June 2020 - Ballito Umhlanga

BALLITO • UMHLANGA 

Life online 

Schooling, shopping & 

business...time to master 

the virtual world! 

Red wine 

chocolate pudding 

DOTING DADS 

...meet five awesome North Coast fathers! 

& 

SHOPPING, PEOPLE AND LIFESTYLE IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD 

JUNE 2020

13 

YEARS 

SIMBITHI | FREESTANDING FAMILY HOME – PRIVACY – 

SPACE - FREEDOM 

Well located, stunning views over the 6th green. Expansive living spaces flow 

out onto a picturesque treed garden with pool. 

R5 800 000 4 3.5 3 507m 2 

SHAKAS ROCK | LOOKING FOR A SPECTACULAR VIEW? 

Prime beach front unit, direct access to the beach. Large patio overlooking the 

ocean, pool and braai area in the complex. 

3 2 

211m 2 

R3 150 000 

SIMBITHI | IMMACULATE CONTEMPORARY HOME 

An entertainers delight, modern, bright and beautifully finished home. 

Magnificent views over the estate and distant sea views. 

R7 195 000 4 4.5 2 409m 2 

Fiona Crago 

082 551 2607 

fiona@fionacrago.co.za 

Janelle Maritz 

083 694 6338 

janelle@fionacrago.co.za 

Jackie Futter 

083 326 7958 

jackie@fionacrago.co.za 

Invest. Intelligently. 

032 946 1439 | www.fionacrago.co.za

GET IT 

Editorial 

Phone 032 946 0276 

Email leah@getitnc.co.za 

Ballito Business Centre • Ballito Drive 

Ballito • KwaZulu-Natal 

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Editor Leah Shone 

leah@getitnc.co.za 

Journalist Elana Wagner 

elana@getitnc.co.za 

Layout and Design 

Nicole von Metzinger 

ads@northcoastcourier.co.za 

Advertising Justine Douglas 

justine@getitnc.co.za 

082 454 9222 

GET IT NATIONAL 

National Group Editor and National 

Sales Kym Argo 

082 785 9230 

kyma@caxton.co.za 

Distribution 

20 000 copies monthly 

Get It Ballito • Umhlanga is distributed 

free of charge in Ballito, Salt Rock, Umhlali, 

Umdloti, Umhlanga Rocks, Umhlanga 

Ridge and Gateway 

Published by The North Coast Courier 

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 Get it Ballito 

branch within 10 days or they will be forfeited. 

Prize winners’ names are published on our 

Facebook page monthly. 

Cover: Peter, Coco Lily and Scarlett Cameron 

Shot by: Chris Allan Photo, 083 441 3144, www. 

chrisallanphoto.co.za 

CONTENTS 

WHY DON’T YOU… 

2 Enjoy an online cooking class, experience a game drive 

in your living room or binge watch your favourite series! 

WISH LIST 

8 It’s ‘spoil yourself June’ ... because, well, we say so! 

PEOPLE 

10 We’re celebrating Father’s Day this month by getting to know five 

awesome North Coast dads 

14 Life has certainly changed. Has your business? 

16 Just because we can’t browse the shopping malls, doesn’t mean we 

can’t browse the goods ... check out these 21 fab online buys! 

22 Banish the homeschooling blues with some lifesaving tips! 

24 Meet a Simbithi mom who is looking at learning a little differently... 

HEALTH & BEAUTY 

26 Are you breathing and moving mindfully in this chaotic time? 

28 We chat to a real life North Coast ballerina ... 

FOOD & DRINK 

35 Everyone’s doing it - and it’s time you did to! 

Here’s how to fulfill your whipped coffee dreams... 

36 We may not all be packing school lunchboxes just yet, but we are 

all definitely still making lunch every day! Deb Andrews shares some 

fun ‘lockdown lunchbox’ ideas... 

38 Warm goulash, chocolate pudding and red wine? Comfort food for 

the win as the cooler months roll in! 

42 Boost that immune system and stay healthy with these delicious 

(and nice to look at) smoothies! 

HOME DECOR 

44 Bring some calm into your home with hues of green and blue 

46 Our dbeautiful indoor plant of the month is the hyacinth ... 

TRAVEL 

52 Here’s what you need for an awesome road trip around the country 

we call home ... we can’t wait! 

JUNE 2020 

19887 copies distributed (October - December 2019) 

June 2020 Get It • Ballito Umhlanga 01

A hot date! 

Jolly good fun to be had at home this June 

Amazing online cooking experience 

For an extraordinary online cooking experience, 

you shouldn’t miss courses by Sandy’s Kitchen ... 

an hour of pure culinary pleasure! An enormously 

popular caterer, Sandy has been giving online 

courses during lockdown ... she’s gone Middle 

Eastern with Pinina’s tabbouleh and Indian with 

lamb Madras, beaten the winter chills with lamb 

shank cassoulet and posh with smoked salmon 

and dill tart. The live, online demos are held on 

Fridays from 10am to 11am, and cost R150. You’ll 

need to book prior to the event on WhatsApp 082- 

882-0238 and the themes are given in advance on 

Sandy’s Instagram page (sandyskitchensa). 

Virtual roses 

Nothing beats being able to wander down 

rows of roses, inhaling their perfume. But 

then along came travel restrictions, personal 

distancing and face masks. So now, although 

all its outlets are open for a real rose fix, 

Ludwig’s Roses has gone virtual. That means 

you can browse the rose catalogue on-line, 

and order roses on-line for delivery or kerbside 

collection. For ‘how to’ advice on almost every 

aspect of rose growing – from planting to 

spraying, transplanting and pruning – visit 

www.ludwigsroses.co.za and click on the 

YouTube social media icon. Once you’ve been 

inspired, order away. Delivery in the metro 

areas is free for orders of R1000 or more. 

A game drive ... in your living room 

For an authentic experience in nature, these awesome nature live 

streams will let you experience the great outdoors from the comfort 

of your sofa. 

Naledi – Cat Eye Camera has been set up at the eye level of a 

leopard to give you a sense of the size of the different creatures 

that visit the waterhole. It’s at the Naledi game lodge in the gamerich 

greater Kruger conservancy, so marvellous viewing. Cheetah, 

lions, elephant, giraffe, impala, baboons, warthog and owls have all 

been spotted recently, along with genets, meercats, waterbuck and 

porcupines. Tune in: youtu.be/8UFA66bi-0g 

Also try the Nkorho Bush Lodge site, which is in the Sabi Sand 

private game reserve. This camera is equipped with infrared 

technology, allowing you to take a look at the watering hole at night. 

The area is famous for Big Five viewing, and birdlife is abundant. 

Tune in: youtu.be/gUZjDCZEMDA 

02 Get It • Ballito Umhlanga June 2020

Virtual art expos 

We’ve found three local virtual art exhibitions you can enjoy without 

leaving your laptop… 

Banele Khoza’s gallery/shop/studio/artist project in vibey 

Braamfontein, done out in soft pastels, is a light and airy space for the 

expression of creativity. You can view the current exhibition, Blue is 

the Warmest Colour, with works by artists such as Vusi Beauchamp, 

Nelson Makamo and Jodi Bieber ... well worth an hour or so. 

Details: bkhz.art/virtual-tours 

The Norval Foundation is offering #60SecondArt digital stories via 

YouTube, Instagram and Facebook, giving art lovers knowledge clips 

on a specific artist, painting, or sculpture. The art being discussed 

either forms part of the Homestead Collection, or is art currently on 

display. Or you could take a virtual tour of the foundation’s beautiful 

Cape Town grounds. We’d recommend you do both. 

Details: w.norvalfoundation.org/virtual-tour/ 

Walk around Standard Bank Art Gallery’s 3D experience which 

showcases its Lumières d’Afriques Exhibition. Click on selected tiles 

to stand in front of each artwork and read about the artist and the 

work itself. There are 54 works from artists across the African continent 

to marvel at. All the pieces were made under the theme, The Light of 

Africa. Details: my.matterport.com/show/?m=KoMFpZVX3JY 

The Big Flower Fight is going to be a big 

blooming joy to watch. This is to flower lovers 

what The Great British Bake Off is to bakers. It’s 

a (friendly) floral fight between 10 pairs of 

florists, sculptors and garden designers, who 

pull out all the stops to see who can build the 

biggest, boldest and most beautiful garden 

sculptures. There are challenges including 

woodwork, floristry and landscaping, and the 

competitors will be encouraged to use plants 

and materials that are earth-friendly. Each 

week a team will be eliminated ... leading up 

to an exciting floral finale, when one team 

will win the flower crown! It started on May 

18 on Netflix which means you’ve got a few 

episodes to binge watch. 


New on Showmax 

Season one of Run is a top Showmax choice 

this month. Seventeen years ago, college 

sweethearts, Ruby and Billy made a pact – if 

either of them ever texted the word RUN 

and the other replied with the same word, 

they would drop everything, board the first 

train after 5pm out of Grand Central Station, 

and travel across America together. But 

they’re about to discover that the reality of 

taking that leap may not be quite how they 

pictured it. 

Insecure (S4) is an insightful, raunchy, 

and hilarious journey through the life of 

a 20-something black woman that cuts 

through stereotypes with sharp wit and an 

effusive spirit. 

From David Simon and Ed Burns – award 

-winning creators of The Wire – comes 

The Plot Against America (S1), an alternate 

history story in which Franklin D Roosevelt 

loses the 1940 US presidential election to 

Nazi sympathiser Charles Lindbergh. What 

follows is the terrifying and tension-building 

tale of the country’s turn to fascism, told 

through the eyes of a working-class Jewish 

family in New Jersey in the build-up to World 

War 2. 

In season one of The Outsiders, police 

detective Ralph Anderson is still grieving the 

death of his own son when the mutilated 

body of 11-year-old Frankie Peterson is 

found in the Georgia woods. The mysterious 

circumstances surrounding the horrifying 

crime lead Ralph to bring in unorthodox 

private investigator Holly Gibney to help 

explain the inexplicable. 

Golden Globe nominee Patrick Dempsey 

(McDreamy in Grey’s Anatomy) and 

Alessandro Borghi (Suburra), co-star in 

season one of Devils, an adaptation of the 

best-selling book by Italian trader Guido 

Maria Brera – an insider’s look at the world of 

millionaire bankers. 

In Billions season five, Bobby Axelrod and 

Chuck Rhoades see their vicious rivalry 

reignited, while new enemies rise and 

take aim. The struggle for power becomes 

a struggle for survival, and all characters 

must adapt or risk extinction. Look out for 

Golden Globe winner Julianna Margulies 

(The Good Wife, Hot Zone) as Catherine Brant, 

an Ivy League sociology professor and 

bestselling author. 

‘Good Kenyan girls become good Kenyan 

wives,’ but Kena and Ziki long for something 

more. When love blossoms between them in 

Rafiki, the two girls will be forced to choose 

between happiness and safety. 

Our best of Netflix 

Netflix series and movies we can’t get enough of... 

... and 

binge! 

New Girl 

If you fancy a classic, you can’t go wrong with Modern Family. This Emmywinning 

sitcom about Jay Pritchett and his eclectic family dealing with 

the challenges of contemporary life in Los Angeles, stars Ed O’Neill, Sofía 

Vergara, and Julie Bowen. 

Great fun ... filmed in a loft in downtown LA, New Girl revolves around the 

quirky Jessica Day, who moves in with three single guys. With 146 episodes 

to watch, this will keep you entertained for months! 

The sci-fi anthology series Black Mirror is exceptionally creepy. It explores 

a twisted, high-tech near-future, where humanity’s greatest innovations 

and darkest instincts collide. 

How to Get Away with Murder – all you need know is it’s a Shonda 

Rhimes legal drama/thriller. What more could you want? Staring Viola 

Davis as Annalise Keating, a law professor at a prestigious university in 

Philadelphia who, along with a handful of her students, gets involved in a 

murder plot. Unmissable! 

In Last Breath, a commercial deep sea diver is stranded on the seabed. He 

has five minutes of oxygen, but there’s no chance of rescue for more than 

half an hour. With access to amazing archives, this is the true story of one 

man’s impossible fight for survival. 



