Fresh from claiming two golds in the pool at the SA Grand Prix meet in Durban just a few weeks ago, Pretoria swimmer Ruan Breytenbach competed in his first 10km open water swim on Saturday and walked away as the new national champion.

Breytenbach has swum 3km and 5km events in the past, but this was his first attempt at the longer, Olympic distance and it paid off. The 19-year-old outduelled Connor Buck in the last lap of the SA Open Water Championships at Marina Martinique, putting in a final sprint to finish in 1 hour 58 minutes and 14.85 seconds with Buck second in 1:58:26.35 and Joshua Ashley coming a distant third in 2:02:09.58.

With his focus largely on the pool, Breytenbach admitted afterwards that his friends had convinced him to try out open water swimming.

“I wasn’t expecting much because it was my first 10km so I was just trying to stick with the group for the first couple of laps and then hopefully someone would try and break away mid-race, which happened luckily. So we just went from there and had a good ending,” he said.

Finishing in the top two meant Breytenbach is now eligible for selection for the team to represent South Africa at the World Championships at the end of June – something that’s come as a bit of a surprise to the pool swimmer.

“I didn’t know there was world champs this year for open water so I only heard about it on Thursday on my flight,” he said. “Coach Neville [Smith] told me that he would like me to win the 5km and the 10km so that I can represent us there in Budapest.”

Meanwhile, also part of the same race were the 16 and 17-year-old swimmers competing in the 7.5km event. It was 16-year-old Keegan Wright who outsprinted Sven van der Linde for top honours, finishing in 1:34:13.27 with Van der Linde second in 1:34:18.87. Liam Ellis then battled it out with Jeandre Kleynhans and edged ahead to take third spot in 1:35:06.98.

“The first two laps felt pretty good,” said Wright afterwards. “Sven was with me the whole way, constantly pushing each other, going back and forth. The last lap was then all about pushing as hard as I could.”

Van der Linde added: “My plan was to try and stick with the 10km swimmers as long as I could and once they dropped, to try and keep my pace as long as I could and to stay with Keegan because I knew we’d be pushing each other right to the end.

“It was a tight one, it hurt a lot, but Keegan was stronger on the day so well done to him.”

Later in the day Samantha Randle dominated the women’s 3km event, finishing in 37:30.16. Emma Carmody was second in 38:24.82 and Kaitlynne Horne third (38:25.43).

Both Randle and Breytenbach were back in the water for the final event of the day, guiding their Aquatics Gauteng Tshwane mixed 4x1.25km relay team to victory in a combined time of 1:00:02 (along with Stephanie Houtman and Reece Zowitsky).

Another Aquatics Gauteng Tshwane team (Catherine van Rensburg, Ricardo Rebelo, Callan Lotter and Richardt Beineke) were second in 1:01:30 and the Western Cape team of 7.5km champion Wright, women’s 7.5km winner Hannah Neilson, Babette van Rooyen and Liam Ellis were third in 1:02.51.

Racing concludes on Sunday with the women’s and men’s 5km events. All the action can be followed via live streaming on: http://swimsa.org/news/sa-open-water-swimming-championships-2022

Pictured here: Ruan Breytenbach

Photo credit: Nonda Sakelliou

Supplied.

The women’s 10km race kicked things off at the SA Open Water Championships at Marina Martinique in the Eastern Cape on Friday with TUKS swimmer Amica de Jager emerging as the new national champion.

The 22-year-old took the race out hard and then settled into her rhythm. Eventually it came down to a pack of three Pretoria swimmers on the eighth and final lap, with De Jager powering ahead in the final 100m to edge out her teammates Catherine van Rensburg and Stephanie Houtman.

De Jager finished in a time of 2 hours 9 minutes 20 with Van Rensburg second in 2:09.24 and Houtman taking the bronze in 2:09.35.

“I took it out and I felt like it was quite hard in the beginning but then it definitely slowed down and we were all in a pack,” said an elated De Jager afterwards.

“It was hectic. There were six or maybe seven or eight and everyone was just swimming next to each other so it was quite rough for a couple of laps. But we just hung in there and at the end we managed to break away. It’s great sharing the podium with my teammates,” she added.

“I knew it was going to come down to a sprint, so I was just making sure I had enough left in the tank for that sprint.

“The whole race, I wanted it so bad… I couldn’t believe it on the last lap. I was like hey, I’ve actually got a chance here, so it was awesome.”

