On Saturday 8th June, Graham Wells (42) and Gerald Pavel (48) will be lining up in Pietermaritzburg to run to Durban, through the night, to then turn around and run the Comrades Marathon 2019 back to Pietermaritzburg.

The gentlemen from KZN will be covering a distance of 174 km in less than 26 hours, to raise funds for NiQi During (28) who was diagnosed with a terminal genetic illness called Cystic Fibrosis at only 6 months old.

NiQi, originally from Pietermaritzburg has been living at Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg since January 2019 where she is waiting to receive a new set of lungs after her previous donor lungs went into rejection in December 2017.

“Since being diagnosed with chronic rejection I am on oxygen 24 hours a day and rely on a wheelchair to get around and maintain my energy levels. I’ve also been told by my doctor and psychologist that I am no longer allowed to work at all which means I’m currently unable to cover my medical expenses that cost approximately R7000 a month” - says NiQi.

Graham and Gerald are no strangers to putting their bodies to the test for a good cause, having completed the Comrades marathon 6 and 7 times respectfully.

To prepare for the challenge ahead, Gerald and Graham also took part in the Deloitte Marathon, Bergville to Ladysmith, and a Route Tester back to back to raise awareness and some much-needed funds for this great cause.

While they are confident to take on the challenge, there is still an element of nerves.

“This is a much bigger challenge than we have ever taken on before. On our final preparation route run, Gerald made us all laugh saying ‘Chuck Norris hasn’t done Comrades and we are doing it twice’. I’ll be honest in saying we are extremely nervous but we are determined to make a difference for NiQi.” - says Graham

Joining Graham and Gerald on the Comrades route is Rhonwyn Brayley (41), Hilton Curves Owner, who will also be taking part on in the comrades to support NiQi’s treatment. 

To raise funds to support NiQi with her ongoing treatment as well as support other Cystic Fibrosis patients, a fundraising campaign has been created on donations based crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy.

NiQi has pledged to donate 50% of whatever is raised to The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to assist fellow Cystic Fibrosis patients.

"I have the utmost respect for Graham, Gerald and Rhonwyn. They say that I am selfless, but these guys are pure angels. I will be rooting for them from my hospital room, running with them in spirit, glowing with pride and happiness. I am so moved that they are doing this for me” - says NiQi

The crowdfunding campaign went live on 22 January 2019 and has thus far raised R6 346.90 towards the fundraising goal of R 200 000 with contributions from 27 donors.

“The Run for NiQi campaign has touched many hearts and this is testament to NiQi’s courage and determination to keep fighting and remain positive. Gerald and I are both determined to make a difference for NiQi and also the lives of other patients awaiting organ transplants, but unfortunately we cannot do this without everyone’s love and support. Please donate to our BackaBuddy campaign to support this amazing cause.”

Pictured above top left: Rhonwyn Brayley (41) and NiQi During (28).

Pictured below: Graham Wells (42) and Gerald Pavel (48).

Donate to this cause on BackaBuddy here:
• https://www.backabuddy.co.za/run-for-niqi

Campaign video appeal:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=7&v=EBFG_mghQ4Q

A message from NiQi:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=34&v=0Y4kRile_GU

Read more about Cystic Fibrosis :
http://www.sacfa.org.za/about-cystic-fibrosis/

Read more about NiQI During:
https://www.backabuddy.co.za/run-for-niqi

One of the highlights of Laddsworth Grade Four pupils was their annual Taste Tour, which was held on Thursday 30 June 2019. This involved research of a country of their choice during Media lessons and then presenting a poster about their respective country.

There were a number of activities planned such as traditional singing and dancing and various guest speakers for the actual day which proved to be a great success. The tasting of the various foods from around the world was the highlight of the day.

The end result was lots of fun and laughter and learning in the process.

Pictured above, Front: Chloe Kent

Back L-R: Oliver Kinsley, Mr Gavin Lambooy (Principal) Rex Harley.

