June 24 Lowveld

The benefits of
having a positive
attitude
Win!
A pair of Metaspeed
Sky Paris shoes up
for grabs
Spice it up!
Awesome spoils
for Father’s Day
KarEn &
Pieter Steyn
On new adventures
Devoted to dad
SHOPPING, PEOPLE AND LIFESTYLE IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD
june 2024

contents
GET IT
Why don’t you ...
02 Let your hair down at Innibos, learn all about snake
Editorial
Phone 013 754 1600
Lowveld Media
12 Stinkhout Crescent, Mbombela
Facebook Get It Lowveld
Instagram Get It Lowveld
Website getitmagazine.co.za/lowveld/
Editor
Mellissa Bushby
mellissa@getitlowveld.co.za 084 319 2101
Photographer
Belinda Erasmus 082 567 0596
Layout
Wessel Cöhrs 074 801 4477
Subeditors
Wahl Lessing
Ida de Wet
Annica Fourie
Sales
Colletha Noppé Rattray
colletha@lowvelder.co.za 082 745 2387
GET IT NATIONAL
National Group Editor and
National Sales
Kym Argo
kyma@caxton.co.za 082 785 9230
Facebook and Instagram:
Get It National Magazines
Distribution
Get It Lowveld is distributed free of charge.
For a full list of where to find a copy,
phone Monya Burger on 083 555 4992
Published by CTP Limited
Competition rules
The judges’ decision is final. Prizes cannot be
transferred or redeemed for cash. Competitions
are not open to the sponsors or Caxton
employees or their families. Get It Magazine
reserves the right to publish the names of
winners, who will be contacted telephonically
and need to collect their prizes from Get It
Lowveld within 10 days or they will be forfeited.
Prizewinners names are published on our
Facebook page monthly.
behaviour, enjoy classical music in the bush
04 Read a good book, enjoy a glass of wine.
All is well with the world!
WISH LIST
06 This month we are all about life’s little luxuries ...
(actually, every month)
SOCIALS
08 The 2024 Air Show took to the skies with great success
09 Sampling fine wine at this year’s Unwined
people
10 We catch up with renowned local doctor Pieter Steyn
to see what the road ahead has in store
14 Romien Wait chats to us about life as
an incomplete paraplegic
FOOD
18 It’s all sugar and spice and all things
nice for Dad this Father’s Day
COMMUNITY
26 Ready, steady, canvas!
TRAVEL
30 Safari on the Kariega
Win
09 Some Metaspeed Sky Paris shoes
32 A Base Camp duffel bag
COVER LOOK
Pieter & Karin Steyn.
Photographer: Belinda Erasmus - Belle Grace Photography.
june 2024
June 2024 Get It Lowveld 01

A hot date!
Pencil these events into your June diary
right now
1Embark on a full-day course to expand your knowledge about the fascinating
world of snakes. Learn how to handle snakebite emergencies, snake
behaviour and identification, breaking down myths and superstition, spider and
scorpion awareness, and more. Details: courses@asiorg.co.za or visit
8www.africansnakebiteinstitute.com
It’s time for the Furr Fiesta Dog Show! Bring
your dog, big, medium or small, young or
old, we would love to see them all. There are
different categories, exciting prizes to be won
and plenty of food and drink to be had at
the local restaurants. The event is being held
at King Bean Coffee Specialists at Bagdad
Centre, from 10am to 5pm. Space is limited.
Details: Pricille on 061 748 5513
27-30
Have the adventure
27of a lifetime as
you soak up the pristine
surroundings of the stunning
Lowveld at the Mac Mac
Ultra. The race starts at 8am
and promises to be epic.
Details: 083 399 9564 or visit
www.macmacultra.com
Don’t miss this year’s Innibos Festival, featuring four days of fun,
music and merriment! Watch some of South Africa’s top artists
perform, enjoy the beer tents and food stalls, and a great variety of
other entertainment at the Lowveld’s favourite social event. Festival
terrain tickets start at R110 and go up to R660. See you there!
Details: 013 741 5294 or visit www.innibos.co.za
If you have a date for our diary, email the info at least a month in advance to mellissa@getitlowveld.co.za

7-8
Following the sold-out concert in the Kruger National Park in March
last year, the SANParks Honorary Rangers will offer two superb
classical concerts, Classics in the Wild, to raise funds for conservation.
Featuring members of the acclaimed Apple Green Orchestra under
the direction of Tim Roberts and joined by the delightful young
soprano, Sinesipho Mnyango, these exclusive performances will
include the works of Strauss, Mozart, Bach, Puccini and Brahms, as
well as works of modern composers such as Elton John, Gershwin
and even ABBA. Proceeds of the concert go to the SANParks Honorary
Rangers for conservation projects in the Kruger National Park. The
classical concerts will take place at the beautiful Mdluli Safari Lodge,
situated inside the Kruger Park, close to the Numbi Gate, on Friday
and Saturday at 5pm each day. Tickets are R1 150 per person, and
include a premium welcome experience with delicious snacks and a
glass of complimentary wine. There will be a cash bar at the venue.
Details: Linda on 082 933 1011

