JHB South East - March 22

JOBURG SOUTH • ALBERTON • BEDFORDVIEW 

• 

GREENSTONE • MODDERFONTEIN 

BENITA 

KEEVE 

Healing people 

after illness 

and injury 

Dominique 

Olfsen 

Her journey of 

self-awareness 

LACE UP! 

Take a ride on 

the wild side 

Your health and fitness 

BOOST 

NEW BOOK: 

& Drugs 

steroids 

in sport 

SHOPPING, PEOPLE AND LIFESTYLE IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD 

March 2022 

GIS0304_001_885467603.indd 1 2022/02/16 10:08:31


GET IT 

Editorial 

Instagram: @getitjoburgsoutheast 

Facebook: @getitjoburgsoutheast 

Website: getitmagazine.co.za/joburg-south 

Pinterest: Get It 

National Group Editor and National Sales 

Kym Argo 

kyma@caxton.co.za 

Facebook and Instagram: 

Get It National Magazines 

Website: getitmagazine.co.za 

Editor Carina van der Walt 

albertongetit1@caxton.co.za 

083 411 7146 

Sub-editor Riaan Engelbrecht 

Contributors Rialien Furstenberg, 

Alice Coetzee 

Workflow & Studio Manager Megan Brett 

Layout Artist 

Shanet Moodley 

Design Studio 

JP du Preez 

Mpulelele (Luther) Matsaluka 

Sales Manager 

Tamsin McMaster 082 904 1191 

tamsinm@caxton.co.za 

Sales Consultant 

Henna Nel 066 288 0713 

hennan@caxton.co.za 

Distribution 

15 000 copies monthly 

Get It JHB SouthEast is distributed free 

of charge. For a full list contact 

charmaine@caxton.co.za 

Competition rules 

The judges’ decision is final. Prizes cannot be 

transferred or redeemed for cash. Competitions 

are not open to the sponsors or Caxton 

employees or their families. Get It Magazine 

reserves the right to publish the names of 

winners, who will be contacted telephonically 

and need to collect their prizes from Caxton 

Joburg SouthEast branch within 10 days or 

they will be forfeited. Prizewinners names are 

published on our Facebook page monthly. 

CONTENTS 

WHY DON’T YOU 

4 Lace up for a trail run or two and dust off your party shoes 

for some live shows 

6 Take some time out and enjoy a leisurely read and a chilled 

glass of crisp white wine 

WISH LIST 

8 Get off to a running start and put your health and fitness first 

PEOPLE 

10 We chat to Benita Keeve about what it means to help 

people heal after injury or illness 

12 Dominique Olfsen shares her life-changing 

discoveries through self-defence 

14 Grab a copy of Clinton van der Berg’s book on the South African 

sport’s steroid and drug culture 

BEAUTY 

16 We are all about hydration and staying radiant 

FASHION 

18 Pull off an active lifestyle with confidence 

FITNESS 

20 Today is the day to get your body and mind into shape 

FOOD 

22 Time to chill with frozen lollies, fresh salad and a cool crisp wine 

GARDENING 

26 Make bold statements with blue, purple veggies and 

polka dots this month 

TRAVEL 

32 For the adventurous and daring - give this a go 

SPOIL 

34 Looking to improve your sporting performance? We are 

giving away a Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro 

COVER 

ELZAAN PIENAAR 


March 2022 Get It Joburg South • Alberton • Bedfordview • Greenstone • Modderfontein 3 


A hot date! 

For creative minds and fitness fanatics, we’ve got it all 

If you have a date for the Get It diary page, email the info at least one month in advance to albertongetit1@caxton.co.za 

12 

Jan 

Blohm and Ryno Velvet will once 

again be together on stage after a 

long break. Not only will they dish up 

some of your old favourites, but you 

can also look forward to some new 

songs. You are in for a big night out 

with the two on stage whose ways 

with the guitar compliments each other 

and you will be holding your breath 

to find out when the acoustics will 

turn into electrics. They will also share 

their own interpretations of each 

other’s songs. What more do you want 

than two of the biggest hits on stage 

together? If you are a fan, book now 

for his show at the Barnyard Theatre, 

Emperors Palace on March 12 at 13:00. 

Details: barnyardtheatre.co.za 

Dan Patlansky returns to South African audiences for the launch of his 

03 brand new, 10th studio album, Shelter of bones. For Patlansky, Shelter of bones 

covers three years of many ups and downs, and, as a result, the South African 

guitarist believes the process has been a very interesting journey. Be sure to catch 

Dan on his Shelter of bones album launch tour across South Africa. Book now for his 

performance at the Barnyard Theatre, Emperors Palace on March 2 at 19:00. Cost for 

tickets is R200 per person. Details: barnyardtheatre.co.za 

The Benoni Night Market will take place on March 4 from 5pm to 10pm at 

04 Old Ben’s Club at the corner of President Brand and President Boshoff. Join 

the organisers for a night of amazing food, eclectic stalls, an awesome atmosphere 

and a great place to meet up with friends and family. You can look forward to live 

music and loads of entertainment for the little ones. Tickets cost R20 per person 

and children under 12-years-old can enter for free. Details: www.facebook.com/ 

benoninightmarket 

A day to spoil yourself. Come out and relax, look into your future, your health, 

05 your spiritual, physical and your mental well-being. Enjoy angel card readings, 

tarot readings, psychics, mediums, guide drawings, alternative healing and 

palmistry. Indulge yourself in delicious food, beautiful jewellery, skincare products, 

incense, esoteric products, clothing and much more. Make your way to the Light 

and Joy Holistic Fayre at the Bedfordview Town Hall, corner Nicol and Horley 

roads on March 5. Entrance is R25 per person and pensioners and children under 

12 enter free. Details: lightjoyhf@gmail.com or Ingrid 083 455 0295. 

27 

Are you up for the challenge? 

Join SOJO, Balwin Properties 

and Group 1 Nissan The Glen 

for the Thaba Eco-Challenge 

on March 27. The challenge 

includes a mountain bike race 

as well as a run or walk in aid of 

Dignity Dreams, Fountain of Inspiration, 

Cansa, Stepping Stone 

Hospice and Outreach Care. Cost 

is R300 per person to enter the 

12km mountain bike route at 

Thaba Trails, R100 per adult and 

R50 for children u-12 to enter 

the 5km run/walk. Entry to the 

public is free. Loads of entertainment 

awaits at the Foods of the 

World Village and Beer Garden. 

Don’t miss out on the vintage 

and power car display as well as 

the new Nissan Navara display. 

Registration opens at 08:00. The 

race is managed by Strava and 

is between 09:00 and 15:00. Details: 

tandi@icarusmediagroup. 

co.za or 072 986 2641. 

4 Get It Joburg South • Alberton • Bedfordview • Greenstone • Modderfontein March 2022 


Group 1 Auto celebrates its fifth birthday. Join Group 1 Auto and their 

12 brand ambassador Lloyd Cele from Idols SA for a great family day and 

support their Cansa Shavathon on the corner of Lois and Skukuza roads, Bassonia. 

Details: 011 210 7600. 

Unleash the creative you and book for a stained glass workshop in the 

19 tranquil settings of Henley on Klip on March 19. Workshops last for about four 

hours and you will complete a suncatcher, which is yours to keep. All tools and material, 

as well as instructions, are provided. Workshops are aimed at people who want to try 

their hand at the art before they commit to buying the equipment and, of course, at 

those who want to have an afternoon of fun with friends. Unfortunately, not suitable for 

u-16s. Details: Sue Webber on 071 873 6317 or sueandpamsglass@gmail.com 

17 

Due to the unprecedented and unexpected 

high levels of rain in Johannesburg 

since December, producer 

Colin Law needed to take the difficult 

decision to move the dates for Music 

of the Night. The new season will be 

staged at The Dome, situated on the 

grounds of the National School of Arts 

(NSA) from March 17 to 20 with Thursday 

to Saturday shows at 19:00 and the 

Sunday show at 16:00. Tickets are R250 

per person. Book through Computicket. 