 News supplied by Laddsworth Primary School.

Winter is here and that means it is almost time for the annual Laddsworth Night Fun Run/Walk, which will be held on Thursday 13 June at 18h00. This popular fundraising event draws over 1000 entrants every year.

The funds raised from this event, are used to upgrade the school facilities. The 6km Fun Run/Walk starts and ends at Laddsworth Primary School and runs through parts of Hilton and the St. Anne’s College Wetland. Laddsworth Primary School would like to invite Families, Friends, Schools, Clubs, Companies and anyone who is keen for some active fun to enter.

There are many exciting lucky draw prizes that will be won on the night. Hilton Quarry SuperSpar will have delicious food on sale and Laddsworth will run a Tuckshop.

Get your takkies, headlights and lumo gear ready and come join us for a fun night out!

Contact Mrs Shamaine Rajah, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

Front L-R: Jessica Andrews, Jess Allen

Back Row L-R: Joshua Hounsell, Jamie Kloppers, Joshua Julius and Colin Robertson

News supplied by Laddsworth Primary School.

The  Lineup for MiTH  5 June .

9pm Calico SA

Calico will rock your socks off! This is an alternative rock band born & bred in Pietermaritzburg. Their sound has an Indie influence and includes elements of Funk and Blues. They have been together since June 2017 and have supported the likes of Gangs of Ballet and Diamond Thug. Calico has headlined numerous other local gigs, played at the Harley Davidson company launch and have played venues as far as the South Coast. The band consists of Josh Gilliver on drums, Cuan Stretch on lead guitar, Dev van Rooyen on bass and Rudo Ludick on vocals and rhythm guitar.

8pm Shelley McLean Artist

Accomplished pianist, singer, musical theatre performer, cabaret artist and drummer, Shelley McLean graces the MiTH stage once again! The stage called her name and what a journey it has been... after a short pause, it seems the journey is set to continue.

7:30pm Cashmere Karly

A new duo comprised of Maryke Jonsson and Charles Webster, focusing on modern folk/pop with lilting harmonies from both members, and featuring Maryke's tasteful piano skills and Charles' sensitive fingerstyle guitar. Cashmere Karly will lull you into a sense of well being with their unique take on some modern, and slightly less modern, love songs.

7pm Bowstring

This father-daughter duo (Rebecca and Charles Webster) will be bringing you the vocal harmonies and the funky rhythm they have become known for – with a mix of original and cover material, there is much emotion and much musicality in this team. With influences ranging from John Mayer, Hozier, Lee Dewyze and the Beatles to Simon & Garfunkel, game soundtrack legend Christopher Tin and rockers like Led Zeppelin and Evanescence, the father-daughter dynamic is special.

ABOUT MiTH:
MiTH is located at The Knoll Historic Guest Farm, Knoll Drive, Hilton. Doors open at 6 pm and the music will kick off at 7 pm. Entrance is R40 at the door.

MiTH is a semi-open mic music club. An opportunity for musicians to share the joy of their music with a friendly audience which includes fellow musicians – who have all “been there” too. (Non-musicians welcome too!) Whether you’re a newbie looking for your first opportunity to perform publicly, or a more experienced / mature musician simply looking for people who are as passionate about music as you are – come along and join us!

Bring your own booze. Food and soft drinks are available for sale. Musicians who want to play at MiTH, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

DIRECTIONS TO MiTH:
Take the N3 to Hilton, take the Hilton turnoff and go South into the Village (away from Hilton College). Travel 5,2km along Hilton Avenue (past two sets of traffic lights and Crossways Pub) and keep going straight as Hilton Avenue turns into Dennis Shepstone Drive. At the 5,2km mark, Knoll Drive will be on your right – the entrance to MiTH is the *second* entrance on your left into The Knoll Historic Guest Farm.

Pictured: Rudo, Josh and Dev per the Calico lineup.

News supplied by MiTH.