Book club
A good book. A glass of wine. All is fine with the world!
Lesley Pearse’s autobiography, The Long
and Winding Road, is as incredible as
her bestselling fiction ... from being found
playing coatless in the snow while her
mum lay dead in the house to a teenage
pregnancy ... and finally marriage and
children and a career as bestselling
author. Michael Joseph • In André Aciman’s
The Gentleman From Peru, a group of
college friends meet a fellow guest at
the luxurious hotel on the Amalfi Coast,
where they’re marooned. A stranger - in
more ways than one! Faber • Is there
anything better than a new Marian Keyes?
Yes. When it’s a new MK about the Walsh
family. This one centres around Anna, but
with loads of catch-ups with Claire and
Helen and Margaret, Rachel and Luke,
Mammy Walsh (as dramatic as ever), even
the Real Men (remember them). And the
tortured but gorgeous Joey. It’s just pure
MK joy ... when she wants to emphasise
something she uses italics ... all the time,
which is just wonderful. Loved, loved,
loved My Favourte Mistake. Book of the
month! Penguin
Not much more
fun than Three Men
in a Tub with a Rubber
Duck ... Black Elephant
Vintners’ playful red. A
blend of Cab Sauv, Merlot,
and Mourvèdre. R112 from
bevintners.co.za
04 Get It Lowveld June 2024

Wild reads
The Hawks, SA’s elite crime-fighting force, have put scores of our worst criminals
behind bars. In Hunting With The Hawks, investigative journalist Graham
Coetzer gives a glimpse of the secretive world of this police unit. Tafelberg
• Pursuing a dream instilled by David Attenborough’s television adventurers, as a
young man Larry Patterson is advised to become a veterinary surgeon - his first
step towards a career working with wild animals in Africa. Aiming to Save tells
his story of finding adventure in Botswana ... as a vet, ecologist, survey pilot, game
capture operator, hunter and then passionate conservationist. Rockhopper Books
• Painting a Life In Africa is the story of Joan van Gogh - a direct descendant of
artist Vincent - who has lived an unusual and adventurous life close to nature.
Born in bedpan during a locust storm was just the start of it ... she explored some
of the most remote and secretive spots in southern Africa. Warm and full of
humour. Rockhopper Books • For the CEO in hiking boots and the adventurer in a
suit ... here’s one showing how to use adventure principles in business. Johan de
Villiers flits between crocodile-infested waters and high-stakes corporate decision
making in Overlanding Through the Boardroom, offering the thrill seekers, the
sole entrepreneur and the season large corporation
executives a philosophical compass to navigate the unpredictable wilderness
and the complex corporate world. Rockhopper Books
Thrills and chills
A black man accused of killing an elderly, wealthy white couple. In the
tumultuous year of 1968 in southern Virginia, the odds are already against
him, and his white lawyer. A courtroom, Civil Rights, a prosecution’s
deliberate march towards a guilty verdict and the electric chair ...
no one does this better than David Baldacci.
Two murders, two suspects and A Calamity of Souls. Macmillan
Abigail Dean’s Girl A was superb, as is her second chilling, gripping thriller.
From it’s devastating, heartbreaking opening, Day One keeps you racing
along, ducking twists at every turn. A lie. A media frenzy. Conspiracy theories.
A small community changed forever ... with families torn apart. The novel,
explains the author, was inspired by her long fascination with conspiracy
theories ... the people who believe them, the people who peddle them,
and the people they destroy! Hemlock Press
All books available at Exclusive Books
June 2024 Get It Lowveld 05
Compiled by: Kym Argo

Wish list
We’re all about life’s luxuries this June*
*actually ... always!
Where adventure meets chill! The chaps at Wild Coolers believe that
every adventure should be accompanied by the perfect chill. Saying
the brand is more than just about keeping things cool ... it’s about
embodying the spirit of the wild and embracing the untamed
beauty of the outdoors. It is the call of the wild. The thunder of
migrating wildebeest. The splash of trout in a secret stream.
Or the snap of an open fire and the stories of old mates.
The range - think hard shell bush boxes and soft shell wine
coolers, flasks and utility mugs, utility bags and packing
pods - is all high performance, reliable, hardworking. Built
to last, these are coolers you can pass down to the next
generation of outdoor lovers. Details: wildcoolers.com.
Celebrating life’s luxuries ... we have a magnificent
hamper to give away. Valued at R11 745, it includes
both hardshell and softshell coolers, a flask and a wine
cooler. Visit @getitnationalmagazines on Instagram and
Facebook, find the post and follow the prompts.
The Connaught Bar - a gloriously sleek,
silver-toned lounge with cosy chairs
and a spectacular dark green bar - is
one of the best bars in the world. And
The Connaught Bar - Recipes and
Iconic Creations, may well be one of
the best cocktail books. With every
cocktail tasted by Anistatia Miller - “one
of the most pleasant tasks I have faced
in my life” - it kicks off with essential
bar tools, the correct glassware and
mixing techniques, followed by how
to make the perfect martini (four
pages of instructions .. they take this
drink suitably seriously), and 100
Connaught Bar cocktails, with recipes,
too, for homemade ingredients some
of the cocktails call for. Sexy images of
each cocktail, along with anecdotes
and good humour ... an exceptional
buy for the cocktail lover. Published
by Phaidon, you’ll find it at Exclusive
Books for R963.
06 Get It Lowveld June 2024

We’ve long been fans of UGG boots and slippers ... and just love these
new versatile platform clogs. Made from velvety suede, these
are the perfect wear-with-everything shoes ... pair them
with flowy dresses, a pair of jeans or chino shorts.
But besides their aesthetic appeal, comfort
comes first ... and these Ugg Goldenstar Clogs
are nothing if not comfortable. A hot trend,
clogs are practical and stylish, and these with
their heel strap are available in a variety of
shades - think Chestnut, Driftwood, Shaded
Clover and Black. R2999 from trenton.co.za
The Swish and Swank leather
collection is not only hand
crafted, but hand stitched, too
... a thoughtfully created range,
with leather and fittings sourced
ethically within South Africa, that’s
stylish, minimalistic, classic. There
are exceptional lightweight duffel
bags designed to fit in overhead
airplane storage, handsome
handbags and backpacks, toiletry
bags and a wonderful range of
leather and suede mules and
sandals. Details: swish-swank.com.
We have a massively desirable
Swish and Swank Premium
Leather Duffel to give away
to a reader ... pop over to
@getitnationalmagazines on
Facebook or Instagram to enter.
Compiled by: Kym Argo
June 2024 Get It Lowveld 07