A ‘rain day’ will be scheduled for 

March 21 should inclement weather 

interrupt any of the Johannesburg 

dates. Patrons who already have tickets 

booked for the January/February dates 

for The Dome in Johannesburg will be 

contacted directly by Computicket for 

arrangements to be made to move 

their booking or attain a refund. Details: 

management@ttttm.co.za 

Get them into the right mindset 

from young. Ground Zero 19 

Kids offers children’s obstacle fitness 

classes, which helps children with coordination, 

balance and confidence. 

Classes take place on Saturdays 

from 08:45 to 09:30. Details: contactgroundzinfo@gmail.com 

or WhatsApp 

082 817 4907. 

A fun youth soccer festival 

21 will take place on March 21 at 

Rietvlei. Enter your team at R100 per 

team with a maximum of 10 players per 

team and the winning team will receive 

medals. Details: 079 591 5270 or www. 

rietvleifarm.co.za or www.rietvleisoccer. 

co.za 



Book club 

A handful of really enjoyable reads to look out for 

The new standout vintages just 

released by Tokara are worth shouting 

about ... with the Cabernet Sauvignon 

and Sauvignon Blanc as major focus 

varieties. Since we’re still in the mood 

for white, this month’s book club choice 

is the Tokara Reserve Collection 

Elgin Sauvignon Blanc 2021 ... all 

aromas of passion fruit and blackcurrant 

leaf with touches of lemongrass and 

elderflower, with zesty grapefruit 

flavours leading the way. R160. Buy 

online at tokara.com 

Tracy Lange’s We Are The Brennans 

shot to the top of the New York Times 

bestselling debut list, it’s all secrets 

and redemption in an Irish-American 

family. Pan Macmillan 

Jill Mansell writes lovely, feel-good 

reads ... and her latest, Should I Tell 

You, doesn’t disappoint. Family, love, 

rejection ... all set against a backdrop 

of sparkling seas. Headline Review 

Honestly. Do you even have to 

know what One Step Too Far is 

about? It’s Lisa Gardner. You know 

you’re going to read it. But in case 

... five men head into the woods 

for a bachelor party weekend. 

Only four return. Years later, he’s 

still missing. His friends are still 

searching. They, together with a 

missing person specialist, return 

to the woods and hike deep into 

the wilderness. And you know 

nothing is going to go according 

to plan. Edge-of-your-seat stuff. 

Penguin Random House. 

6 Get It Joburg South • Alberton • Bedfordview • Greenstone • Modderfontein 



The Kitchen Front by Jennifer Ryan 

is inspired by the true events of a 

wartime cooking competition 

sponsored by the BBC. Described 

by Cathy Kelly as ‘the Great British 

Bake Off set in World War Two’. 

Pan Macmillan 

Here’s an exciting read, which will 

be enjoyed by Liane Moriaty fans. 

Ellery Lloyd’s The Club is the story 

of ambition, excess, and what 

happens when people who have 

everything to lose are pushed to 

their limit. Pan Macmillan 

Meg Merton is a pillar of the 

community. A retired and respected 

English teacher, a kind, caring 

neighbour. But she is also a psychopath. 

Serpent’s Crescent by Vivian de Klerk 

is funny, quirky and beautifully crafted. 

Pan Macmillan 

Love a thriller with a twist in the tale. And in Sarah 

Bonner’s Her Perfect Twin, the twist hits you half 

way through the book ... so unexpected and fast it 

could give you whiplash. Leah has everything she’s 

ever wanted ... fame, fortune, and freedom to do 

what she wants. But she’s always wanted everything 

her identical twin sister Megan has, too. 

And when Megan snoops on her husband’s phone 

and finds revealing, provocative photographs of her 

estranged sister, it appears Leigh’s after her husband, 

as well. What follows is murder, a cover-up, secrets, 

abusive relationships and a new romance, and a setback 

due to a Covid lockdown. And then 

there’s another wowza twist. This is Sarah’s 

first novel ... we can’t wait for the next one. Brilliant! 

Hodder & Stoughton. This, and all the Book Club 

reads, available at exclusivebooks.co.za 

Compiled by: KYM ARGO 



Wish list 

We’re off to a running start this month ... 

with health and fitness top of mind 

We’re sporty, yes. But we don’t 

do that sweaty, no make-up thing. 

This Clarins Water Lip Stain boasts 

it’ll last up to 300 kisses. So it’ll surely 

last for a jog around the block. Love 

the shade (Orange Water), love the 

barely-there feel. And if we win the 

race ... kisses for all on the podium! 

R350 from clarins.co.za 


Ready. Steady. Glow! 

We all know the benefits of a daily dose of 

collagen. From hydrating and brightening 

your skin to strengthening your bones and 

muscles, from relieving aching bones and 

joints to assisting to reduce inflammation 

in the body, from supporting gut health to 

promoting nail and hair growth, 

it’s a no-brainer that we should 

all be popping a scoop into our 

breakfast smoothie or cup of coffee 

every morning. New from Be Bright 

is Luminate, which is aimed at 

specifically nourishing the skin from 

within. With a combo of Hyaluronic Acid, 

Vitamin C and Zinc - all proven all essential 

for hydrating, brightening and protecting 

the skin - you should start adding collagen 

to your diet when you’re in your 20s ... and 

don’t stop! You’ll find Be Bright Luminate in 

two sizes, from R480, on bebright.co.za 

WIN 

Check out our 

Facebook page 

for details. 

More is more 

Less is more. That’s until you’ve 

tried Under Armour’s apparently 

unparalleled cushioning system that 

has runners wanting more! The UA 

HOVR Mega 2 Clone, the newest 

member of the UA HOVR running 

shoe family, offers max cushioning 

for ultimate cruise-control comfort. 

It features a 32mm stack height, is 

designed for zero-gravity feel and with 

technology that flexes and adapts to 

your foot as you move through your 

stride, offers a personalised fit, too. Less 

rubbing, more comfort, this is the shoe 

for the runner who wants the most 

protection possible, and is great for 

long runs and high mileage training. 

Plus (yes, it’s frivolous) they look great, 

too. R3199 from underarmour.co.za 


Just start 

‘There is nothing as heavy as a dark 

thought, and on long-distance runs, 

they are as energy-depleting and 

ultimately as fatal as shoes that 

are one size to small’. It was 2009, 

and Erica Terblanche was about to 

run 250km over seven days across 

the Sahara Desert, and she was 

determined to displace negative 

thinking with bright thoughts. The 

five statements, (with factual proofpoints) 

were ... ‘I have the potential 

do to this; I am in a good place 

right now; I have so much love in 

my life, and love gives me wings; I 

love what I am about to do; I can 

write a thousand poems in the 

desert’. And she followed that with 

‘And something wonderful can 

happen’. 

Years, and much education in 

positive psychology, later, she came 

to understand why her simple list 

was so powerful. ‘It was created on 

the building blocks of the things that 

make our lives worthwhile: Love and 

connection, meaning and purpose, the 

holding of worthwhile goals, a sense 

of agency and self-belief and being 

engaged in doing something one loves 

for its own sake’. 

In Run - For The Love Of LIfe, Erica 

tells about how the hardest things 

in her life, ‘bad things’, were the ones 

that are important in her achieving 

success. Part adventure, part travel, 

part autobiographical novel, this 

brilliantly written memoir stretches 

from North Africa to Greece, from 

Turkey to the Grand Canyon in Utah, 

from the desert to the boardroom, 

from her growing up on a Free State 

farm to Cape Town, where she lives 

now, and where you’ll find her at Run 

Club early in the morning on the Sea 

Point promenade, or perhaps at the 

top of Table Mountain with a group of 

kids who’re in the process of learning 

the creative power of goalsetting. 