Book club 

Don’t skip book club. Order novels online and then 

Facetime or Houseparty ... great fun! 

Ellie is perfectly happy, living a quiet life with her husband, Clive. 

Well, she does sometimes wonder about the way he talks to her, 

and about all the things she hasn’t yet achieved. But she’s happy 

enough. Dan is definitely content. He has a predictable, ordered 

existence, making harps in his isolated barn on Exmoor, and he’s 

more than happy being on his own, far away from other people 

and, crucially, far away from any risk of surprises. Then a chance 

meeting changes everything. Ellie and the Harp Maker is an 

enchanting, endearing story ... perfect for a lazy afternoon read. 

R195. • When Katie Straw’s body is pulled from the waters of the 

local suicide spot, the police decide it’s an open-and-shut case. 

A standard-issue female suicide. But the residents of Widringham 

women’s refuge, where Katie worked, don’t agree. They say it’s 

murder. Jessica Moor’s Keeper is a feminist thriller that asks what 

justice looks like in a system blinkered by prejudice, a literary 

page-turner about a crime as shocking as it is commonplace. 

R290 • One son lied. One son died. Alice’s son is dead. Indigo’s 

son is accused of murder. But Indigo is determined to prove her 

beloved Kane is innocent. Searching for evidence, she’s helped 

by a kind stranger who takes an interest in her situation. Little 

does she know that her new friend, Alice, has her own agenda. 

Alice obviously can’t tell Indigo who she really is, but she wants to 

understand why her son was killed, and she needs to make sure 

that Indigo’s efforts to free Kane don’t put her remaining family at 

risk. But how long will it take for Indigo to discover her identity? And what other secrets will 

come out as she digs deeper? No one knows a son like his mother. But neither Alice nor 

Indigo know the whole truth about their boys, and what happened between them on that 

fateful night. Emily Koch’s Keep Him Close is a great psychological thriller about love, hate 

and forgiveness. R290. • Micah Mortimer isn’t the most polished person you’ll ever meet. 

He measures out his days running errands for work, maintaining an impeccable cleaning 

regime and going for runs (7.15, every morning). He’s content with the steady balance of 

his life. But then the order of things starts to tilt. His woman friend Cassia (he refuses to call 

anyone in her late thirties a ‘girlfriend’) tells him she’s facing eviction because of a cat. Then 

a teenager shows up at Micah’s door claiming to be his son, a surprise Micah seems poorly 

equipped to handle. Redhead by the Side of the Road is an intimate look into the heart 

and mind of a man who sometimes finds those around him just out of reach – and a love 

story about the differences that make us all unique. R290. 

You can order books online for delivery to your home from loot.co.za, takealot.com, 

readerswarehouse.co.za and exclusivebooks.co.za. 

The FAT bastard Chenin Blanc 2018 was blended from a a selection of the best wine 

from the year’s ripe harvest, and is described as ‘a taste of sunshine’. All juicy yellow peach, 

vanilla and fresh lime, we’re drinking it at this month’s book club. Let’s face it, we all need a 

ray of sunshine in our lives right now. Lovely with a prawn curry or a smoked salmon dish. 

Between around R85 and R95 from you local wine store. 


Physics genius Caro Kerber-Murphy knows she’s smart. With straight As and a college scholarship already in the bag, she’s 

meeting her two dads’ colossal expectations and then some. But there’s one test she’s never quite been able to ace. Love. 

Then, in a particularly desperate moment, Caro discovers a (definitely questionable) scientific breakthrough that promises 

to make you irresistible to everyone around you. Could this, she wonders, be the key? What happens next will change 

everything Caro thought she knew about chemistry – in the lab and in love. By Comedy Women in Print prize-winner Laura 

Steven, The Love Hypothesis is a LGBT romantic comedy with a twist. R140 • Twenty years ago, Abigail Sorenson’s brother, 

Robert, went missing one day before her sixteenth birthday, never to be seen again. That same year, she began receiving 

scattered chapters in the mail from a mysterious guidebook, whose anonymous authors promised to make her life soar 

to heights beyond her wildest dreams. Now, two decades after receiving those first pages, Abi is invited to learn ‘the truth’ 

about the book. It’s an opportunity too intriguing to refuse. What follows in Jaclyn Moriarty’s Gravity Is The Thing is an 

entirely unexpected journey of discovery that will change Abi’s life. R330 • Beautiful, rich and popular, Anna K lives and plays 

in the dizzying heights of New York’s Upper East Side, where privilege, partying and scandal rule. Anna knows every rule 

by heart – and takes care to maintain her status as the perfect girlfriend, daughter and student. Then a chance encounter 

at Grand Central station with notorious playboy Alexi ‘Count’ Vronsky changes everything. Anna knows she needs to 

avoid Alexi, but sometimes fate has other plans. Soon Anna finds it impossible to resist him, and finds herself willing to risk 

everything she has to be with him – no matter the consequences. A lovely new read by Jenny Lee. R175. 

Compiled by: KYM ARGO 


Wish list 

It’s officially* spoil-yourself-June 

(*actually we made that up!) 

We’re not heading to an island any 

time soon, but that doesn’t stop 

us dreaming. Which we’ll do 

while wearing these Delicious 

Amazon Fronds ... big 

(an eye-catching 90mm 

long), bold, statement 

earrings. R400 from 

auroracraftedjewellery.co.za 

If we’re going to wear masks, they’re 

going to DAZZLE! We want a 

collection of gorgeous masks ... bright, 

sexy, eye-catching designs are what 

we’re after, and we’ve found, and love, 

the Dollhouse Designer masks, R160 

from elizabethsummer.com. (While 

you’re there, look for the fabulous 

children’s masks and shields, too.) 

08 Get It • Ballito Umhlanga June 2020 

The cooler months call for a 

switch from crisp, light whites to 

a creamier, more textured wine. 

Tokara Chardonnay 2018 fits the 

bill perfectly. Aged in predominantly 

older oak barrels, it’s all fresh 

clementine, grapefruit and hints 

of ginger spice, it’s a perfect taste 

partner with fish and chicken, and a 

winner as an aperitif. R110 a bottle, 

order online for delivery soon. Details: 

tokara.com

A Perfect Stay ... armchair travel has never been this luxurious 

We’re sure you, like us, are just 

longing to travel. To escape for a 

few days from our (albeit lovely) 

homes, and enjoy some time out 

somewhere gorgeous – and taking 

full advantage of the joy of allowing 

someone else to spoil us. Not quite, 

but almost as good as the real thing, 

is settling down and dipping into 

this incredible glimpse of the Royal 

Portfolio. A collection of luxurious 

South African destinations created by 

Liz Biden and owned by her and her 

husband, Phil, the collection started 

with renting out a few rooms of the 

couple’s family home in the Kruger, 

a project started by Liz when she 

retired, and which resulted in the 

opening of Royal Malewane almost 

21 years ago. She then went on to 

renovate and open up more of their 

private properties – a beach house 

in Hermanus, then a wine farm in 

Franschhoek. The Silo Hotel in Cape 

Town’s V&A Waterfront completes 

the portfolio ... this one purchased 

because, as Phil pointed out, ‘holiday 

homes are one thing – but we didn’t 

want to give up our family home too’! 

A Perfect Stay is a peek into each 

hotel, at the glamorous lifestyles, 

the guests (Sir Elton John and David 

Furnish are regulars, and rave in the 

book’s foreword), the hospitality. ‘Our 

hotels are not just about the beautiful 

spaces. Our hotels are soulful,’ writes 

Liz. Soulful, relaxing, luxurious spots in 

iconic SA locations. Just perfect. R800 

from theroyalportfolio.com 

Beat lockdown calories 

... these Fitch & Leedes 

Sugar Free mixers are 

low in calories (less 

than one in a can of 

the Indian Tonic, while 

the Pink Tonic and 

Bitter Lemon have just 

five calories) but taste 

superb. Amazing for 

a guilt-free G&T, but 

they make refreshing 

Quarantini mocktails, 

too. You’ll find them at 

your local supermarket 

for around R48 for 

a six pack, but can 

buy online too, on 

fitchleedes.co.za 

Compiled by KYM ARGO 


A DADDY’S LOVE 

Very few things compare to being wrapped in a gigantic hug or receiving a look of pride 

from your dad. Fathers are often our protectors, anchors and heroes and we’ve rounded up 

five great North Coast dads who we think deserve a little recognition this Father’s Day! 


My name is: Dylan Jahnig 

I am a dad to: Mackenzie, Taeya, 

Honor and Joel 

Besides a dad, I am also: The Lead 

Pastor at LINC CHURCH in Salt Rock. 

What do you love most about being 

our dad? Early morning cuddles 

and the joy of watching you find 

yourselves as you play. I also love 

doing this church/Jesus adventure 

together as a family. 

What is your favourite memory with 

your own dad? Riding quad bikes 

through the Lesotho Mountains and 

adventuring through Botswana in roof 

top tents. 

What did you want to be when you 

grew up? A Supercross champion 

and a rock star (still do). 

What is your favourite thing to do 

with.. 

Mackenzie: Talk, watch movies, read 

and sing. 

Taeya: Fun adventures, spontaneously 

going places together and spending 

time with people (we love people). 

Honor: Building lego, drawing, long 

walks… in fact building anything! 

Joel: Long walks, pool fun and 

wrestling for days! 

My name is: Peter Cameron 

I’m dad to: Coco Lily and Scarlett 

Besides being a dad I’m: The Chief 

Motivational Officer at Cameron 

James Real Estate 

What do you love the most about 

being our dad? That each of you 

have the best pieces of me in you and 

you make me so proud and happy 

every day as you grow and you are 

both my true loves. 


your dad? Having him watch me 

play every rugby game, everywhere 

in the country and even overseas. 

That meant the world to me. Lately I 

enjoy having a whisky with him and 

listening to his very interesting and 

humorous stories of when he was in 

London in the 1960’s. 

What’s your favourite thing to do 

with us? Under lockdown it’s been 

going for walks and sprint races on 

the golf course (somehow you always 

manage to beat me and the laughter 

lights us all up). But my all time 

favourite is both of you falling asleep 

in my arms. It makes me the happiest 

and most grateful dad in the world. 


My name is: Lyle Buxton 

I’m a dad to: Lucy (9 months old and 

counting…) 

Besides being a dad, I’m also: An 

actor and singer as well as a Drama 

teacher at Reddam House Umhlanga. 


my dad? I love how much you love 

spending time with me, whether it’s 

eating your meals, giving cuddles 

or playing. I also love how happy 

you get when you see me first thing 

in the morning. Even though it is 

often around 5am, you immediately 

brighten my day. 


your dad? I have so many happy 

memories with my dad. My happiest 

are when we played cricket, rugby or 

soccer together in the garden. 

What did you want to be when 

you grew up? An actor, singer or a 

sportsman. So, I got most of that right. 

What have been the hardest and 

most fun parts of lockdown? The 

hardest thing about lockdown is not 

having the freedom to go where 

we want to go at any time, or to 

see family. The most fun parts are 

spending every day at home with you 

and your mom. 

My name is: Steve Gray. 

I’m a dad to Asher, Arabella and 

Benjamin. 

My children think I’m: “an amazing, 

inspiring and cool dad”. 

Besides being a dad, I’m also: 

married to a super model, and work at 

The MakerSpace where I teach people 

to make the world a better place with 

technology. 


my/our dad? I’ve loved each of you 

so much from the day you were born. 

I just love being your dad because 

you are my children. 


your dad? Sharing special times on 

holidays, my dad taking me surfing 

on our travels and going to see jazz 

music in different countries. 

What did you want to be when you 

grew up? I still don’t know what I 

want to be when I grow up. 


with me? Asher: Surfing and playing 

computer games and sharing memes. 

Arabella: Playing guitar and singing 

with you and cuddling. 

Benjamin: Playing sport with you and 

getting a little cuddle in the morning. 


My name is: Leon Rajcoomar 

I’m a dad to: Caleb (22) and Aaron 

(18) 

My children think I’m: NOT super 

cool. Apparently I’m too ‘old school’ 

but believe I can be the next 

masterchef! 

