Lowveld - Jan 2020

GET 

LOWVELD 

IT 

Love comes 

full circle 

QUIRKY 

QUARTERS 

Healing 

from 

within 

Live your 

best life 

our health 

& wellness 

tips for 2020 

THE TIME TO 

REJUVENATE 

SHOPPING, PEOPLE AND LIFESTYLE IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD 

JANUARY 2020

What’s new 

It’s time to usher in a new decade of design. We’ve put together 

a few delightfully fresh trends for a roaring 2020! 

1 2 

3 

7 

6 

5 

4 

8 

9 

10 

1. Unlined faux silk, R199,99. 2. Aurora mirror, R349,95. 3. Embossed cube, R329,99. 4. Sunset cycle print 50x50, 

R119,99. 5. Fantasy flight scatter 43x43, R69,99. 6. Lara linen foil, R59,99. 7. Plastic weave utility, R99,99. 

8. Bunny orn, R129,99. 9. Frames (three pack), R99,99. 10. Brooklyn canvas 45x135, R199,99. 

All items are available from www.sheetstreet.com.

GET IT 

Editorial 

Phone 013-754-1600 

Lowveld Media 

12 Stinkhout Crescent, Mbombela 

Facebook Get It Lowveld 

Instagram Get It Lowveld 

Website getitmagazine.co.za/lowveld/ 

Editor 

Mellissa Bushby 

mellissa@getitlowveld.co.za 084-319-2101 

Contributing Writers 

Alita Steenkamp 083-695-5308 

Liezel Lüneburg 083-287-2225 

Lindi Botha 082-494-8005 

Mia Louw 073-389-9761 

Photographers 

Belinda Erasmus 082-567-0596 

Mia Louw 073-389-9761 

Tanya Erasmus 083-778-7725 

Layout 

Geraldine Reyneke • Andile Mthethwa 

Subeditors 

Jess Steyn • May Nel • Matthew Booth 

Sales 

Shannon Visagie 

shannon@getitlowveld.co.za 079-350-8280 

GET IT NATIONAL 

National Group Editor and 

National Sales 

Kym Argo 

kyma@caxton.co.za 082-785-9230 

Facebook and Instagram: 

Get It National Magazines 

Distribution 

Get It Lowveld is distributed free of charge. 

For a full list of where to find a copy, phone 

Monya Burger on 083-555-4992 

Published by CTP Limited 

Competition rules 

The judges’ decision is final. Prizes cannot be 

transferred or redeemed for cash. Competitions 

are not open to the sponsors or Caxton 

employees or their families. Get It Magazine 

reserves the right to publish the names of 

winners, who will be contacted telephonically 

and need to collect their prizes from Caxton 

Northern branch within 10 days or they will be 

forfeited. Prizewinners names are published on 

our Facebook page monthly. 

contents 

Why don’t you... 

04 Attend a wellness workshop, go tubing down the Sabie, 

or indulge in ladies’ night 

05 Start off the new year with a few riveting reads 

WISH LIST 

06 Eat doughnuts, rejuvenate and drink gin 

Social 

08 Wine-derland with TOPS at SPAR 

09 Bubbles galore at the Bubbly & Lifestyle Experience 

people 

10 Aniska Eksteen on giving back and the power of healing 

12 Maryke Hastie is living the best life ever 

HEALTH & FITNESS 

14 It’s back to basics with Rav James 

Art 

16 Serve it up with this month’s DIY 

community 

18 Love makes the world go round 

TRAVEL 

20 Sleep in a teepee, train or tree 

WELLNESS FEATURE 

24 - 26 Our tips for a healthy start to 2020 

Win 

32 A super-rejuvenating spa retreat package 

COVER LOOK 

Aniska Eksteen. 

Photographed by - Belinda Erasmus 

JANUARY 2020 

January 2020 Get It Lowveld 03

A hot date! 

Pencil these events into your January diary right now! 

A new year is like a blank book, and the pen is in your hands. Add 

colour, detail and beauty to every page you write, and make every day 

your own. Get It Lowveld wishes all our readers a happy, prosperous 

and simply spectacular New Year. Here’s to 2020! 

31-2 

04 Get It Lowveld January 2020 

If you have a date for our diary, email the info at least a month in advance to jess@lowvelder.co.za 

05 

It’s 2020 and we’re ready to 

saddle up. Experience the 

breathtaking Horse Whispers Picnic 

Ride through the scenic splendour of 

a conservancy area near Hazyview. 

Ride along the river and through the 

hills to an idyllic picnic site and enjoy 

a light meal under the shady canopy 

of the matumi trees. This familyfriendly 

excursion is hosted by Tours 

& Tickets South Africa from 9am to 

12pm. Tickets cost R490pp. 

Details: 082-574-2345. 

10 

The Pub in Mbombela is 

hosting an open mic night 

at 7pm. To book a spot, contact 

Margaret on 079-153-5295. 

21 

Cheers! It’s ladies’ night every 

Tuesday at Urban House in 

Mbombela. Pay R25 for a double gin 

and tonic from 5pm to 7pm, and R30 

on selected cocktails all night. Details: 

013-880-0068. 

25 

Are you ready to put pedal 

to the metal with the 

Barberton MTB Challenge? There 

are different races from which to 

choose: 20km (R90), 30km (R120), 

50km (R190), 77km (R240) and 110km 

(R280). Pre-entries close on January 

21 at 11pm. Late registration is on 

on Friday from 3pm to 9pm and 

Saturday from 5:30am to 7am. All 

races will start and finish at Barberton 

High School. All registration, 

briefings, prize-giving, stalls, beer 

garden and formalities will be held 

at the high school. Details: info@ 

barbertonxcm.co.za. 

25 

Let 2020 be the year you 

create abundantly! LiveShanti 

Wellness hosts a fabulous yoga, 

meditation and coaching practices 

workshop to set you on the path to 

creating a vision board that reflects 

what you truly want to attract this 

year. It is held at White River Country 

Estate from 9am to 3pm. The 

workshop costs R600 and includes 

material and lunch. Details: 

083-387-3866 or 

denise@liveshanti.co.za. 

31 

Well-known muso Jonathan 

Peyper performs at The Pub 

in Mbombela at 7pm. Tickets cost 

R80. Details: 013-755-4861. 