In finishing in the top two, De Jager has ensured she’s in the running for selection to compete at the World Swimming Championships in Budapest at the end of June.

“It’s absolutely incredible. It’s one of my ultimate goals to go to world champs so that would be incredible,” she said of the prospect.

“I love what I’m doing and I love open water swimming so my goal is to do my best, have an amazing swim and enjoy it and that’s exactly what I did, so I love it.”

Meanwhile, part of the same event were the swimmers aged 16-17 who were contesting the 7.5km race with qualification for the World Junior Championships in the Seychelles this September on the line.

It was Hannah Neilson who took the win in 1:36.54, with Mykae Forrest second – only by a few split seconds – and Callan Lotter third.

“The first two laps were quite hard but knowing that I had my teammates backing me was quite a motivation, also my coach… As soon as I heard his voice I knew I had to finish for him because that’s all I want to do is make him proud,” she said.

As for the chance to represent the country at the World Junior Championships, Neilson added: “I’m ecstatic. Just to think that my coach has faith in me to do that, I was insanely excited. It hasn’t even sunk in yet but I’m very excited.”

Later in the day Matthew Caldwell took top honours in the men’s 13 and over 3km race, winning in a time of 35:14.84, with Damien Angel second (36:11.84) and Connor Barnardo third (36:40.38).

Open water action continues on Saturday with the men’s 10km and 7.5km and women’s 3km events as well as the 4 x 1.25km mixed relay.

All the racing can be followed live via the following streaming link: http://swimsa.org/news/sa-open-water-swimming-championships-2022

Pictured here: Women's 10km finish

Photo credit: Nonda Sakelliou

Supplied. 

With both defending champions choosing not to defend their 10km swimming titles, the playing field at the SA Open Water Championships this weekend will be wide open as the young guns look to make their mark.

The prestigious event, which includes 5km and 10km races as well as 7.5 and 3km races for the younger swimmers, takes place at Marina Martinique near Jeffreys Bay from 4-6 March, with qualification for the World Championships later this year also up for grabs.

Leading the rankings in the 10km race are two 19-year-olds – Stephanie Houtman and Connor Buck – who both recently claimed victory at the aQuellé Midmar Mile. While that is a far shorter event at 1.6km, both swimmers were greatly boosted by their wins there.

“Winning Midmar was such a highlight in my swimming career and I’m so grateful for the experience,” said Houtman. “But the 10km at Jeffreys is like six consecutive miles under completely different water conditions so I’ll give it my best shot and see where I finish. It’s a very competitive field and I’m really looking forward to the race.

Buck added: “Midmar was certainly a good way to gauge my progress and it served as a way to show me that my training has been paying off. However, each race we start with a blank slate.”

Both Buck and Houtman explained that being confident in their training is vital when taking on a gruelling 5km or 10km race.

“For me, mental preparedness comes with the physical preparation. I have trust in the training I have done. Then during a race my mind is mostly clear. My focus is always on the race at hand and ensuring that I stick to my plan while maintaining my technique.”

Speaking about her mental preparation, Houtman said: “It’s all about consistently doing the mileage in the pool during the year and competing in open water events across the country where possible.”

As for what goes through her mind during the over two hours of swimming, the TUKS swimmer added: “I need to focus on my race and be aware of what the competition are doing around me. Your mind can wander when swimming 10km and I find myself sometimes singing a song in my mind or enjoying the scenery or just occupying myself with my own mind.”

Buck has set himself a clear goal for the weekend ahead. “This weekend it would be great to qualify for the World Champs and Junior Word Open Water champs. I will need to finish in the top two to achieve this.
“I feel confident going into these two races and I have full trust that the work I have done with my coach has sufficiently equipped me to swim to my potential.”

Photo credit: Phil Craig

Supplied.

It's Chooseday in Hilton! Highlights in our newsletter for Hilton in the KZN Midlands today include; the 119th birthday for Laddsworth Primary School and the details for booking your tickets to the pop-up arts festival at Hilton College on 22 and 24 March 2022.

Subscribe to our newsletter and read the latest issue online here.

As always we encourage you to; Love Local First! Love Local Real Hard!

Eskom hereby advises road users of the N3 road closure for about two hours whilst pulling conductors across the N3 in the Lions River Area.