Besides being a dad, I’m also: 

husband to my amazing wife Cheryl, a 

small business owner, loyal friend and 

a ‘wanna-be’ chef! 


our dad? I love that I am able do 

things with you like exercise and play 

sport and give you advice and help 

when you need it. I also love cooking 

for you. 


your dad? My dad worked shifts and 

was usually off on Wednesdays. On 

these days he would pick us up from 

school and we would go shopping as 

a family, ending the day with a family 

dinner. We would chat about our 

week and anything he missed out on. 

What have been the hardest and 

most fun parts of lockdown? The 

hardest part is not being able to see 

or entertain our family and friends, 

especially the two grannies. Not 

going to church or gym has also 

been tough. The fun part is having 

more family time doing things we 

don’t usually have time to do, like play 

board games, go for early morning 

walks and experiment in the kitchen. 

The best part is also binge-watching 

Netflix! 


with us? I would say our Sunday ‘dad’s 

and lads’ soccer games. I enjoy that 

we can play a sport that we all love 

and that I can still keep up with you 

guys. 

WATCH NOW 

Watch: Each of our five dads being 

interviewed by their kids! 


WORKING IT 

...ONLINE! 

Okay, so we know we need to 

take our businesses online, get 

connected and move with the 

times. Right? But, what does that 

mean and, more importantly, how 

do you do it? Ballito couple Paul and 

Sarah Swainson share some advice. 

Text: LEAH SHONE 


onsidered somewhat 

of a North Coast 

‘power couple’, Sarah 

and Paul (who have 

been married for 

eight years) are both 

highly ambitious and 

goal-oriented. They are successful 

in their respective businesses, avid 

runners and doting parents to their 

‘fur-children’. 

Paul, who currently works in 

outsourcing, has over 20 years’ retail 

experience managing an estate of up 

to 700 stores and 5000 people both in 

the UK and South Africa. Sarah is the 

owner of SA’s largest online lingerie 

retailer, Sarah Elizabeth, as well as an 

online pet retail store called Pawfect. 

Now the couple have combined their 

years of expertise and experience 

and created a ‘one-stop-shop’ called 

Uploaded4U to help SA businesses, 

specifically in the SME segment, 

navigate their way through the digital 

realm. 

Although Uploaded4U had been in 

the pipeline for a while, Sarah says 

the Covid-19 pandemic forced many 

businesses to go the digital route and 

there was a sudden need for this type 

of service. 

“It is more than just ‘taking a business 

online’,” says Sarah. “It is about walking 

the journey with business owners. We 

pride ourselves on not ‘speaking geek’ 

but rather speaking business and 

applying sense to any problem.” 

Sarah says taking your business online 

can be intimidating and confusing 

for many people. Where do you start 

and who can you trust to give you the 

right advice? “I speak from experience. 

When I started Sarah Elizabeth I 

didn’t know anything about running 

an online business. I sat comparing 

quotes from developers and 

designers, not being able to decipher 

the online jargon or understand the 

complexities. It was so confusing and 

overwhelming. Ultimately, I learnt 

through much trial and many errors.” 

Paul says he is proud to have been on 

a journey with his wife in the online 

world over the last five years. “We’ve 

built successful online businesses and 

harnessed the power of an awesome 

team. We have also had the privilege 

of helping a number of businesses 

to take this step through sharing our 

experiences and lessons learnt.” 

The most important thing, he says, is 

that they both understand return on 

investment and the ‘bottom line’. “This 

is a scary time for many small business 

owners and we can help them 

through the minefield of terminology 

and figuring out what’s needed and 

what’s not.” 

Paul says there is no perfect time to 

take your business online. Regardless 

of whether you are a service or 

product-based business, having 

an online presence is crucial. “Now 

more than ever you need to be 

engaging and communicating with 

your existing customers and new 

customers to ultimately grow your 

business.” 

Details: www.uploaded4u.co.za; hello@ 

uploaded4u.co.za; 072 6989746 

Paul and Sarah’s top ‘going online’ tips: 

1. GO ONLINE AS QUICKLY AS YOU CAN. GO, GO, GO! 

I always thought that our first website needed to be perfect and envisioned 

that as soon as we went live, we would be swamped with web traffic. The 

reality for a small business owner, however, is that you turn your website on, 

and nothing happens. You then need to work hard to drive traffic to your 

website. Our advice is to make sure you have the basics in place, but go live 

as quickly as you can. It’s called imperfect action. The online world is always 

changing, and your website will too. The great thing about online is the ability 

to adapt and change. It is not like a physical store where the cost of changing a 

store front is massive. 

2. CONSIDER FUNCTIONALITY VS BUDGET. 

Realise that very elaborate functionality costs money. Keep things simple. 

Start small, get to market and then upgrade as you go along. In the beginning 

try and imagine how your customer would navigate your website. Look at it 

objectively and make sure it’s easy for them to find what they are looking for. 

You know your business, your customer doesn’t. Keep it really simple and easy 

to navigate. 

3. SHOP ONLINE BUT DEAL WITH REAL PEOPLE 

Make sure your customer knows that there are humans on the other side of 

the transaction. Make it clear that if they have a problem or question there 

will be someone to help them. Clearly outline the ways that people can get in 

touch with you. 

4. CLEARLY THINK THROUGH YOUR DELIVERY, RETURNS AND 

EXCHANGES POLICIES 

We have made some enormous, costly mistakes in the past. Know your 

costings! I cannot stress this enough. If you offer free delivery, then make sure 

you have costed this in across your products. This is one of the quickest ways 

to lose money. There are formulas that can help you think through this process. 

WATCH NOW 

Paul and Sarah share their online tips. 


21 

online buys on our 

most wanted list this month 

1 

4 

3 

5 

2 

1. Le Comfie Turkish towels are 

woven from 100 per cent cotton, are 

lightweight, quick drying and compact. 

They’re also really versatile ... use them 

as beach or bath towels, table cloths 

or sarongs, kitchen towels or scarves, 

picnic or baby blankets. There are loads 

of different designs to choose from, 

and most are available in two sizes. We 

found them on lecomfie.co.za • 2. Have 

the very best, tastiest Italian deli goodies 

delivered directly to your door ... deliziosa. 

We recently discovered Italian Deli Online 

and have been feasting on Italian grilled peppers 

and olives, artichoke spread, bruschetta 

with sun-dried tomatoes ever since. This 

bellissimo online store has the best Italian 

coffees, wafers and biscuits, juices and 

waters, preserves, sauces and more (think 

lovely wines and beers and special occasion 

grappa for when those deliveries are allowed). 

Details: italiandelionline.co.za • 3. One great thing 

about lockdown in winter ... we can wear slippers all 

day long. These are warm and wonderful, available 

in half a dozen or so colour combinations and can 

be monogrammed with your initials. R1495 from 

elizabethsummer.com • 4. Sweet Peas is up there 

at the top of our favourite online boutiques ... all 

its products are custom handmade by artisans in 

South Africa, so it really is a great way to support 

local. This month we’re ordering a pair of these 

cheerful Amalfi linen sandals. We’re probably 

going with this cheerful tangerine, but the citrus 

are lovely, too. 100 per cent leather and linen, 

they’re R699 and will add nicely to our Sweet Peas 

collection. Details: sweetpeas.co.za • 5. A hamper of 

spoils is such a treat, particularly when it’s sent up 

from the glorious Babylonstoren in Simondium 

in the Cape. With lockdown deliveries restricted, 

the entire range isn’t available right now, but there’s 

still a lovely selection if you need to send someone 

a gift. Think Orange Blossom Honey, delicious 

with brie, ripe figs or freshly baked bread, and Red 

Plum and Lemon Verbena Cordial, for cocktails, 

cold drinks or to spice up a home-made sponge ... 

simply drizzle over the hot cake. 

Details: babylonstoren.com 


A child. A muddy puddle. A 

pair of gumboots. Pure joy. These 

Boho&Mooi Gummy Welly boots 

are made with natural rubber, are 

lined, soft and bendable. They cost 

R499.99 and can be pre-ordered 

from Hansel & Gretel, one of our 

fave online stores for babes and 

toddlers (great bags for mums, 

too). Details: myhgshop.com 

6 


7 8 

11 

9 

10 

7. This Kitchen Garden Hand & 

Body Lotion is a rich, luxurious 

balm that’s easily absorbed, 

restores moisture and leaves 

skin smooth, supple and lightly 

scented. It’s a burst of fresh 

herbs in a bottle ... gorgeous. 

R220 from babylonstoren.com 

• 8. A little luxury never went 

amiss. Homeware Spot is a site 

dedicated to a premium, handselected, 

carefully curated range, 

like this M&Sense Neofresh 

Lavender & Sage Luxurious 

Diffuser (R520) and Luxurious 

Scented Large Candle (R490). 

Details: homewarespot.com • 9. 

With these rings on our fingers, 

we don’t need bells on our toes. 

LOVE these Blink and Co designer 

rainbow rings ... and plan on 

starting a collection (hint, hint 

to those asking what we want 

for birthdays and anniversaries 

coming up!). Pure silver, then 

bathed in gold – and the stones 

are semi-precious crystals mixed 

with Swarovski crystals. They’re 

exclusive limited editions, and 

range from R1800 to R2800. Details: 

Order for delivery from michelle@ 

blinkandco.com or 082-908-1808 • 

10. Yes. We know it’s winter. But 

this dark red, midi camisole dress 

with blue contrast lace trim would 

be sensational under a kimono or 

big, slouchy cardie. R599 from zara. 

com • 11. How gorgeous is this 

mauve midi pleated skirt? Love 

12 

the colour, love the fabric – and 

it sways and dances as we walk. 

Bonus ... it has an elastic waistband 

(a few of us need that, after the 

lockdown bake-a-thon we’ve been 

enjoying). R599 from zara.com • 12. 

Little mini bottles of sugar-free cordials in 

flavours like Turkish Delight and elderflower, 

lemongrass and pomegranate, unicorn 

(swoon) and Glühwein. R29.95 each. While 

you’re ordering, the sugar-free syrups (think 

peanut, chai, milk tart) are brilliant, too. 

Order online for delivery (costs range from 

R70 to R195 depending on your area, so a 

good idea to order with a group of friends). 

Details: gudgu.co.za 


Wall art ... if you’re a fan of antique prints, you’re going to love Cosmographica Prints which, in the past 

decade, has built a substantial digital archive of antique prints, principally Africana, but also cartography, 

botanicals, anatomicals and other interesting oddities. The prints are museum quality (archival inks 

and paper) with several sizes (from A4 to A0) and weights of paper to choose from, and are ideal for 

decorative purposes – unlike originals, which commonly use water-based paints, they won’t fade in 

bright sunlight. Prices are from around R590 to R2490. Details: instagram.com/cosmographica_prints/ 

or facebook.com/cosmographicaprints 

13 


14 

15 

14. It’s not new, but it’s the perfect book to buy now 

if you don’t have it. South Africa’s organic gardening 

guru, Jane Griffiths, shows you how easy it is to create 

a food garden, no matter how small your space. All 

inspirational ideas, practical information and loads 

of tips and suggestions, Jane’s Delicious Urban 

Gardening also touches on keeping urban bees and 

hens, harvesting rainwater and recycling grey water, as 

well as introducing solar power into your home. R302, 

order online for delivery from exclusivebooks.co.za • 15. 

Supporting small, local business and adding a touch 

of glam to our indoor garden – win win. This grey and 

yellow planter is from Plasticity, a sustainable brand 

based in Graaff-Reinet in the Karoo, where they upcycle 

plastic to create functional products. R249 from 

upcycledplastic.co.za • 16. We’re all for using natural 

products whenever possible ... and Made by Nature 

is an online store that makes it so jolly easy. Brands 

are selected for their eco standards and for using only 

natural ingredients ... think brands like Earthsap and 

Triple Orange, The Herbal Pet and Hey Gorgeous. You 

can stock up on everything from all-purpose cleaner to 

baby wipes, from herbal spray treatment for itchy pets 

to rose scented body scrub. Our regular order always 

includes this Triple Orange Fruit and Veg Wash (R65), 

which safely removes wax, soil, chemicals and bacteria. 