What better way to cool down this summer than by attending the 

popular Sabie Tube Race? Round Table White River 64 hosts this 

annual event, and 2020’s theme is Hawaiian. Held at Castle Rock 

Caravan Park in Sabie, this weekend of tubing and revelry features 

entertainment from the likes of Chunda Munki, Van Pletzen, 

Backstage and Timo ODV. Tickets can be bought via Quicket. 

Details: 078-923-2272.

Book club 

Riveting reads to start off your year! 

The CEO of a major publishing 

company dies suddenly at his desk 

- but was he murdered or did he 

commit suicide? Senior editor 

Joelle Jesson - fired by the CEO just 

hours before his death - sets out to 

discover exactly what happened in 

Steven Boykey Sidley’s Leaving 

Word. Which of three people 

could have been involved - a 

detective and aspirant author, 

the CEO’s inscrutable brother 

or a sad and deluded loner? 

Joelle’s editorial instincts come 

to the fore in her search for 

meaning, reason, plot and 

motive in this literary murder 

mystery laced with sly, dry 

wit. MFBooks, R240. 

On Monday a Manhattan 

elevator plunges from 

the topmost floor to the 

bottom of a skyscraper, 

killing all four people 

inside. On Tuesday it 

happens again. And on 

Wednesday. These are 

obviously not random 

killings, and New York is 

plunged into chaos. And 

what do these deadly 

acts of sabotage have to 

do with to the fingerless 

body found on the High 

Line? Linwood Barclay’s 

Elevator Pitch is a nailbiter 

of note. And be 

warned! After you’ve 

turned the last page, 

unless your office is on 

the top floor, you might 

be tempted to slog up all 

those stairs rather than 

press the button for the 

lift! HarperCollins UK, R260. 

Baby Zephany Nurse hit the headlines when 

she was kidnapped from beside her mother’s 

hospital bed more than 20 years ago. She hit 

the headlines again when by pure chance, 

her birth parents discovered she’d been living 

just a short distance away. Now, in Zephany, 

written by Joanne Jowell, Miché Solomon 

tells the often harrowing story of the past four 

years and her struggles to come to terms with 

living with two sets of parents - those who 

brought her up, who love her and whom she 

loves, and her birth parents who are strangers. 

Adding to the trauma is the fact that the 

woman she believed was her mother, “who 

was there for me every day” was jailed for the 

kidnapping. Fortunately, the man she calls 

Daddy, Michael Solomon, has never wavered 

in his love and support, which has hugely 

helped Miché courageously continue to forge 

ahead in her efforts to make a success of her 

life. Tafelberg, R260. 


Wish list 

Eat doughnuts, rejuvenate, drink gin 

It’s time to indulge 

We love all things pretty and 

delicious, and what could be 

more magical than whimsical 

doughnuts? Ella&Karl is a must-try. 

Having recently joined i’langa Mall 

in Mbombela, you’ll definitely want 

to try the to-die-for doughnuts, 

gourmet coffee and ice cream cups. 

This mom-and-daughter team also 

caters for weddings, parties and 

events. Ella&Karl is on everyone’s 

lips, so give it a try, you won’t be 

disappointed. 

We’re going for maximum effect! 

Maxi skirts still lead the way, and it’s never been as 

maxi of a trend as it is this summer. Extremely 

comfortable, modest and yet fashionable, there 

are many ways to wear them; you can create a 

daily look or classy one with flats or heels. This 

100% cotton lined sandy skirt (R790) is 

available at BOH | Button in Mbombela. 

Details: www.bohbutton.co.za. 

Wine to write home about 

Introducing a sumptuous sip of 

sunshine and award-winning wines 

for summer sipping. Discover the 

taste of sunshine this summer with 

FAT bastard Chenin Blanc, the 

latest member of the popular 

FAT bastard POD. A larger POD 

means you’ve got more “LARGE- 

LIVING’”to do this summer, 

wallowing in the many charms 

of the well-loved, rich and 

round, food-friendly range of 

award-winning FAT bastard 

wines. This gorgeous Chenin 

Blanc was blended from a 

selection of the best wine from 

the year’s ripe harvest. 

FAT bastard Chenin Blanc 

2018 is widely available nationally 

and retails between R85 and R95. 

06 Get It Lowveld January 2020

New decade, new you 

Sorbet has added to its fabulous Hydro 

range, which fights dehydration and 

provides intense moisture with shea butter 

and plant actives. Hydro Skin Aqua Day 

Gel (R220) is specially formulated with 

liquid-crystal technology, providing deep 

penetration of active ingredients into the 

skin. Additional liquid-crystal effects provide 

deep hydration. The Hydro Skin Recovery 

Sleep Mask (R220) is formulated with mild 

ingredients that penetrate deeply into your 

skin as you sleep. Available at Sorbet at The Grove 

Shopping Centre in Mbombela, 013-757-1014. 

Prohibition Blue Gin... coming to a cocktail near you 

It’s not just the blue we fancy in the newly released Prohibition 

Blue Gin, it’s also the way that with certain mixers, it changes to pink. 

Magic gin! So if you’re in the mood for a pink drink, a dash of tonic 

water or lemon changes the pH balance, and the blue changes to 

a sparkling pink. This Silver Creek Craft Distillery gin gets its 

striking blue colour from the flower of the blue pea (so it’s 

100% natural), and is infused with juniper as well as coriander, 

lemon, angelica, cinnamon and a dash of rose water. Try 

it in your fave cocktail... or spruce it up with apples and 

thyme (delish!). You can buy for R369 online at Takealot. 

com and in major bottle stores. Oh... a little extra info... 

in traditional medicine, the blue pea flower - Clitoria 

tetnatea - is said to have aphrodisiacal and antioxidant 

powers, among other life-enhancing properties. 

Details: www.silvercreekdistillery.co.za. 

Designed to reflect 

personality rather 

than trends 

KR283503NN

David and Bianca Adams 

Elisha Weweje and Monicque Weweje 

Wine-derland 

The TOPS at SPAR Wine Show recently welcomed 

Lowvelders to an amazing world of Merlot, bubbly, 

Chenin Blanc and the like. The event, held at the 

Emnotweni in Mbombela, also included delicious 

gin tastings. 