The closure will affect traffic on both northbound and southbound carriageways of the N3 highway. Traffic officials will be in attendance and will divert traffic off the N3.

The details of the line crossing closures are indicated in the table below:

 

Eskom apologises for any inconveniences that road users may experience.

 

Supplied.

An Urban Improvement Precinct for Hilton?

The Hilton Ratepayers’ Association is making steady progress towards being able to ask the ratepayers of Hilton to consider the possible establishment of an Urban Improvement Precinct in Hilton.

Why a UIP?

A UIP would allow us, as ratepayers, to invest in the management of Hilton, and to establish development priorities. Successful UIPs in South Africa, and around the world, focus on issues like safety and security, litter and cleanliness, the maintenance and development of public spaces, and other socially related issues. They may not take on the established responsibilities of the municipality. The UIPs work alongside the municipality, complementing their efforts to achieve an improved environment for the community.

A UIP in Hilton would improve the conditions for all who live and work here. It would help retain and build investor confidence, strengthen the local economy, and nurture Hilton as an increasingly safe place to live and work.

What would a UIP entail?

Towards establishment the UIP must engage with the community on the perceived merits of the UIP, what it would entail and how it would function. The UIP would be a Section 21 company (Not for Profit) with an agreed annual budget funded by an additional levy collected with the municipal accounts and transferred to the UIP to pay for these operations. The biggest advantage is that ALL of us will contribute to addressing issues of common concern, such as security.

Process

The process is being managed by a steering committee that will ensure that all steps are complied with.

We are receiving co-operation from senior uMngeni municipal officials. The draft Policy and By-laws are being considered for adoption. The municipality’s Chief Financial Officer, must be involved in the entire establishment process;
Once the required legislation is in place, a Perception Survey will be widely circulated to establish ratepayers’ concerns;
The analysis of the Perception Survey, together with realistic budget parameters and input from the municipality will inform a comprehensive Business Plan;
The draft Business Plan will be shared with ratepayers through public meetings and other engagements;
Ultimately, the Business Plan and proposals will be placed before the ratepayers in a formal referendum. Should there be a majority in favour of pursuing the UIP, it will be established.
We undertake to keep you informed along the way and look forward to your participation in this exciting project for Hilton.

Please address any comments or suggestions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Yours Sincerely,

Iain McMillan
Steering Committee Chair

Mike Tarr
Steering Committee Chair HRA Chair

More about the HRA

Photo: Iain McMillan addressed business owners in Hilton at a UIP focused business breakfast at La Popote during December 2021.

Did you know that the fastest muscles are the ones in the eye? Try blinking right now. Try seeing how many times you can blink in a few seconds. Blinking is easy to do, and it helps out body maintain eye health.

Book an eye examination and make sure you look after your sight.

Call ‪033 343 0881‬ or Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

More about John Meyer Optometrist

Lara van Niekerk (top) completed a clean sweep of the breaststroke events while Pieter Coetzé did the same in the men’s backstroke on the final day of the SA Grand Prix meet in Durban on Sunday.

After achieving a personal best in the 100m breaststroke, Van Niekerk once again showed her early-season form, powering to victory in the 50m breaststroke in 30.59. She then followed that up with a win in the 200m breaststroke in 2:29.10.

“It was fun, I enjoyed it,” said Van Niekerk, who is known more for the sprint events rather than the 200m. “I did die a bit more than last night, but it was fun overall.”

Having claimed the 100m backstroke title on Saturday, Coetzé also took comfortable victories in the 50m backstroke in 25.03 and 200m backstroke in an impressive 1:59.73 on Sunday.

“I’m happy with the time. I just tried to get from the one side of the pool to the other side as fast as I could so it was good,” said Coetzé after his 50m victory.

Both swimmers will be eager to build on this form, heading into the SA National Championships in April and then Commonwealth Games later in the year.

Meanwhile, Rebecca Meder (below) added two more titles to her haul, sharing victory in the 100m freestyle with fellow Olympian Emma Chelius after both swimmers touched the wall in 56.43 and then claiming top honours in the 400m freestyle in 4:19.51.

“I think you always try to end the race pretty strong and that’s a good sign for my 400IM,” said Meder afterwards. “I haven’t raced the 400m freestyle in quite a while so I’m happy with the time. A bit faster would have been better but I’m really happy with the weekend of racing that I’ve had.”