Run is inspirational and heartbreaking, 

raw and real, uplifting and 

encouraging. Even if you’ve never run, 

it’s an extraordinary read. Hell ... it even 

has a happy ending! And bonus ... at 

the back of the book you’ll find a QR 

code for The Ten Commandments of 

Running and the Thrive Couch to 10km 

in 10 weeks training programme. As she 

says ... ‘Just start’. Quickfox, R280 from 

Exclusive Books 

Do we even need to say ... sun 

protection first? 

Heliocare 

360° Water Gel Sunscreen 

SPF 50+ provides long- 

lasting hydration and broadspectrum 

protection against 

UVB, UVA, Visible Light, and 

IR-A. So everything, really. The 

ultra-light, aqueous water gel 

absorbs quickly (so no white 

residue), lasts 24 hours, and 

those who play sport will love 

the fact that it doesn’t run into 

your eyes. Suitable for all skin 

types including those of you 

who have oily but dehydrated 

skin. R445 from dermastore.co.za 

At last, a sports bra that 

fits. The Body Kind Sports 

Bra is a new edition to 

the range of fitness and 

wellness products from 

local fitness celeb Lisa 

Raleigh. It’s soft but offers 

perfect support with a 

We’re clever going hook and all eye lacing 

system. The bra size matchy-matchy this 

adjustable across both 

month, straps and with around this the Like 

Mother, 

chest area, 

Like 

and 

Daughter 

is available 

in eight different sizes, 

limited-edition 

from small to 5XL. This 

collection high-impact from bra is Poetry. a great 

Too boxing, gorg aerobics, for words. Pilates, 

You’ll yoga, find martial online arts and at even 

breastfeeding. R999 from 

poetrystores.co.za 

option for running, cross-fit, 

lisaraleigh.com 



GIS0304_008_881986811.indd 9 2022/02/17 12:22:19

A helping 

healing hand 

She sure is the type of person who comes to mind when you think about a bundle of 

energy and somebody with a zest for life. But despite being on the run most of the time, 

she also cares deeply and strives to make life better for others after injury or illness. 

We caught up with Edenvale resident 

and biokineticist Benita Keeve at her 

practice at Virgin Active in Bedfordview 

to chat not only about her job 

but also about her passions and 

personal life. 

At the age of 36, Benita runs her own 

practice and for her, it is not only her 

means of earning an income but 

also a way in which she lives out her 

passion - to help people get better, 

stronger and back to health after injury 

or illness. 

When asked how it came about that 

she chose this specific career, she 

explained she suffered a serious ankle 

injury while she was a provincial netball 

player. Her injury nearly cost her a 

year of not being able to be active in 

sport. 

‘During that period, I was exposed 

to all the multifunctional healthcare 

workers, including physiotherapists 

and biokineticists, and I absolutely 

loved the idea of helping people get 

better and back to health. 

‘So I did more research on what a 

biokineticist really does and how wide 

the spectrum is, and I fell in love.’ 

She explained a biokineticist can be 

described as a human movement 

specialist who prescribes exercise routines 

either as a preventative health 

measure or to correct a health problem, 

such as a sports injury or recovery 

from disease, operation or illness. 

Biokineticists treat people of all ages 

and provide natural, drugless, nonsurgical 

health treatments and rehabilitation. 

A day at the office 

Although a normal day on the job 

starts early for Benita, nothing gives 



her more pleasure than seeing her clients 

improve, getting them pain-free, 

managing their day-to-day activities 

and reaching their goals. 

‘As a biokineticist, peak times are early 

mornings, so my days start early. We 

have scheduled appointments with 

specific clients that vary from fitness 

assessments, chronic patients with 

metabolic conditions to post-operative 

orthopaedic rehabilitation.’ 

The various clients with numerous 

conditions bring their own challenges, 

and Benita explained it is absolutely 

necessary to be able to adapt to each 

client’s conditions, physically and 

mentally. 

‘Keeping a client motivated, especially 

if they have a severe condition, is also 

one of the main challenges I face daily.’ 

Benita believes the only way to overcome 

these challenges is to expand 

your knowledge. 

‘You have to do research and stay 

up to date with all new research and 

techniques to help your clients to the 

best of your ability and overcome any 

obstacle. I live by going the extra mile 

for my clients to put them at ease.’ 

To the question about the worst part 

of her job, she laughingly answered, 

‘Admin and early mornings.’ 

As far as future plans go, she wants to 

grow her practice on multiple planes 

and would love to get more involved 

with sport at schools. 

On a personal note 

She is quick to refer to herself as the 

‘plaasmeisie’ with a great love for the 

outdoors and all things that bring on a 

challenge and is a bit sporty. 

Benita grew up in Kroonstad, Free 

State, with her parents and three 

sisters and matriculated from Afrikaans 

Hoërskool Kroonstad in 2003. 

She recalls some of her fondest childhood 

memories of her and her youngest 

sister playing at the back of a truck 

in maize her father just harvested. 

‘We would swim and dive into the 

maize. I also remember spending 

hours horseback riding in the fields, 

exploring and spending time in nature. 

‘I love outdoor activities and sport. The 

triathlon bug has bitten me and I have 

done IronMan 70.3 twice and entered 

IronMan Mosselbay in November 2022.’ 

Benita has been married for 12 years 

to a man she describes as a ‘wonderful 

husband’ and they have two children, 

a five-year-old boy and a two-year-old 

girl. 

‘Baking and gardening with my son are 

always extremely special,’ she said. 

Her ideal weekend includes hiking, 

running and spending time with her 

family, doing outdoor activities. 

‘If anybody is looking for the best spots 

to visit in the area, Modderfontein Nature 

Reserve is amazing with beautiful 

hiking, running and mountain biking 

trails and not to forget the amazing 

restaurant. We also love spending time 

with friends.’ 

And when asked if she could share her 

motto with others as inspiration, she 

gave a wide smile and said, ‘I would tell 

them to dream big.’ 

Quick facts 

• Do you prefer food, travel or art? 

Definitely travel 

• The one thing nobody or few people know about you 

I have a tattoo on my right shoulder blade. 

• Rain vs sunshine 

Sunshine 

• City life vs outdoors 

Outdoors 

• Your ultimate spoil 

A day at the spa. 

• Your guilty pleasure 

A glass of red wine with chocolate and a book. 

• Your pet peeves 

Dishonesty 

• Your best movie ever 

Gladiator 

• Currently on your playlist 

Fancy Like by Walker Hayes 

• Wardrobe must-haves 

A pair of amazing heels, a little black dress and definitely a comfortable pair 

of jeans. 

• If you could do one thing before you die, what would that be? 

Travel the world. 

Text: CARINA VAN DER WALT. Photo: ELZAAN PIENAAR 



In a country like South Africa, where 

crime is on the rise daily, everyone 

ought to know how to protect 

themselves. 

Dominique Olfsen (41) believes 

self-defence is a skill set required 

by men, women and children and 

through her life’s journey came to a 

point where she wanted something to 

do - something she enjoys, something 

for herself. 

She discovered Krav Maga and is 

now a highly motivated Krav Maga 

instructor. 

It’s a self-defence thing 

Self-defence enables you to protect 

not only yourself but your loved ones 

too, if needed. 

‘I am a business owner, wife and mother. 

Most of the time, I didn’t focus on 

myself. I just made sure everyone else 

was looked after and had everything 

they needed. 

‘Then one day I woke up and decided 

to look for something I would enjoy. 

Krav Maga just fell into my lap,’ 

she said. 

Krav Maga is an effective, modern and 

dynamic self-defence and fighting 

system. It is designed to be practical 

and intuitive for people of any age, 

shape or size. 