The St Anne’s Diocesan College Vocal Ensemble is celebrating after it was announced that they have made it through to the finals of the ATKV Applous Competition, the oldest school choir competition in the country.

 The finals take place in Bloemfontein on 25 July 2019.

 News supplied by St Anne's Diocesan College.

After an exciting “Name the Campaign” social media competition and just in time to amplify the excitement around the gazetting of 20 new Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in South Africa – Ocean iMPAct officially launches today.

Birthed by a coalition of organisations including WILDOCEANS (a programme of the WILDTRUST), Ocean Unite and WWF-SA, Ocean iMPAct hopes to help advance the protection of the oceans around South Africa within MPAs – part of a second phase of the MPA expansion project, with an overall objective to attain the global MPA target of 10% by 2020 - and pave the way for African states to support a global target of 30% strongly protected by 2030.

“Earlier this year we put out a call to the public to help name this new campaign, which builds on the successful ‘Only This Much’ campaign launched in 2018 when ocean protection was at a pitiful 0.4%,” said Campaign Lead, Lauren van Nijkerk. “The public were asked to submit an upbeat and positive, short, punchy and inspirational name that promotes the value of our oceans, profiles MPAs as our heritage and highlights why we need 10% - and ultimately 30% protection by 2030 for our oceans. A score of passionate and creative ocean advocates submitted their names and ‘Ocean iMPAct’ (with the MPA of ‘impact’ in capital letters) – an adaptation of a name submitted by Varsha Naidu Moodley was chosen.”

On Friday the 24th of May 20 new and expanded Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)announced by South Africa’s cabinet in October 2018 were officially gazetted, increasing protection from 0.4% to 5%.

Dr Jean Harris, WILDOCEANS Executive Director, said that this is a very important step for South Africa, and a credit to all the people who have worked so hard to implement the Cabinet decision to approve 20 new and expanded MPAs. “MPAs are an essential tool for ocean health. They protect the oceans and the resources people depend on from risks such as climate change, over-fishing and mining. We look forward to supporting government to achieve the effective management of these new MPAs, and in working towards South Africa’s commitment to reach the 10% CBD target by 2020. This is a critical moment in our journey towards the 30% ocean protection that science indicates is needed to restore and conserve the oceans.”

The Deputy Director General of the South African Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA), Judy Beaumont, who attended the launch of the project on World Oceans Day last year and gave a keynote address, welcomed the MPA expansion project. At an event in April this year, co-hosted by DEA, held to celebrate the achievement of 5% protection she spoke to the importance of the work to be done now to ensure that the new MPAs are effectively managed and adequately resourced.

The MPA expansion project, supported by Oceans 5, and a partnership between WILDOCEANS, WWF-SA and Ocean Unite, is now moving into its second phase to support the government’s commitment to achieve at least 10% MPA coverage for the waters around South Africa.
“We believe that the ‘Only This Much’ campaign played a significant part, working alongside responsible government institutions and with key civil society organisations, in helping to secure 5% marine protection in Year 1 of the project and aim to play a similar, supportive role this coming year in securing at least 10% in MPAs with the ‘Ocean iMPAct’ campaign,” said van Nijkerk.

Follow us on social media - @oceanimpactsa and join the movement to advance the protection of South Africa’s oceans.

News supplied by WildTrust.

Members of the Laddsworth Chess Team took part in the Inter-Schools Junior School Chess Championships, held at The Wykeham College on Monday 3 June 2019.

Thomas Prentice and Kyle Raubenheimer (Grade 5) competed in the Junior Division. Nathan Raubenheimer and Nirav Dhanesar (Grade 7) competed in the Senior Division. Nathan Raubenheimer was the winner in the Senior section and received the Senior Champion Trophy. Thomas Prentice was awarded the Junior Runner-up Trophy.

Pictured above: L-R: Mrs Cindy Pienaar (Teacher in charge of Chess), Thomas Prentice (Grade 5), Nathan Raubenheimer (Grade 7), Mr Gavin Lambooy (Principal)

News supplied by Laddsworth Primary School.