Details: madebynature.co.za • 17. With all the hand 

washing and sanitising going on, a good hand cream 

is essential. Burt’s Bees Almond & Milk Hand Cream 

is our go-to option. R200, order online from dischem. 

co.za and takealot.com 


16 

17 

18 

18. We’re ordering this Kare Essential Starter Kit ... three 

bags designed to allow you to do your grocery shop without 

having to touch a piece of plastic. There’s a 100 per cent pure 

unbleached cotton mesh produce bag and an expandable 

tote (which folds up small but expands to hold at least 3kgs of 

your shopping) and a cotton calico solid produce bag (with 

absorptive, breathable cotton, so perfect for veggies like lettuce, 

keeping it fresh and crisp; also great for freezing bread and 

useful for storing cheese or grains). These bags (and loads more) 

are all available as single buys, so you can add to your collection, 

but this kit is a great place to start. R335 from karebags.co.za

19. There’ll be no problem getting your kids to wear their face masks when 

they can roar like a lion. Lions, kittens, pigs and eagles ... we LOVE these. 

They’re R50 from madambotany.co.za, and can be delivered around the 

country. • 20. We are, for the foreseeable future, going to be spending a 

lot more time at home. So let’s embrace it – the Nordic way. Hyggie – 

pronounced hue-gah – is loosely translated as cosy ... it’s all about people’s 

behaviour towards each other, about creating intimacy and contentment 

and warmth. In How To Hygge, Scandinavian cook and writer Signe 

Johansen shares the secrets of Nordic living and shows you how to adopt 

these elements into your everyday life. So besides loads of recipes, there are ideas 

on how to enjoy the outdoors, the joy of fika (coming together over cake and 

coffee) and how to collaborate to achieve a sense of community. For those who 

admire the Nordic stylish design, Signe shows how to achieve Scandi-cool in your 

own home, without breaking the bank. R338, and you can order online and have 

it delivered from exclusivebooks.co.za • 21. Work. Cleaning. Laundry. Cooking. And 

now home-schooling too. Good grief! But we’ve found help in a box. WackyBox 

is, quite literally, preschool in a box. It contains everything you need to keep your 

pre-schoolers entertained and educated at home. It’s not new – it’s been around 

for four years – but my goodness, is it well timed right now! Founder Nicolene 

Steyn ensures all major educational milestones between the ages of five months 

and six years are covered, with age-appropriate activities and new themes 

monthly (think Shapes, African Insects, and By The Sea). It’s an open-up-and-startplaying 

experience, with minimal prep. Hugely helpful for busy (or not terribly 

organised) mums, as absolutely everything you need is ready to use inside the 

box. What’s more, the box is also part of the activities, which means nothing goes 

to waste. You can order a one off box (a great gift from gran over lockdown ... 

hint, hint), or a subscription. Prices around R395 for a one off order, R1940 for a six 

month subscription. Details: wackybox.co.za 

20 

19 

21 


Banish 

homeschooling blues 

Homeschooling. It has become an emotionally-charged word during this lockdown 

period. For some parents, playing teacher is a newly found talent and passion. For 

many, however, it is just plain torture. Love it or hate it, distance and online learning 

may be the new reality for a lot of families. We asked a local expert for some advice. 

Text: ELANA WAGNER 

Kip McGrath Umhlanga franchisee 

and teacher Tracy-Lee Galloway’s 

homeschooling survival advice starts 

with a simple rule: avoid unnecessary 

anxiety by choosing to be involved 

in your child’s learning. Next, she 

suggests following these steps: 

1. ROUTINE CREATES CONTROL 

Routine is crucial so that you and your 

child feel in control. Set aside a time 

of the day, preferably in the mornings, 

from Monday to Friday to focus on 

schoolwork. Keep a timetable so that 

you spend the correct amount of time 

on each subject. On average a person 

can concentrate for 20 minutes, so 

break up the schoolwork into bite 

size chunks. Keep the weekend for 

relaxing and family time. 

2. CREATE A CLASSROOM 

Make sure you have the correct 

supplies and any other necessary 

resources in a conducive designated 

place of study. The bed is not a place 

of study! Your child must ‘go’ to school. 

3. KEEP IT POSITIVE 

Use a reward system to motivate your 

child extrinsically and intrinsically. 

Schoolwork must be seen as a 

positive thing that helps your child 

succeed at school. Consistently praise 

your child for their efforts. Part of 

learning is the process, not just the 

outcome. It’s okay if they have not 

checked all the boxes for the day 

because this is not normal for you or 

them. 


Smart online tools to try: 

1. Digital library: Project 

Gutenberg is a library of over 60 000 

e-books. Download them or read 

them on kindle. 

2. Play to read: Teach Your Monster 

To Read is an award-winning series 

of games that’s helped millions of 

children learn to read. 

4. MAKE TIME TO READ 

Daily reading is crucial for your child’s development. The junior phase should 

read 15 to 20 minutes a day, intermediate phase 20 to 30 minutes a day and 

the senior phase should read 30 to 40 minutes a day. Read aloud to enhance 

comprehension. If they want to read more, encourage them to. 

5. USE ONLINE RESOURCES WISELY 

Online resources can be advantageous, but be careful of what is available. Think 

of what your child’s routine was before lockdown … don’t overload them with 

online PDF worksheets when they have schoolwork assigned to them already. 

Choose an online dance or piano class, online Sunday school class or online 

workout class that is not schoolwork to help excite the learning. 

6. LEARN ‘OUTSIDE’ THE CLASSROOM 

Try out passion projects such as cooking, painting, crafting or learning a musical 

instrument. These types of activities could help you bond with your child and 

you can learn a new skill together. Alternatively, they can do these on their own 

while you are working. 

7. ASK FOR HELP 

If your child becomes frustrated, try to assist them. If you cannot help, ask the 

school teacher. Encourage your child to be open with you and their teachers. It 

is okay for you not to be able to assist. Alternatively, arrange an online session 

with classmates. Peers can be invaluable resources. 

8. TALK TO EACH OTHER 

Talk to your child about his or her concerns and anxieties. Set goals with them. 

It’s okay to say, “I’m not doing so well right now…” however, encourage them 

not to abandon their goals. Talk to other parents from your school. They are 

experiencing the same frustrations and successes as you. You are not an island! 

As parents, you need to try to minimise your stress first, then your child’s stress. 

3. Story time: Nalibali is a national 

reading for enjoyment campaign to 

spark children’s potential through 

storytelling and reading. 

4. Master maths: Prodigy Game is 

a popular online math platform for 

kids from grade 1-8. It has a free 

parent programme to monitor your 

child’s progress and get reports. 

5. Did you know? Answer life’s 

biggest questions with Brightside. 

me on YouTube Kids. 

6. Scientific stuff: Mystery Science 

is a free site for children from Preschool 

to Grade 5. 

7. Little astronauts: Get free 

articles, videos and resources 

related to aeronautics and space 

exploration on Nasa. 

8. Learning made fun: 

KhanAcademy has online tools for 

various subjects including science, 

math and history. 

9. Let’s build: ToyTheatre is a fun 

site for kids to build toys and has 

free drawings. 

10. Play time: PBSKids has a lot of 

entertaining kid’s games 

9. SUPERVISE, DON’T DO 

Be involved in a supervisory capacity only. Otherwise, the teacher will have a 

distorted view of your child’s capability. It is tempting to complete sentences or 

find the answers for your child. This does not help your child discover and learn. 

10. BE FORGIVING… 

…of yourself and your child. If you need to scrap the day’s work and put your 

child outside to play or put movies on all day, then do it! You do not have to 

homeschool if it is going to cause severe emotional distress. 

Details: www.kipmcgrath.co.za/umhlanga, umhlanga@kipmcgrath.co.za or 074 

111 1733. 


Learning for life 

Education. It’s the most important gift you can give your child to help them navigate 

this fast-paced, ever-changing world and become an adult who contributes to society. 

What that education looks like is up to you as the parent. Simbithi mom, Natalia Kupfer, 

has taken a ‘different is good’ approach. 


Born in Chile, educated in Switzerland 

and based in the UK before 

moving to the North Coast in 2014, 

pharmaceutical scientist, Natalia has 

taken her two children’s schooling 

into her own hands after realising 

that traditional education was not an 

option for them. 

“I believe our education system is in 

a crisis,” says the mom of five-year-old 

Rily and two-year-old Lilu. “Mainstream 

schools are teaching the same way 

children were taught 200 years ago! 

Back then, the government wanted 

to have workers because of the 

industrial revolution, so schooling 

was aimed at creating workers who 

wait for instructions, follow rules 

and think inside the box. Today, we 

need thinkers. People who can solve 

problems and think out of the box. 

Our society has changed. Education 

must change too.” 

She delved into researching different 

education systems and ways of 

learning and created a form of home 

schooling that combines elements 

from various curriculums. 

“We incorporate techniques and 

learning methods from Forest School, 

Reggio Emilia and Montessori.” She 

has also adopted a similar theory 

to Finland’s schooling system with 

shorter school days and a nohomework 

policy. “Life is already so 

busy and when your child is rushing 


they flourish. We don’t really have toys. 

I don’t buy them. Instead, the children 

make things, and they barely ever say 

they are bored.” Not being bored is 

the key to learning, says Natalia, so to 

prevent the “b”-word from creeping in, 

she constantly adapts their learning 

methods to keep “school” interesting, 

which keeps her on her toes too. 

“Moms often tell me I’m brave 

because I home school my kids. I don’t 

think I am. Home schooling is not 

the solution for everyone, but don’t 

be intimidated by the idea because 

you think you have to be a teacher to 

home school. You just need your kids 

to believe they can learn whatever 

they want to and make learning fun. It 

is all about learning together really.” 

Details: https://www.differentisgood. 

co.za/, Facebook: differentisgoodSA or 

WhatsApp 063 715 1004. 

from school to swimming to dancing to homework, constantly pushing and 

competing with others, you end up with a ten-year-old who is stressed out. 

If school work is done effectively and efficiently, homework should not be 

necessary. Time at home should allow children to play and enjoy spending time 

with their family. I am all for competition but compete as yourself.” Individualism 

inspired the name for her online, education business, Different is Good, which 

focuses on making educational tools for parents and teachers to use to 

encourage engaged learning. 

“Most schools teach using the visual sense only and through repetition. Imagine 

having to write the letter ‘A’ 50 times… how boring?! When your mind is not 

engaged, you become bored and you are not going to learn. We have five 

senses and we learn much better if we use all of them.” 

To stimulate the mind and engage all the senses, Natalia’s first product is a 

colourful, interactive, All About Farm Animals flash card set complete with the 

matching animal figurines, the names of all the family members for each animal 

and the different body parts. “This fun learning tool stimulates visual, tactile and 

auditory learning, builds fine motor and cognitive skills and encourages problem 

solving.” The best part is that you can also choose in which language your kids 

are going to learn. “Learning a language is probably the best way to develop 

cognitive skills and we are best suited to learn a language before the age of six,” 

says the trilingual mom who speaks French, Spanish and English to her children. 

She added the language feature because she realised that many moms want 

their kids to be exposed to different languages, but don’t know how to go about 

it. “The cards are linked to a downloadable audio guide that allows your child to 

learn in Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, French, Spanish, English and German!” She also 

recently added the Dinosaur Adventure Activity Set. 

“I firmly believe in learning through playing. We were taught by society that if 

you don’t put information in your head from a book you are not learning. It’s 

important to know certain things, but it’s the way you react to the info and use 

it that makes the difference.” Instead, the mom follows a holistic approach to 

learning which is not restricted to classroom time. “Just by living, you are learning. 

If you go hiking, you are learning. Schooling doesn’t just happen in a classroom 

with a teacher. Being told what and how to do everything doesn’t teach 

innovative and inventive thinking. I’ve seen it with my kids - when they are free, 


MINDFUL MOVEMENT 

IN MAYHEM 

When a worldwide pandemic sends life as we know it to hell in 

a (sanitized) handbasket, the only thing left to do is breathe… 

keep moving…and remain mindful that this too shall pass. Salt 

Rock yoga guru and founder of The Mindful Movement, Tasia 

Dellis shares some wisdom on staying calm amidst the chaos. 