The techniques expand on your 

instincts to develop skills quickly and 

effectively while enabling you to address 

attacks in any scenario. 

You will learn how to defend yourself 

and your loved ones while gaining 

increased awareness and instinctive 

reflexes. 

For most people, should they find 

themselves in a compromised position 

or under attack, their reaction 

is to fight, freeze or flee. With proper 

self-defence training, you are trained 

to handle these situations, assess 

and react. 

While Krav Maga teaches you serious 

skills, Dominique and business partner 

Jessica Arde are hell-bent on saving 

lives, not taking it. 

‘Despite what some people think, 

you’re not taught to simply react to 

every threat. You’re trained to defuse 

and de-escalate. Physical violence is 

always a last resort,’ she explained. 

She said that an increased level of 

self-confidence comes with consistent 

training. Dominique’s life was changed 

by Krav Maga because it helped her to 

gain confidence and empower herself. 

‘It’s about finding safety in difficult situations. The benefits of becoming physically 

and emotionally fit are many. Krav Maga is simple, yet effective.’ 

Spreading love and self-defence techniques 

“I can’t tell you how passionate I feel about teaching these lifesaving, self-defence 

techniques to women and children. While the term self-defence is a legal phrase, 

there is nothing defensive about what I teach, and it is certainly not our strategy. 

To survive, you have to attack and fight for your life.’ 

Her focus and passion lie with women and girls, as she feels they are the 

most vulnerable. 

‘I am not meek, mild nor ‘the weaker sex’. I refuse to accept those labels. I don’t accept 

them for myself, my impressionable daughters who are watching my every 

move, nor for any other female. 

‘We are enough. We are strong. We are capable. As a woman, I may never be 

stronger than the average man, but I don’t need to be. I don’t rely on strength 

or size to take the biggest, worst guy down that touches me or any of my loved 

ones. I rely on a set of skills, techniques and principles I’ve acquired through Krav 

Maga to save my life. 

‘Experience has become the driving force behind my passion,’ said Dominique. 

According to her, Krav Maga offers women a valuable set of skills that can be 

lifesaving, but most of all, empowering. 

‘It is my absolute mission to get as many people as I possibly can into classes 

across the country and urge them to take back their power. 

‘I live in a country where crime is out of control, and while I have already been a 

‘statistic’ multiple times, I choose to equip myself with skills and techniques that 

enable me to defend myself instead of screaming about the state of the nation 

from behind my keyboard,’ she added. 

It is important for her to protect her daughters in any kind of situation. 

‘I do not want to ever find myself in a situation where I can’t protect them.’ 

The best part of her job 

The best part of her job as an instructor is watching women find their inner beast. 

‘I like to show them how strong and able they really are,’ said Dominique. 

‘Being fortunate to instruct this close combat system, I believe in women 

and children being able to reduce the chance of becoming a victim through 

self-awareness, confidence in their ability and a strong mind. 

‘While the skill acquired is substantial, the side-effects of your training are great 

too. Strengthening and conditioning, toning and weight loss but, more impor- 

fists 

Taking on life’s 

hardships, 

swinging 

She is a firm believer that women are not the weaker 

sex and that every woman can man up, fight and defend 

themselves should the need arise. We caught up with 

Dominique Olfsen to chat about how Krav Maga changed 

her life. 



tantly, joining a circle of like-minded 

people who would support you in all 

situations,’ she said. 

A challenge she faces daily is not having 

enough hours in a day. 

‘I have a busy schedule that often 

leaves me feeling like a one-woman 

circus. Between running a digital marketing 

agency, two busy young girls 

and Krav Maga, it leaves little time 

for downtime.’ 

Training little ones 

According to her, the difference between 

teaching adults and children 

boils down to using a different teaching 

style, with age-appropriate techniques 

and principles. 

‘We teach children simple, easy-to-remember 

techniques, like instead of 

yelling for ‘help’ rather scream ‘fire’, 

as statistically, that attracts more 

attention. 

‘We teach them to get out of the situation 

and go look for help. There is a lot 

to be taught in the way of confidence 

and self-awareness before needing to 

resort to anything physical. However, if 

they need to rely on physical techniques, 

they’re well prepared.’ 

This and that 

Dominique is an 

Alberton native. Her 

degree in integrated 

marketing communication 

followed 

her graduation 

from Hoërskool 

Marais Viljoen 

High School. 

She moved to Cape 

Town after 23 years in Alberton but 

returned two years later. She now lives 

in Bedfordview and runs her digital 

agency. She is also one of the owners of 

1441 Combat in New Redruth. 

Dominique has been married for 16 

years to, Sean, who she met when she 

was 19. They have two daughters. 

The Olfsen’s love to spend quality time 

together and enjoy cycling, walking 

their dogs or watching a movie at 

the cinema. 

When asked who her biggest inspiration 

is, she said her daughter, Mika, 

inspires her. 

‘If her mind is set on something, she will 

hold on to it until she succeeds. She has 

so much fire, energy and self-discipline. 

I sometimes wish she could see herself 

through my eyes. She motivates me to 

do better,’ Dominique said. 

Text: ELZAAN PIENAAR. Photo: ELZAAN PIENAAR. 



Muscles in a bottle ... 

for when hard work isn’t enough 

SA sport enjoys an image of excellence and achievement, but beneath the surface lies 

an uneasy truth that tears at the heart of this notion. Clinton van der Berg, head of 

communication at SuperSport, tackles the subject in his book Guns and Needles. 

TEXT: The Penguin Post, a magazine about books for book lovers from Penguin Random 

House South Africa. Details: penguinrandomhouse.co.za/penguin-post-latest-issue 

Several weeks before I began writing Guns and Needles, I ran into Bruce 

Fordyce at the launch of his book. “The only good thing about this 

lockdown,” he grumbled, “is that everyone has a book inside us.” 

‘It was the spur to get cracking, not least because South Africa’s greatest ultramarathoner 

– and a superb raconteur – had laid down the challenge. 

My obsession with sport meant that the drip-drip news of steroids and drugs 

in sport had been near constant for 30 years. The stories floated in and out of 

the news cycle on an almost monthly basis. As a newspaperman, I often wrote 

them. What was remarkable was that the cases took in all sport and cut across 

all demographics. No sport was a no-go, even with the warnings, the dangers of 

being tested and the inevitable social shame. 

I was drawn to these episodes for several reasons, chiefly because of the 

characters involved. Many were world-class athletes – but they had feet of clay. 

Each story was different, remarkable in its own way and utterly beguiling. The 

more I dug around, the more I realised that there was a compelling narrative that 

took in varying elements: shame, competition, ego, naiveté, arrogance. 

I threw myself into the project because there was so much information to sift 

through, so many stories to consider. Such a book demanded to be written. 

Guns and Needles does more than merely document South Africa’s 

extraordinary trajectory of cheating and doping; it sounds a warning to young 

participants, and indeed their parents, of the dangers of opting for the needle or 

tablet for an extra boost. It’s never worth it, even for the momentary high or the 

gold medal. 

There is no doubt that doping has a sexy appeal. You can get big and buff and 

push yourself to extraordinary levels, but few who do so ever get away with it. 

There is an endless game of cat and mouse that is played between the doping 

chiefs and the cheats. No doubt some dopers get away from time to time, but 

the hammer often comes down hard on those whose bad habits are uncovered. 

Their bodies litter the sporting landscape. 

I discovered an interesting parallel between athletes’ behaviour and indeed the 

zeitgeist of the country. The growing indifference to laws and regulations, which 

spiked during the pandemic, gave rise to similar sentiments within sport. An 

anything-goes culture has developed, which may explain the ubiquitous status 

of steroids in gyms and elsewhere. When someone pops for steroids, few are 

really surprised. The embarrassment passes quickly. 

