MiTH – 7 May 2025
Venue: The Knoll Historic Guest Farm
Entrance: R50.00 (Cash or Zapper at the Door)
Info: 082 331 7271

8:40 PM – Hooligoose
Meet Hooligoose, a funky rock trio that brings a fresh, groove sound to the stage. Fronted by a dynamic vocalist with a passion for soulful melodies, the band is anchored by the steady, thumping bass lines of Malcolm. Rounding out the line-up is Ethan, the prodigious 13-year-old drummer, and son of the lead vocalist, whose youthful energy and killer beats drive the band’s funky rock pulse. Formed out of friendship, family, and a shared love for music that makes you move, Hooligoose delivers a sound that’s equal parts gritty and playful, drawing inspiration from the likes of Red Hot Chili Peppers, Parliament-Funkadelic, and classic rock swagger. Hooligoose isn’t just a band, it’s a celebration of connection, creativity, and the power of funk-infused rock.


7:40 PM – Staytree
Meet Staytree, the coolest trio of rockers ever to hit the stage! Made up of three brothers, this band is all about big energy, wild riffs, and having fun. With 13-year-old Ethan on drums, 12-year-old Rylee rocking the guitar, and 10-year-old Shaun bringing the noise on bass, Staytree is a force to be reckoned with. Their name, Staytree, comes from their mom, Stacey: “the tree that holds us together”. Inspired by bands like Just Jinger, Prime Circle, Creed, Imagine Dragons, Green Day, The Beatles and many more, Staytree mixes catchy beats with lyrics about just being kids.


7:00 PM – Robynne Dreyer
Robynne Dreyer is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who performs with vocals, piano, guitar, and ukulele. Her sound blends pop with touches of R&B, offering soulful, heartfelt performances. Robynne shares a mix of originals and carefully chosen covers, shaped by years of performing in both Canada and South Africa. Her music is deeply personal, exploring themes of hope, connection, and emotional honesty.

ABOUT MiTH:
KZN Midlands’ favourite music venue! MiTH is a platform for beginners, pros, and music lovers to celebrate the joy of music.
Every second Wednesday at The Knoll Historic Guest Farm, Hilton.
Food and soft drinks for sale. Cash bar available.
Visit www.mith.co.za for more info or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to perform.

DIRECTIONS TO MiTH:
Take the N3 to Hilton. Turn into Hilton Village and drive 5.2km along Hilton Avenue, which becomes Dennis Shepstone Drive. Look for Knoll Drive on your right; the entrance to MiTH is the second left into The Knoll Historic Guest Farm.

IS ART DEAD?

How this generation is rediscovering the beauty of art in nature

Are art and sculptures relics of a bygone era, or does this generation simply engage them in a different way?

Research suggests that millennials and Gen Z value participatory and engaging museum experiences, often seeking out art that fosters social interaction and personal connection.[1] It’s no surprise then, that art – once confined to hushed galleries and velvet ropes – is now breaking boundaries and finding new life in unexpected places. Tyron Selmon-Butler, Art Curator from Art Eye Gallery says that while traditional brick-and-mortar galleries are still very much sought after, younger audiences are also looking for experiences that are more immersive, interactive, and unconventional. And one of the most powerful settings for this reimagined way of engaging with art? Nature.

According to Selmon-Butler, there is perhaps no place in South Africa that captures this movement better than Brahman Hills in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. Nestled in rolling countryside, Brahman Hills is home to an internationally award-winning garden; a sprawling 5.5-hectare sanctuary broken into 26 themed “garden rooms.” But these aren’t your average flowerbeds. They’re dotted with monumental sculptures crafted by emerging South African artists, each telling a story about culture, myth, environmentalism, or womanhood.

Selmon-Butler, who collaborated with Brahman Hills on almost all of their sculptures, sees the outdoor sculpture movement as more than a passing trend. “These sculptures are not just art pieces,” he says. “They are anchors of meaning; some are playful, some are confronting, some are hauntingly beautiful. But each one invites the viewer to pause, to feel, to ask questions. Nature already awakens our senses, and when you pair that with art, it becomes very personal and very powerful.”