With a commerce degree and a 

corporate job working for Africa’s 

largest retailer, Tasia had no 

idea that her path was going to 

change dramatically when she 

went to her first yoga class ten 

years ago in Cape Town. “I was 

instantly hooked and began to 

experience the powerful and 

practical healing benefits of 

integrating mindful movement, 

breath-work and meditation 

into my life. This physical and, 

more importantly, inward 

transformation left me inspired 

to share the gift with others.” 

She completed her first teachertraining 

course in 2015, left her 

corporate job a year later and 

started The Mindful Movement in 

2017. 

Why is breath-work important 

and how does it differ from 

meditation? 

We go through most of our day 

not giving our breath much 

thought, but it is the very thing 

keeping us alive. Checking in with 

the quality of your breath can 

have a dramatic impact on your 

overall holistic health. Breathing 

practices are on the rise. This 

is because, unlike meditation 

where we are aware of our mental 

chatter, breath-work allows us to 

disconnect from the mind and 

reconnect with our body and 

energy. From this elevated state 

of awareness, we are able to 

heal, grow, and expand. Breathework 

is a great tool to pull out 

when you’re feeling stressed, 

overwhelmed or off-centre. 

Who can benefit from breathwork? 

There is a misconception that 

healing arts are for individuals 

who are struggling or suffering. 

And yes, breath-work is very 

supportive for stress, tension, 

anxiety, depression, fear, grief, 

sadness, anger, trauma and 

insomnia. It is, however, also 

nourishing for someone who is 

doing well and feels ready for 

the next layer of love, peace, 

gratitude, clarity, connection, and 

insight. 

You’ve been offering lockdown 

virtual Move With Me classes. 

What advice would you give 

someone who is anxious or 

embarrassed to join an online 

class? 

Start by checking if the class is 

suitable for all body types and 

fitness levels. An experienced 

teacher or instructor will be able 

to modify a class for all levels. 

Be honest and communicate if 

you have any injuries or major 

concerns before you start the 

class. I always keep my students’ 

video and audio off during a 

group class so that no one can 

see you. So, you can feel free to 

roll out of bed and jump onto 

the Zoom class, if you wish. I 

personally do this to minimise any 

external distractions and support 

the students in cultivating a 

deeper mindfulness practice. 

Can kids join in too? 

Yes! I one hundred percent 

encourage getting the whole 

family involved, especially 

children! Learning the art of 

attention and self-awareness is 

such a beautiful holistic gift and 

benefit of yoga, something that 

will stay with you and your family 

long after you roll up your mat. 

Details: https://www. 

themindfulmovement. 

co.za/, email: hello@ 

themindfulmovement.co.za 

or Instagram: @themindful_ 

movement 

COME, JOIN THE GET IT 

CLASS… 

Tasia is offering exclusive, free, 

online classes twice a week for 

our Get It readers for the month 

of June! Join the 45-minute 

breath-work, yoga and a short 

meditation Instagram Live class 

at 7am on Mondays and 4.30pm 

on Wednesdays. While the 

class is free, Tasia is collecting 

donations on a pay-as-you-can 

basis for the Durban-based 

Orenda Foundation’s One 

Drop Project to help give 

under-resourced communities 

the opportunity to have safe 

drinking, cooking and cleaning 

water. 

WATCH NOW 

Tasia invites Get It 

readers to join her 

free weekly Instagram 

Live classes 


Balancing life on pointe 

Many little girls grow up with 

a wind-up ballerina musical 

jewellery box, which inevitably 

leads to them starting ballet 

lessons (in those adorable pink 

leotards). Some progress to 

dancing on pointe, but only 

a select few make it to the 

stage. Umhlanga dancer Rachel 

Abrahams is one of those 

talented girls…and she couldn’t 

imagine life any other way. 



t is in a fantastical world of 

magic, music and dreamy 

costumes that Umhlanga 

dancer Rachel Abrahams feels 

most at home. Effortlessly, she 

floats across the stage, light 

as a feather, elegant arms 

and poised, lean legs. 

The fun-loving 29-year-old started 

ballet at age five, modern dance at 

eight and tap at ten. “Ballet was always 

the highlight of my day. I was very 

sporty growing up and continued 

with dance and sport until I was 14. 

I was so determined 

to be part of this 

industry that I 

couldn’t see that 

I was actually 

struggling mentally. 

Then I chose to fully concentrate 

on my dancing - ballet being my 

top priority.” Rachel studied ballet 

with Winsome Fuller, a legend in the 

industry who danced with the likes of 

Nureyev – one of the world’s greatest 

male ballet dancers. Disciplined and 

dedicated to perfecting the art of 

dance, Rachel got used to long days 

and busy schedules from an early 

age. “Most evenings I only got home 

around 8pm after ballet class and 

weekends always included KZN youth 

ballet and dance rehearsals.” 

At age 12, she auditioned for a 

company called Siwela Sonke and 

although she was very young, she 

made it into the show. “That’s where 

I learnt contemporary and I went on 

to perform with them for years after 

that at arts festivals, gala events at the 

ICC and theatres. I used the money I 

earned form these performances to 

buy my pointe shoes and costumes 

and put it towards my future in 

dancing.” 

Rachel’s breakthrough came in the 

first year after she finished school 

when she successfully auditioned 

and was accepted into the South African Ballet Theatre (Joburg Ballet now) 

Apprentice Programme. “That was the official start of my career performing in 

major ballet productions such as Coppelia, Giselle and Cinderella.” 

While this was a dream come true, looking back, Rachel says she now realises 

how much she struggled in her first few years in the ballet company and dance 

world. “I was 17 and the pressure was indescribable. I can’t explain the amount 

of mental strength it takes to be in a company, be disciplined, believe in yourself 

and to make this a career. I was so determined to be part of this industry that I 

couldn’t see that I was actually struggling mentally.” 

Finding balance between her career and her life has been a long-term learning 

curve and a lesson that has helped her survive and thrive in the tough industry. 

“It’s very hard as a ballet dancer to have a life outside of ballet, but it’s essential. 

I prioritise myself so that I can be the best dancer possible for my career. I learnt 

that the best way for me to have a long career is to work on a freelance basis and 

not be part of a company full time.” When she is not part of a ballet production 

in Johannesburg or Cape Town, you will find her on the rugby field dancing for 

the Sharks team and the Dolphins, on stage at corporate events or in a studio 

teaching and choreographing. “I’ve started spending more time in Durban lately 

as I love my city and want to help build the industry here. My incredible dance 

partner, Casey Swales, also lives here and we do a lot of work together.” 

Another big lesson has been to look after her body. “Ballet, especially, is a visual 

art which relies on perfect lines and a part of that would be a perfect body. I am 

quite tall and certainly am lean naturally. Out of ballet season or contract I don’t 

put pressure on myself. My body is my temple and I really mean that. During 

seasons, I dance so much it would be impossible for my body not to be in its 

best shape. If I’m not in good shape, I will get injured.” 

To keep her body strong and dance ready, Rachel is very particular about how 

she fuels herself. “I’m vegetarian and grow my own vegetables and herbs. I eat 

extremely well - and a lot - and I am proud to say that I check everything before 

I eat it. I want to know what I’m putting into my body. Normally, if anything has 

more than five ingredients in it, it’s processed. Not to say I don’t enjoy a beautiful, 

big breakfast on a Sunday with the works, or that I don’t love chocolate as much 

as the next person. I also love bread and pasta. I just exercise in moderation 

(most of the time).” 

While the arts (and the rest of the world) are in hibernation during lockdown, 

Rachel is keeping active and busy, gardening with her boyfriend and exercising 

in her home with her faithful shadow, Rocco, the Staffordshire Bullterrier always 

next to her. “The arts will thrive again and my shows will be put back on. I can’t 

wait! In the meantime, I’m creating, staying fit and enjoying exploring my free 

dance spirit.” 

Details: Instagram: @ballerinarach 

WATCH NOW 

Take a look at a day in the life of a ballerina in lockdown… 


GIVE YOUR DAD 

AN AFTER 

LOCKDOWN GOAL 

Self Care is so important and so are Dads, let your dad 

come out of lockdown 2020 looking completely refreshed, 

revived and with a little reverse of the anti aging clock. 

Institute of Aesthetic Options have so much to offer, 

accommodating all budgets… many are feeling anxious, 

stressed, tired and needing ‘me time’ (after being cooped up at 

home), you need self-care, rejuvenation something we can 

offer to get your glow back! While we are all encouraged to 

maintain social distancing and work from home as much as 

possible - it may be the right time for some to have a 

procedure with a little bit of down time - as you won’t be 

socialising and can stick to the recommended pre and post 

procedure care. No need to worry about bruising or a few 

scabs - therefore procedures like plasma pen, threads may be 

more of an option, and some peeling won’t be a problem. It’s 

an ideal time to start an aesthetic / skincare journey. This takes 

time to start seeing significant results but after 3 months you 

will see the results. A tired, angry, anxious look? We have you 

covered, Science suggests botulinum toxin / wrinkle relaxing 

injections can improve your mood and enhance positivity and 

ward off depression, give it a try with us! 

SPOIL DAD WITH A VOUCHER: 

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Swapping your daily shake 

for a plant-based alternative 

ADVERTORIAL 

How it’s made 

For Tri Blend premium vegan 1 , ingredients like quinoa, flaxseed and pea were selected. 

Together, all the ingredients in the product deliver a protein source, vitamin C and 7 

key minerals. 

Plant-based protein 

Using plant-based instead of animal-based proteins, like milk, makes the composition 

of the product different. Protein is a composition of smaller molecules called amino 

acids. 

Some of these amino acids can’t be produced by the body itself. The nine amino 

acids that humans cannot synthesise are phenylalanine, valine, threonine, tryptophan, 

methionine, leucine, isoleucine, lysine, and histidine. These are called essential amino 

acids and must be provided by the diet in a certain proportion. In many animal-based 

sources, like milk protein, these amino acids are provided in the right amount and 

proportion. 

Plant-proteins (with some exceptions) tend to be incomplete, lacking different essential 

amino acids. For example, a plant-protein source can be low in lysine, whereas another 

one is low in methionine. 

However, mixing complementary sources of plant-protein helps us to obtain all the 

essential amino acids in their adequate amounts to have a complete protein. Therefore, 

together, the ingredients of Tri Blend provide a source of protein. The product is also 

suitable for vegans and can be part of a plant-based diet. 

Why Tri Blend is a great snack 

First, consuming a protein snack, such as Tri Blend, may be a 

great way to help meet protein recommendations. It is also a 

better alternative to common low-nutrient, high-energy density 

snacks. Moreover, it’s a convenient way to increase plant protein 

consumption or, to help us switch to a more plant-based protein diet. 

Vegetarianism is the practice that 

excludes meat, meat products, 

poultry and fish from the diet. 

There are several variants of the 

diet, some of which also exclude 

eggs or dairy. Veganism is a 

philosophy and compassionate 

lifestyle. The objective of this 

diet seeks to exclude the use of 

animals for food, clothing, or any 

other purpose. Vegans don’t use or 

consume animal products of any 

kind including honey References: 

Appleby, P. N., & Key, T. J. (2016). 

Conference on ‘The future of 

animal products in the human 

diet: health and environmental 

concerns’ Symposium 3: 

Alternatives to meat. The longterm 

health of vegetarians and 

vegans. Proceedings of the 

Nutrition Society, 75, 287–293. 

Melina, V., Craig, W., & Levin, S. 

(2016). Position of the Academy 

of Nutrition and Dietetics: 

Vegetarian Diets. J Acad Nutr Diet, 

116(12), 1970-1980. doi:10.1016/j. 

jand.2016.09.025 

Something good for the planet 

Compared to animal-based diets, plant-based alternatives seem to 

also have some benefits for the planet. 

For more information, 

visit www.herbalife.co.za 


Dear dad ... 

It’s June. It’s Fathers’ Day. And we adore dads. So here’s a fantabulous prize 

for you to (hopefully) win for yours. A hamper just filled to the brim with 

everything on this page. Yip ... there’s Aviation Gin and Don Papa Rum. There’s 

a bottle of John Bannerman Scotch Whisky and a cooler bag of Italian Mazzatti 

Beer. There’s Seedlip for dads on driving duty, and a Lou Harvey cooler bag. 