We live in a country where sport is held up as a symbol of hope and unity. It truly 

does bring South Africans together, but the warmth and bonhomie of sport in 

popular culture is also a mirage. 

The book is essentially a mirror of South African society, poking beneath 

its ugly underbelly and revealing the parts we don’t particularly enjoy 

seeing, or pretend don’t exist. 


‘ 

Guns and Needles is out now. To 

stand in line to win a copy, pop 

over to Get It National Magazines 

on Instagram or Facebook to find 

the competition. 


NOW AVAILABLE IN 

NEW! 

C H O C O L A TE C A R A M EL 

NOW AVAILABLE IN 

NEW! 

S T R A W B E R R Y 

GIS0304_015_911225483.indd 15 2022/02/17 13:07:43

Gently does it when 

you’re washing your 

face. Exuviance 

Gentle Cleansing 

Crème is a nourishing 

cream which cleanses make-up, surface 

oils and impurities, while at the same 

time lightly hydrating your skin. Ideal for 

dry or sensitive skin, it’s soap-free and 

dermatologist and allergy tested. R560 

from dermastore.co.za • We’re all for multiuse 

products, and this new Eau Thermale 

Avéne Hydrance Aqua-Gel is a 3-in-1 

hydrating product that can be used as a 

daily moisturiser, sleeping mask and eye 

cream. The fresh aqua-gel texture is really 

lovely to use, and the product rehydrates 

and fortifies the skin barrier to prevent 

water loss, restores the skin’s water 

reservoirs and suppleness, boosts radiance 

and has powerful antioxidant protection 

against free radicals. R369 at Clicks • 

SVR B3 Ampoule Hydra is a repairing 

concentrate that replumps dehydrated 

skin. With a high concentration of 

Vitamin B3 and three hyaluronic 

acids, it soothes and strengthens 

skin, intensely moisturises and 

plumps. Used morning or night, 

you’ll see fast results ... within a 

week there’ s a visible difference. 

Suitable for sensitive skins. R725 from 

riekiemedaesthetic.co.za, absoluteskin. 

co.za or shopfomo.com 

Optiphi Classic Hydration 

Therapy is a retinol-free moisturiser 

that improves hydration levels, and 

nourishes with essential vitamins 

and minerals that soothe and 

illuminate dull skin. Intense longterm 

moisture, an increased ability 

to retain moisture, collagen repair 

and protection, a visible anti-wrinkle 

effect ... all in one product, which 

you use once or twice a week. 

R770 • Also from Optiphi, Refine 

Foliant - a really potent chemical 

exfoliant. With Ascorbic, Lactic 

and Salicylic acids, this 

home-peel will brighten 

your complexion, and 

softens and moisturises 

your skin. A powerful 

exfoliating action refines 

rough skin, so preps 

it for better product 

penetration. Suitable 

for all skin except for 

those using Roaccutane 

and Cortisone. R820 

from optiphi.com 

The Gatineau Aquamemory High Hydration Cream- 

Mask is designed to offer immediate relief and long-lasting 

hydration to those with dry skin. R710 from Woolworths, 

Truworths & Dis-Chem stores. 

We’re such fans of Laboratoire NUXE, and this Super 

Serum with natural hyaluronic acid is infused with 

thousands of micro-spheres of fractionated botanical 

oils, which stimulates the skin’s youth mechanisms 

for extraordinary anti-ageing effectiveness. R1345 from 

Woolworths, Truworths & Foschini. 

You want shimmer. Oh boy ... 

does NUXE Huile Prodigieuse 

Shimmer Multi-Use Dry Oil 

- Golden Shimmer deliver. 

This sensational, sensorial 

dry oil has tiny shimmering 

mineral particles. It 

nourishes, leaves 

a satin finish and 

illuminates skin 

and hair. You’d 

imagine it’d be 

greasy, but it’s not 

at all, and a bonus 

is the fragrance. Top 

shimmer product 

ever! R455 from 

Woolies, Truworths 

& Foschini. 



HYDRATE 

&GLOW 

Filorga Lift-Structure Radiance 

Ultra-lifting Rosy-glow Fluid is a new 

addition to Lift-Structure range and is 

our can’t-live-without beauty fix. Like 

the other products in the range, it 

tightens features, plumps the skin and 

sculpts volume and also has the added 

benefit of skin radiance and evenness. 

Crammed with good products (think 

collagen and hyaluronic acid), it’s perfect 

for those of us who’re on the plus side 

of 40, and who want to simultaneously 

treat lack of firmness and loss of 

radiance and evenness. Used as a day 

cream, it gives a universal pink healthy 

glow texture that suits all skin tones. 

Gorgous. R895. For a full list of stockists, 

visit filorgasouthafrica.co.za 

Whether your sport is swimming, or if you’re happier lying 

alongside the pool on a lounger, this month we’re all about 

hydration, along with radiance and a healthy glow. 

Polished, smooth, 

radiant skin in one 

step. The new Glycolic 

Microdermabrasion 

Polish from NeoStrata 

offers exactly that. It 

has dual actions that 

rapidly clears away dull, 

superfluous surface skin 

cells to remove impurities, 

and primes your skin to 

enhance your antiaging 

regimen. We’ve tried and 

tested, and this product is 

sensational and well worth 

investing in. R1190 • We also 

recommend NeoStrata 

Bio-Hydrating Cream ... 

a rich cream with a high 

strength Polyhydroxy Acid 

(PHA), which helps restore 

your skin’s moisture barrier, 

preserves natural elasticity 

and protects against 

environmental aggressors. 

It’s ideal if your skin is dry, 

normal or sensitive. R555 

from neostrata.co.za 




SPORTY 

EDGE 

Going for a sporty look? We got you covered with 

items that will give you the edge and confidence 

you need to pull off an active lifestyle. 

Workout comfortably in 

high waist nylon leggings, 

with pocket. R399 from 

woolworths.co.za 

Keep hydrated while on the go with this 500ml 

active drink bottle & bag with adjustable shoulder 

strap. Available in parchment and black, you’ll find 

it at Cotton On for R299 . Details: cottonon.com/ZA • 

Fit your essential items in this dainty Nike Heritage 

Waistpack, R379.95 from nike.com/za 

Compiled by: MEGAN BRETT 

Designed for distance and flexibility, the women’s 

Under Armour HOVR Sonic 4 running shoes are 

not your everyday sneaker. You can sync these shoes 

to the UA MapMyRun app which tracks your running 

metrics and uses the data collected to help you become 

a better runner, R2499. Details: underarmour.co.za 



Turn heads with the slim and stylish Nadia Nakia 

x Redbat sunglasses. . Available exclusively at 

sportscene, R179.95 • Fitbit Versa 2 in stone 

mist grey is your all-in-one health & fitness 

smartwatch. 24/7 heart rate tracking, sleep 

score, apps and so much more. R3405 

from takealot.com 

Gloaming printed women’s bra top, 

tight fit with cross back straps for 

a flattering look. R600 from Puma. 

Details: za.puma.com 

Train hard while 

staying cool and 

confident in the 

Maxed Elite crop 

top. . R199 from 

mrpsport.com 

Keep an Airlite towel by your 

side. It’s light and fast drying and 

designed to absorb over three times 

its weight in water. R229.90 from 

sportsmanswarehouse.co.za 

March 2022 Get It Joburg South • Alberton • Bedfordview • Greenstone • Modderfontein 

19 



Tone. Bend. Flex 

Today’s the day. No more excuses! 

Stick to your intentions 

Whether you’ve decided that 2022 is the year you 

hit your health and fitness goals once and for all 

or if you want to continue your progress from last 

year, here are some tips from the Herbalife 

Nutrition team .... tips to help you stick to 

your intentions. 