For Onwaba Gonyora, Director at Brahman Hills, the art-meets-nature ethos is a deliberate evolution of the brand’s purpose. “In 2017, we set out with a bold vision to become South Africa’s leading wedding venue. That vision turned into reality,” says Gonyora. “However, as we’ve grown, so has our inspiration. We’ve moved beyond events to creating something timeless; a destination rooted in creativity, wellness, and natural beauty. The awards we’ve received, and the fact that visitors travel from around the world just to walk in our magnificent gardens, proves that sculpture and outdoor art are not only relevant, but they’re also deeply desired in 2025.”

Why is art in nature so appealing?

According to Selmon-Butler:
• There’s something liberating about encountering art in the open air. No hushed whispers. No gallery rules. No four walls. Just you, nature, and a piece of work that, if only for a moment, makes you stop walking and start thinking.
• It’s not about prestige. It’s about connection. It's about finding meaning in a world that often feels too fast, too filtered, too virtual.

Gonyora sums it up: “We didn’t just want to create a pretty garden; we wanted to offer something soul stirring. For weddings, retreats, or just a weekend escape. Our sculptures remind us of who we are, what we value, and what’s worth preserving. That’s art. And that’s timeless.”

So, if you're wondering whether art still has a place in 2025, the answer is waiting at The Brahman Hills Gardens.

 

The "Hanneke" by Sandro Trapani: A 4.5-meter-tall figure pouring water into the dam, symbolizing environmental preservation.

"Medusa" by Sandro Trapani: A bronze sculpture hidden in a grotto, inviting viewers to confront themes of resilience and complexity.

"Leda and the Signet" by Joyce Carreira: A reinterpretation of myth, capturing the bond between humans and nature.

"Strike a Woman, Strike a Rock" by Ben Tuge: A tribute to the strength of African women, prominently placed near the lake.

"Stargazer" by Louis van den Heever: A two-meter-tall figure reaching for the sky, embodying childhood wonder.

"The Giant" by Louis van den Heever: A five-ton concrete and steelhead emerging from the earth, serving as a stark warning about environmental neglect.

Congratulations to Mia Du Preez and Sarah Thorpe from Grace College, who have been selected to represent our district at the Provincial All Ages Netball Trials.

We wish them the best of luck as they showcase their talent at the provincial level!

Left to right: Sarah Thorpe, Mia Du Preez

Grace College is incredibly proud to celebrate the outstanding achievements of Kiara Sierra and Nkosi Mlambo, who recently competed in the Level 2 Regional Champs swimming competition held in Richards Bay over the holidays. Kiara delivered an exceptional performance, earning a total of 10 medals—2 gold, 3 silver, and 2 bronze in her individual events, along with 2 gold and 1 silver in relay events. Nkosi also made waves at the competition, bringing home 9 medals in total—2 gold, 3 silver, and 1 bronze in his individual events, complemented by an impressive 3 gold medals in the relays. Congratulations, Kiara and Nkosi!

Fresh deals every week at Rotunda Farm Stall!

Pop in to see what’s fresh, local, and on special — from farm produce to pantry favourites...

Remember that we deliver for FREE to Hilton and Howick, or come shopping at The Rotunda Centre, 1 Cedara Road, Hilton.

Telephone+27 (0)33 343 4205 or +27 (0)33 343 1198
Cell:+27 (0)79 525 4589

Operating Hours: Mon to Fri 8am – 5.30pm, Sat 8am – 5pm, Sun and Public Holidays 8am – 4pm

Hilton Village Build it Trading Hours for Easter 2025;

Good Friday, 18 April CLOSED

Saturday, 19 April OPEN 8am to 1pm

Easter Sunday, 20 April CLOSED

Easter Monday, 21 April, OPEN 8am to 1pm

 

WhatsApp 087 240 5156

 

Please note that Rotunda Farm Stall will be closed on Easter Sunday, 20th April 2025.We'll be open as usual from Monday 14th to Saturday 19th April.

We're taking the day off so our team can enjoy some well-earned time with their loved ones.
Wishing all our wonderful customers a joyful Easter filled with peace, happiness, and maybe a little too much chocolate!

Happy Easter from all of us at Rotunda.