Guillaume Nel with Annelie and Robert Pretorius 

Bianca and Wynand Visagie 

Adéle van Zyl and Chiane Teitge 

Rolene Smith, Camila van West 

and Carmen Morgan 

Angel Nkosi, Abigail Masha and René Potgieter 


Tendai Tungwarara and Katleho Thomobolo 

A blast of 

BUBBLY! 

Described as “polo without the 

horses”, the Bubbly & Lifestyle 

Experience was recently held in the 

Lowveld National Botanical Garden. 

Glitz and glam abounded as local 

trendsetters strutted their stuff. 

Sentry Maphosa 

facials 

massages 

waxes 

nails 

& more 

For bookings 

072 380 0466 

013 757 1014 

Puseletso Lekhumbi, Wisdom Mdluli 

and Beauty Lubambo 

RM-SO41003NH 

Portia Brown and Cindy Mhlungu

THE RETURN 

TO DIGNITY 

Micropigmentation is not only the application of permanent make-up such 

as eyebrows, eyeliner and lip colour. Aniska Eksteen helps her clients to 

minimise and camouflage unsightly post-burn scars, operation scars and 

natural skin imperfections, all with the inspired use of pigments. 


Text: ALITA STEENKAMP. Photographer: BELINDA ERASMUS 

Aniska, the owner of 

Aniska Skin & Art in 

Mbombela, started 

her career after her 

mom had been 

severely burnt in 

the kitchen in 

1994 and she met 

David Lubbe. 

He created a 

rejuvenation 

product 

that she still keeps in her aesthetic 

clinic, and is one of her bestsellers. 

In 1998, after she had attended her 

international permanent make-up 

(PMU) training and received her 

diploma, Aniska registered that 

this would become a passion. The 

procedures became very popular and 

it didn’t take long before she realised 

it was the right time to open her 

clinic. She attended conferences and 

completed numerous master classes, 

and is a founder board member of 

PCASA, a PMU regulating body. Apart 

from working on clients, she also 

does a lot of training for the Nouveau 

Contour Company in fundamental 

PMU master classes, paramedical 

micropigmentation and microblading. 

In 2012 John Mhlanga (not his real 

name) walked into her clinic, a patient 

of doctor André van Schalkwyk. John 

had been severely burnt with acid 

and consequently had lost one eye, 

his lips and nose were deformed, part 

of his ear had been eaten away and 

the hairline on his skull was severely 

damaged. He had to undergo a lot of 

facial reconstruction procedures, skin 

transplants and grafting, which caused 

a difference in the colour of various 

parts of his face. The scars were not 

only physical; emotionally he was 

broken and he had no self-confidence 

as people would openly stare at him. 

“When I met John I realised this is 

not going to be a simple once-off 

procedure, but a process, and a 

very costly one at that. I did the first 

procedure and with his second visit, 

I told him that this one is on me. And 

so we started this journey together. 

“In the beginning, John was really 

angry at the world and along with the 

work that I did on his face and skin, it 

took a lot of positive energy to help 

him recover. I always complimented 

him on his improvement, and it was 

wonderful to watch the way that he 

started to believe in his own healing,” 

Aniska says. 

The work on John’s face was done 

over time and in different layers till 

the desired colour was achieved. 

The last treatment was done in 2018. 

According to her, his lips were the 

most challenging, as he still had to 

have several reconstructive surgeries 

on his lips and nose. Aniska finally 

managed to give him a brand-new lip 

line, with much better definition. 

As a result of the acid burns, John’s 

skin was very thin and that made 

the treatment quite difficult. She 

solved the problem with an Environ 

microneedle derma roller and sent 

him home with it. The next obstacle 

was his beard that still came out in 

patches, causing the skin to tear. This 

was addressed with a hair removal 

laser and only then could she start to 

micropigmentate that area. 

One of the uses of paramedical 

micropigmentation is to help create 

the illusion of a lifelike nipple areola 

for women who have had breast 

reconstruction after a mastectomy. 

For Aniska the contentment and 

satisfaction of her clients is a huge 

reward. She laughs and says in a way 

you have to be an excellent listener, 

as a lot of clients confide in her while 

she is busy with a procedure. “But 

what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas,” 

she smiles. 

The process of giving John his 

dignity back meant a lot to Aniska. 

It took so much work, patience and 

endurance that the end result made 

her incredibly happy. “Sometimes it 

was frustrating, just when I finished 

perfecting one of his scars, he went 

for another surgical procedure. I 

once joked with him and told him he 

should not bring me any new scars 

and he just said, ‘I know that whatever 

new scar they cause; you will fix it.’ 

“The day that I will always remember 

is when John walked into the clinic 

and I could immediately see that his 

whole body language had changed. 

That day he thanked me, and said 

he could go back to church as he is 

now able to take off his hat when he 

enters it. The improvement of the 

skin on his scalp made it possible, 

as people no longer stared at him in 

an embarrassing way. That made me 

extremely humble and I realised that 

seeing the smile that I had helped 

put back on his face, as well as the 

way that he had grown over time, 

is worth so much more than all the 

money in the world.” 

Details 

Aniska Skin & Art on 013-753-3257 or 

aniska@skinandart.co.za 


The best 

LIFE EVER 

Sometimes life takes you on various detours before you finally find the track on 

which you should be. Kaapmuiden’s Maryke Hastie, who calls herself a field guide 

born in a city, is delighted to say that she is now doing exactly what she wants. 

Maryke fell in love with the Kruger National Park when 

she was still at school. Her father was an honorary game 

ranger and the family spent most of their holidays 

in the park, where they had the most wonderful 

experiences in the company of the game rangers. 

Back in the 80s, girls were advised to either become 

a nurse, teacher or secretary, and Maryke decided on 

teaching. She hated every second of it, and when she 

was in her 30s, she decided that she would love to be 

trained as a veterinary nurse. That opened a whole new 

world to her, and she still is extremely grateful for her 

decision. 