Simphiwe Mthombeni, Ntando Mnisi
and Phiwokuhle Masuku
The Master Power Extras
Flying high!
Still flying high after 30 years, the Lowveld Air
Show took to the skies for an epic and spectacular
adventure at this year’s event, held at the Lowveld
Airfield.
Melanie, Johan, Kara and Sebastian Kleynhans
Desireé Smith and Ayanna
Mathebola
08 Get It Lowveld June 2024
The crowd enjoyed the Air Show
Back: Vanessa Alexander. Front: Juane
Naudé, Derrick Alexander and Leo
Naudé

Relax and
Unwined
Held at the Mbombela Gold Club, the
Unwined Food & Wine Show brimmed
with people tasting and enjoying a host
of delicious and wonderful wines.
Zante and DW Kotze
Hanlie and Martin Lombard
Corené Pieterse and Charlita
Cordeiro
Yulandi Theunissen and Irené Krafft
Carthy Fakude and Cassendra Malinga
Win!
A pair of Metaspeed
Sky Paris shoes up
for grabs
From better to best! Say hello to these new Metaspeed Sky Paris shoes ... a shoe
that combines ASICS’s advanced technologies to support runners who want to
feel and perform at their best when chasing down new personal bests. After
a rigorous design and testing process involving a number of third-party
testers and more than one hundred elite athletes around the world, this
latest version in the Metaspeed Sky range is lighter (by 22g), softer and
bouncier. Added cushioning helps support longer distance runs
across both training and competition so that athletes can save
their legs for when it matters the most. Arch support and a
stable platform provide for even the quickest of runs.
The Metaspeed Sky Paris shoes will be available
for men and women from Totalsports,
Sportsmans Warehouse, ASICS Running
Expert Club retailers such as Athletes Foot,
The Sweat Shop, Run-Away-Sport and
Brian Bands for R5 299.95. We have a pair to
give away ... visit @getitnationalmagazines on
Instagram and Facebook to enter.
June 2024 Get It Lowveld 09

Text: MELLISSA BUSHBY. Photographer: BELINDA Erasmus
Well known in local circles, the name Pieter Steyn is synonymous with
babies and maternity wards.
Pieter’s upbringing was idyllic. Born in
Kroonstad in 1963 to adoring parents,
Pieter’s memories are of living the
dream. “Then life changed and formal
education started,” he smiles. “We moved
to Pretoria [Pieter has two older siblings]
and school became my whole world.
I was academically very lazy, which
infuriated my parents to no end. Lots of
friends and fun and just being young
and confused about my future and
my place in the universe,” he laughs.
“When my youngest brother was born,
I became a father for the first time. We
had an incredibly special bond. These
were beautiful years without any real
worries. We were middle-class people,
and occasionally my dad had to sell our
house to keep us afloat, but mostly we
were OK.”
With a lot of prodding, Pieter managed
to finish matric with a somewhat poor
academic performance. Choosing
medicine as a career was not something
Pieter would ever have contemplated if
it weren’t for the inspirational effect of
not really knowing what he wanted to
do. His application to study medicine
was rejected due to his academic
record, so he decided to do his two
years of compulsory military duties
instead. “What followed was lots of dust,
sweating and swearing, combined
with a lot of running, shooting, loud
explosions, fear of dying and longing
for home.”
Pieter’s memories of this part of his life
include some very disturbing events
and some very challenging times. “All the
fear and how to cope under pressure
has a way of changing you, and I was no
exception,” he adds.
“My Bushman platoon were my first
black friends, and they saved my life
more than once. We were brothers-inarms
and depended on one another
for our survival. They taught me how to
track, how to hide and how to build a
10 Get It Lowveld June 2024
The start of a
new chapter
Pieter Steyn

shelter for the night. They laughed
with me and cried with me. We
experienced harrowing things
involving war and all its ugliness. I
learnt to pray under threat of death,
and I learnt that politicians are a lying,
deceiving lot. Up until then, I had no
real political ideology. All I knew was
that there was a worldwide battle
going on between communism and
capitalism, and by virtue of my birth, I
had ended up on the capitalist side.”
Eventually all of this ended, and Pieter
reapplied for admission to med school.
Those days having been a lieutenant
and being part of a fighting unit in the
SADF were seen as a sign of at least
Pieter and his wife Karin
some degree of grit, and with these
bonus points Pieter was selected for
medical studies. “To my amazement,
I passed my first year at Tuks with a
distinction,” he says. “It dawned on
me that I might actually be able to
make it! Commune life was wild and
wonderful, but between the partying
and swotting like a madman when
needed, time flew by, and eventually I
was a young, qualified doctor.”
Working as a doctor in a public
hospital is very similar to combat,
Pieter explains, with lots of sights,
sounds, smells, fear and desperation,
and an all-pervasive sense of sadness.
“I loved it, and realised I could do it
well and make a huge difference in
people’s lives,” he says. “The labour ward
really overwhelms most med students
when they enter it for the first time,
but I thrived there despite the mindnumbing
hours and the total physical
exhaustion that comes from being on
call for 36 hours.” Pieter got better and
better at managing a busy labour unit,
feeling at home in the gynaecology
outpatients as well as doing theatre
work. “Surgery was very challenging,”
he adds, “but as time went on, I
realised I had steady hands and
could perform difficult procedures
exceptionally well. Specialising was just
the next logical step, and I took to it
like a duck to water.”
Pieter met his wife Karen in the busy
labour ward in Kalafong Hospital, and
says the minute he saw her, he knew
they should get married and have
children together. “It was a stormy
affair, and after some pushing and
shoving, we eventually settled down
and realised we were meant to write
our story together.” In 1995, after
having graduated as a gynaecologist
and Karen as a general practitioner,
they decided to open a private
consulting service in Nelspruit. “Karen
and I worked like demons in those first
few years,” says Pieter. “Permanently
on call with lots of after-hours and
weekend emergencies made for a
stressful life, and it certainly took its toll
on both of us. Somehow we managed
to hold on and build something,
including a home and a family with
three boys.”
June 2024 Get It Lowveld 11