Call 033 343 4205 or 033 343 1198 or 079 525 4589.

Two more breaststrokers booked their tickets to the World Championships in Singapore later this year after swimming the qualifying times on the penultimate night of action at the SA National Swimming Championships in Gqeberha on Saturday.

Both defending champion Michael Houlie and Chris Smith achieved the required mark in the morning heats of the 50m breaststroke and did it again in the final. It was Houlie who emerged as the winner, successfully defending his title in a time of 26.90 seconds with Smith second in 27.11 seconds.

“I think coming into this afternoon, I was really excited, I backed myself as well and know that when it's time to race, to have that big match temperament, I know I can deliver, so I’m just happy I got my hand to the wall first,” said Houlie, who was thrilled with the win after his heat time was just one hundredth of a second slower than Smith’s.

“He's very young with a lot of potential and it's just awesome to have another world-class breaststroker to push each other,” he added of the 19-year-old.

The other world champs qualifier of the day came from Pieter Coetzé in the heats of the 50m freestyle. The 20-year-old sped to victory in his heat in 22.05 and, although he was slower in the evening final, still safely secured the title in 22.45 seconds.

“I just wasn't really feeling it this afternoon as well as I did this morning, because it’s all about your feel for the water in the 50, so I felt more smooth this morning,” he said after the final.
“I think this morning I just had no expectations so it worked out well… I’m very inconsistent in this event, it’s kind of more fun for me, the 50 free, so after I got the time this morning, I was happy to get the win tonight.”

Just missing out on a qualifying time in the 100m butterfly was Erin Gallagher. She took the title in a time of 59.16 seconds with Rebecca Meder second in 58.95. While disappointed, the two-time Olympian is hopeful of a better result in the 50m event.

“I definitely should be under the qualifying time regardless of where I’m at in my training, but I told myself before this meet that I wasn't going to let my time define my happiness and my worth at this gala.

“I think my 50s are better at the moment than my hundreds, so fingers crossed that I can do the time in the 50 [butterfly].”
Matt States claimed the men’s 100m butterfly gold in a time of 52.92 seconds – his fifth title of the championships so far.

Earlier in the evening, Simoné Moll raced to her first ever national title, winning the 50m breaststroke in a time of 31.33 seconds. Her thoughts immediately turned to her training partner Lara van Niekerk, who holds the African record in the event but is missing out on the national championships as she continues to make her way back from injury.

“It feels amazing. I will say I miss swimming with Tatjana and Lara here. It felt a little bit empty in the pool without them, but I mean I'm super happy, it feels amazing to finally get this,” said Moll afterwards.

Caitlin de Lange took the 50m freestyle title in 25.02 seconds, the same time as her morning heat. Matthew Caldwell claimed his second distance gold of the meet, winning the 800m freestyle in 8:07.31 to add to his 1500m freestyle title, while Duné Coetzee took the win in the women’s 800m freestyle, winning in 8:38.08.

Meanwhile, in the Para-swimming events, there were new national records for both Danika Vyncke and Alani Ferreira. Ferreira set the new mark for the S12 100m freestyle at 1:07.90 while Vyncke set the S13 record at 1:05.04.

National Championship action at the Newton Park Swimming Pool in Gqeberha comes to an end on Sunday.

Photo credits: Roger Sedres/Swimming SA

We’re proud to celebrate three of our learners who have achieved an incredible milestone. Syon Mangray and Jishan Pillay have been awarded Gold President’s Awards, while Erin Coverdale received the Silver Award.

These awards aren’t handed out lightly—they reflect months of commitment, personal growth, and community involvement. From volunteering and leadership to pushing themselves through physical and personal challenges, each of them has shown real grit and determination. Well done, Syon, Jishan, and Erin—your hard work has truly paid off.

Left to Right: Syon Mangray, Jishan Pillay and Erin Coverdale

With profound sadness, we share the passing of our beloved founder and director, Sue Clarence. Her remarkable contribution to the arts has left an indelible mark that will resonate for generations.

As a team, we will continue to carry the flag with pride, honouring her legacy - especially at this year’s Hilton Arts Festival.

Rest in peace, our matriarch. You will be so dearly missed.