Text: ALITA STEENKAMP 

“It became quite an adventure as I also obtained my 

microlight pilot’s licence. When I heard about a position 

on a game farm close to Nelspruit, I applied for the job, 

brought my microlight here and started doing flights 

with their guests. There were two elephants on the 

farm that were used to interact with the visitors, and 

I soon found that I enjoyed the elephant interaction 

much more than the flying. I fell in love with these 

wonderful animals and grabbed the opportunity to be 

trained as an elephant stable master, becoming the first 

qualified female elephant stable master in South Africa. 

After that I obtained a qualification at the Field Guides 

Association of Southern Africa, and did a few other 

courses like tracking,” Maryke says. 

There were more challenges to face when Maryke 

became extremely ill with cancer. She had to rest for a 

while, but after an operation and successful treatment, 

she sent out her CV to a few places. One of them was 

Rhino Post, and to her absolute joy, she was appointed 

as a field guide. Rhino Post is a luxury safari camp on 

a 12 000-hectare private concession inside the Kruger 

National Park, and Maryke’s job is to take the guests 

out on a safari vehicle, introducing them to South 

Africa’s wonderful wildlife. She also acts as a guide on 

the sleep-outs that the lodge offers, accommodating 

guests sleeping on raised platforms under the stars. 


“The greatest challenge is to keep 

them in the trees whenever lions 

or other predators are walking 

somewhere close by,” she smiles. 

Maryke used to work full-time at 

Rhino Post, but nowadays she 

does it on a freelance basis. She 

lives on a game farm in Mara close 

to Kaapmuiden where she has 15 

horses, which takes up a lot of her 

time as she offers horse riding on 

the farm. She also does rehabilitation 

of wild animals such as mongooses, 

duikers and warthogs. 

She believes it is important to give 

people a true bush experience during 

a game drive. “It is quite a challenge 

to change the way people think. I 

don’t like the Big 5 mentality that you 

often get. Some people don’t even 

know why these animals are called 

the Big 5. I try my best to change a 

tourist into a nature lover who not 

only wants to see lions, elephants, 

rhinos, buffaloes and leopards. We 

have a lot of fun on the safari vehicles 

and sometimes we have a quiz, or I 

will jokingly tell them if they don’t see 

something special, excluding one of 

the Big 5, they won’t get any coffee at 

the next stop. I often get emails from 

gratified guests who thank me for a 

life-changing adventure.” 

Maryke definitely has a special gift 

while interacting with wild animals, 

and of course, her horses. She tells 

a beautiful story of an elephant 

becoming unruly during the time 

that she was fighting cancer. She 

then asked someone to take her 

to the ellie. She explained to the 

elephant, which came charging at 

her, that she was ill and that was 

the reason why she hadn’t visited 

for quite a while. The animal started 

sniffing at her wound, and then 

became quite tranquil as if she fully 

understood the whole situation. 

Recently one of the duikers, that she 

had rehabilitated, came back to her 

house, proudly showing Maryke her 

small baby. To experience the trust 

of an animal is a wonderful privilege, 

she says. 

“Being in the Kruger with guests, 

and having the opportunity to see 

something really special, makes me 

extremely happy. Hearing the guests 

say, ‘Wow! Wow!’ at the sighting of 

a honey badger or pangolin, or a 

dancing baby rhino, gives me so 

much joy,” says Maryke. 

“When you reach the age of 53, and 

you can live your dream, you have 

everything, whether it is watching the 

guests at the safari lodge enjoying 

the stars high above them in the dark 

sky, or seeing the lions underneath 

the trees in which we are sleeping. I 

can’t ask for anything more.” 

Details 

Maryke at marykehastie@yahoo.com 

RM027703NH

BACK 

to basics 

Medical doctor Rav James of White River talks 

to Get It about functional medicine and her 

love of discovering ways to awaken people’s 

intuition and connection to their bodies. 

Rav endeavours to change perceptions about medicine 

From the moment you set foot in Rav’s spacious consulting room, it is evident 

that she approaches life in an alternative, holistic way. She is passionate about 

functional medicine and tackles health issues by viewing every person as a 

unique being. According to Rav, each patient walks an individual path which 

leads to the specific disease and this path should be explored. A patient’s unique 

genetic make-up as well as personal history and many other factors should 

also be taken into account. She tells us more about her endeavour to change 

perceptions about medicine. 

Tell us about your journey to becoming a medical doctor? 

I grew up in Johannesburg, where I attended the British International College. 

After finishing college, I attended Stellenbosch University and achieved an 

MBChB degree. I did my internship at Port Shepstone Provincial Hospital 

followed by community service at Sabie Provincial Hospital, where I developed 

a love and passion for working in the field of HIV medicine. During the time I 

completed a diploma in HIV management. 


You also worked at ACTS Clinic? 

Yes. ACTS was an NGO clinic 

dedicated to treating around 

6 000 HIV patients in the Masoyi 

area just outside White River. I really 

enjoyed the time spent as part of the 

project, as I could focus on bringing 

life and change into the lives of 

many patients. It also gave me an 

opportunity to witness the effects of 

simple changes in diet and lifestyle 

on health. Ryan, my husband, shares 

my passion for community work and 

serves as head of development for 

the Good Work Foundation, which 

is an organisation that brings digital 

learning to rural Africa. At present I 

practise functional medicine.

What is functional medicine? 

In functional medicine, the body is viewed as an 

integrated whole that is biochemically unique. 

Practitioners seek to uncover the root causes of 

imbalance in the body, and then support it with 

the necessary changes to achieve balance again. 

You don’t simply give a drug for a symptom, but 

you form a deeper understanding of why the 

symptoms are present in the first place. The body 

could then receive what it needs to heal. 

What was your path to functional medicine? 

Since I started my training as a medical doctor, 

I felt that my conventional training was missing 

the “healing” piece of the puzzle. I have always 

believed in the intelligence of the human 

body as well as its ability to heal within the 

right environment, and have an interest in 

alternative and more integrated forms of healing. 

Conventional medicine definitely plays a part, and 

is in many instances life-saving. But can the model 

answer and manage all diseases? I don’t believe 

so. I believe in bringing together the wisdom of 

both conventional and functional medicine to 

achieve health. When I left ACTS Clinic, I had an 

opportunity to study further for an advanced 

fellowship in metabolic, nutritional and functional 

medicine through the University of Florida in the 

United States, which I completed in May. 