Pieter and Karin with their children, Jean, Markus and Simon
The birth of his sons is still the most
significant event to happen in Pieter’s
life up to now. His father died from
advanced pancreatic cancer in 2000,
which hit Pieter hard. “I had loved him
more than I can express in words,”
he says. “This disease and my total
defencelessness and inability to help
my dad left deep wounds. Things
fell apart after he eventually died. I
couldn’t deal with the psychological
anguish and felt totally alone and
isolated by intense grief. Somehow,
with the love of my wife and some
very special friends, I started to breathe
again. I developed an intense desire to
have children of my own.”
Unfortunately, unknown to the couple,
more pain was to come. “We lost our
baby girl due to a major congenital
malformation,” Pieter explains. “The
excitement of new life turned into
sadness when, after having done an
ultrasound to spy on our little girl, I
realised with utter clarity that she was
severely malformed. I experienced
utter sadness again and started the
difficult process of helping my Karen to
get through the process of ending this
cherished pregnancy. I felt proud and
empowered by the fact that I could do
her medical care myself. We sat there
in that labour room holding our child
and crying our hearts out. In those
moments I loved my wife with an
intensity and honesty that could only
be described as supernatural.”
Soon after, to their absolute joy, the
Steyns were blessed with twins.
12 Get It Lowveld June 2024
“Yippee!” laughs Pieter. “We were over
the moon. When I delivered them by
caesarean section at 37 weeks, it was
magical. Holding the first one choked
me up so badly that I had to remind
myself there’s another one in there, and
that I am also busy doing surgery on
my wife! Jean and Markus Steyn were
born four years after my father had
died, and with all my heart I wished he
could see them and hold them.” Three
years later, the Steyns again became
proud parents, this time of Simon.
‘The only constant thing
is change, and I will
tackle this new chapter
with enthusiasm’
“Another miracle,” says Pieter, “and life
could not be more complicated and
challenging, or more beautiful. I love
being a father.”
Being a gynae, on the other hand,
isn’t as easy. It means constant and
immense pressure to not make any
mistakes, especially when dealing
with high-risk situations. “The potential
for litigation is always hanging over
your head,” Pieter says, “plus lots of
emergency and after-hours work, often
late at night or in the early hours of the
morning. This can be really taxing, and
people deal with this kind of stress in
different ways. My preferred coping
mechanism was to become quiet and
short-tempered. I really always tried my
best to care well for those who trusted
in me, but I know that I also often fell
short. I have absolutely no regrets
about my chosen career. Helping my
patients to have their babies safely was
a privilege.”
Now, after almost 30 years of practice,
Pieter was forced to make some
radical changes. None of us are
immune to death and disability, and
after the Covid pandemic, he started
experiencing strange symptoms,
which eventually led to a diagnosis of
Parkinson’s disease. “What a bummer.
What a lucky break,” he says. “I couldn’t
go on with business as usual, and I
closed my practice. This episode in our
lives once again changed everything
forever. The only constant thing is
change, and I will tackle this new
chapter with enthusiasm and use it as
an opportunity to discover new things
and ideas. ”
The journey ahead is an adventure,
full of all the things Pieter didn’t get
to do when he was rushing around
delivering babies. He and Karen take
us on a walk around their beautiful
garden, stopping next to Pieter’s
favourite tree, a boesmansgif, which is
adorned with orchids. “Isn’t this lovely? I
find plants very calming. I always like to
remind myself - and anyone else who
wants to listen - the only thing we have
to fear is fear itself.”

Text: MELLISSA BUSHBY
Growing up on a farm to a
schoolteacher mother and dad who
came from a long line of farmers,
Romien had no idea just how much
life could change, or how quickly.
Romien Wait
14 Get It Lowveld June 2024
Journey of
Romien Wait’s childhood
years were idyllic. She lived
the epitome of the happy
family ideal.
“I led a perfectly normal, happy and
healthy life. My brother and I took the
school bus to school, and there were
many neighbourhood children to play
with,” she says. “I remember how we’d
sometimes miss the school bus and
Mum would race after it to get us to
school on time! We had no worries
in the world; I don’t even remember
anyone ever getting sick in our family.”
After completing high school, Romien
went to university and studied human
resources management. Then she
added a financial management
degree to the pot. “I was fortunate
and landed management positions
at companies at an early age, and
finally a high-profile job as head of
corporate governance and finance
at an international pharmaceutical
company,” she remembers. “I loved my
job. It was rewarding and stimulating,
but it was also very demanding - to
such an extent that I sometimes
neglected my family due to very long
hours at the office. I was happy. I was a
successful career woman, and I could
never imagine doing anything else.”
Not for one minute did she think this
could all end in a heartbeat - and that
a mere few years later, she would be
diagnosed with a rare spinal tumour.
Romien recalls how two years before
her diagnosis, her legs started
feeling slightly numb with a burning
sensation. “I consulted with several
general practitioners, as well as
specialists, who all told me they could
not find anything wrong,” she explains.
“Spinal cord tumours are rare and
difficult to diagnose. They are less
common than brain tumours. Patients
may experience symptoms like trouble
walking or using their arms and hands,
muscle weakness, a general sense
of inco-ordination [loss of sense of
position in space], numbness, tingling,
even paralysis to varying degrees and
many more.”
These tumours are usually found
strictly by coincidence when scans are
done for other medical reasons, also
because a doctor will first investigate
other potential causes for pain and
muscle weakness. Patients have mixed
symptoms - all of which can lengthen
the diagnosis process. “It was on what
I thought would be another perfectly
ordinary day that I received the news,”
Romien says. “I had a very rare tumour
inside my spinal cord, which could
eventually leave me paralysed, even