Ross Hartigan also racked up two more victories, claiming 100m butterfly honours in 55.66 and then diving back into the pool a few minutes later to wrap up the 200m individual medley title in 2:05.97.

“I definitely think I’m getting too old to do so many races in one weekend,” said the 23-year-old TUKS swimmer. “But I’m completely ecstatic with that time. It’s faster than yesterday. It definitely didn’t feel as comfortable as yesterday but I’m really happy to have gone 2:05,” added Hartigan, who also claimed victory in the 200m butterfly on Saturday.

Elsewhere, Durban swimmer Connor Buck followed up his dominant victory at the aQuellé Midmar Mile a week earlier with a win in the 1500m freestyle in 15:45.62.

In the other men’s events, there were also victories for Danté Nortjé in the 200m freestyle in 1:53.05 and Clayton Jimmie in the 50m freestyle in 23.44, while Brenden Crawford added the 100m breaststroke to his 50m breaststroke title from Saturday after winning in 1:01.28.

In the women’s events, Catherine van Rensburg followed up her 800m freestyle victory on Saturday with a win in the 400m individual medley in 5:03.91. Kerryn Herbst took the 100m backstroke title in 1:03.76, Leigh McMorran won the 200m butterfly in 2:18.37 and Inge Weidemann took top honours in the 50m butterfly in 27.54.

The next major meet for the country’s top swimmers will be the SA National Championships from 6-11 April in Gqeberha.

Supplied.

Chad le Clos made a return to competition at the second meet of the SA Grand Prix series in Durban on Friday after a recent trip to hospital with bronchitis.

 

The 2012 Olympic champion revealed that he had spent three nights in hospital and only returned to training just over 10 days ago.

 

With such a troubled build-up to the meet, including numerous hours spent in doctors and specialists offices this week, Le Clos was thrilled to win his 100m freestyle heat in 49.78. 17-year-old Pieter Coetzé was second fastest in 50.55 seconds before recording the quickest time of the night in the 100m backstroke heats in 54.72.

 

Le Clos had to settle for the second fastest time in the 200m butterfly heats in 2:03.37 behind Ross Hartigan who finished top in 2:02.88.

 

The 29-year-old was then back in the pool later in the evening for the 50m butterfly heats where he was edged out by Coetzé. The teenager finished with the quickest time of 24.85 seconds, to Le Clos’s 25.26.

 

“I was very happy with tonight. It was a very good swim I guess under the circumstances. It’s been a bit of a tough time, being in hospital two weeks ago,” said Le Clos after the evening’s efforts.

 

“I’m still struggling with a bit of sinus but 49.7 [for the 100m freestyle] was pretty decent. It’s definitely not what I expected so we’ll see how we go tomorrow. The 200 fly I’ve scratched because obviously I haven’t trained as much as I would have liked to. But all in all, I’m pretty happy… Onwards and upwards.”

 

Le Clos also praised the Durban crowd for their support.

 

“It was nice to swim in front of the support. There were a lot of fans out tonight, a lot of young kids, a lot of pictures being taken and that’s great for the sport. It’s great to have that energy back. We haven’t had that in a long time. The atmosphere tonight was better than the Olympics.”

 

Meanwhile, Rebecca Meder looked to be picking up where she left off after claiming six titles at the last Grand Prix event in Mpumalanga. The 19-year-old Olympian powered to the quickest time in the 200m freestyle heats in 2:00.93 and the 100m butterfly in 1:01.42. She then went on to top the times in the 200m individual medley heats in 2:15.07.

 

Fellow Olympian Emma Chelius was quickest in the 50m freestyle, touching the wall in 25.62.

 

Upcoming breaststroker Lara van Niekerk showed her intentions, setting the quickest time of the night in the 100m breaststroke in 1:06.52.

 

Grand Prix action continues in Durban with the first of the finals on Saturday.

 

Supplied.

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT is coming to the Hilton College Theatre in April! The much-loved family musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice will be proudly presented by Hilton College and St Anne’s Diocesan College.

Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, JOSEPH follows the Biblical story of Jacob’s favourite and prophetically gifted son Joseph on his journey to Egypt after being sold into slavery by his ruthless and jealous brothers. The show offers the audience a kaleidoscope of musical styles, from country-western, calypso and disco to rock ‘n’ roll, and includes the popular songs “Close Every Door to Me” and “Any Dream Will Do.”