Text: Liezel Lüneburg. Photographer: TANYA ERASMUS 

Why are people still sceptical about 

alternative medicine? 

Over time people have lost the natural connection 

with their bodies as life has become very busy 

and demanding. We cook less and have fewer 

meals where we sit down together. People do not 

have time to look after their bodies and spiritual 

needs, and literally do not have time to be sick. 

Symptoms are a nuisance that need to be fixed 

quickly. I liken it to the fast food industry: yes, 

fast food is food in its physical form, but “poison” 

in the long and short-term effect it has on the 

body. Pharmaceutical drugs are powerful and are 

more appealing in our fast-paced world, but their 

effects come at a cost that we are often unaware 

of. Alternative modes of healing dictate a lot 

more time and dedication from the patient. The 

process awakens the person to the fact that he or 

she is as much part of the healing as the medical 

professional. Consequently the patient becomes 

part of the healing process and understands the 

value of knowing his or her own body on a deeper 

level. 

Details 

Contact Rav at drravjames@gmail.com or on 

066-487-8441. Her website also provides more 

information: www.drravjames.com. 

RM-MO161503NL

SERVE 

IT UP! 

As we saunter on into 

January, the festivities 

continue, albeit in a more 

laid-back fashion. So 

ditch the formalities 

and serve up snacks and 

nibbles on this easy-tomake 

cheeseboard. 


NEW YEAR’s 

dreams and 

beginnings 

You will need 

Text: Lindi Botha. Photographer: Matthys Ferreira 

• Knotty pine bundle. Take two planks and cut to 79cm in length and another 

two to 77cm in length. 

• 2x cupboard handles of your choice. 

• A wood offcut measuring 22cm in length by 5cm wide for the back piece to 

keep the planks together. 

• 8 screws. 

• Wood glue. 

• Sanding block. 

• O’Grady’s chalk paint in a colour of your choice. 

How to 

1. Cut the planks to length. 

2. Sand with the sanding block until smooth and paint. 

3. Once dry, clip the planks into each other using wood glue to secure the 

wood. 

4. Screw in back piece. 

5. Screw in the handles. 

Get It has collaborated with BUCO to bring you a craft project every month. If 

DIY has you nervous, take all your instructions down to BUCO and have the folks 

cut and prepare your wood accordingly. Remember to like and follow the BUCO 

Nelspruit Facebook page for more inspiration and information on upcoming 

craft events. 

BUCO03NN 

Visit our store for

LOVE MAKES 

THE WORLD 

GO ROUND 

If there is one thing that can be said for Lowvelders, 

it’s that we are eager to help and get involved in 

charitable projects. As such the Mpumalanga branch 

of the Round Table has a solid support base and has 

been able to help destitute communities far and 

wide. We speak to chairman Werner Swanepoel 

about the joys of giving. 

The Sabie Tube Race is the biggest 

Round Table fundraising event globally 


Text: LINDI BOTHA 

Blessed beyond measure, Werner has 

always believed in giving back and 

making an impactful change in society. 

“I grew up in a home where our door 

was always open to those in need and 

giving to the less fortunate was part 

of my upbringing. It goes beyond just 

giving money to charities, and for me it’s 

about making a difference long term,” he 

explains. 

Three years ago Werner joined the 

Mpumalanga branch of the Round Table, 

which is an international organisation 

with representation on every continent, 

and has since taken up the reigns as area 

chairman for the province. He notes that 

membership is open to professional, 

working men aged between 18 and 40. 

The Round Table is non-political and 

non-denominational. 

“The organisation gives you the chance 

to be a part of something bigger and 

also offers the opportunity to meet 

like-minded individuals and build a 

global network. Whether you have time 

or money to give, the Round Table is a 

credible organisation where you can really 

make a difference.” 

Werner relates how the organisation 

managed to raise R180 000 for the 

Endangered Wildlife Trust for their 

initiative to conserve wild dogs. “This 

was a project that really meant a lot to 

me and the donation we made was the 

biggest they had ever received. As a result 

my children and grandchildren will be 

able to see wild dogs one day because 

there have been funds made available to 

protect their existence.” 

Another remarkable feat is the drought

Round Table Mpumalanga council treasurer Gert van der Westhuizen, vice chairman 

Stephan de Witt,secretary Hannes de Kock and chairman Werner Swanepoel 

aid that the Round Table is collecting 

on an ongoing basis for destitute 

farmers in the Northern Cape. “These 

farmers have nothing left. They 

were on the brink of losing their 

whole livelihoods when we were 

able to donate millions of rand of 

lucerne and water for their livestock. 

When you see grown men cry from 

gratitude, you realise how amazing 

it is to be able to make this kind of 

impact on people’s lives.” 

Provincially, the Table collects over 

R1 million for charity annually and 

Lowvelders will be pleased to 

know that the ever-popular Sabie 

Tube Race is one of the largest 

contributors. 

Established in 1965 the event started 

as a fun experience for Round Table 

members, but realising the popularity, 

they grew it to a bigger development 

open to the public. Last year just 

under 3 000 people floated down the 

Sabie River in aid of charity, making 

it one of the largest Round Table 

events globally. The tube race also 

has the added benefit of supporting 

businesses in the Sabie area as 

people from all over South Africa 

flock to the town for the weekend. 

To give greater exposure to the 

plights of different countries, each 

province has a chance to host the 

AGM annually and this year it’s 

Mpumalanga’s turn. Werner plans 

to use the opportunity to attract as 

much support as possible for local 

projects. “This is a great opportunity 

to get the attention of leaders from 

around the world. All the Tables in 

South Africa submit proposals for 

projects that need support and we 

have the opportunity to showcase 

this to the AGM attendees and get 

international involvement. 

“Another aspect that makes this event 

unique is that many of the delegates 

attending are home-hosted by 

someone locally so they get a real 

South African experience and insight 

into our culture. Since the AGM will 

take place in the Lowveld, we also 

have the opportunity to place the 

spotlight on the area and we will not 

miss the opportunity to gain as much 

support as we can in our goal of 

uplifting our country.” 