Move to something you love The great thing 

about exercise is the variety. If running around the 

block or lifting weights at a gym aren’t your thing, 

try dance classes, Zumba, or yoga. The trick is to 

find something you love to keep you mentally 

motivated while you move that body. You can 

also give your exercise of choice an extra kick by 

adding some uplifting background music to it. 

This will help you match your movements to the 

beats and keep you pushing forward. Create a 

workout playlist of all your favourites. 

Give group activities a go There’s an African 

proverb that says ‘if you want to go fast, go alone; 

but if you want to go far, go together’. Exercising 

in a group is the perfect way to get active if you 

tend to throw in the towel early on. Not only will 

a group setting motivate you to keep going and 

keep up with your peers, but it can be a lot more 

fun. Start small by asking a friend to join you for a 

weekly walk or jog. For the more adventurous, you 

can sign up for group exercise classes, join a hiking 

group, try Parkruns, or volunteer for a sports team 

at your local community sports centre. 

Say yes to dinner parties Say what? Attending 

a dinner party can be quite terrifying ... delicious, 

tempting dishes every which way you look. 

But instead of isolating yourself to maintain 

your goals, compromise. Your friends will most 

likely understand your requests and try to 

accommodate you. In fact, it may be just the thing 

they need to kick-start their own desire to make 

healthy changes. And if you’re lucky enough to 

have a group of friends who share your passion 

for nutrition, set up a dinner club. Each person can 

host a dinner party and cook a delicious healthy 

meal for the rest of the group. It’s a great way to 

discover new recipes and share experiences and 

tips for better health and wellness. 

Even if you mess up here and there, remember 

the key is not to beat yourself up about it 

and get back on the horse. 2022 is a time for 

transformative change, so make the most of it. 

No pain no gain. Work out with 

The Crazy Store Pulse Active 

range ... yoga ball, R179.99, 

fitness AB wheel, R99.99 and 

Netball R199.99 

Root, Sacral, Solar Plexus, 

Heart, Throat, Third Eye, 

and Crown ... the primary 

chakras, and the vital 

energy centres within 

the body through which 

all life energy flows. The 

Charkra Energy Deck 

by Olivia Miller is an 

illustrated deck with 64 

easy-to-follow exercises 

to help unblock and align 

your chakra through 

meditations, breath work, 

mudras, affirmations, and 

yoga poses. There’s also 

a booklet which gives an 

overview of each chakra 

as well as corresponding 

elements, colours, 

crystals and essential oils. 

Chronicle, R350 



Get crazy fit 

For those of you who’re wanting to get 

your blood pumping but aren’t keen on 

going to a gym, take a look at The Pulse 

Active range at The Crazy Store. For yogis, 

there are mats and balls, blocks and 

straps; for gymers there are ab wheels 

and twist trainers and pedal resistance 

bands, multi toners and hand grips and 

quick-dry towels. You can grab a pair of 

gym gloves and push up bars, or raise 

your heartbeat with a high speed jump 

rope. Too much? There’s swimming gear 

and family-fun options like garden cricket 

sets, soccer balls and darts. There are 

even whistles for dads who take things 

seriously! Really affordable prices, so 

there’s no excuse whatsoever not to get 

fit this year. Details: crazystore.co.za 

Jump on over to our IG page (Get It 

National Magazines) and look for our 

Crazy Fitness competition. There’s a R500 

voucher up for grabs. Ready, steady, go! 

Get your om on 

Shoulder pain. Stiff necks. Weakening of your neck and back. Joint issues. 

These are just some of the probs working from home, and too many hours 

spent hunched over the computer, have caused. It’s all become a pain in the 

neck. Quite literally. 

So say Namaste to the five simple yoga inspired stretches that can be done 

right at your desk, shared by Joëlle Sleebos, who’s Head of Yoga at Virgin 

Active, who has cherry-picked these five yoga inspired stretches to help with 

posture, neck pain and more that can be done at your desk - wherever that 

may be. So, get your om on and reduce discomfort, aches and pains, all in a 

day’s work. 

Wrist and finger stretch While seated, take the fingertips of one hand into 

the palm of your other hand. Extend that same arm forward, at shoulderheight, 

and gently pull your fingers down toward the back of your wrist until 

you feel a slight stretch. This stretch will give your wrists some relief from 

frantic typing, and has the added benefit of lowering your risk of carpal tunnel 

syndrome. Hold the pose and breathe for three to five slow breaths, then 

switch hands. 

Seated Tadasana Reach your arms above your head, aligning your wrists over 

shoulders. Inhale: Activate your fingers and arms by reaching your hands to 

the ceiling and spreading your fingers as wide as possible. Engage your abs as 

you sit up tall. Exhale: Relax your shoulders, align your head directly over your 

torso and slightly lift your chin up and in towards your throat to help stretch 

and straighten the back of your neck, your spine and find a good posture. 

Hold the pose and breathe for three to five slow breath cycles. 

Seated Lateral Side Stretch Move into this stretch directly from the seated 

tadasana. Extend your right arm overhead toward the left side of your body 

and relax your left arm down. Feel the length on the right side of your torso 

from the right hip to right armpit. Your palm can face to the left and shift 

your gaze toward your bicep if your neck allows – don’t force your neck into 

any discomfort. Create space between your shoulders and ears, keeping your 

shoulders relaxed and in line with your desk and each other to avoid leaning 

forward or back — only sideways. Hold the pose and breathe for three to five 

slow breaths. Then switch sides to lengthen your abdominal muscles while 

improving spinal flexibility. 

Seated Spinal Twist Move into this stretch directly from the seated tadasana. 

Bring your hand to your shoulders, lift your elbows to the side at the same 

level as your shoulders. Inhale: broaden your chest and look straight in front of 

you. Exhale: Twist and look to the right, while maintaining your hips in place. 

You may extend your arms and actively reach your right arm behind you and 

the left arm to the front. Then switch sides to improve spinal strength and 

flexibility, reduce back pain and improve your digestion. 

Seated Forward fold and backbend Take a moment, give yourself a little 

more space, and take a deep breath before leaning forward slowly into a 

Paschimottanasana – or a seated forward bend. Focus on slowly extending the 

top half of the body over the seated lower half – gradually stretching out while 

controlling your abdomen and elongating your back. To counter the forward 

fold, sit upright with a deep inhale before moving into the seated backbend. 

Stretch your hands down a few centimetres behind your hips and hold on to 

the edges of your chair. Push into the chair and reach your shoulder blades 

down and back. Hug your belly in as you blossom your heart and lift your 

chest up and forward. Lift your gaze slightly and if it feels comfortable you can 

gently tilt your head backwards too, but be careful of discomfort in your neck. 

Hold the poses and breathe for three to five slow breaths. 

More than anything, yoga is about breathing. As you work towards stretching 

out those pandemic-induced kinks in your body, remember to take time to 

close your eyes and really focus on taking five to ten deep, slow breaths before 

you dive back into your inbox. Your neck, spine and spirit will thank you. 



Frosty, fruity & healthy 

COOL DOWN 

Frozen lollies, a fresh salad, crisp Sauv Blanc ... chill out! 

Our days are still hot and steamy (we do love 

Summer!) ... and to chill down, not much 

beats chilled fresh and fruity plums, peaches 

and nectarines. They’re versatile, delish, and 

pack a low-calorie nutritious punch. Naturally 

sweet, these super fruits have a low glycemic 

index (GI), are high in fibre and health-giving 

potassium and vitamins A, C and E ... allpowerful 

antioxidants that protect against 

disease and help to build healthy minds and 

bodies. Eat them straight from the fridge, or 

make up some refreshing frozen treats ... you’ll 

find more on juicydelicious.co.za or on IG 

@juicydelicioussa. 

Tip: All stone fruit 

are at their most satisfying 

when enjoyed perfectly ripe. 