And last, but oh my goodness, certainly not least, there’s a new, functional 

backpack from Thule, which dad will use every day for probably ever! Want 

to win? Head off to our Facebook 

page (GetItMagNC), find the Dear 

Dad post, and follow the rules. And 

happy, happy Fathers’ Day to all 

the dads out there. We trust you’ll 

be spoilt rotten! Entries close end 

June, prizes given once lockdown 

restrictions are lifted. 


Gift ideas for dad this Fathers’ Day 

All we really need to know about 

Aviation Gin is that Ryan Reynolds 

tasted it, loved it, and immediately 

grabbed an ownership interest in it. And 

if it’s good enough for this Hollywood 

actor, writer, producer and mostswoonworthy-handsome-man-alive, 

it’s good enough for us. Fortunately, 

besides being hot and having a wicked 

sense of humour, he’s also got good 

taste. This Portland-distilled, American 

craft gin is amazing ... subtle, smooth, 

balanced, it can fly solo or take any 

mixed drink to new heights. 

Details: trumanandorange.com 

Moving over to Italy, and to Mazzatti 

Beer, which exemplifies the Italian 

style of this top favourite tipple. A fullflavoured, 

exceptionally-made, classic, 

Italian beer brewed with pure, natural 

water from the Alpine stream that runs 

through Lagundo, it has no added 

chemicals and has a natural, refreshing 

taste. Details: trumanandorange.com 

If your dad is strong and bold he’s a 

banner man ... the one always chosen 

for his ability to carry the banner and 

inspire courage in those he leads. 

Bannermans Red Seal is an incredibly 

fine Scotch whisky ... smooth, rich, 

sophisticated. Like dad! 


Enjoy Don Papa Rum neat, on the 

rocks or over one large ice cube. 

Whichever you choose, you’ll find this 

small batch, single island, premium 

aged rum, smooth, delicate and 

delicious! Made on the sugar island of 

Negros Occidental in the Philippines, 

and distilled from some of the finest 

sugar cane in the world, it’s aged for 

more than seven years in American 

oak barrels in the foothills of Mount 

Kanlaon, and is all vanilla, honey and 

candied fruits. 


Solving that ever-growing ‘what to drink 

when you’re not drinking’ dilemma, 

SEEDLIP is the world’s first distilled 

non-alcoholic spirit. Blended and 

bottled in England, it has zero calories, 

is sugar-free, and has no sweetener or 

artificial ingredients. Try the new version 

– Seedlip Grove – it’s zesty, citrusy and 

is great with tonic and a twist of orange 

peel for a delicious 

non-alcoholic drink. 

Details: yuppiechef.com 

So ... we have the 

drinks. What about 

the bags? For funky 

colourful coolers, we 

look no further than 

Lou Harvey, where 

you’ll find a range of eight different 

cooler bags in loads of different design 

options ... so there’ll be something 

exactly right for you. 

Details: louharvey.com 

The new Thule Construct Backpack 

(24L) is a functional backpack with 

just the right amount of storage, 

organisation and casual style to 

transition from the work week to the 

weekend. Keep your phone or glasses 

safe in the soft-lined protective pocket 

and store the rest of your day to day 

essentials and electronics in multiple 

pockets. It’s a gift your dad will use 

every single day ... and Thule is known 

to be exceptional quality, so he’ll be 

using it, and thanking you, for years to 

come. Details: thulestore.co.za 


Phase 1 

90% 

Sold 

PALM SWIFT | FROM R2.7 MILLION 

Brettenwood Coastal Estate has responded to the property market’s desire for free-standing single-storey homes 

priced from R2.7 Million and as a result, Phase 1 of our our latest sectional title development is already 90% sold! 

This development offers 2 and 3 bedroom pet-friendly homes at unheard of prices and as an added bonus, each home 

will also have a kitchen kitted out with the following SMEG appliances 

Classic electric oven, Classic Gas Hob, Silver Telescopic Extractor, Classic Microwave, 

Stainless Steel Fridge/Freezer combo, Washing Machine, Tumble Dryer, Dishwasher, Retro Kettle and Retro Toaster. 

P R I M E P R O P E R T I E S O F T H E W E E K 

NO TRANSFER DUTY 

NO TRANSFER DUTY 

20 WAGTAIL 

530 EAGLE OWL WAY 

96 KINGFISHER BLVD 

This superb 4 bedroom property with 

high end finishes is the last of its type 

available (no transfer duty). Includes: 

open plan living area, courtyard and 

covered patio with sea views. 

4 247 m2 

Land from the developer - a 952sqm, flat 

stand that allows for a double story 

home with elevated views over 

Brettenwood is priced to sell fast with no 

transfer duty. 

952sqm 

96 Kingfisher is a modern open plan 

home with quality finishes throughout. 

Includes: A large open plan living area 

with an abundance of space and natural 

light and sea views from every bedroom. 

3 3 

O F F E R E D A T : R 5,500,000 OFFERED AT: R1,100,000 O F F E R E D A T : R 7,000,000 

Register your interest for Palm Swift: 

www.brettenwood.co.za/palm-swift 

info@homeandcountry.co.za 

38 Get It • Ballito Umhlanga www.brettenwood.co.za 

June 2020 

Mark Harris 

Sales Advisor 

T 082 789 6340 

E mark@homeandcountry.co.za 

Sandra Schuit 

Rental Agent 

T 062 896 1814 

E sandra@homeandcountry.co.za

MILKY WAY 

If it’s sweet, warm and 

delicious, we want it. 

If ever there was a time to spoil ourselves, it’s now. 

And we can’t think of much more of a treat than 

a cup of hot chocolate. And when it’s white hot 

chocolate ... oh, be still our beating hearts! New from 

Nomu is this White Hot Chocolate (R51.95) ... order it, 

along with other luxurious chocolate indulgences, for 

home delivery from nomu.co.za 

Whip that coffee 

If you’re on Instagram, you’ll no doubt have seen post after post 

of Dalgona coffee. Picture perfect, it’s also amazingly easy to 

make. It’s fluffy and delicious, and you can enjoy it hot or cold. All 

you need is to pop two generous tablespoons each of instant 

coffee, granulated sugar (we like brown, but you can use white) 

and boiling water into a small bowl. Whip with a whisk or hand 

mixer until foamy, thick and fudgy in colour. With an electric 

whisk, this took us two minutes. Then pour your hot or cold milk 

into a a glass until three-quarters full, spoon the whipped coffee 

on top, (take your Instagram photo now), then stir vigorously 

through the milk. Top hint: if you’ve got children, do the same 

with Milo. It’s brilliant. Just whip four tablespoons of Milo with 

four tablespoons of cream, then pour onto of a mug of hot milk 

(makes two). 

Hey, sugar sugar (you’re singing, now, aren’t you .... ah, 

honey honey, you are my candy girl). Retro-style sugar 

shaker for your coffee tray, R99 from zarahome.com 



Lockdown lunchtime fun 

We may not be packing it up and sending it off in a cooler box with them to school 

every day, but make no mistake...lunches still need to be made! We asked North Coast 

mom of three Deborah Andrews of Lunchbox Lifesavers for some tips on how to add 

some ‘fun’ into daily lockdown lunches. 

Text: LEAH SHONE 

With the novelty of baking something 

new every single day having worn off 

by now, most parents are looking for 

quick and easy lunches that will fill 

tummies and keep kids healthy at the 

same time. 

Former Australian national swimmer 

Deborah, who is passionate about 

feeding her kids ‘healthIER’ versions 

of the things they love, started her 

online community called Lunchbox 

Lifesavers with the hope of inspiring 

moms to have a bit of fun with their 

kids lunches. Her lunchbox creations 

range from turning tuna sarmies 

into puzzles to spiralling carrots and 

drawing faces on bananas! 

“We all know that nutrition plays an 

important part in providing the fuel 

that their precious little bodies need 

to grow. It is perhaps even more 

important during a pandemic where 

healthier foods help support and 

strengthen their immune systems,” 

says Deb, who also has a certificate in 

children’s nutrition. But encouraging 

kids to eat healthier isn’t always easy! 

“I love coming up with quick and 

easy tweaks to otherwise ‘boring’ 

food, that will spike the interest of 

the kids and hopefully encourage 

them to eat the food that is better 

for them. Sometimes a bit of fun can 

make a meal more appetizing. I can’t 

guarantee any miracles… but we just 

have to keep on keeping-on! Also, if 

we are making lunches every day… 

we may as well have some fun with it!” 

Deborah Andrews 


DEB SHARES A FEW OF HER 

FAVOURITE LUNCHTIME TIPS AND 

RECIPES: 

TIP: Using a colourful silicon cup is a 

super way to add a bit of colour to the 

plate, and works so well in a lunchbox 

if you want to separate the foods. Just 

make sure you use a cup that is as 

high as the lunchbox, so that when 

the lid is on it won’t spill (because we 

all know how kids use their cooler 

boxes as soccer balls at school)! 

TIP: You can find cocktail sticks at 

party shops to add some fun into the 

lunch. Just be sure to break off the 

sharp ends if there’s a chance that 

they will be used as weapons at break 

time. 

RECIPE: 

BAKED SPAGHETTI NESTS 

Using left-over spaghetti and not 

even messing up another bowl in 

the making. Quick & easy, and these 

can be frozen for a time in the future 

when the kids are back at ‘real’ school. 

It’s a super way to send some pasta for 

lunch without the mess, as the baking 

process holds them together for their 

journey through the playground. 

Just use your left-over spaghetti from 

supper and mix in an egg or two 

(depending on how much spaghetti 

you have left). Then add a handful of 

grated Parmesan and some grated 

mozzarella. Lightly grease a muffin 

tray. Use a fork to twirl the ribbons of 

spaghetti into ‘nests’ into each muffin 

cup. Bake in the oven for about 15 

minutes at 180°C. 

TIP: 

VEGGIE STICKS TASTE BETTER 

WITH A DIP! 

Fill the bottom part of a snacking 

pepper with hummus or cream 

cheese for a cup that can also be 

gobbled up. 

RECIPE: 

QUICK & EASY CHICKEN BITES 

(two variations) 

“These are so simple to mix together, 

using staples from your cupboard. 

They taste great and can be frozen 

(for when lunchboxes are pulled 

out again)! (recipe credit : @kellys_ 

kitchensouthafrica) 

Add 500g chicken mince (if you don’t 

have, simply use an S blade on a food 

processor and pulse the chicken, cut 

up into cubes) to the following for 

the two very different spins on these 

chicken bites: 

Apple & Carrot: 1 carrot, finely grated; 

1 apple; peeled and grated; 1 tsp 

Coconut (or olive) oil OR 

Zucchini & Corn: 2 zucchinis (or 

marrows), grated; corn kernels from 

a kob (or you can use a handful of 

drained tinned corn); dash of lemon 

juice; 1 tsp Coconut (or olive) oil; salt 

and pepper to taste 

There’s no need to cook anything 

up first. Just combine the mince and 

other ingredients into a bowl. Season 

to preference and shape into bitesized 

balls. Place on a lined baking 

tray at 180ºC for about 15 minutes 

or until cooked through. Store in an 

airtight container in the fridge for a 

few days, or freeze them for another 

day. 

TIP: 

Add a touch of Bento fun with these 

googly eyes from @cloud.and.co 

(www.cloudandco.co.za) You will be 

amazed at how the kids may actually 

eat something they would not have 

usually! Also, spiralising carrot is an 

easy way to add a bit of fun to a 

boring veggie! See how long you can 

make your carrot ribbons without 

breaking! 

RECIPE: 

CHUCK-EM EGGY MUFFINS 

This literally is a ‘chuck ‘em all in’ quick 

and easy recipe using a few eggs 

and whatever veggies you have lying 

around after supper. These can be 

frozen and popped into the lunchbox 

in the morning! 