Directed by Luke Holder and Lynn Chemaly, with choreography by Joslyn Anderson, the show features a company of 26 boys and girls, and the combined virtual musical ensembles of Hilton College, St Anne’s Diocesan College, Cowan House, the Pietermaritzburg City Orchestra and other professional musicians from around the country. This technologically cutting-edge production offers a fresh and contemporary take on history’s greatest dreamer, all brought to life in vivid colour and high-energy performances as part of Hilton’s 150th anniversary celebrations.

JOSEPH runs from 24 April 2022 until 28 April 2022. Tickets range from R100 to R150 and bookings can be made online by using the following link:

https://www.quicket.co.za/events/169273-hilton-college-st-annes-diocesan-college-present-joseph-and-the-amazing-technic/

For more information, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT is presented in association with DALRO, SA

UCSI continues to share information with Law enforcement and affiliated security companies with the assistance from all our members of the community. We have some ideas to move forward with technology and to assist our Municipality with safety and security for all.

We do need funding to implement though.

A very big thank you to the Members of HDLA (Howick Districts Landowners Association). Upgrades to Gantries and some new "toys" to add to our information gathering.

UCSI are in need of 20 SD cards: Class 10 128gig. If any one is able to assist either financially or with a card, or two, please contact Deon on 063 068 9652 (Whatsapp if no answer) or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Thank you.

UCSI Operational Stories
February was a quiet month on the cameras.

4 Feb: A vehicle was stolen out of Lenmed Howick Hospital. Unfortunately by time vehicle was reported to UCSI our last camera hit was shown to have already left the area towards Sweetwaters. Only positive outcome was that we were able to give law enforcement information about possible suspect vehicle.

5 Feb Evening: I received a request from Sompisi Protection services. A quantum vehicle was hijacked in Mpophomeni. Again we had a negative result. Night time photos are difficult to identify vehicles in the dark.

7 Feb: I received a report that a vehicle was behaving strangely in the Hilton area. It matched a possible suspect description in the Mpophomeni case. I loaded to Snipr system so we could keep an eye on it for 3 weeks. After observing movement for the 3 weeks it was deemed not a problem and removed from the watch group.

9 Feb: Another stolen vehicle in Howick. Unfortunately we received report about vehicle at13h50. Vehicle was seen already going into Sweetwaters area at 13h18. Again only positive, we were able to find a possible suspect vehicle that SAPS were already investigating.

11 Feb: A missing person from PMB was reported with a vehicle reg number. A search on cameras provided a clue to where person could be in the area. All information given to SAPS and security companies who conducted a search for the missing vehicle. UCSI involvement ended.

18 Feb: A stolen vehicle reported in Verulam (Durban) activated a camera in Howick. The information was loaded to the response group. Vehicle found in Howick CBD area by member of Knight Security. Suspect vehicle taken to Howick SAPS and impounded.

22 Feb: An attempted theft of motor vehicle from Cowan House in Hilton, Suspects not caught but possible suspect vehicle investigated.

22 Feb: A suspected poaching vehicle from Karkloof was flagged by Magma members. We have kept a watch on it and Magma members have intercepted in Howick before entering Karkloof.

23 Feb: Vehicle stolen from Howick and again we were not able to get information fast enough. Suspect vehicle under investigation.

26 Feb: A suspected stolen vehicle activated cameras in Hilton. A Magma member found vehicle in CBD area and escorted to Hilton SAPS. Vehicle Impounded.

A great response from our Affiliated Security members who assist all Law Enforcement in responding to Your information shared by UCSI

If you are a donor to UCSI in any form and you do not receive an email direct from UCSI please contact me. I would love to hear from you and more importantly, say a personal Thank You. Details below.

How can you get involved?
The UCSI is not be sustainable without monthly community support from business entities, shopping centers, hospitals, schools, estates, security companies and private individuals. Please join the UCSI as a contributing member. There are still some critical gantries that need to be erected – primarily in the Merrivale and Mpophomeni areas. We are funded by the community for the community.

Contact Deon from the UCSI by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or whatsapp 063 068 9652 for more information on how to join and contribute. Private individuals from R50pm and business entities from R300pm. Affiliated members has access to ask for assistance in any reported crime involving a vehicle.
We will even use our contacts to assist with off camera incidents as well.

The UCSI is also able to issue Section 18A certificates for CAPEX and OPEX donations of any amount.

Stay safe – we got this!