To test, lightly press the skin. If still 

firm to the touch, allow them to 

ripen in a fruit bowl or keep them 

in a pierced paper bag at room 

temperature. Only keep the fruit 

in the fridge once they are 

completely ripe. 

22 Get It Joburg South • Alberton • Bedfordview • Greenstone • Modderfontein March 2022 

Frozen plum lollies 

This Jenny Morris recipe makes a dozen lollies. 

You’ll need: 8 fat plums; half a cup raw honey; half a 

teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 cups natural yoghurt 

To make: Cut a cross into the base of each plum 

and plunge into boiling water, then remove with 

a slotted spoon. Peel off the skins and remove the 

flesh from the stone. 

Line a 12-hole muffin tin with cupcake holders. 

Blend the plum flesh, honey, vanilla extract and 

yoghurt in a food processor until smooth. Taste 

and add a little more honey if too tart. 

Divide the mixture between the muffin holes and 

freeze till firm. When almost firm insert a lolly stick 

into each one. (you’ll find sticks at Checkers) 

Frozen peach & yoghurt shake 

Jenny Morris suggests pouring this shake into a 

flask for your child to enjoy perfectly chilled at 

school. This makes four shakes. 

You’ll need: 2 cups vanilla ice cream; 1 banana 

sliced and frozen; one-and-a-half cups chopped 

and frozen dessert peaches; 1 cup Greek yoghurt 

To make: Remove the frozen fruit from the freezer 

and place it in a blender with the remaining 

ingredients. Blend until smooth, pour into glasses 

and garnish with fresh mint. 

GIS0304_022_911177331.indd 22 2022/02/17 12:48:03

From homemade kimchi to kombucha, shrub cocktails, and making your 

own pickles, award-winning food writer Mark Diacono tells the story 

of fermentation, and offers recipes that maximise the transformative 

power of this amazing process. Ferment from Scratch offers a guiding 

hand on a natural process that would happen without you, encouraging 

largely invisible activity of bacteria to work to your advantage. These 

skills take little of your time, they are particular yet simple, and the 

results are extraordinary. Packed with useful, accessible information and 

focusing on back-to-basic skills, the From Scratch series is designed to 

inspire you to slow down and create. Hardie Grant, R270 

A glass of wine and a 

salmon salad 

We’re of the ‘a glass a day is good for 

you’ school of thought. And we all 

know the health benefits of salmon - 

rich in omega-3 fatty acids, loaded with 

B vitamins, and an excellent source of 

protein. So it really would be a remiss 

of you not to try this salmon salad with 

a glass of Spier 21 Gables Sauvignon 

Blanc on the side. 

You can also use hot smoked trout 

(cooled and flaked) for this salad - you’ll 

find it in the fish deli section of most 

good supermarkets. 

You can whip this Ilse van der Merwe 

recipe up in less than 10 minutes, and it 

serves four. 

You’ll need: 1 bunch watercress leaves, 

rinsed; 1/2 cucumber, peeled into 

ribbons with a peeler; 1 fennel bulb, 

finely cut and shaved; 200g cold 

smoked salmon or trout ribbons; 100g 

ricotta cheese, crumbled; a handful 

capers; fresh lemon juice; extra virgin 

olive oil; freshly ground black pepper 

and salt, to taste 

To make: On a large salad platter (or 

on four individual plates), assemble 

the watercress leaves, then top with 

cucumber, fennel, salmon/trout, ricotta 

and capers. Drizzle with lemon juice 

and olive oil, then season to taste with 

salt & pepper. 

Serve immediately with a glass of 

Spier 21 Gables Sauvignon Blanc ... a 

pale lemon-green bright, fresh and 

invigorating Sauv Blanc, with refreshing 

hints of lemongrass and a lip-smacking, 

saline finish. R190 from shop.spier.co.za 

or your local supermarket. 



GIS0304_022_911177331.indd 23 2022/02/17 12:48:20



Garden tasks for March 

Nurture your flowers by watering once a week 

and feed with a granular or liquid fertiliser 

once during the month. • Rake up all the 

fallen leaves and use them as mulch or add 

them, together with Summer annuals that 

are over, to the compost heap. • Add Autumn 

colour to the garden with purple flowers and 

shrubs like Plectranthus ‘Mona Lavender’, 

indigenous Ribbon bush (Hypoestes) Salvia 

purple and bloom, and Petunia Shock Wave 

purple tie die. • Fertilise shrubs with 5:1:5 or 

8:1:5 to strengthen them for winter. Water 

camellias and azaleas regularly to encourage 

the development of spring buds. • Wait until 

night temperatures drop to 10 or 12˚C. before 

planting pansies, violas, Iceland poppies, 

snapdragons, calendula and primulas. • Start 

planning and preparing beds for spring bulbs. 

Buy bulbs early before they are sold out but only 

plant towards the end of March and in early 

April. • Keep your lawn green during winter 

by fertilising now with Ludwig’s Vigorosa and 

water regularly. 

We’re planting … Lobelia Curaçao Blue Bay ... which is like a breath of seaside 

air! Its blue-white flowers are larger than conventional lobelia flowers, and they 

ripple like frothy waves over the sturdy, compact plant. Curacao is a strong 

growing lobelia, with a mounding habit that quickly fills out, up to 25cm, 

good for containers, or in the garden as a border and with other yellow or 

white flowers. Think alyssum, diascia, nemesia, pansies, and violas. It also works 

well as an underplanting for roses in pots. Blue Bay prefers sun in Winter and 

semi-shade in Summer, and it flowers through to Winter. Don’t over-water 

as this encourages root rot. Details: ballstraathof.co.za 

Veggie of the month - Purple Sprouting broccoli 

If you are going to plant broccoli, why not make it a 

statement! That’s what you can do with Purple Sprouting 

broccoli, a heirloom variety from RAW seed. It is a beauty, with 

its deep purple head and blue-grey leaves. Being purple, it 

contains the antioxidant Anthocyanin, which plays a key role in 

protecting our health. Once the head is harvested, it continues to 

produce lots of tender side shoots. Purple Sprouting broccoli has a 

sweet, earthy flavour and it turns green when cooked. 

Tips: March is the best time to sow, directly 

into the soil or into seed trays. • Grow 

broccoli in full sun in Winter, in well 

composted soil. • The final 

spacing of plants should be 

30m apart. • Keep the soil 

moist and fertilise with a 

nitrogen rich liquid feed once a month. • 

The heads should be ready to harvest within 120 

to 150 days from germination. 



BOLD PLANTS 

We’re making a statement this March with shades of 

blue, purple veg and pretty polka dots. 

Indoor plant of the month 

Begonia ‘Polka Dot ‘ has to be one of the cutest indoor plants 

around. Perfect for the bedroom, a home office that needs 

cheering up, even the patio. This begonia likes bright, indirect light 

or filtered sun. It even survives in lower light, but its leaves will burn 

if exposed to direct sunlight. Water once a week but be careful 

of over-watering. If the soil is still moist when you check it, wait 

another day or two and check again. Feed with a liquid fertiliser 

once a month in summer. As a bonus, alongside its colourful 

leaves, Polka dot produces sprays of white flowers in Summer. 

Details: lvgplant.co.za 

Compiled by: KYM ARGO and ALICE COETZEE. 





Text: CARINA VAN DER WALT 

Fit, focused and feeling 

FABULOUS 

The decision to get into shape should be a 

conscious and realistic one. 

How difficult can it be to take on something like the Harrismith 

Mountain Race? I mean, what is 15km? After all, it includes some 

flat ground to be covered, up on the one side of the mountain and 

then down on the other side. Surely it is manageable? 

The challenge was on to join a group in 2020 to do the Harrismith 

Mountain Race and as we all know, that fell sidewise due to the pandemic. 

As did the regular walks in the afternoons and the Parkruns 

on weekends. 