Cosy up to winter with thoughtful gifts from The Local Choice Pharmacy at HILTON HEALTH

From comforting teas and pamper sets to warm accessories and wellness treats, we’ve got just the thing to make someone’s day a little brighter. Perfect for thank-you gifts, little pick-me-ups or winter birthdays.

Visit at Hilton Health, Suite 1, Groundfloor, 3 Monzali Drive, Hilton.

Telephone+27 (0)33 343 0884

OPEN
Monday to Friday: 08h00 to 18h00
Saturday: 08h00 to 13h00
Sunday: 09h00 to 13h00
Clinic Sister: 08h00 to 13h00 on Weekdays

We’re thrilled to share some exciting news from the rugby field . Three Grace College learners have been selected to represent the Midlands Rugby Squad teams!

A big congratulations to Rohan Kingham and Fanele Mzangwe, who have both earned places in the U18/19 Midlands Rugby Squad, and to Henry Jansen, who has been selected for the U16 squad.
This is a fantastic achievement for these young players and a proud moment for our school community.

Picture: left to right, Rohan Kingham, Fanele Mzangwe and Henry Jansen

World Book Day was a vibrant celebration of imagination, creativity, and a shared love for stories.

Laddsworth pupils and staff arrived in a dazzling array of creative costumes, bringing their favourite book characters to life with flair and originality.

From classic heroes to modern icons, each outfit told its own tale and sparked curiosity among peers.

The day was filled with lively discussions, activities, enthusiastic reading, and plenty of enquiring questions that showed just how deeply stories can inspire young minds.

A day worth celebrating – and one that reminded us all of the magic found between the pages of a book!

Easter Weekend Update!

We’re taking a short break to enjoy the long weekend with our loved ones — John Meyer Optometrist will be CLOSED on Friday and Monday.

But don’t worry, we’re OPEN today, so pop in and see us for any last-minute eye care needs before the Easter fun begins!

Connect on 033 343 0881 or WhatsApp: 076 050 5877

MiTH – 23 April 2025

Venue: The Knoll Historic Guest Farm

Entrance: R50.00 (Cash or Zapper at the Door)

Info: 082 331 7271

8:30 PM – Luna Paige

Cape Town singer-songwriter Luna Paige is visiting KZN for the first time in many years. She is currently touring the country with her brand-new show, Oceanic Heart, which is centred around the theme of love. Paige sings about romantic love, friendship, family, our deep connection with animals, nature, love for country, and road-tripping. Luna sings about the importance of neighbourly love and self-love. She draws her inspiration from the ocean and expertly weaves her stories into her musical repertoire. She also includes songs by artists such as Dolly Parton, Norah Jones, Janis Joplin, Neil Young, and Nick Cave. On the evening of 23 April, Luna Paige will give the MiTH audience a glimpse into the show. She will perform an extract of the show, and include a song or two from her wide repertoire of original songs. Since 2003 Luna Paige has released two Afrikaans albums, one SAMA-nominated collaborative Afrikaans album, five English albums and multiple singles. Her two latest albums (one Afrikaans, one English) are available on streaming platforms. Her other albums and YouTube links are available at www.lunamusic.co.za.


7:45 PM – andtheRiddle

andtheRiddle are two modern, free-spirited multi-instrumental musicians who live, write, rehearse, record, mix, design, edit and produce everything in-house. Devoting their energy to the pursuit of reason, happiness and harmony, they embody this philosophy in the original percussive acoustic melodies they create. Priding themselves on their live shows since 2013, they have performed on stages such as Splashy Fen, Louvain Burn Music Festival and the Wilderness Arts Festival, to name a few.

Their influences stretch from classical music to heavy metal, from Rage Against the Machine to Joe Satriani, and everything in between. With Jacky on vocals, guitar, ukulele, harmonica, and percussion, and Daniel on vocals, guitar and percussion, you are in for a guaranteed musical treat – the healthy kind.


7:00 PM – Aroura

From KZN, Aroura (aka Madison Fisher) is an energetic solo artist influenced by various bands, from Mumford and Sons, and Milky Chance to Noah Kahan. Aroura plays covers and original songs, some well-known and others not-so-well-known, ranging from acoustic to indie and country genres. Aroura is a singer/guitar player who will have you singing along. Aroura has only played on stage once before and looks forward to her second time at MiTH.