Romien and her daughters, Madelei and Tarene
if treated. One in a million people
worldwide gets diagnosed with an
intramedullary spinal cord tumour.
If South Africa has a population of
60 million people, it means that only
60 people in South Africa have such
a tumour. I was carrying a ticking
time bomb, needing urgent, lifethreatening,
life-changing surgery.”
The prognosis was grim. If left
untreated, the tumour would
eventually paralyse her from the neck
down, but the surgery could also do
the same. Sharing the diagnosis with
her two daughters, Madelei and Tarene,
was almost more devastating than the
diagnosis itself for Romien. They had
already lost their father at a very young
age, and now they would have to deal
with the knowledge that the only
parent they have left could end up
being a paraplegic or a quadriplegic.
“My heart broke for them,” she says,
“but I made a promise to them after
their father died that no matter what, I
would walk them down the aisle when
they got married one day, and that was
the goal that kept me going. A positive
attitude and faith go a long way. In the
days, weeks and months that were to
come, I would learn more about the
importance of these attributes than I
imagined was possible.”
Romien was initially hospitalised for
106 days after the neurosurgeon
performed a laminectomy procedure
to remove the tumour. Immediately
afterwards, Romien could not feel
anything below her upper chest, and
Romien walks Tarene down the aisle
had no movement in her legs and
feet. She could move her toes very
slightly and was paralysed from
the chest down to her feet. “I often
touched my legs with my hands to
ensure they were still there, that’s
when I started to realise that life would
never be the same.”
After surgery, Romien had to learn to
walk again. For the first four months,
the time she spent in hospital, she
suffered every textbook complication
possible, which hampered her
progress. “It certainly was not an easy
road to recovery. Today, six years
later, I am an incomplete paraplegic.
People may think, when they see
me, that I have not healed, but then
they fail to see the miracle. Within
my new limitations, I enjoy a full
and independent life. And most
important of all, I could, with aid, walk
my daughters down the aisle on their
wedding days!”
While not physically the same as
she was before the surgery, Romien
is happy with her new normal. “We
always have hope to cling to,” she
smiles, “and to me, the realisation that
I still have so much to be grateful for
and that there are still so many things
I can do, and that I can still enjoy life,
helped carry me through. How you
manage the inevitable determines
your destiny and happiness in the days
and years to come. I knew immediately
this was a journey I had to be on, and
that it would be part of me for the
rest of my life. I knew my struggles
could help others; therefore, I was
willing - and in a strange way eager -
to go through this. I knew I would be
able to tell my story one day, which
could become part of someone else’s
survival.”
Romien has learnt to appreciate the
small things in life and strives to not
take anything for granted. “Things
could have turned out very differently
for me,” she says. “I could have been
a quadriplegic, but I am only an
incomplete paraplegic. I still have the
full use of my arms and there is still so
much I can do. And that in itself is a
miracle!”
Details: Read Romien’s story
in her (free) e-book, Silent Thunder -
A Journey of Grace With a Rare
Tumour, available to download from
www.romienvanzylwait.co.za.
June 2024 Get It Lowveld 15

In recent years, the spicy food
trend has taken the culinary world
by storm, transcending cultural
boundaries and finding its way
onto plates worldwide.
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Discover the heart of India at Love of India
Authentic Indian treasures:
From spices to clothing, immerse yourself in India’s vibrant
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Our products are carefully sourced to bring you the finest
quality and authenticity.
Holistic wellness:
Explore our range of Ayurvedic remedies and herbal
powders for natural healing and vitality.
Details: 082 820 0809
18 Get It Lowveld June 2024
Epa!
Nestled on the escarpment, overlooking the quaint town
of Emgwenya, you will find Epa!. Our award-winning
products are deliciously fresh and gluten-free, catering for
various diets, including vegan. Use our natural sauces and
pesto/pastes as marinades, to cook with, or as condiments
for all food types. Inspired by tasteful healthy living and
convenience Epa! products are crafted by masterfully
combining the finest organic ingredients for crispy fresh
enjoyment. Spice up your lifestyle today! !
Details: 061 547 6822