In celebration of World Environment Day, a day that encourages citizen-action to improve our environment, Woolworths has announced a partnership aimed at increasing recycling rates in South Africa. The new initiative is a trial that will upgrade two existing WILDLANDS recycling villages and open three additional recycling villages in popular KwaZulu-Natal shopping centres where there are Woolworths’ stores. WILDLANDS recycling villages, which are at the forefront of recycling and the recycling circular economy in South Africa, are part of a well-established WILDTRUST programme. Other partners include Dow, Nedbank and YES (Youth Employment Service).

Feroz Koor, Woolworths Holdings Group Head of Sustainability, says, “Last year on World Environment Day, we announced our ambitious ZERO packaging waste to landfill commitments. While we are working to phase out single use plastics and make all our packaging recyclable or reusable by 2022, we also want to make it as easy as possible for our customers to efficiently recycle. Their support of very accessible, well-run WILDLANDS recycling villages is not just good for the environment, but the village concept also supports viable youth employment while connecting local schools and community-based
waste-preneurs.”

The Woolworths’ sponsorship includes upgrades to existing WILDLANDS recycling villages at the Hayfields Mall in Pietermaritzburg and The Quarry Centre in Hilton and will start with the establishment of a new recycling village at Watercrest Mall in Waterfall, Durban, with two more to follow. The investment covers not just upgrades to infrastructure but vital public messaging to raise awareness of what substrates are recyclable.

Andrew Venter Chief Executive Officer of the WILDTRUST says, “It is a privilege for WILDLANDS to be partnering with Woolworths on their ZERO waste to landfill journey. Our vision of a sustainable future for all is well-aligned to Woolworths’ strategy, ensuring that customers are offered more convenient options for preventing their waste from going to landfill. With Woolworths ability to reach a large number of consumers with quality products and credible messaging, and our recycling expertise, our hope is that together we will encourage more South Africans to see that there is an alternative for their waste. If we work alongside each other we can start to prevent the devastating impact that we now see along our coastlines and in all other ecosystems.”

Shown above:

 A great new partnership with Woolworths has resulted in Wildlands Recycling Village at The Quarry Centre in Hilton getting a revamp. Louise Duys (WILDTRUST), Warren Josiah (Woolworths Howick Operations Manager) with Recycling Village On-site Ambassadors Natasha Makhaye, Sindiswe Duma and Monde Zuma.

News supplied by WildTrust.

Hi, I am Leanne Jarvel, Goldclub agent, and I have been with Pam Golding Properties in Hilton since 2015.

A passion for property, the outdoors and people led to my career in real estate, which began when I was 27. With a master’s degree in agriculture(horticulture) and with start-up commercial business experience, I chose to market lifestyle properties in the Natal Midlands, covering the area of Hilton to the Kamberg. Owning and developing my own smallholdings gave me first-hand experience allowing me to connect with buyers and sellers. My husband and I purchased our first property at the age of 22.

The start of schooling for my son and daughter led to a move into the Hilton/Winterskloof area 15 years ago. I love where I live with my family and pets! I have a deep appreciation for the challenge and reward of building a home and developing a property. I have also completed a landscaping qualification, photographic and numerous real estate courses, including my NQF4.

I have a passion for Hilton and her surrounds, and so specialise in this area. It’s a stunning area with much natural beauty offering peace, tranquillity and prolific bird and wild-life. It boasts the best of both worlds - lifestyle and amenities - a rarity to traditional urban living. Hilton attracts wonderful people who share similar values and aspirations. A place where children can be children, family life can be nurtured and individuals can prosper.