Beat six eggs in a large bowl and add 

in half a cup of grated cheese. ‘Chuck 

in’ a few handfuls of diced veggies 

– cooked or uncooked (broccoli, 

peppers, mushrooms, cauliflower, 

peas) and, if you have, some diced 

meat such as ham or left-over 

chicken. Pour the egg mixture into 

lightly greased muffin cups (fill to just 

below the top) and bake for 18 to 20 

minutes, or until the eggs are set. 

Delicious warm or cold, they will 

keep in the fridge for a few days, or a 

couple of months in the freeze. 

Details: @lunchboxlifesavers 

WATCH NOW 

Deb shares some ‘fun in 

lunch’ tips! 


Comfort in a bowl ... 

Constantia Glen’s famous Austrian beef 

goulash soup – a nourishing traditional 

cold weather foil that’s hearty and rich 

in flavour – will bowl you over! This 

spicy beef and potato soup flaunts 

paprika as its signature ingredient, 

and it needs a big, well-structured red 

wine to stand up to its bold flavours. So 

open a bottle of Constantia’s flagship 

Constantia Glen FIVE, a blend of five 

Bordeaux grape varieties, and tuck into 

this easy-to-make, crowd-pleasing dish, 

best served with fresh crusty bread 

to mop up even the last drop in your 

bowl. 

The wine costs R465, and you can order 

it online (constantiaglen.com/orderwine) 

for delivery to your door after the 

lockdown restrictions have been lifted. 

Traditional Austrian beef 

goulash soup 

(Serves 4) 

You’ll need: 

45ml (3 Tblsps) olive oil; 3 (600g) 

medium onions, chopped; 5ml (1 tsp) 

garlic, finely chopped; 15ml (1 Tblsp) 

tomato paste; 15ml 

(1 Tblsp) paprika; 2.5ml (½ tsp) ground 

cumin; 2.5ml (½ tsp) marjoram; 2.5ml 

(½ tsp) thyme ; 2.5ml (½ tsp) cayenne 

pepper (optional); 250g boneless, 

cubed beef; 60ml (¼ cup) red wine; 

1L (4 cups) warm beef stock; 3 (660g) 

medium potatoes, peeled and diced; 

salt and pepper 

To serve: sour cream; chopped chives; 

crusty bread 

Method: 

Heat the oil in a large, heavy based 

pot over medium heat. Add onions 

and garlic and sauté until tender for 

8 to 10 minutes. Stir in tomato paste, 

paprika, cumin, marjoram, thyme and 

cayenne pepper. Add beef and fry for 

5 minutes. Stir in red wine and simmer 

for 5 minutes. Add stock, cover and 

cook for 40 minutes. 

Add potatoes and simmer for a further 

30 minutes until potatoes and meat are 

fork-tender. 

Season the soup to taste, ladle into 

bowls and top each portion with a 

dollop of sour cream. Sprinkle some 

chives on top and serve with freshly 

baked bread. 

Eat in! 

Hearty goulash. Slow cooked lamb. And two 

exceptional wines. Winter’s looking damn fine! 

Compiled by KYM ARGO 


A velvety Merlot 

and slow cooked lamb 

Replenish your winter wine stocks with 

a smooth-as-velvet Steenberg Merlot 

... just perfect for enjoying by the fire 

or paired with home-style comfort 

food. Rich and juicy, and overloaded 

with concentrated red fruit ... it’s a 

sensational mouthful of sour cherries, 

dark chocolate and spicy cloves. It’s 

big and generous and is extraordinarily 

food-friendly, making it an obvious 

choice to serve with chef Kerry Kilpin’s 

brand of winter comfort food dished 

up at Steenberg’s restaurants. Always 

happy to share her recipes, chef Kerry 

recommends her hearty lamb neck 

stuffed with ricotta and herbs to go with 

this Merlot, which you can order online 

for R190 a bottle (steenbergfarm.com) 

with deliveries as soon as lockdown 

restrictions allow. 

Lamb neck stuffed with ricotta and herbs with lemon jus 

(Serves 6) 


1kg deboned lamb neck; 200g ricotta; 10g each chopped basil and parsley; 

zest of 1 lemon; one each onion, carrot and celery stick, all chopped; 100ml 

stock; 1 lemon, juiced and zested; 100g butter; salt and pepper 

Method: 

In a food processor combine the ricotta, herbs and lemon juice, and season 

with salt and pepper. 

Open up the neck and season with salt and pepper on the inside and out. 

Lay the neck “skin” side down and spread the filling over the entire surface 

of the meat. Roll up like a Swiss roll and secure meat by tying with butcher’s 

string. Prepare a roasting tin with the chopped vegetables and stock. Lay the 

lamb neck on top of the vegetables. 

Braise in a preheated oven of 160°C for two to three hours or until cooked. 

When you place a skewer in the meat it should have no resistance. 

Once cooked, remove meat from the pan and allow to rest. 

Combine the vegetables and stock from the roasting pan and blend. Pour 

into a pot and bring to the boil. Add the zest, lemon juice and butter. Season 

with salt and pepper. Strain before serving. 

Serve with a glass of delicious Steenberg Merlot. Enjoy! 


Red wine & pud. All we want, really! 

Here’s an unexpected treat. Roodeberg Reserve 2017 was 

previously only available in selected international markets, 

but can now be enjoyed by local wine lovers too. With 

layers of red plum, blueberries, crushed herbs and tobacco 

leaf, along with hints of dark chocolate and oak, this fullbodied 

blend stands up well to hearty winter dishes, so 

serve with meaty casseroles, roasts and game dishes. It’s 

also a wonderful wine for a weekend of cocooning with 

comforting warm winter desserts, like this spicy pumpkin 

donut dish from foodie Elmarie Berry. R160 a bottle. You can 

order this now from kwvemporium.co.za or you’ll find it at 

selected Pick n Pay stores after the lockdown restrictions 

have been lifted. 

Pumpkin donuts with dark chocolate 

(Serves 6 to 8) 


1 ½ cups cooked pumpkin, mashed; 1 cup 

self-raising flour; 2 eggs; a pinch of salt; ½ tsp 

cinnamon; oil for deep frying; 1 cup cinnamon 

sugar; 100g dark chocolate, melted 

Method: 

Cook pumpkin, drain excess liquid and allow to 

cool. Put all ingredients except dark chocolate 

and cinnamon sugar in a food processor and 

mix until smooth. Heat oil and add tablespoons 

of batter to the oil and fry until golden brown. 

Roll in cinnamon sugar and drizzle with the 

melted dark chocolate. 



Super smoothies 

Need to beat winter lurgies? Try healthy, immune-boosting smoothies 

An orange resolution 

(Serves 8) 


2 cups frozen mango chunks; 2 cups 

frozen peach slices; 2 cups Greek 

yoghurt; 1 cup baby carrots; 1 cup 

orange juice; 1 cup pineapple chunks; 

¼ cup honey; 1 banana, peeled; 2 Tblsp 

The Harvest Table Collagen (optional) 

Method: Put the mango chunks, peach 

slices, yoghurt, carrots, orange juice, 

pineapple chunks, honey and banana 

in a blender and whizz until everything’s 

smooth. 

The big green 

(Serves 1) 


1 ½ cups kale, stems removed and 

chopped finely; ½ cup baby spinach 

leaves, chopped finely; ½ cup frozen 

blueberries; 1 cup apple cider or apple 

juice; 1 tsp ginger, freshly grated (the 

easiest way to peel ginger is to scrape 

the skin off with a spoon); 1 tsp maple 

syrup; 2 Tblsp The Harvest Table 

Collagen (optional) 

Method: Whizz all the ingredients in a 

blender until everything is well mixed 

and liquefied. Drink immediately. 

Raspberry jubilee 

(Serves 2) 


¾ cup frozen raspberries; ½ cup orange 

juice; ½ cup pomegranate or cranberry 

juice; ½ cup vanilla flavour yoghurt; ¼ 

cup All-Bran cereal; 2 Tblsp The Harvest 

Table Collagen (optional) 

Method: Place fruit in blender container. 

Add juices, yoghurt and cereal. Blend to 

smooth. Sweeten to taste with honey. 

Looking for a 

boost? Click here 

for two great 

recipes that are 

packed with 

vitamins 


KID-FRIENDLY! 

Sweet potato pie 

(Serves 3 - 4) 


1 medium-sized sweet potato, 

cooked; 1 medium-sized banana, 

peeled; 2 cups fat-free milk; ¼ cup 

vanilla flavoured Greek yoghurt; 1 

Tblsp honey; ¼ tsp cinnamon; ½ 

cup ice; 2 Tblsp The Harvest Table 


Method: 

Add all ingredients into blender. 

Cover; whizz on high for about one 

minute or until smooth. 

Potent turmeric & ginger 

(Serves 1) 


1 ripe banana; 2 tsps powdered 

turmeric; 1 ¼ tsps ground ginger; 

2 Tblsps hemp seeds; 2 Tblsps 

cashew nuts; 200ml filtered water; 

½ cup frozen mango; ½ cup frozen 

pineapple; 2 Tblsp The Harvest Table 


Method: 

Whizz the banana, ginger, turmeric, 

water, hemp seeds and cashews for 

about 30 seconds. Add frozen fruit, 

then blend until creamy smooth. Add 

more water if desired. 

Apple pie 

(Serves 2) 


1 red apple, peeled and cored; ½ 

cup non-fat plain yoghurt; ¼ tsp 

vanilla extract; 1 tsp brown sugar; ¼ 

tsp nutmeg; ¼ tsp cinnamon; pinch 

of ground cloves (optional); 1 cup 

ice cubes; 2 Tblsp The Harvest Table 


Method: 

Chop apple into small cubes. Pop all 

ingredients into blender and pulse 

until well mixed. * Top with whipped 

cream and cinnamon! 

Did you know? 

* Collagen is a protein that our body 

uses to heal and repair itself. As we age, 

we need additional collagen added to 

our diets to help prevent (or minimise) 

our aches and pains, as well as slow 

the thinning of our skin and hair. It’s so 

simple to add collagen to your diet, and 

you’ll feel an improvement in just two 

to three weeks. Best of all, it’s a natura.l 

solution and a great supplement 

* Probiotics, found in yoghurt and other 

fermented products, may ease the 

severity of colds. Look for labels that say 

‘live and active cultures’. Also, look for 

added vitamin D. 

* You’ll find lots of nutrients in spinach. 

One of them is folate, which helps your 

body make new cells and repair DNA. 

It also boasts fibre, antioxidants such as 

vitamin C, and more. 

* Pomegranate juice may help your 

body fight bacteria and several kinds of 

viruses, including the flu. 

* Consuming turmeric may improve 

your immune response. This is due to 

the qualities of curcumin, a compound 

in turmeric. 

* Honey is rich in antioxidants and is 

often used to soothe sore throats. It 

adds natural sweetness to the drink. 

* Lemon juice is very high in vitamin 

C and can help support heart and 

digestive health. 

* Orange juice is naturally high in 

vitamin C, folate and potassium, as well 

as being a great source of antioxidants. 

* Ginger has a very long history of use 

in traditional and alternative medicine. 

It’s been used to help digestion, reduce 

nausea and help fight the common 

cold and other illnesses, among other 

benefits. Details: www.harvesttable.co.za 

Compiled by: RIALIEN FURSTENBERG 


COLOUR 

& YOUR MOOD 

Dulux South Africa colour expert Palesa Ramaisa 

shared with us how colour can impact your state 

of mind ... with calming blues and soothing greens 

taking the limelight. 


After spending week after week after very long week in lockdown, it may be time for a change. Nothing 

refreshes and gives a whole new look more than a colour update. But it’s not just about aesthetics. Colour is 

also all about how it makes you feel ... there’s a real science behind how colour affects the brain, and how it 

can play a role in your state of mind and mood. And as so many of us are looking for balance, calm and a little 

less stress in our lives, adding shades of blue and green could work wonders. 

Blue is considered beneficial to the mind and body, and has been shown to help balance hormones, lower 

breathing rates, slow down the metabolism and reduce blood pressure. Starting off your day surrounded by 

soft shades – think easy-on-the-eye powder or sky blue – will help bring inner peace and a sense of calm. 