Text: MELLISSA BUSHBY
From traditional dishes like Sichuan hotpot and fiery Indian curry to modern
favourites such as piquant Korean kimchi or sriracha-infused snacks, spicy foods
have become a staple in kitchens and restaurants worldwide. And you need
only see the huge variety of home-made tongue-tingling chilli sauces, jams and
relishes at local markets to know that in the Lowveld, we like it hot.
The good news is that beyond the thrill of the burn, spicy foods offer a plethora
of benefits, ranging from improved metabolism to a distinctly enhanced culinary
experience. We delve into the spicy foods trend and take a look at the advantages
of adding a little spice to your life.
Enhanced flavour profile
Spicy ingredients like chilli peppers,
jalapenos, ginger, garlic and curry
powders add depth and complexity to
dishes, elevating them from ordinary
to extraordinary. The heat from these
ingredients stimulates the taste
buds, awakening the palate to new
sensations and flavours.
Metabolism boost
Capsaicin, the compound responsible
for the heat in spicy foods, has been
linked to increased metabolism and
calorie burning. Incorporating spicy
foods into your diet may aid in weight
management and promote fat loss
over time.
Pain relief
Believe it or not, the same compound
that causes the burning sensation in
spicy foods, capsaicin, can also provide
pain relief. Capsaicin creams are often
used topically to alleviate muscle and
joint pain, making spicy foods not only
delicious, but potentially therapeutic
as well.
Mood enhancement
Capsaicin also triggers the release of
endorphins, the body’s natural moodenhancing
chemical. Endorphins help
relieve stress, reduce pain and improve
your general sense of well-being.
Potential health benefits
Beyond their culinary appeal, spicy
foods may offer several health
benefits. Capsaicin has been linked
to improved heart health, reduced
inflammation and even pain relief.
Additionally, the antimicrobial
properties of certain spices may
help ward off pathogens. Never
mind the apple - a chilli a day
keeps the doctor away!
Keep in mind that if you’re new to
spicy foods, it’s a good idea to start
with milder options and gradually
work your way up to spicier dishes.
This will allow your taste buds
to adapt to the heat over time.
Don’t be afraid to experiment
with different spices and flavour
combinations. Whether it’s
adding chipotle powder to chilli
or drizzling sriracha on pizza, the
possibilities are endless. For a true
taste explosion, balance your fiery
dishes with cooling ingredients
like tzatziki (a delicious yogurt,
lemon, garlic and cucumber dip)
or avocado to help temper the
heat and balance the flavours.
The spicy foods trend opens
the door to a world of flavour
and potential health benefits
for adventurous eaters, and
fortunately for us, there are a
host of local eateries that offer
scrumptious tongue-tingling food
options, from fiery Arrabiata pasta
to peri-peri prawns and chicken
tikka masala.
By incorporating spicy
ingredients into your diet in
creative ways and experimenting
with different tastes, you can
experience the full spectrum of
heat and flavour that spicy foods
have to offer. So go ahead, spice
up your meals and ignite your
taste buds with the fiery delights
of the spicy foods trend.

We chatted to a couple of local dads to find out what
makes Father’s Day special.
Theo Naidoo, general manager of Emnotweni
Get it (GI): How do your kids normally
spoil you on Father’s Day?
Theo Naidoo (TN): The kids spoil me
rotten, starting with the classic treat,
breakfast in bed. They usually go all out
to make the day special. Apart from
breakfast, they make me the nicest
home-made cards, and then maybe a
small gift they’ve picked out or often
made themselves.
GI: Where do you like to spend the day,
at home or out and about?
TN: Sometimes we’ll have a little family
outing. We’ll go somewhere we all love,
or the kids will plan a fun activity we
can all do together. But to be honest,
just spending quality time with them is
the best gift of all.
GI: What is your favourite spicy dish?
TN: A delicious family meal is always
part of the equation, and I love hot
food. My favourite dish is a spicy lamb
curry with roti, with its fragrant blend
of spices. I also loves fish curry and the
rustic charm of trotters and beans.
GI: What do you love most about
being a dad?
TN: Everything!
All-purpose chilli and
garlic oil
Immensely versatile and easy to make,
this chilli and garlic oil is the perfect
accompaniment to so many things.
Ingredients
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil • 5 to 6 garlic cloves,
minced • 1½ tbsp crushed red chilli flakes
• A pinch of sea salt
Method
Gently heat the oil in a small saucepan. Add
all ingredients
and heat over low heat until the garlic
starts to turn golden (but don’t let it burn!).
Remove from the heat and leave to infuse.
Once cool, pour into a jar or ramekin to
serve. Store in the fridge for up to five days.

Tony Mancos, CEO of Kishugu Training Group
Get it (GI): How do your kids normally
spoil you on Father’s Day?
Tony Mancos (TM): Father’s Day
mornings normally greet me with a
fresh cup of coffee, cuddles from the
children and Mum spoiling me with
little gifts while in bed. The dogs also
get in on the action with Fudge, the
boxer, getting his fair share of love. We
then move on to a bit of chaos with my
eager kids preparing me my favourite
breakfast, fluffy scrambled eggs, crispy
bacon, Alheira (a Portuguese breakfast
sausage) and another steaming cup
of coffee, all presented with beaming
smiles. I’m really spoilt and grateful for
having such loving, close-knit family.
GI: What is your favourite spicy dish?
TM: I love a hot crab curry with lots
of curry sauce. The crabs must be
pretty large with plenty of meat. I
prefer making the curry myself with
additional curry and chilli powder and
a bunch of fresh coriander added to
enhance the seasoning. It’s a messy
dish to eat, but one that allows a meal
to last a while, especially when family
and friends are visiting.
GI: Where do you like to spend the day,
at home or out and about?
TM: Father’s Day spent outdoors with
my family is a priceless gift, filled with
laughter, love and cherished memories.
Whether we’re braaiing at home
or enjoying a picnic outing, every
moment shared under the open sky is
a family bonding experience.
GI: What are your hobbies?
TM: Cooking is a big thing in the
Mancos household, and I have started
a small Portuguese deli shop called
Titos with a friend. We supply spicy
chouriço, specialist cold meats such
as presunto, salchichoa and paio – it’s
a hobby that delights the palate and
nourishes the soul.
GI: What do you love most about being
a dad?
TM: As a dad, the most fulfilling part is
witnessing the growth, laughter and
love of my children. Every moment
shared is a treasure, forming bonds
that last a lifetime.
GI: What’s your favourite meal to cook?
TM: I love cooking prawns à la
Portuguese style. Preferably queensized
prawns (and Mozambican)
marinated in lemon, garlic and
chilli overnight. These are braaied
or skottel-fried, served on a bed of
savoury chouriço rice or chips with a
Portuguese salad, with a lemon garlic
butter and chilli butter sauces to douse
over the meal.
GI: Do you like to cook on Father’s Day
or do the family cook for you?
TM: The kids spoil me with breakfast
on Father’s Day, and I love preparing
the lunch for the family. It is a heartwarming
tradition. I whip up a spicy
feast that’s seasoned with love and
served with a side of pride. From
sizzling on the stove and chopping
veggies to stirring pots and garnishing
with care, the meal becomes another
cherished memory for our family,
especially for my father.