People know me as a no-nonsense agent who is sincere, professional, thorough and caring. You will only get complete honesty, commitment and reliability. I am passionate and knowledgeable about the areas I service and the ever-changing property market. I thoroughly enjoy engaging with buyers and sellers and understand that all generations need to be communicated with in various ways. I thrive on the challenge to match buyers to homes and to help and guide all parties through the process of buying and selling, all the while ensuring clear and consistent channels of communication. Medical challenges in my life have moulded me to be empathetic, motivated, resilient and to appreciate everything in life. I am hard working, attentive, observant and thrive on making a difference in people’s lives.

Feedback I receive from my clients is that I am not your typical real estate agent, having an unmatched eye for detail, extremely thorough, considerate and go beyond the extra mile.

I have a large portfolio of property listings, many of which are sole mandates, and I go out of my way to source properties should it be necessary. Whether you are interested in selling or buying, I will help you with your property requirements and strive to provide a top-quality professional service.

Contact no. 084 661 7032 and Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

News supplied by Pam Golding Properties.

Laddsworth pupils, Amy Goddard (Grade 6) and Camryn Heafield (Grade 7) successfully auditioned for the production of ‘Cinderella and the Prince’ on the 1st of April 2019 in Pietermaritzburg.

They will represent the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands Youth Ballet Company performing with members of the prestigious Cape Town City Ballet Company.

 We wish them all the best for their performances at the Hexagon Theatre in July.

 Pictured L-R Camryn Heafield (Grade 7), Amy Goddard (Grade 6)

 News supplied by Laddsworth Primary School.

Families South Africa Pietermaritzburg (FAMSA PMB) is a non-governmental organization which started out over 58 years ago because of a need determined by local church organizations that saw a need for marriage guidance services and the PMB Marriage Guidance Society was established. It is a registered NPO and BPO. FAMSA PMB has a management committee which is elected annually at an Annual General Meeting. Its staff consists of a Director, Social Workers and administrative staff.

FAMSA PMB runs a number of different services and plays an important role in women, men and families alike. The organization prides itself in restoring hope, faith, peace and trust in families and societies as a whole. These services are done mostly through counselling (trauma, gender-based violence, grief, individual, family, Pre marriage counselling, divorce and EAP services), outreach programmes and also through support groups.

The organization now has also has satellite offices/services in Mafakatini, Esigodini, Mkhambathini, Northdale, Camperdown, Howick, Eastwood and Elandskop. Although government subsidies are received for the social workers employed, the large geographical areas served require a more innovative approach that included communities within which we work, hence we have trained local women to provide services but receive no government support for this service.

With the many services provided, FAMSA PMB also faces a large number of challenges mainly regarding finance. We are grateful for the donations we receive but they are not enough to keep FAMSA afloat. FAMSA PMB would like to call on those who are in a position to sponsor with anything, to please make contact with FAMSA PMB. Any donation received will be greatly appreciated.

If you feel you are in need of our services or know of someone who is, please do not hesitate to make contact with us on 033 342 4945 or visit our main offices at 15 Drummond Street, PMB or alternatively you can email us on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

We work on an appointment basis.

News supplied.

The St Anne’s Diocesan College 1st Squash Team are celebrating their recent win at the KZN Interschool’s Squash Tournament hosted by Epworth from 17 – 19 May. They managed to get through the opening two fixtures without dropping a single game until meeting a determined Epworth in the final.

The atmosphere was tense at 2 - 2 with every game being fiercely contested, however, a match winning display from Savannah Ingledew saw St Anne’s clinch victory to become winners of the 2019 KZN Interschools competition. A valiant effort from all involved.

Caption: Savannah Ingledew, Emma Griffin, Georgina Baker and Natalie Rohrs (Absent: Georgina Romer-Lee) 

News supplied by St Anne's Diocesan College.

Heinrich Prinsloo, a Grade 7 pupil at Laddsworth Primary School has been selected to represent the KwaZulu-Natal Under 13B Rugby Team. Heinrich will participate in the Inter-Provincial Rugby Festival held in Uitenhage during the upcoming June/July holidays. Laddsworth is very proud of Heinrich and wish him all the best for the festival.

News supplied by Laddsworth Primary School.