Yours sincerely
Deon Tegg Operations Manager

The UCSI Board of Directors
Themba Ndulini (Chairperson), Krish Ramkuber and Terence James

More about UCSI

Physical activity doesn't need to be complicated. Something as simple as a daily brisk walk can help you live a healthier life. By adding walking to your routine, you can truly improve your physical and mental health.

The health benefits of walking are endless to people of all ages and fitness levels:
????Maintain a healthy weight and lose body fat
????Prevent or manage various conditions, including heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, cancer and type 2 diabetes
????Improve cardiovascular fitness
????Strengthen your bones and muscles
????Improve muscle endurance
????Increase energy levels
????Improve your mood, cognition, memory and sleep
????Improve your balance and coordination
????Strengthen immune system
????Reduce stress and tension
(https://mayocl.in/35DkwSJ)

It's okay to start slowly — especially if you haven't been exercising regularly. You might start with five minutes a day the first week, and then increase your time by five minutes each week until you reach at least 30 minutes.

Contact the team at The Local Choice Pharmacy for healthy lifestyle advice.

30% off all salvia plants this week, 1st - 7th March.

Keep your eyes peeled for more great specials coming this month!

Salvia is a great addition to most gardens. These evergreen shrubs are not fussy about soil or climatic conditions. They grow to a height of approximately 1m and work really well as a colourful garden border.

More about Tanglewood Nursery

 

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge - PMB Central and PMB North Regionals - St Anne’s College: Saturday 5 March and St John’s D.S.G.: Sunday 6 March

The SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge moves to Pietermaritzburg for the two highly competitive regionals at the beginning of March, with the exciting news that SuperSport Schools will be live streaming from both schools on the day.

St Anne’s College will host the Pietermaritzburg North Regional on their turfs on Saturday 5 March. They will be joined by five other teams in the sixteen game round robin tournament. Getting the weekend started will be hosts and defending champs, St Anne’s taking on Grace College on the lower astro. At the same time, Howick High School will meet Treverton School on the upper astro. The second game on the lower field sees The Wykeham Collegiate against Voortrekker High School.

The games at St Anne’s will all be 25 minutes one way with a five minute breather between games. The winner of each game will earn four points. A draw with goals will amount to two points and a goalless draw earning each team one point. The finals will be played at 12.15 and will feature the first placed and second placed teams from the round robin.

The following day, the action moves to St John’s D.S.G. astro, who are celebrating their 125th birthday this year. St John’s will host the Pietermaritzburg Central Regional on Sunday 6 March welcoming four local schools.

Defending Champs, Epworth School meets Girls’ High School in the first game of the day. Carter High School then take on Maritzburg Christian School in the second with the hosts meeting Epworth in the third round robin game.

All games will be half and hour, with a quick one minute half time and change of play at fifteen minutes. Similarly to the St Anne’s format, a win earns the victorious team four points, a draw with goals two points and a goalless draw only one point.

The PMB Northern Regional has had only two victorious teams, one time winners The Wykeham Collegiate were crowned in the inaugural year and since then, St Anne’s College have dominated. The PMB Central Regional has seen three schools raise the regional trophy and advance to the Grand Finals. Girls’ High dominated the earlier days of the tournament with Epworth and St John’s doing battle most recently.

All the regional winners from around KZN will head to Kloof to compete against each other in the Grand Finals. This year, the Grand Finals takes place at St Mary’s D.S.G. over the weekend of 23 and 24 July. The first team to earn a spot at this year’s finals are Pionier Hoërskool from the Northern KZN Regional. They have won the last tournament in 2020 but have yet to participate in a Grand Final.

Links and info for the live coverage will be shared on the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ social media platforms in the build up to the regionals.

For more info like the tournaments Facebook page or follow on Instagram.

Pictured here: Close to the action. Raring to go, Ali Spencer Vice Captain; Bahati Dakile Co-Captain and Lucy Church Co-Captain from St Anne’s College. The trio will be leading their girls onto the turf in the upcoming PMB North Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge this coming Saturday 5 March at St Anne’s College.

Photograph by Rogan Ward.

 

Supplied.

It’s our first Story Time of the year and a classic with Snow White who will be reading her own story.

This is a FREE event for children (parents can join too to keep an eye) but booking is essential!

If the weather is dry, we will lay out blankets and cushions on the lawn near the jungle gym. If raining, Story Time will be held in the office reception area near Jam Clothing and Woolworths.