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the serious chef. Yuppiechef
Dear DAD
It’s June. It’s Father’s Day. And it’s time to spoil Dad!
In Hunting with the Hawks, journalist
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into the secretive world of this elite
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Surprise Dad this Father’s Day with the spacious compartments and
ergonomic design of the #Busby Kai collection. Destinations by Frasers

Spoil Dad to a Cine Prestige experience at Ster-Kinekor i’langa Mall. Enjoy the
exclusive VIP lounge area, so you don’t have to queue for tickets or popcorn, and
relax on stylish red leather reclining chairs. Come inside and choose from the many
gourmet-platter options available, which you can enjoy in the lounge or have
delivered to you in the theatre!
Revel in luxurious and delicious
coffee with the Nespresso Gran
Lattissima. @homelivingspace
Update your wardrobe and
elevate your style with the classic
men’s Pringle belt. Pringle
Delivering a powerful shave, the Philips
Series 5000 comes equipped with
advanced SkinIQ technology. Dis-Chem
Let your dad know
how grateful you are
for everything he does
with the Best Dad
Ceramic Mug.
Cum Books
The Stanley Quenchable
tumbler is all you’ll
need to keep hydrated
in style. Cape Union Mart
Step out in confidence and
style in the Men’s Oslo
Chunky Sneaker. Old Khaki

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Great spoils for
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RYOBI angle grinder
1366148
• 18V 115mm
• Battery and charger incl.
1 899 EACH
Makita angle grinder
1284511
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3 445 EACH
Makita hammer drill
1020621
•22mm
•710W

319 EACH
RYOBI impact drill
1164894
• 500W 10mm
• Var Rev
629 EACH
BOSCH angle grinder
1337414
• 115mm
• 710W
1 129 EACH
Makitta angle grinder
1301415
• 115mm
• 720W
549 EACH
RYOBI angle grinder
1245777
• 850w
• 115mm

Well known in the Lowveld, the Lowveld Canvas brand is synonymous with
quality and superior workmanship. We caught up with Duanne Henning to
find out a little more about its history.
Lowveld Canvas opened its doors in
the early 1960s, and was originally
called SA Canvas. “It changed hands
a few times until my dad Gerhard
bought the company in 1996,” says
Duanne. “To incorporate all the
neighbouring towns in our area, he
changed the name to Lowveld
Canvas. He proudly operated it for
26 years. I took over approximately
eight years after the day I first started
working there.”
‘I love my father for
many reasons, but I
am especially grateful
for all the knowledge
he passed on to me’
During this time, Duanne’s dad taught
him not only about how the company
should be run, but also how to always
listen first, and most importantly, how
to conduct himself in business. “I can
honestly say the best way to ensure a
successful working relationship with
your parents is extremely easy. Apart
from the basic company rules, you
only need to follow these three simple
steps: listen, do the work and then raise
your opinion afterward. In that order.”
Duanne purchased the company
two months before Covid and the
Duanne, Eliana and Nanda Henning
subsequent lockdown. Not the
READY STEADY
CANVAS
26 Get It Lowveld June 2024

greatest timing, but unavoidable. “I
must say, I missed my father’s day-today
support a lot during those days,
especially with all the Covid rules and
regulations, and the tough economic
times felt by us and everyone else in
the country. My father was a very strict
but also very fair boss. There wasn’t a
grey area with him. It was either black
or white. I have to add that my mother
later put my mind at ease by saying
that she had also been keeping an eye
on me, but trusted I could manage.
That was a real sign of respect.”
Duanne’s father always said if the
business was not performing as it
should, you first have to look for the
mistake within the company. Duanne
and his management team, Frank
Fouché and Sharon van der Merwe,
went through every aspect of the
company, leaving no stone unturned
when it came to ideas to help the
company grow. “With a combined
experience of 70 years, it really is a case
of three heads being better than one,”
he smiles. “I love my father for many
reasons, but I am especially grateful
for all the knowledge he passed on to
me. He taught me the value of being
focused on quality, which is something
we have always been proud of.”
Duanne says his BComm degree
has come in handy on more than
one occasion when it came to
implementing new ideas. “My vision
was to modernise and to introduce
new products without compromising
on our quality. At first, I made minor
changes, such as testing the market
with a reasonable budget. This helped
me to identify our top sellers in the
process and helped us to modernise
and improve our products. Examples
of these are our patio blinds and
pool covers, and retractable foldarm
awnings, among others. I also
introduced more luxurious materials,
as well as cheaper yet more durable
ones to our catalogues, to cater to all
budgets and tastes.”
Duanne’s passion for Lowveld Canvas
comes down to the fact that he
loves working with people, especially
when designing and manufacturing
a positive add-on to their houses or
vehicles. He smiles as he says his
most rewarding project but also
biggest challenge is the tented
camps. “We were recently published
on the front page of a very popular
German magazine for the luxury tents
we installed at Elephant Points,” he
adds proudly.
“My wife, Nanda, my greatest support
and mum to our two-year-old jewel,
Eliana, always reminds me that it’s
not only the big wins that make an
impact, but all the smaller ones that
end up being the most valuable.
When I think back to the days I
worked with my father, I’m reminded
about the simple things that made
it all worthwhile, and so I’m glad he
is enjoying his well-earned semiretirement,”
he smiles.
Text: MELLISSA BUSHBY
Family together

