Summer is here, warm long days, afternoon thunderstorms to quench the parched soils winter has left us and the smell of freshly cut grass triggers your memory of years gone by.

It is also what triggers the snake season which means that human/ snake encounters will be on the increase and members of the public are asked not to kill snakes but rather contact me to safely remove it.

As it begins to heat up snakes come out of hibernation, taking advantage of the warmer weather they will be actively searching for prey items. It is also the beginning of the mating season for some species so it's not uncommon to find two or more snakes in the same area looking for a mate.

The female releases a pheromone, leaving a scent trail which will attract the attention of at least one or many males looking to mate with her.

If you encounter a snake:
Don't panic.
Don't try to pick it up.
Don't try to kill the snake.
Do keep all pets and children safe from the snake's location in the home.
And probably the most important is to keep an eye on it until help arrives.
In the event of a snake bite:
DO NOT cut the bite site and try to suck out the venom. It does not work and you may end up making things worse for the patient.
DO NOT apply a tourniquet.
DO NOT inject antivenom yourself as the patient may have an allergic reaction to the antivenom. If required, antivenom must be administered by a doctor in a hospital as large quantities may be needed and should the patient go into anaphylactic shock, it can be treated promptly.
DO keep the patient calm. The faster the heartbeat, the faster the venom is spread.
DO take off any jewellery, wristwatch, tight clothing, shoes, or anything that may restrict blood flow if the patient is bitten on the arm, hand, lower leg, or foot.
DO contact the hospital so that they are aware of the emergency and
DO mark the site of the bite and the time at which you are bitten with a pen or a permanent marker. This will tell the doctor the time you were bitten and track the movement of the venom.

I am an experienced snake handler (30yrs) and I'm passionate when it comes to snakes. I operate from Howick and cover the Midlands and surrounding areas. All snakes that are removed will be assessed and if necessary will be fed and watered before being released in a safe place out of harm's way.

Should you encounter a snake/s on your property, instead of trying to kill the snake, please don’t hesitate to contact Lance van der Bank anytime on 079 6151816 as I am available 24/7.

News supplied.

Pictured below is Jack's Cottage on left and Orchard Cottage on right.

 News supplied by Quarry Cottages.

This lovely family relocated from Johannesburg to Hilton to create more and better quality family time. We welcome the Moepeng family who has bought Abbot's Cove Bed and Breakfast on the corner of Cedara Road and Dennis Shepstone Drive.

Pictured here enjoying an outing to Blueberry Hill in Nottingham Road are Nolwazi and her husband Linda with their sons Imincili (5 years old) and Melusi (2 years old).

We wish them many happy and successful years in Hilton.

Photo supplied by Abbot's Cove Bed and Breakfast.

We wish Digit-It’s new(ish) owners Bheki and Althea Dlamini success as they expand this well-known Hilton outlet to Pietermaritzburg and to Cape Town. By mid-November a Digit-It store will be open at Athlone Circle and also at Woodburn Centre.

Digit IT values their employees contributions towards the success of delivering customer-centric and tailor made solutions with utmost competence, efficiency and effectiveness. In order to maintain this high standard, we believe in the continuous, holistic and professional development of our resources.

MANAGING DIRECTOR

Bheki (pictured below on the RHS) obtained a Diploma in Business Management from Natal Technikon now known as Durban University of Technology in 1999.

Over the years he has been in the line of clothing and shoes manufacturing, supplying corporate companies and government departments for over 15 years. He was a director of respective companies operating in KwaZulu Natal, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, Eastern Cape, Free State and Limpopo province.

Bheki is passionate about IT. His love and passion for IT started when he began a project called ‘Business In A Box’ where he rolled out refurbished and converted containers to be computer centres. The project was piloted in Estcourt.

He has been extensively involved with the SMME development in KwaZulu Natal. He was a board member of Estcourt Provincial Hospital - KZN Health Department. Bheki is now a Dynamic SA Holding and Digit IT Managing Director. He did a CompTIA A+N+ Training at IT Certification Academy.

FINANCIAL DIRECTOR

Althea (pictured below on the LHS) is a qualified black female chartered accountant. She began working at SNG in 2002 after completing her B.Comm Accounting Degree and CTA at University of Stellenbosch South Africa.

She worked for Chevron (Caltex), Thompson, Cobb, Bazillio and Associates, in many countries including United States, Pakistan, Angola, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria and Zambia. Where she was performing internal, external and forensic audit services.

In 2010 Althea was appointed as board member to the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board. During 2014 she was appointed as chairperson of the WCGRB. Currently she is also a Managing Director of Kuhumelela Accountants and Auditors.

News supplied by Digit IT.