Werner is passionate about this 

work and is enthusiastic about 

encouraging new members to join 

the Round Table. “There are so many 

wonderful things happening within 

this organisation and you have the 

opportunity to meet people from all 

over the world, from all walks of life. 

There are even prospects for honing 

your business skills through running 

meetings, giving presentations 

and operating within a corporate 

environment.” 

While the organisation is only 

open to men, Werner adds that 

the ladies circle is associated with 

the Round TAble and offers them 

the opportunity to get involved 

if they want to give back to their 

community. “Our wives are heavily 

involved but aren’t memebers, they 

are the ‘legs’ of the table. As yet there 

is no ladies circle in Mpumalanga and 

we would welcome those interested 

to get in touch so that we can get 

one going. Furthermore any charity 

that is in need of support can contact 

us. We are here only to serve the 

community - nothing else.” 

Details 

chairman.rtma@gmail.com 


SLEEP IN A TEEPEE, 

TRAIN OR TREE 

Tired of the same old, same old guest house, hotel or backpackers? Are you 

looking for a quirky weekend getaway? How about sleeping in a teepee, an 

old train coach in the mountains or high up in the branches of a wild fig tree? 

Get It discovers three alternative stays right here in the Lowveld. 

Text and photographer: MIA LOUW 

The Fig Tree House 

When reminiscing about tree houses, fond 

childhood memories usually come to mind. 

Hours spent playing house or dolls up high in 

the branches of a giant in a friend’s backyard. 

The Fig Tree House is a playground for grownups; 

a proper escape from modern life’s daily 

grind, gadgets and busy surrounds. This 

doesn’t mean kids aren’t welcome, of course. 

This getaway is a 40km drive outside 

Mbombela towards Malalane in the Crocodile 

Gorge Nature Conservancy, on the family 

farm Daarbo Boerdery. Although this is a 

working farm (macadamias, limes and lemons 

grow here), The Fig Tree House is perfectly 

situated at the top of a valley, among rocky 

outcrops enveloped by indigenous plants. 

The two-storey structure rests on rocks 

and stretches among the branches of a 

gargantuan wild fig, with comfy beds in 

nestlike sleeping platforms built at various 

levels. 

The top level, completely open and in the 

branches, is the lounge and sleeping area 

(which can sleep six guests). There are comfy 

couches in the centre with binoculars, bird 

guides and tree books lying on the coffee 

table. The sleeping platforms come with 

mosquito nets, but without bedding (you 

need to bring your own or pay extra to 

arrange some). The lower level is the kitchen 

and indoor braai area. Although slightly more 

closed off, it has two open windows peering 

out over the treetops and the valley. The 

kitchen is stocked with a fridge, crockery, 

cutlery, cooking and braaiing utensils, as well 

as filtered drinking water. 

Relax in The Fig Tree House’s natural boulder boma 


Although there are a fridge and lights, 

these are the only appliances connected 

to electricity and gadgets like phones 

or tablets will have to be charged 

beforehand (or even better, switched off 

completely... There is limited reception 

anyway). The bathroom is accessed 

through the kitchen area, via a wooden 

walkway which leads to a warm shower 

and toilet cordoned off with wooden 

slats among exposed rock. 

A short stroll from the tree house, is 

a second braai area hidden in a rocky 

outcrop; a natural boma surrounded 

by boulders. There are comfortable 

wooden chairs and loads of firewood to 

burn into the starry night. A ladder leads 

up to the top of a boulder, which makes 

a perfect viewpoint for sundowners. 

There are walking trails on the farm 

leading to Crocodile Gorge and there is 

a dam nearby where camping facilities 

are being developed. Be on the lookout 

for bushbuck, kudu, impala, warthogs, 

serval, caracal, vervet monkeys and 

baboons. 

Rates: R1 200 a night for the entire tree 

house (sleeps six people). 

Details 

072-035-5685, thefigtreehouse.com 

Sleep in beds resembling nests, while admiring 

the birds around you 

Tipis Africa Guest Lodge 

Take a step back into the American Old West. 

At Tipis Africa Guest Lodge, guests sleep in the 

teepee tent design of the Native American 

Cheyenne tribe. Six seven-metre-high teepees 

dot the rustic ranch property on The Rest, 8km 

outside Mbombela (1,5km from Bateleur Estate). 

John Mos builds the structures himself, not only 

for his lodge but for people who want their 

very own teepees as well. He is in the furniture 

trade and since he can remember, has been 

interested in Native American traditions as well 

as pioneer culture and history. 

The diameter of the teepees is about six 

metres and they are positioned on circular 

stone platforms. Each structure can sleep three 

guests, with either three singles, or a double 

and a single wooden bed inside. Each tent 

has electricity, wooden chairs, a bar fridge and 

its own bathroom with a shower and toilet 

separate from the structure, but close nearby. 

John Mos, the creator of Tipis Africa’s tents 


John says the teepees are wonderful for both 

cold and warm weather. “Hot air moves up 

and they have what we call smoke flaps, which 

is where the hot air moves out,” he points up 

to the opening at the top of the tent, which 

can be closed when it rains. The tents also 

have two layers of canvas and a gap with air 

between which creates insulation and prevents 

condensation. They are also sturdy enough 

for the Lowveld’s stormy weather. Guests have 

access to a coffee machine in the communal 

kitchen and the rate includes a continental 

breakfast, bedding, towels and use of amenities 

like the massive pool and cosy firepit. 

“There is a spiritual meaning with the poles,” 

John explains as he looks up at one of his tents. 

“In Native American tradition, they believe the 

poles represented the different spiritual paths 

that connected people with their creator. 

Somewhere along the line all these paths 

cross; we all have to go through the same door. 

Afterwards we might still go our separate ways, 

but like-minded people usually come together”. 

Rates: R450pp bed and breakfast (R400 without 

breakfast). 

Details 

084-578-8664 

Hancu Louw settling in at Barrett’s 

after a day of hiking 

The Native American teepees boast views 

into the sunset 

Barrett’s Coaches 

Hidden in the Berlin Plantation outside the misty 

hamlet of Kaapsehoop are two red railway coaches 

dating from the 1950s. They have been converted 

into comfortable accommodation as part of the 

Kaapsehoop Hiking Trail. The entire trail takes four 

days and roughly 60km of rambling, but don’t fret... 