A big shout out to Ian from Top Class Hilton Bookshop and The Fairytale Express for hosting these wonderful Saturday mornings for us!

To book WhatsApp Ian on 082 933 3354.

More about The Quarry Centre in Hiton, KZN Midlands.

Tuesday is NEWSDAY and also TWOSDAY (22022022) a palindrome and ambigram, the same anyway you look at it. The numerologists have a number of interpretations around the meaning of this, scientiically it is a once in a lifetime calendar entry which makes it special enough.

Highlights in our newsletter for Hilton in the KZN Midlands today include; the upcoming Open Day at Laddsworth Primary School and the dates for the first Art in the Country coming up in Hilton at the end of May 2022.

Subscribe to our newsletter and read the latest issue online here.

As always we encourage you to; Love Local First! Love Local Real Hard!

Are NFTs an important part of contemporary culture, or are they just hyperbole and noise?

Well, in the lead up to our next exhibition, Gallery ZAZA’s Artful Dodgers are hosting a FREE webinar to declutter the NFT landscape, and to add insight into what it means in a South African context.

“I Heard It Through The Blockchain” includes a panel of local and international speakers – currency and cryptocurrency traders from the States, a South African digital media researcher, and keynote presenter Ryan Ingalls, an NFT expert from America.

To RSVP and receive the webinar link email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Please also include any questions that you may want our panel to answer.

More about Gallery ZAZA

MiTH 23rd February 2022

ALL COVID-19 PROTOCOLS OBSERVED

INFO: 082 331 7271

ENTRANCE: R50.00 - Cash or Zapper at the Door

VENUE: The Knoll Historic Guest Farm

9pm: The Lion, The Bear and The Panther

Formerly known as AVADE, the three members – Ross, Brendon and Ruben, now perform under the moniker The Lion, The Bear & The Panther. With the popularity and reasonable success of Ross and Ruben’s acoustic duo The Lion & The Bear, it made sense to add Brendon (aka The Panther) to the fray for certain shows. AVADE is just a name, as is The Lion, The Bear & The Panther. The energy, the passion, the music, the three humans involved… are the same. Energy, passion, power and joy. That was AVADE, and THIS is The Lion, The Bear & The Panther. Seriously – you don’t want to miss this!


8pm: Erin Fourie

Erin Fourie has been performing on the Midlands music circuit for almost 20 years and is still going strong. While her vocals have been likened to Joan Baez, her influences include a range from Doris Day to Pearl Jam and beyond. In the past she performed in numerous cabaret shows at the Hexagon Dive, was a top 10 Idols contestant and even managed to snag a role in The Sound of Music at the Durban Playhouse. More recently she has collaborated with several local musicians on various projects including, currently, with Kath McClelland in their show Our Favourite Things.

7pm: Josh Strydom

Josh Strydom is a local acoustic guitarist hailing from the hamlet of Howick. He has played with many local artists such as the band Now a Daze and vocalist Kaiti Faul played at White Mountain music festival and has been involved with the music scene for years. He plays regularly at venues in Howick and performs for the love and enjoyment of music. He’ll be joining us on the MiTH stage to play some of his favourite songs and there are sure to be some recognizable favourites as well as one or two you may not know. Josh’s influences include Classic Rock, folk and folk punk, as well as other local musicians.


ABOUT MiTH: Arguably the KZN Midlands’ best-loved music venue, Music in The Hills (MiTH) is an opportunity for beginners, professionals, and passionate music fans to share the joy of music at The Knoll Historic Guest Farm. Visit www.mith.co.za for more details and directions. Musicians can contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for slots.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: MiTH takes place every second Wednesday at The Knoll Historic Guest Farm, Knoll Drive, Hilton. Doors open at 6pm and the music will kick off at 7pm. Entrance is R50 at the door. Bring your own booze. Food and soft drinks are available for sale.

DIRECTIONS TO MiTH: Take the N3 to Hilton, take the Hilton turnoff and go South into the Village (away from Hilton College). Travel 5,2km along Hilton Avenue (past two sets of traffic lights and Crossways Pub) and keep going straight as Hilton Avenue turns into Dennis Shepstone Drive. At the 5,2km mark, Knoll Drive will be on your right – the entrance to MiTH is the *second* entrance on your left into The Knoll Historic Guest Farm.

More about MiTH