We’re massively besotted with green when it comes to decorating ... and think creating your very own green 

room is a fine idea. The close link between pale soft greens and nature means the colour is often perceived 

as a soothing shade that helps to alleviate stress and aids in fending off negative feelings. It’s really relaxing 

– think of ‘the green room’ in TV studios where guests and performers retreat and relax before and between 

takes. Green also promotes concentration, so is perfect for a space in your home where you need a calm, 

focused mind. 

Mix it up a little with the beautiful colours that hover between blue and green. Turquoise, a gem which 

combines blue and green with a touch of yellow, was believed by the ancient Persians to ward off the evil 

eye. They wore the blue-green stones as a protective charm. It may be a bit much to have an entire 

room in this strong colour, but touches of it make an eye-catching, bold statement. Teal, a mixture 

of blue, green and a touch of grey, is simply a darker shade of turquoise. Both teal and turquoise 

radiate the peace, calm and tranquillity of blue and the balance and growth of green. Consider 

using turquoise in the bedroom to create a sweet feminine feel, while darker teal shades add 

lively sophistication to living rooms and hallways. 

On the opposite end of the scale, you may prefer a shade that helps stimulate your mind or 

gives your creativity a powerful boost. In which case, hello orange. This is a power colour to 

be reckoned with, as some theorists maintain that when you’re in the presence of orange 

you increase the oxygen supply to the brain, which stimulates mental activity. It’s also 

thought to encourage sociability by energising people and lessening their inhibitions. Bold 

orange could be a little intimidating ... we think the softer shades of nectarine, coral, orange 

rose, sunset, rust and saffron would be easier to live with. 



The sweet-scented 

HYACINTH 

Our indoor plant of the month is the sweetly fragrant pot hyacinth. A cluster 

of these lovely flowers fill a room with their delicate, fresh scent. When grown 

indoors, pot hyacinths like bright indirect light, not direct sunlight and they 

need moist, but not wet, soil. Each pot plant has a number of flower spikes 

that open and remain attractive for several weeks if the plant is kept in a cool 

but well-lit room. Remove flower spikes that are over. Once the plant has 

finished flowering, keep it in a cool room with moist soil and plant it out in 

spring, for flowering the following spring. Alternatively, the hyacinth can stay 

in its pot. The foliage will die down, but it will come up the following year if it 

is watered from next April onwards. Details: plantimex.co.za 

Text: KYM ARGO and ALICE COETZEE 


DIG IT! 

Is it a pansy? Is it a viola? 

Pansy Panola is for gardeners who can’t decide which 

they love more ... pansies or violas! This pansy is a mix 

of both. It has the flower power of a viola but with 

pansy-like blooms, that are bigger than violas but 

not as big as the extra-large pansies. The plants are 

compact (growing to 20cm high and 25cm wide) so 

they fit in anywhere and everywhere ... garden beds, 

borders, sunny corners, patio pots and window boxes. 

You can even plant them in the vegetable garden 

because the blooms are edible. Make sure you plant 

them in full sun in winter, and remember they need 

well composted soil. With regular watering and 

feeding, these Panola pansies will keep on flowering 

into summer, and with less stretch than regular 

pansies in warm climates. Details: ballstraathof.co.za 

Did you know that planting a rose now 

allows it to settle in over winter, ready 

to flower in October? Ludwig’s pick is 

Winter Sun KORbatam (N) because 

it flowers deep into winter, with 

fragrant classically shaped pale-yellow 

blooms, like a winter sun. It grows into 

a neat, shoulder high hybrid tea rose, 

covered in glossy green leaves that are 

very resistant to black spot. It’s a low 

maintenance rose for today’s no-fuss 

gardens. Details: ludwigsroses.co.za 

Look out for the Together we Bloom 

label on cut flowers, as well as indoor 

and outdoor plants. It means R2.27 

has already been donated for hunger 

relief, and you can pay it forward by 

buying the plant. This is a campaign 

initiated by the horticultural industry 

and is being driven by the NPO 

Together we Bloom. Funds raised 

will be disbursed to churches and 

NGOs working with communities in 

need. Follow Together We Bloom on 

Facebook. 

Garden tasks for June 

Transplant roses that are planted in too much shade or in the wrong position. 

(see Ludwig’s Roses on You Tube via ludwigsroses.co.za) 

Rake up all fallen leaves and add them to the compost heap or store in bags to 

make rich leaf compost. 

Remember to water flowers and vegetables as early as possible in the morning 

so the leaves are dry by evening. 

Protect tender leafy vegetables with frost cloth if very cold weather or frost is 

predicted. 

Plant winter colour in sunny beds ... pansies, violas, petunias (in dry winter areas), 

poppies and calendulas. For shade or semi-shade areas, plant primulas. 

Feed winter leafy vegetables with a nitrogen-rich liquid fertilizer. 

Stake broad beans and Brussels sprouts. 



WOOF 

Tickled pink 

From fuschia to marshmellow to blush ... we’re 

wearing rose tinted glasses this month 

Man’s best friend never looked this good! 


We’re as excited as a corgi with a bone ... we’ve just discovered You & Lou and ... obsessed! 

A small business run by two best dog-loving friends, it’s all about beautiful, functional products for your 

pets. Baskets – small, medium and large/extra-large – are hand woven, each named after a dog close to 

their hearts. There are also outdoor beds with removable and washable covers, stylish leather collars with 

hand embroidery, as well as cosy cat baskets. Dog baskets from around R1450, beds from R1550 and cat 

baskets from R1300, all from youandlou.co.za 


When your dog’s cruising the park, make sure he owns it! He’ll 

strut along looking good in this Harry Barker bandana, which is 

reversible – striped and plain – and is made from lightweight, durable 

denim. R149.99 from woolworths.co.za 

Well groomed ... this Posh Pets 

bamboo slicker brush has stainless 

steel pins which are perfect for all 

types of coats. The angled pins reach 

into the undercoat and gently 

remove loose hair. R179 from 

woolworths.co.za 

Home made dog treats 

Put aside the bananas. Since we’re baking, we may as well make something 

yummy for the dogs, too. 

Peanut butter biscuits 


1 cup cooked pumpkin puree; 1/4 cup peanut butter (choose one 

with no added sugar or salt); 2 eggs; 3 cups whole wheat flour. 

Method: Preheat oven to 180°C. Beat the pumpkin puree, 

peanut butter and eggs well until mixed – around 2 

minutes. Slowly add in the flour, a little at a time, 

mixing gently until just combined. Knead the 

dough a little, then roll out to about 2cm thick. 

Cut into squares (or shapes, if you prefer) and 

put onto a tray lined with baking paper. 

Bake for around 20 to 25 minutes, 

or until cooked and the edges are 

golden. Cool before storing in an 

airtight container. 

Kid’s toys all over the house are 

bad enough. Add dog’s toys and 

it’s just one big mess. Keep things 

tidy with this Harry Barker classic 

dog toy bin. It’s elegant, durable 

and made from sustainably sourced, 

eco-friendly materials. R349.99 from 

woolworths.co.za 

If your hound is active and always 

getting down and 

dirty in water and 

mud, this custom 

collar with o-ring 

is the real deal. 

Hard-wearing, 

customised, 

machine washable, 

and with pure brass 

fittings that won’t rust, it’s 

perfect for the dog that plays 

hard but still wants to look cool. 

R750 from chommies.com 

Washable covers, waterproof 

interiors and all the comfort 

your dog deserves ... You & 

Lou’s outdoor dog bed. 

Bling for glam bitches and 

handsome hounds ... these 

3mm pure brass dog tags 

which are machine engraved, 

have the Chommies logo 

on one side, the other side’s 

blank for you to engrave your 

dog’s details. R100 each from 

chommies.com 


Well travelled 

We’re just longing to get out there and travel – and holidays 

abroad are just not going to happen any time soon. Luckily, 

we live in a country where there’s loads to explore ... all you 

need is a car and a few well-thought-out essentials. 


Although we can’t travel at the moment there’s nothing wrong with planning your next family holiday. And 

while international locations may be off the cards for a while, we live in a beautiful country, which means you’ll 

probably be packing up for a road trip! We’ve got you covered with these essential travel items so you can hit 

the road for your next adventure with all your gear safely secured. 

Need more space 

You’ll need a safe and reliable roof rack and cargo carrier. The extra space in the rooftop cargo carriers means 

you can take everything you need on your travels. Top buy: Make sure you look for an aerodynamic roof rack 

system with easy installation accessories and a maximum loading area. You’ll want easy-to-install load carrier feet 

and load bars which mount securely to your vehicle. A promise of a quiet ride, with less drag for improved fuel 

economy, is essential. 

Taking the bikes 

With a bike rack for cars from Thule, you’ll be able to cycle on distant roads or bike far from home through wild 

terrain. Thule’s car bike racks come in different types and can be mounted on your roof, hitch, tow bar, or on your 

trunk. If you already own a roof rack, a roof bike rack could be the simplest solution. However, a trunk or hitchmounted 

rack is often easier to load and unload and suits heavier bikes. Top buy: Mounted to the tow bar, so 

you don’t have to buy a base rack, tow bar bike racks are easy to install and use, and can carry up to four bikes. 

Searching for the perfect wave 

Surfboard racks for cars or pickups are designed to let you load up, head off and get out on the water as quickly 

and easily as possible. Transport is also secure thanks to sturdy and protective features that make sure your 

surfboard, SUP or sailboard – including mast and sail – arrives in perfect shape. All you have to do is unload your 

board and start making the most of your passion. 

A cycle holiday with the kids 

A rear child bike seat or front-mounted baby bike seat is a great choice for letting your child see the world from 

your bike. Make sure you choose one with features like quick and secure mounting and dismounting, which will 

give you and your precious passenger a safe, easy, and enjoyable ride, and with adjustable foot straps and foot 

rests to to keep up with your child’s growth. Top tip: Make sure you buy a seat that meets stringent international 

child safety standards, and has childproof safety buckles and a padded harness. 

Walking with the babe 

You’ll be wanting a safe, comfy child carrier backpack, with quick adjustment to fit both parents and a viewing 

mirror. Top tip: The Thule Sapling Elite also has a removable backpack, so can take along all the necessary 

paraphernalia. 

Pack up your troubles 

But not in any old kit bag. Make sure you’ve got a good quality, hard working backpack, be it for hiking, your 

camera or go-pro, your iPad or laptop (for those who can’t leave work at home). Top tip: A cross body bag, and 

good, spacious toiletry bag, are always good add ons. 

All these products, and so many more, are from Thule Partner Stores nationwide and thulestore.co.za 

Win! We’re giving one reader a trio of 

travel essentials ... a Thule Enroute Backpack, a 

powershuttle (for gadgets and tech gear) and a crossover 

toiletry bag. To stand in line to win this R4000 hamper, 

visit GetItMagNC on Facebook, find the Thule Travel post, 

and follow the rules. 


Spoil 

June 

So he tells dad jokes. Just laugh. And pour him another 

glass of Groote Post’s The Old Man’s Blend. Developed 

almost 20 years ago at the behest of Groote Post’s Old 

Man, Peter Pentz, who wanted a blend of red wine 

to enjoy as his winter evening tipple, 

The Old Man’s Blend Red 2019 is a blend 

of 50 per cent Merlot and 25 per cent each 

Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. The wine 

maker says it’s a fantastic vintage ... a downto-earth, 

ripe-fruit-driven blend. If dad’s more 

of a white wine man, choose The Old Man’s 

Blend White 2019, a blend of 50 per cent 

each Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc, with 

refreshing citrus flavours. Both are said to be 

seriously good wines, at seriously good prices, 

and we agree. You’ll find them at local wine 

stores as well as at the Groote Post cellar door 

(groote-post-wines.myshopify.com – delivery 

after lockdown) from R86 for the white, R91 for 

the red. Details: grootepost.co.za 

Fancy winning one of each for your old man? 

We’re giving away a set ... to stand in line to win, 

simply visit our GetItMagNC Facebook page, like 

our post and tag – if you can – your old man. 

Entries close end June, and we’ll only be sending 

out prizes to winners after lockdown restrictions 

are lifted. 


Wine for your old man

June 2020 - Ballito Umhlanga

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