The challenge was on to join a group in 2021. Although I knew I was 

not completely prepared, I was determined to make it. 

Proud to say, I can rightfully wear the T-shirt that states ‘I beat the 

mountain’ but let me tell you that mountain nearly killed me. 

And that was when I decided something needs to be done. 

Chatting to some fit and prepared people, I followed their advice 

and from this, I can share the following tips, which work for me. 

1 Right attitude 

You need to want to do this, not for anybody else but yourself. The 

toughest part of getting into shape and getting fit is to get up from 

the couch, get into your gear and get out of the house. 

Once that is done, you are off to a good start. 

2 Exercise as often as possible 

Once you have a friend you can share your thoughts and struggles 

through the routines with, you will find it can be real fun - and you 

will want to go back for that camaraderie. 

3 Establish a routine 

It is going to take you about two months to settle into this routine 

but hey, once you have pulled yourself through those first two 

months, exercising regularly becomes part of your life and it is so 

worth it. You will have to make a permanent lifestyle change. 

4 Don’t expect miracles 

You won’t feel the difference in your body after just one workout. It 

takes about four weeks before you will see the difference and about 

eight before other people will notice the difference in you. Just keep 

at it! 

5 Sleep enough 

Remember, you are expecting more of your body so you have to 

allow it to rest. Six to eight hours of good sleep is what you need. 

6 What works for you? 

Different approaches work for different people. Find something that 

suits you. Consider joining a Parkrun where you will meet like-minded 

people. You will find that once you have established what kind of 

workout you like, there will be a host of people cheering you on. 

GET IT DIRECTORY 

GDS20304_029_903963026.indd 29 2022/02/17 13:02:53




JOBURG SOUTH • ALBERTON • BEDFORDVIEW • GREENSTONE • MODDERFONTEIN 



A proper treat for mountain biking 

enthusiasts, these Biking In The 

Bush getaways at Shamwari 

Private Game Reserve include a bit 

of luxury ... and who doesn’t want 

that after three or four hours in 

the saddle. 

The idea is to enjoy a guided cycle 

every morning, with afternoon 

game drives and guided walks, 

and then luxury all the way in the 

gorgeous Bayethe Lodge. 

Andrew Kearney, ranger manager 

at Shamwari and a keen rider 

himself, says the rides are suitable 

for people who cycle regularly and 

are reasonably fit, and assures it’s 

absolutely not a race but rather 

about the experience of cycling 

through the bush and chance 

encounters with a variety of wildlife. 

The aim, he says, is to count time 

in the saddle rather than the 

kilometres ridden. 

He stresses safety is a priority and 

cyclists receive a detailed briefing 

before each ride. Two experienced 

guides accompany each group and 

one guide will wait with anyone 

who needs to stop, with a sweeper 

vehicle picking up anyone who is 

unable to continue the ride. 

The rides vary depending on game 

sightings, animal movements, 

the weather and fitness of the 

groups. All take place in the wilder 

wilderness area in the north of the 

reserve, where there are no other 

people or vehicles. 

It’s a fabulous weekend for a group 

of friends (minimum of six, max of 

eight, all need to be 16 or older, 

with those 65-plus asked to provide 

confirmation of their fitness). If 

you’re more of an e-biker ... they’re 

permitted, but they, along with 

faster riders, do have to stay with 

the group. Dates coming up are 

March 3 to 6, March 17 to 20, March 

31 to April 3 and May 5 to 8. Rates 

are R4950 per person, sharing, 

which include accommodation, all 

guided rides, guided walks, game 

drives, meals, visits to the Wildlife 

Rehabilitation Centre and Born Free 

Big Cat Rescue Centre, pre-game 

drive refreshments and game drive 

drinks and snacks. Details: Bookings 

via reservations@shamwari.com or 

042-203-1111. 

A wild ride 

Fancy a ride on the wild side? We rather like 

the idea of these three day cycling adventures 

through big five territory. 



Get your running shoes on ... 

There are two fabulous events for trail runners this 

year ... one this month and one later on in the year. The 

Thirsti Africanx Trail Runs are said to be synonymous 

with magnificent trails, spectacular views, mouthwatering 

food, a relaxed atmosphere and great vibe, 

and treat entrants (who gather from around the 

country) to a trail running experience like no other. 

Whether a seasoned trail runner or newcomer to the 

sport, you are guaranteed to be left in awe of the 

sensational routes on offer. The first - the flagship 3-Day 

Stage Race - takes place at the Houw Hoek Hotel in the 

Western Cape from Saturday 19 to Monday 21 March. 

This three day stage run (24km, 32km, 18km) is for 

teams of two runners (male/female/mixed), and entries 

close Friday March 11. The second, recently announced 

trail run takes place in August at Van Gaalen Cheese 

Farm, in Hartbeespoort in the North-West Province on 

Saturday 20 and Sunday 21. Entries are already open for 

this individual 2-Day stage trail run (20km and 16km). 

Your entry fees includes T-shirts and finisher medals, 

refreshment zones and well stocked water points, and 

the evening prize giving. Details: Stillwater Sports on 

082-991-0045 or email entries@stillwatersports.com 

And a MTB Classic in Plett 

The Sky Villa Trans Plett MTB Classic (whew ... the 

name’s as long as the ride) promises to be a 

magnificent event for mountain bikers. The 

competition will be held in Plettenberg Bay at the 

Sky Villa Boutique Hotel, who recently launched 

Sky Trails - a bio-diverse, eco-estate of specialist 

mountain bike trails, which offers riders not only 

untamed and unspoiled trails, but also breathtaking 

views of the ocean, the mountains and the 

lagoon. Riders will be tackling a brand new route 

with a variety of flowing but punchy climbs and 

exhilarating descents ... a route designed for a 

marathon stage. Hosted by Overberg MTB Events, 

the two-day MTB stage event, from March 11 to 

13, has loads of entry options, fees and packages, 

from a solo entry without meals or accommodation 

to full all-inclusive packages, for riders, with or 

without partners, with accommodation in one of 

the Raw Africa Boutique Collection properties, as 

well as all meals and entry fee, permits and a goodie 

bag. Details: For entries, info and more deets contact 

Anneke Jacobs on anneke@overbergmtbevents.co.za 



Spoil 

Relief from sore 

March 

muscles 

WIN 

We’re giving away a 

Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro. Pop 

over to our Facebook or Instagram 

page (@getitnationalmagazines) 

and follow the prompts. Entries 

close March 25. 

Looking to enhance your sporting performance, recover quicker, 

sleep better and prevent injuries? Then you’ll be keen to learn more 

about the Hyperice Hypervolt 2 percussion massage therapy 

gun ... the new must-have device to hit the local market. Whether 

you’re a professional athlete, a weekend cycler, or hiker, you should 

warm up quickly, stay loose, and accelerate recovery at home. 

But still, you could (and often do) end up with tension and sore 

muscles. Which is where percussion therapy comes in. But what, 

exactly, is it, and how is it beneficial to people who live an active 

lifestyle? Simply put, percussive therapy helps muscles recover 

faster while reducing muscle pain, muscle fatigue and lactic acid 

build-up. A massage gun uses the force of percussive therapy 

(also known as vibration therapy) to manipulate your body’s 

soft tissue, and allows you to focus on a certain muscle group or 

muscle knots for immediate pain relief. Perfectly safe to use, it’s 

ideal for everyone from CrossFitters and dancers to gym buffs, 

home-gymmers or people who just want to push themselves. 

The Hypervolt 2 Pro, the strongest percussion device available, 

boasts a digital dial which delivers 5 speeds of percussion; a pill 

shaped handle for better control and a more comfortable hold 

and patented technology which showcases how much pressure is 

being applied. You’ll find them at Takealot, Gear4U and EveryShop 

for R7999.

JHB South East - March 22

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