NEWSLETTER | FEBRUARY 2024
Pantone 334C CMYK 100 0 56 8
Ho-Ho-Hooow Lovely!
The Most Wond-Woof-FUl Time of the Year
It’s All in the Masterplan!
cover photo BARRY TUCK
Content
This magazine is designed & published in partnership by :
From the General Manager From the Club General Manager Introducing Our KZN River Crab Ho-Ho-Hooow Lovely! Well Done, Harry! The Most Wond-Woof-Ul Time of the Year
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Well Done, Team! Jack and Mr. Sparkles on the (Christmas) Job
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Domestic Alarm Systems It’s All in the Masterplan!
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A division of Fabmags
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ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES Contact the Digi Sales Team Lucille Wendler
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Cell: 083 747 3694
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E-mail: lucille@fabmags.co.za
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Next issue: March 2024
Tel: 032 946 0357
Disclaimer: This e-newsletter is produced especially for residents of Simbithi Eco-Estate to provide updates and useful information. It is produced by Fab Creative, on behalf of the Simbithi Eco-Estate. Although every effort is taken to ensure accuracy of content, Simbithi Eco-Estate HOA and/ or the Publisher, cannot be held liable for any inaccurate information, and may not agree with all opinions expressed in this publication.
From The
General manager Dear Residents, Happy New Year! From the team and I, all the best for 2024.
Some exciting news to kick the year off: a joint effort between Primo Properties and Campbell Properties Group netted a record R32 million sale for Simbithi. Congratulations to the property practitioners involved. This record-setting sale speaks directly to our mission to be recognised as the pre-eminent residential eco-estate in Southern Africa. The year also began with a significant
rain event in mid-January, which caused minor damage to Estate infrastructure.While our team continues to assess damage and attend to clean-up operations, we would like to remind homeowners of the importance of conducting regular maintenance to your installed attenuation systems. This includes regular maintenance and cleaning of gutters, downpipes, v-drains, attenuation chambers and, where appropriate, inspection of retaining systems to ensure all is functioning as designed. As always, prevention is better than cure. Remedial work will continue below the Guineafowl Dam and the entrance to Cormorant Dam. 4
from the general manager Contractors, welcome back to Simbithi! Residents, a reminder that our roadways will become busier during working hours. We respectfully ask all contractors, suppliers and residents to adhere to our speed limit within the Estate. This will ensure everyone who calls Simbithi home, including our wildlife, are not harmed by a speeding vehicle. Finally, we look forward to seeing you at our budget meetings later this month. We will share dates, soon. Have a great month.
Marc Mc Clure
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From The
Club General Manager
Dear Members,
If I have not seen you yet, welcome back! From my side, sincerest thanks for the warm welcome back to Simbithi. It may have started off a bit gloomy and rainy, but I am sure that 2024 is going to be the best year yet. Let’s get straight to it: the 2023 season was solid, despite us losing several days of potential revenue due to inclement weather, especially on the course. That said, results show that we had an increase in members playing golf last December, as compared to previous years. Our food and beverage results are also pleasing; a relatively late start and early end in comparison to 2022. Well done to the Club team for all your hard work during season.
I’m sure you are all just as excited as we are to finally be on site for our new sports complex. Phase one officially kicked off in mid-January, when contractors returned to the Estate. By the time you read this, the 10 days of securing the site would have passed and work on the platforms underway. As we have shared, project timelines take us to September this year, if all 6
from the club general manager goes according to schedule. Of course, we will keep you updated on progress as the project advances. While construction is underway, please keep in mind: 1. A section of the Club’s parking lot, on the top left as you enter, will be cordoned off to create a safe space for contractor vehicles. Please drive carefully. 2. The tennis courts are out of bounds during construction. To round off, some good news about our new fleet of golf carts! Forty new carts should be gleaming at the Club by the time this is published. This is certainly going to improve the golfing experience at Simbithi. This year, we promise to bring you exceptional service, incredible events and the very best of #TheSimbithiExperience.
Craig Nell
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I AM RE/MAX
What’s your Super Power? RE/MAX Dolphin Realtors
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SEEHOA
CONTACT DETAILS
General Enquiries
032 946 8360/1
enquiries@simbithi.com
Access Control
032 946 8372/92
access@simbithi.com OR access1@simbithi.com
Accounts
032 946 8383
finance@simbithi.com
Building Control
032 946 8381/66
bca@simbithi.com
Control Room
032 946 8373/4/5
controlroom@simbithi.com
Facilities & Maintenance
032 946 8380
facilities@simbithi.com
Finance Manager
032 946 8368
fm@simbithi.com
Environmental & Landscaping
032 946 8382
environmental@simbithi.com
General Manager’s Office
032 946 8364
gm@simbithi.com
Marketing & Communications
032 946 8386
marketing@simbithi.com
Technical Manager
032 946 8384
tm@simbithi.com
Legal & Compliance
032 946 8379
compliance@simbithi.com
Security Manager
032 946 8365
dysan@simbithi.com
Heron Pizzeria
032 946 5423
foodbev4@gmail.com
Connect with us via WhatsApp:
073 156 1378.