You can walk a shorter option to stay over in the 

quirky Barrett’s Coaches. 

The Battery Creek Two-Night Trail either starts at 

Barrett’s Coaches, or at the Kaapsehoop Hut in 

town (you can park your car at both options and 

start from either end). If you start in Kaapsehoop, 

you will walk 9,5km on your first day and 14km 

back from Barrett’s to town on day two. Only one 

of the coaches is being used at the moment and 

offers 24 comfortable beds to sleep on (four per 

sleeping compartment). The carriages have a 

wooden interior with blue, padded pleather lining 

on the seats or beds (which provided a surprisingly 

comfortable night’s rest). Some of the interior has 

been changed from the original train decor (like 

the folding tables), but remains functional and 

comfortable as hiking accommodation. 

Barrett’s is the only overnight stop with electricity 

on the Kaapsehoop Hiking Trail. You can have a 

warm shower (without having to make a fire in a 


donkey boiler), you can charge appliances 

at the plug points in the outdoor kitchen 

and the coach compartments have 

lights. The braai is stocked with plenty 

of firewood, but you need to bring your 

own cooking and eating utensils (as well 

as bedding). There is a stretch of grass 

between the trains and the braai area, 

ideal for kicking back and lazing around 

into the afternoon. 

The view from the coaches warrants 

that little extra carrying load to enjoy a 

sundowner (or two) after the day’s trek 

through large quartzite rock formations, 

natural forest and plantations. From the 

elevated position of Barrett’s, you can see 

distant mountains and the plantations 

stretching into the pink and purple 

hues of the sunset. Be on the lookout 

for baboons and wild horses sharing the 

route - as well as the endangered blue 

swallow, which the four-day trail and The 

Blue Swallow Reserve are named after. 

Rates: R150pp per day 

Details 

013-764-2071, ecotour@safcol.co.za 

The priceless view from the coaches - ideal for sundowners 

RM-WE151303NL

HEALTH & WELLNESS TIPS FOR 2020 

Chase away 

the toxins! 

Christmas and New Year 

excesses tend to leave us 

sluggish, overweight and a 

little unhealthy. Get back into 

shape by giving your body 

a nutrient boost without 

having to use any expensive 

supplements or speciality 

ingredients. 

Simply whizz the following 

goodies together in a 

blender and enjoy! 

• 125ml orange juice 

or water 

• 1 green apple 

• ½ chopped pineapple 

• ½ frozen banana 

• Small knob of ginger 

• 250ml fresh baby spinach 

• 20ml fresh lime juice. 


Water, water, water! 

We cannot stress it enough; 

the benefits of drinking 

water are endless. Apart 

from the obvious health 

paybacks, when it comes 

to overall feel-good vibes, 

water is a no-brainer, and it 

is vital for our well-being. It 

plumps up the skin, releases 

toxins and hydrates the 

body by carrying nutrients to 

the cells and oxygen to the 

brain. By allowing the body 

to absorb and integrate the 

different minerals, amino 

acids, glucose, vitamins and 

similar substances necessary 

for optimal wellness, it keeps 

us in tip top shape. Water 

also helps to regulate body 

temperature, so drink up! Try 

to consume between two 

and three litres every day for 

optimal effect. 

Mindfulness 

matters 

We tend to forget that 

mental health is just as 

important as physical 

well-being. Fundamental to 

a balanced, healthy life, your 

mental health encompasses 

emotional, psychological 

and social well-being. It 

impacts every aspect of 

our daily lives, affecting 

how we think, feel and 

behave, contributing to 

how we cope with stress, 

the decisions we make as 

well as how we relate to 

other people and situations 

that we encounter, both 

in and out of our control. 

If you feel that your 

mental condition is not 

as healthy as it should be, 

it is important to talk to a 

professional. Psychologist 

Elmarie Ungerer offers a 

variety of treatments to help 

deal with modern-day anxiety 

and trauma. Contact her on 

013-745-7220 or visit www. 

elmarieungerer.co.za. 

Suncare 

CF SunCare is proudly 

manufactured in South 

Africa, and all standard 

sunscreen is enriched with 

the antioxidant properties 

of vitamins A, C, and E. The 

main UV-blocking ingredient 

in the sun cream product 

is rutile (titanium dioxide) 

and zincite (zinc oxide), 

both naturally occurring 

mineral components. 

Thanks to the advent 

of nanotechnology the 

minerals leave a transparent 

coating on your skin, 

ensuring broad spectrum 

UVA and UVB sun protection. 

CF Suncare is formulated to 

be hypoallergenic and is fine 

for daily use, and in addition 

has been thoroughly tested 

on human volunteers; 

CF does not endorse or 

utilise testing on laboratory 

animals. CF Suncare is CANSA 

Recognized. Contact CF 

Suncare on 012-804-0980 or 

visit www.cfproducts.co.za.


BOUNTIFUL 

BUDDHA 

BOWL 

Ingredients 

• 1 large avo, sliced • 1 cup quinoa or cous cous 

• 1 orange, sliced into wedges • 1 cup steamed 

broccoli • ½ cup raddiccio • ½ cup watercress 

or baby spinach • ½ cup mixed sprouts 

• A handful of pumpkin seeds. 

Method 

Place the ingredients separately into a large bowl, 

and scatter the pumpkin seeds over the quinoa. 

Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and olive oil, 

and season well with sea salt and 

cracked black pepper. 

Basic recipe for fruit smoothies 

Ingredients 

• 250ml fruit juice (orange, mango, pineapple, apple, milk or even water) • 125ml yogurt, ice cream, milk (almond, soy 

or dairy) • 2 cups frozen fruit • 1 banana, sliced and frozen. 

Method 

Add all ingredients to a blender, and blend on high until your desired consistency is reached. Add more juice or fruit 

if needed. Tip: Once blended, pour the mixture into popsicle containers for ice lollies on those sultry summer days. 

Delicious flavour combos 

• Dragon fruit, cherries and strawberries • Apple, lime, mint and basil • Pineapple, orange and banana • Blueberries, 

strawberries, plums and cherries. 



Me time makes for 

a healthy lifestyle 

These days, life sometimes 

feels like one rush after 

another. We are so used 

to constantly being on 

the go that we inevitably 

forget about that essential 

“stopping to smell the roses”. 