GET IT DIRECTORY
CELEBRATING 9 YEARS
IN BUSINESS
Join in on our
Bodycure Boogie!
20% OFF
on All Treatments

GET IT DIRECTORY

Safari
on the
Kariega
Text Kym Argo
It’s always the unexpected that keeps travelling exciting.
And for those who’ve been on safari in South Africa, and
think they’ve experienced everything, Sibuya Game
Reserve in the Eastern Cape offers up a few surprises.
Yes ... it’s a fusion of luxury and environmental
awareness. Yip ... it’s home to the Big Five. And with
almost 400 different species in the area, it really is a bird
lover’s paradise.
But it’s the country’s only game reserve that is only
reached by boat ... boarded at the Sibuya reception near
the Kariega river mouth in Kenton on Sea, you’ll take a
leisurely cruise up the Kariega River Estuary. Depending
on what you discover, the gentle cruise takes anything
from 45 minutes to a little over an hour ... spotting longlegged
Black-winged Stilts and gorgeous Sacred Ibis and
brightly coloured Kingfishers and impressive Fish Eagles.
It’s a gorgeous, relaxing way to kick off your Sibuya safari,
which is one of the Cape Country Routes South Africa
privately owned destinations.
More of the unexpected. You will be offered early
morning and evening game drives a day, but there are
other options too ... fishing on the Kariega is hugely
popular, either from the bank or from one of the small
boats, there’s canoeing on the river, and you can opt for
a beach walk as well as one in the bush. Excluded from
the rates, but possible to book, are deep sea fishing
excursions, and beach and reserve horse riding outings.
Accommodation wise, there are a trio of choices ... two
luxurious tented camps and an exclusive lodge. We
stayed at Forest Camp ... where each of the eight tents,
connected by wooden walkways, are private and well
30 Get It Lowveld June 2024
concealed in the indigenous thicket. With king size beds
and a surprisingly comfortable pull out sleeper divan, it’s
a great option for those travelling with older children - no
under 12s allowed. There’s also the River Camp, with four
spacious tents, so great for a group of friends travelling
together, and where younger children are welcome. Both
camps are comfy, have fireplaces for chilly evenings, and
have central living areas where guests gather for meals
and game drives. The third option is the more luxurious
thatched Bush Lodge, with four suites, personal viewing
decks, indoor and outdoor showers and a swimming
pool. Bush Lodge, unlike the other two camps, has
electricity - and air-conditioning - in the rooms ... for Bush
and River camps you rely on solar as they’re all about
living off the grid and embracing sustainability.
The area is lush, with Eastern Cape Valley bushveld,
grasslands and coastal forests, so game is plentiful, and
game drives thrilling with elephant, rhino, antelope,
including the rare Bontebok and Oribi, and plenty of
giraffe and zebra. On our visit the leopards lived up to
their elusive title, but lion - in a separate, enclosed part of
the reserve, were seen proudly strutting their king of the
jungle stuff.
Rates start at R4931 per person in low season, excluding
Rhino Conservation Levies, including accommodation,
all meals and local drinks, morning and evening game
drives, boat transfers, fishing, canoeing and bush walking.
Children under 2 stay free.
Details: Sibuya on sibuya.co.za, Instagram @sibuya_game_
reserve, Facebook SibuyaGameReserve. Cape Country Routes
on capecountryroutes.com, Instagram @ capecountryroutes,
Facebook @CapeCountryRoutes

June 2024 Get It Lowveld 31

Spoil
June
The North Face ...
and the icons of exploration
Born way back in 1966, The North Face has
served the needs of expeditions in the
harshest regions in the world. And a few of
the items have become icons ... taking on
lives of their own. Harnessing cuttingedge
technology, innovative design
and athlete insights, they were
revolutionary. Now, they are iconic,
worn and used everywhere from city
streets to mountain tops. These include the
Himalayan Parka - this ultra-warm parka became
the gold standard in high-altitude climbing and
cold-weather survival. The Mountain Jacket - worn by
the first American team to scale the six classic north
faces of the Alps in a single season. The Nuptse -
one mile southwest of Everest, five miles up and
bitterly cold, this jacket named after the Nuptse
summit is famed for its game-changing warmth.
The Denali - which made its debut on the backs
of Todd Skinner and Paul Piana during their
historic, 30-day free climb of Yosemite’s Salathé
Wall, where it set a new standard for technical
fleece. And The Duffel - if there could be just
one bag to symbolise epic adventures, it’d
be this. Made of burly fabrics, and built to
be transported by porters, yaks and camels,
these hard-wearing gear totes journey
everywhere from expedition base camps to
urban metropolises.
To enter our
June Spoil, visit
@getitnationalmagazines
on Instagram or Facebook.
Entries close June 25.
32 Get It Lowveld June 2024
All of these iconic items, plus so many more
desirable garments for adventure or city wear,
can be found on www.thenorthface.co.za
We’re giving away a Base Camp Duffel Bag
worth R3599 ... tough and practical, with
loads of thought-through features - think zippedend
pocket for dirty shoes and wet clothes,
mesh pockets, detachable adjustable ergonomic
shoulder straps. Use a duffel when in transit, or a
backpack when you’re on the move. In a nutshell,
it’s an explorer’s best friend.