Join our Broadcast Lists by sending us your name & address
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Country Club
CONTACT DETAILS
General Manager
032 946 5405
clubgm@simbithi.com
Events
032 946 5409
events@simbithi.com
Accounts
032 946 5422
bashni@simbithi.com
Pro Shop
032 946 5407
proshop@simbithi.com OR sport@simbithi.com
Golf Manager
032 946 5411
sportsman@simbithi.com
Fig Tree Restaurant
032 946 5403
foodbev1@simbithi.com 10
Board of Directors
CONTACT DETAILS Jeff Leaver: Chairman
Director Marketing & Communications
board8@simbithi.com
Clive Mc Creadie: Vice-Chairman HOA
Director Security
board4@simbithi.com
Andrew Mackenzie
Director Finance & IT
board3@simbithi.com
Louis Boshoff
Director Design Review Committee
board5@simbithi.com
Gavin Dunlop
Director Technical & Maintenance
board7@simbithi.com
Lisa Southey
Director Human Resources
board9@simbithi.com
Margi Lilienfeld
Director Environmental
board6@simbithi.com
Frank Bradford: Vice-Chairman SCC EXCO
Director Simbithi Country Club
board2@simbithi.com
John Gowans
Director Legal & Appeals
board1@simbithi.com
The Board of Directors are your elected representatives who volunteer their time and expertise without remuneration. Approaching a Director should be your last resort. 11
Introducing our KZN River Crab
(Potamonautes sidneyi) Words Margi Lilienfeld
Recently, while walking along the Nsimbi trail, I spotted a dark, reddishbrown carapace, partly obscured by leaf litter. Carefully moving the leaves aside unveiled a stunning adult KZN River Crab, Potamonautes sidneyi, eyes on stalks staring rigidly at me while it slowly raised its pincers before moving sideways and backwards towards the base of a nearby Waterberry tree.
I had to move quickly to pick it up and gently turn it over in my hand to establish whether it was a girl or boy. The wide abdomen tucked under the thorax indicated female, whereas a narrow, pointed abdomen would have confirmed it was male. This crab species mates on dry land and the female carries her eggs and later her young under her broad abdomen till they are fully formed miniature crabs. She then releases them into quiet pools near the banks of our local streams and wetlands. As juveniles, these crabs live in the water and are primarily carnivorous. In
addition, they eat plants, algae and detritus, providing an essential role in breaking down dead animal and plant matter into smaller particles that in turn feed the fresh-water filter feeders in our streams and wetlands. This helps to cleanse our water and recycle nutrients within the myriad food webs of this complex habitat. 12
FOR SALE
ENVIRONMENT Interestingly, a study in Lake Sibaya found that juvenile KZN River crabs were feeding on an invasive alien gastropod, adding even more value to the essential ecological services these crabs provide. As they mature, the crabs spend more and more time on land and adults are commonly referred to as “Land Crabs” by many people in KZN. The KZN River Crab occurs from the foothills of the Drakensberg mountains to the coast and is also found in the Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, as well as in Eswatini and Mozambique. It is the most common freshwater crab of South Africa. They dig burrows into the sides of rivers or streams or under rocks in wet areas and are most active after rain and at night.
Sole Mandate
Our KZN River Crabs are good indicators of environmental health as, just like our stunning dragonflies, they rely on both good quality fresh water and healthy vegetation. Both species have life stages that live in and out of the water and thus provide a monitoring link between terrestrial and aquatic environments. Utilising energy from different trophic levels in the food chain, they are in turn eaten by Water Mongooses and Cape Clawless Otters. It is a positive sign that we appear to have a growing population of these crabs on Simbithi Eco-Estate. A world of wonder lies hidden in our Simbithi streams and in our leaf litter and is easily found by a child or adult, preferably together, bending down to explore.
R6,495,000 | 320m2 4
3.5
2
RORY ANDERSON 073 697 4159
SIMBITHI | KZN NORTH COAST
Connecting. You.
[C] 060 760 4919 | [E] rory.a@localrealestate.co.za
Ho-Ho-Hooow
Lovely!
It is always a joy to spend an evening with our Simbithi family. Our annual Christmas Night Market was a wonderful affair, with everything from gifts to trinkets and treats to clothes on sale. Clinton Philander roused the crowd with his soulful renditions of a few Christmas carols. Thank you for joining us! 14
EVENTS
PHYSIOTHERAPY
Well Done, Harry! One of our own recently flew the Simbithi flag high, and we are very proud of him. Resident Harry Clayton was placed second at the Nomads SA U15 Championship. He is presently #5 on the GOLFRSA U15 ranking.