Our busy lifestyles might 

mean that we have become 

adept at juggling, but this 

frantic pace also leaves us 

exhausted. It is imperative 

that we stop, breath and 

spoil ourselves, on a regular 

basis. Beauty and anti-ageing 

treatments make you feel 

like a million bucks, so get 

that manicure, pedicure, or 

massage, have the laser hair 

removal, lymph drainage 

session or spa treatment, we 

promise you it will make the 

world of difference. Nelspruit 

Laser Clinic offers a wide 

range of beauty, anti-ageing 

and non-surgical aesthetic 

treatments. You can contact 

them on 013-755-1814 to find 

out more. 

Hear no evil 

We often overlook certain 

aspects of our anatomy 

when it comes to our 

health, one of them being 

our hearing. Imperative to 

being able to effectively 

communicate on a verbal 

level, loss of or damage 

to our hearing can hinder 

development in children, 

impede normal speech, 

thereby impacting on our 

daily lives and interactions 

with others, and ultimately 

cause communication 

breakdown and possibly, 

over time, social segregation. 

If you notice any changes 

in your child’s behaviour, 

it is important to have 

their hearing checked, as 

numerous factors can have 

an effect on it. Contact 

StepMed Rehabiliation Centre 

on 013-741-4911, they offer 

a wide variety of treatments 

and their support centre 

will be able to assist with 

any queries 

Zzzzz 

Beauty sleep is not an 

old wives’ tale; the truth is 

that the amount of time 

you devote to this blissful 

pastime has a direct impact 

on your health. Your skin 

regenerates while you 

sleep, your body is able to 

rest and repair itself, quality 

sleep means healthy brain 

function, and a lack of 

sleep has been linked to an 

increase in cholesterol and 

high blood pressure, both 

risk factors for heart disease 

and strokes. Sleep has 

been proven to boost the 

immune system, manage 

weight loss and help with 

memory retention. So what 

are you waiting for? Hit 

the sack! 

Eat right 

Good nutrition is key to 

a healthy, well-balanced 

lifestyle, and combined with 

exercise, your diet and the 

food you consume can mean 

the difference between life 

and death. Eating the right 

foods and making sure you 

get the correct balance of 

vitamins and minerals will 

reduce your risk of chronic 

diseases and promote an 

overall, healthy feel-good 

existence. Make sure you 

include a variety of fruits 

and vegetables, starches 

and wholegrains, healthy 

fats and proteins, with lots 

of water, and very little 

sugar. Modern-day stresses 

can deplete vitamins and 

minerals in the body, as do 

certain food types. Should 

you be lacking in any of 

the essential vitamins, it is 

important to speak to your 

local pharmacist about 

supplementation. Contact 

Mopani on 013-755-5500 or 

go to www.mopani.co.za. 


RM-MO161503NLB 

EL036603NL 

RM-NE014903NL 

LO0211103R 

RM-NE014903NL.indd 1 LOURENS 

2019/12/05 10:51:38 

Speech & Hearing Therapy 

• Speech Therapy • Feeding Therapy 

STEPMED CENTRE 

LO0211103R.indd 1 2019/12/05 10:52:13 

ge 

CF037803NL 

• DAILY SPF IS THE MOST IMPORTANT 

THING YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR SKIN. 

• PROTECTION FOR ALL SKIN TYPES 

AND TONES. 

• CF SUNCARE IS CANSA RECOGNIZED. 

SHOP OUR CF SUNCARE RANGE AT: 

https://cfproducts.co.za/cf-suncare/ 

012-804-0980 | suncare@cfproducts.co.za

GET IT DIRECTORY 

XE238503NH 

LAUNCH YOUR DESIGN CAREER IN 2020 

FULL TIME QUALIFICATIONS IN 

FASHION DESIGN 

REGISTRATIONS OPEN! 

LYMPHDRAIN 

FA0159003NN 

DIANA ROUX 072 480 6688 

Barber • Cutting/Blow wave 

Colour • Highlights • Tinting 

Month club • Special events 

Up styles • Makeovers • Extensions 

Pressure-point stimulation • Reflexology 

Lymph drainage • Slimming/Fitness 

RegimaA Facials/Peels • Botox/Fillers/Threading 

Waxing • Makeup • Eyelash extensions • Nailbar 

Pedicure station • Spraytan • Sunbed • Massages 

Little Princess packages • Microblading 

Cnr Ferreira & Wilhelm Street, Roycol Building | di@facetothewind.co.za 

RM-IK000103NH 

BO022603NL 

Wishing 

you all a 

RM-VI190603NH 

BB03NN 

We are located at Crossing Centre Across Mugg & Bean 

RM-AN256403NL 

hello new year 

R I N G I N T H E N E W Y E A R W I T H G R A C E F U L G A R N E T S


VI322503R 

VA019903R 

RM-AE175003NL 

DR021803R 

NE011903NN


HO297803NL.indd 1 2019/12/05 16:02:58 

COMING UP 

IN FEBRUARY... 

• Marvellous microgreens • Romantic morsels to 

tempt your loved one • Travels to the land 

of the Tsars • Art from the heart


Wishing all our customers a 

RM-BU036503NL ZO008603R 

RM-GU012803NH 

OR007651NN 

RM-GR369603NL

Want to win? 

Of course you do! To enter this 

month’s fabulous Spoil, send 

you details to competitions@ 

getitlowveld.co.za with “Bodycure” 

in the subject line, to reach us by 

noon on January 31. 

Ts & Cs apply. Good luck! 

Spoil 

January 

The holiday rush with all its indulgence and merry-making is over and 

the new year has started! Now is the perfect time to spoil yourself with 

a few moments of peace, quiet and pampering. This month’s Spoil is a 

luxurious treat, the perfect thing to kick-start 2020. We are giving away 

one All About Me spa retreat package from Bodycure in Mbombela, 

to the value of R1 700. This amazing giveaway includes a B&N hot 

stone massage, express steam and heal facial, foot-and-calf massage 

with pedi and mani with OPI polish, plus champagne and a light meal. 


RM-BD324503NH

Lowveld - Jan 2020

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