ABOUT MiTH
KZN Midlands’ favourite music venue! MiTH is a platform for beginners, pros, and music lovers to celebrate the joy of music.
Every second Wednesday at The Knoll Historic Guest Farm, Hilton.
Food and soft drinks for sale. Cash bar available.
Visit www.mith.co.za for more info or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to perform.

DIRECTIONS TO MiTH
Take the N3 to Hilton. Turn into Hilton Village and drive 5.2km along Hilton Avenue, which becomes Dennis Shepstone Drive. Look for Knoll Drive on your right; the entrance to MiTH is the second left into The Knoll Historic Guest Farm.

The SA National Swimming Championships in Gqeberha came to an end with seven swimmers having achieved qualifying times for the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore this July.

Leading the pack was Pieter Coetzé (Top image) who achieved the cut in four events. The fourth of those was accomplished on the final night of competition after cruising to victory in the 200m backstroke in a time of 1 minute 56.07.

“Mission accomplished,” said a pleased Coetzé afterwards. “I just wanted to qualify, get it done. Obviously it would have been nice to be with a bit faster… but I think I'm in a very good spot for this time of the year because I also don't want to peak now. I want to go overseas and perform there, so I think this is a very good base and things are looking good.”

Coetzé finished joint top of the men’s medal table with five individual golds, having won the 50, 100 and 200m backstroke as well as the 50 and 100m freestyle. Joining him on five titles was Matt Sates, who took victories in the 200m freestyle, 100 and 200m butterfly and the 200 and 400m individual medley.

Meanwhile, also adding her name to the team list for Singapore was Erin Gallagher (Image below) who dipped under the required time in the morning heats of the 50m butterfly. She finished in 25.93 seconds and then chose to skip the evening final, which was won by 17-year-old Jessica Thompson in a time of 26.47 seconds.

“I was very, very happy. I remember touching the wall, turning around and seeing a 25.9 and just saying ‘thank you, Jesus’ because I had no idea how this morning was going to go,” said Gallagher, who missed out on qualifying in the 100m butterfly on Saturday.

“The year after the Olympics is very much an experimental year. You have no idea what's going to happen, what's going to go down, your body is still kind of recovering from the hectic training leading up to the Games, so we just said this year we’re going to try new things, see what works, see what doesn't work,” she added.

Thompson admitted it was strange not having Gallagher to chase in the final, but she was thrilled with the win. “I’m feeling very tired, it’s been a long week of racing, so just happy to go a little bit faster than this morning,” she said. “I think it’s all that really matters, just cutting off those splits.”

Duné Coetzee claimed her fourth title of the championships on Sunday, making her the most decorated of the female swimmers. She won the 400m freestyle in a time of 4:11.29 to add to her 200 and 800m freestyle and 200m butterfly golds.

“I'm so, so happy with that swim. I would have liked to go a little bit faster and try and get a best time, but I'm really happy with how that went, and I felt like I executed the race how I wanted to,” said Coetzee who is flying back to the University of Georgia to complete her final exams in sports management before returning to South Africa to train in Pretoria.

Also racking up an impressive haul at these championships was Matthew Caldwell, who completed his sweep of the distance freestyle events with victory in the 400m freestyle in 3:54.96 on Sunday. The 19-year-old had previously secured the titles in the 800m and 1500m freestyle.
Other victories on the night came for Hannah Pearse in the women’s 200m backstroke in 2:13.13 and Joshua Emslie, who took the men’s 50m butterfly title in 24.30 seconds.

In the events for swimmers with a disability, Christian Sadie, Danika Vyncke and Nathan Hendricks all achieved qualifying times for the World Para Swimming Championships in September. Sadie finished the SM7 200IM in 2:38.49 while SM13 swimmers Hendricks and Vyncke finished in 2:15.54 and 2:51.60.

Sadie said he was delighted with his times throughout the week, considering he took two months off after last year’s Paralympics.

