firman, Megan McDonald, Samantha Yeats, Kate Dunton

Congratulations to Guilo Beltramo who is in Grade8 who has been selected for the KwaZulu-Natal Youth Orchestra. Guilo has performed at a number of func-tions at Hilton this year and we congratulate him on this outstanding achievement in being selected for the KwaZulu-Natal Youth Orchestra.

Congratulations to the Hilton boys who have been select-ed for the various KwaZulu-Natal Cricket teams. They will represent the province at the various provincial cricket weeks in December and we wish them all the very best. U 19 KZN Inland: Bantu Futshane, Lungi Ngidi, Luc Maingard. U17 KZN Inland: Marc van WymeerschU15 KZN Inland: Matthew Dahl, Thushen Naidoo, Gian-luca Radesich. Pic (L-R) back:Luc Maingard, Lungi Ngidi, Bantu Futshane, Marc van Wymeersch. Front: Thushen Naidoo; Matt Dahl, Gianluca Radesich (pic supplied)

Pietermaritzburg Bal-let teacher Julia Powell (left), received recogni-tion recently at the Dur-ban Playhouse theatre where she was awarded the “Dorothea Mc Nair Trophy for Outstand-ing Qualifying Exam” in 2012, for her Associate Diploma Cecchetti Ballet exam. Talisha Pienaar from Julia Powell Ballet & Pilates was awarded joint runner up for the KZN Cecchetti Intermediate Trophy for her Intermedi-ate ballet exam danced in September.

Hilton College: KZN Inland Cricketers Hilton pupil chosen for KZNYO

MHS PREFECTS 2013

TWC TENNIS CHAMPS

Julia Powell School of Ballet

Give uP ironinG And sAve the world!

Following a successful three years at the helm, Dr Iona Stewart retired as President of the Royal Agricultural Society at the organisation’s AGM yesterday.

She is followed by Mike Moncur, a longstanding member of the Society and the immediate past Chairman of the Sheep & Goat Section. Mike is a resident of Underberg and maintains an active interest in agricultural matters.

The Vice Presidents for the ensuing year are Kay Makan and Tim Nixon.

Be kind to the world – give up ironing!Before one can even contemplate getting off the electricity grid it is necessary to reduce one’s electricity

usage – in many instances quite dramatically. This generally entails a change in lifestyle and the giving up of much-loved appliances, such as tumble dryers and air conditioners. Having brought the daily usage of electricity to below 5kWh, and supposing there were not the substantial line costs paid by many in the Natal Midlands, it would then make little sense to invest in coming off the grid as the monthly cost to both the user and the world would be very small.

This was the thrust of the message delivered by Jane Harley at a talk given to a packed gathering of the Dargle Conservancy at Tanglewood Country House on the 24th of October. Jane, who runs her home and business indepen-dently of the grid, explained that if one can reduce one’s daily power usage to 5kWh or less – which most middle-class homes should be able to do if they are careful – it is possible to come off the grid for a capital cost of about R130 000. Unfortunately, during long periods of windless, cloudy weather, as we have recently being experiencing, one could run out of power and some sort of backup would be necessary. In many parts of the country, pre-paid electricity is the obvious answer – and according to recent headlines this should soon be a possibility for those in the Pietermartizburg area too.

Jane also discussed the various elements that are needed to create an alternative energy system, and, making reference to her own experience, warned of some of the pitfalls that one might encounter along the way.

Whether one takes that final step to power independence or not, reducing one’s electricity usage to 5kWh a day is the proper thing to do and to this end Jane exhorts people to give up ironing. To iron for one and a half hours poten-tially uses up three-fifths of the daily allocation – and all so that one can put on something that starts out flat but soon is no longer so. This seems, to Jane at any rate, a silly waste of energy – both human and electrical.

If you missed the talk, you might like to pick up a copy of Jane’s book, “Getting off the grid – or at least reducing your energy footprint.” This is available for R50 at Midlands Solar at Victoria Square.

Local Supply Chain logistics company Crickmay and Associates, based in Hilton Kzn has added another two awards to its list of successes. Crickmay won the

much coveted Platinum Award with Cum Laude at the prestigious 24th Annual Logistics Achiever Awards, which recognises and re-wards logistics and supply chain excellence in South Africa. Crick-may and Associates received the award for distinction in logistics in development and implementation of self-regulation in the trans-port sector. In addition, the Company was awarded the LAA Enviro Award, recognising companies who have reduced their energy con-sumption, carbon footprints and general wastage.

In 2001 the bulk transport sector stood accused of gross overloading, which led to acclerated deterioration of national roads and contributed to the high accident rate. In essence this was a problem of a shared infrastructure being abused by the very people using the infrastructure.

In 2001 Crickmay and Associates approached the National Productivity Institite and, together with the CSIR, embarked on the development and rollout of the concept of self-regulation through education amongst consignees and consignors, and its implementation in three major bulk industries – pulpwood, sugar and coal. (Logistics News)

Results of the self-regulation programmes have been significant in each of the three industries: a reduction of overloading in the pulpwood industry from 17 to 4 percent; in the sugar industry (bar one mill) from 35 to 8 percent; in the coal industry from 55 to 5 percent; fatalities in the coal industry reduced by 50 percent. Crickmay have clearly demonstrated that the ongoing monitoring of third party transporters, public declaration of overloading and driver behaviour by the consignors of their contractors, pays dividends in improved efficiency and improved operating conditions.

AwArd winninG self-reGulAtion

A disciplined approach combined with passion and brains is a formidable combination

(Andrew Crickmay MD)

At home, Maritzburg College Old Boy (Class of 1980), Andrew Crickmay shares his life with teenage son Josh, and wife Kathy. His family share a deep love of the bush, to which they escape for a break from the rigours of managing a top notch company. Fishing is his therapy, and “crashing through the waves off the beach in Durban with Josh gives us our thrill” he says. “We enjoy a good meal out, and Nicholson’s restaurant at Garlington, Hilton, is always a deeply satisfying gourmet experience.”

new rAs PresidentFollowing a successful three years at the helm, Dr Iona Stewart retired as President of

the Royal Agricultural Society at the organisation’s AGM yesterday.She is followed by Mike Moncur, a longstanding member of the Society and the

immediate past Chairman of the Sheep & Goat Section. Mike is a resident of Underberg and maintains an active interest in agricultural matters.

The Vice Presidents for the ensuing year are Kay Makan and Tim Nixon.

Gifting is a piece of cake in the Midlands. Whether it’s for Dad, Partner, Mum, Teacher, Kid, or Best Friend, the Midlands is all Mall. Fishing, walking, pampering, decorating, gardening, crafting, cre-ating, eating, reading, writing, lingering ... trinkets, art pieces, ceramics, gadgets, soaps, flowers,

markets...we’ve got it all! It’s the middle of November. We dare you to have it all done and dusted by the end of the month, so that December can be truly restful - a time to smell the roses, to recover from the 2012 rollercoaster and perhaps give some time to those who don’t have.