Schroder Macquet Physio Inc Simone Barrett & Stella Schroder
DIETETICS Nutrition Innovated Kerryn Wuth, Barbara Knoetse, Claire McHugh
OPTOMETRY Joanne Kalil
Simbithi Office Park Unit 222 032 815 0630
The Most
Wond-Woof-FUl Time of the Year
Christmas is not just for humans – at least, not on an Estate like ours where all sorts of families are celebrated. A group of residents brought their doggie children (and grandchildren) to the dog park on the northern half of the Estate to share treats in celebration of a wonderful year. Thank you to Pamela White for these adorable photographs. 17
EVENTS
HUMAN
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Well Done, Team! At the end of 2023, the HOA team gathered in the courtyard for a boerie roll and a reflection of the year and, of course, to honour members of our team. Well done to Natasha Binneman, Executive Assistant to the General Manager and Board of Directors, whose colleagues voted her
People’s Choice, and Security Manager Dysan Parasaraman who won Employee of the Year. Our newly appointed Building Inspector Delvin Walstroom also ended the year well, completing his Introduction to Safety Management Training Course (SAMTRAC).
Delvin Walstroom
Natasha Binneman
Dysan Parasaraman
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Jack and Mr. Sparkles on the (Christmas) Job By the time the first week of December rolls around, homes (and shelves) across the world are preparing for the arrival of their respective elves. Here at SEEHOA, our Elfie trots into the Welcome Centre to make all sorts of Christmassy demands. For one adorable little man and his elf, Mr. Sparkles, it was a
month of fun and learning values like kindness and sharing. Daily, Mr. Sparkles gave resident Jack du Preez a special task, which Mommy, Ashley du Preez, and Daddy, Eric du Preez, helped with. One of the tasks was to bake a batch of chocolate muffins for the Simbithi security team. Master Jack diligently whipped up batter, helped Mommy clean up the
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estate news
mess, and then visited each of our gates to share the chocolatey goodness. Of course, our officers were thrilled! Thank you, Jack, for being such a wonderful resident and showing our officers some Christmas love.
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Dolphin Coast
Somewhere Over the
Rainbow … skies are blue!
YOUR Simbithi PROPERTY SPECIALISTS Martine Owen
SALES AND RENTALS
082 775 8055 J P Pienaar AUCTIONS
082 650 2082 Minki Matthews PROPERTY SALES
And, blue they certainly were when resident, Barry Tuck, caught this
picturesque rainbow over Simbithi. An
omen of good things to come this year? We certainly think so!
083 373 9722
Merry Christmas,
Maintenance! A few photographs of our Simbithi Country Club maintenance team enjoying their Christmas party. Thank you for all you do, team.
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Domestic Alarm Systems At Simbithi, we consider security a shared responsibility that requires our collective input, vigilance and care. For this reason, we encourage you to consider installing an intruder detection system in your home, which you may connect to our 24-hour
Control Room. The alarm system would immediately alert our Control Room of an intrusion to your property, upon which officers would respond. If you’d like to install a system, please note: 26
security update
THE RIGHT AGENT EVERY STEP OF THE WAY
• The cost for the system would be per individual quotations against your specific requirements. Your quote must exclude radio transmitters, as a radio frequency transmitter must be purchased from SEEHOA before installation. • Alarm transmissions on the system must be on radio data, on Simbithi’s frequency. • No external, audible sirens may be installed outside the home, as this would disturb neighbouring residents. If you would like to chat further, please contact our Security Manager, Dysan Parasaraman: dysan@simbithi.com.
Stephen Frizelle 082 938 9944
stephen@remaxdolphin.co.za
www.remaxdolphin.co.za
29 Sandra Road, Ballito
FINE HOMES & LUXURY PROPERTIES
It’s All in the
Masterplan! Following years of diligent work by our management team and executive committee, it was gratifying to witness the breaking of ground on ERF1144 on Sagila Lane. This, of course, is where our new sports complex will be built. One last time, take a look at this piece of land. In nine months’ time, if all goes according to schedule, you’ll be able to play bowls, squash, Padel, tennis and swim here!
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Exceptionally neat, contemporary, single level home. Privately positioned to provide pleasing views over the green belt & trees in front and boasting an excellent layout perfect for easy living & entertaining. Comprising 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (mes), guest toilet, double LUG, carport, separate study, open plan kitchen with scullery. It also has 5 Jojo tanks.
FINE HOMES & LUXURY PROPERTIES
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FEATURED PROPERTY PRACTITIONERS
SEEFF SIMBITHI
ballito net properties
073 697 4159
LOOKING TO BUY OR SELL?
RORY.A@LOCALREALESTATE.CO.ZA
Contact the agents of choice. MEL NAIDOO
ANDREAS WASSENAAR
DALENE GOVINDASAMY
074 788 5665
082 837 9094
082 333 6607
SELL | BUY | RENT
Contact Seeff North Coast on 082 837 9094 | 032 940 5005 simbithi@seeff.com
Based on-site in Simbithi, Ballito.net Properties has been practicing in holiday and permanent rentals on the Estate for over 17 years, offering full management of your holiday or permanant let with our professional team. Let us give you an expert rental valuation on your home today.
Simbithi, LET'S TALK.
SALES: TISH MCDAVID 084 554 4840 tish.mcdavid@tysonprop.co.za Registered with PPRA FFC no. 0116063
SALES: JACKIE FUTTER 083 326 7958 Jackie.futter@tysonprop.co.za Registered with PPRA FFC no. 1215630
SIMBITHI | KZN NORTH COAST
Connecting. You.
[C] 060 760 4919 | [E] rory.a@localrealestate.co.za