“I was very surprised coming into this competition because we didn't put too much emphasis on it,” he explained. “We weren't thinking I was going to get as close to personal bests as I did, but I’m super hungry [for the next Paralympics]. And knowing with the amount of work I've done, how far I've already come, knowing that the next three and a half years, there's a lot of time, a lot of things I can improve on.”

2025 World Aquatics Championships A qualifying times achieved at the SA National Swimming Championships:
Pieter Coetzé: 50m, 100m, 200m backstroke, 50m freestyle
Matt Sates: 200m individual medley
Rebecca Meder: 200m individual medley, 200m breaststroke
Kaylene Corbett: 200m breaststroke
Chris Smith: 50m breaststroke
Michael Houlie: 50m breaststroke
Erin Gallagher: 50m butterfly

Photo credits: Roger Sedres/Swimming SA

The women’s 200m breaststroke provided much excitement on the third night of competition at the SA National Swimming Championships in Gqeberha on Friday with two swimmers dipping under the qualification time for the World Championships in Singapore later this year.

The event has often provided the highlight of the national championships in recent years with four-time Olympic medallist Tatjana Smith dominating proceedings. The now-retired Smith would have been looking on with great interest as Rebecca Meder claimed the title in a time of 2:23.61 with Smith’s former training partner, Kaylene Corbett, finishing second in 2:24.70 – also a qualifying time.

Meder, who is relatively new to the breaststroke events, was pleased to have had two-time Olympic finalist Corbett pushing her all the way.

“I know that Kaylene is such a good competitor. She’s got so much experience in the 200 breast, so I know that at nationals she’ll always perform,” said Meder, who also claimed 100m breaststroke gold on the opening night of action in Gqeberha.

“I had the confidence knowing I had someone in the race going the same speed. It’s so good for the sport in general. I’m new to the 200 breaststroke, so I was really happy with that… And good that both of us are in, just to keep that breaststroke legacy going.”

Corbett explained that, despite achieving the qualifying time, she may not compete at this year’s World Championships,” choosing to focus on her Honours studies at the University of Pretoria as she rebuilds for the next Olympic Games.

“Just being at the beginning of [that cycle], it’s good for me to be in a place where I’m still qualifying and still doing the times even though I’m not as rested as I would have liked to have been,” she said.

As for Meder’s performance, Corbett added: “I’m so proud of her… It’s so nice to know that someone else is going to race with me again. It’s really nice having someone there in the call room. I’ve said that plenty of times with Tats, so I think Tatjana is also watching at home, hopefully proud of the two of us as well because it’s so nice to build on that legacy.”

Meanwhile, another notable performance on the night came from Pieter Coetzé, who dipped under the 49-second mark in the 100m freestyle for the first time. He took the gold in a time of 48.63 with Ruard van Renen second in 49.34 and Guy Brooks third in 49.39.

“I really wanted to go under 49 so that was really the only goal for tonight and I got under 49 by quite a bit so I’m very happy with that,” he said afterwards.

“I knew it was going to be close with Ruard and Guy. You never know who is going to be there on the day. It’s one of my favourite races to swim, so it’s a lot of fun every year with them.”
Erin Gallagher took the women’s 100m freestyle in a time of 54.94 seconds, with her attention now switching to her main focus – the butterfly.

“Obviously it’s not a PB, but I just wanted to come out here and race. I really had no idea where I was with my freestyle,” she said. “I’m very happy to be done with that race and I can focus on my main event – we’ll see what’s in the bag for tomorrow.”

Matt Sates secured his fourth title of the championships in the 400m individual medley, winning in a time of 4:19.24 – almost a full 10 seconds quicker than his closest rival. It was 14-year-old Caitlin Evans who secured the women’s 400m individual medley title in 5:00.16 while Matthew Randle took top honours in the men’s 200m breaststroke, winning in 2:15.27.

Earlier in the evening, there was much celebration for Down Syndrome swimmer Minke Janse van Rensburg, who once again broke her own world record in the 50m butterfly, finishing in a time of 36.59 seconds – well under the 38.02-second mark she set in Cape Town earlier this year.
National Championship action continued in Gqeberha until Sunday.

Photo credits: Roger Sedres/Swimming SA