Simbithi Eco-Estate Newsletter June 2023

INVASIVE PLANTS

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,

Recently, my team and I had the pleasure of engaging with a roomful of learned property practitioners (previously known as property agents). We spent some time acknowledging their contribution to Simbithi’s growth, and celebrating property sales breaching the R1 billion mark for the first time, last year. This incredible feat is largely attributed to the outstanding work done by these men and women, who partner with us every year to ensure our Estate remains the estate of choice: well on our way to achieving our mission to be the pre-eminent residential eco-estate in Southern Africa.

Congratulations to RE/MAX Dolphin Realtors for retaining their top spot, and Rory Anderson of Local Real Estate for snagging the trophy for the fourth consecutive year. Your contribution to Simbithi is sincerely appreciated.

Spending the morning with the property practitioners reminded me how multi-faceted Simbithi is, and how many stakeholders are involved in the success of our Estate. At the core of successful relations with each stakeholder group is engagement, which prefaces and undergirds everything we do at SEEHOA.

The most pivotal engagement on our calendar is upon us: our Annual General Meeting is scheduled for the end of August. Preparations have begun in earnest at the office.

FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER

One of the most important votes on the agenda will be the election of directors. This year, in accordance with 5.2.2. of SEEHOA’s MOI, Six members of the current Board shall be deemed to retire. At the time of publishing this newsletter, it is not known how many of these Directors shall avail themselves for re-election. With this in mind, as we gear up toward the AGM, take some time to carefully consider individuals you would like to see voted onto the Board.

We will share more information on the nomination process, and the resolutions to be voted on, soon. Until then, enjoy the cooler weather and have a fantastic June.

FROM THE Club General Manager

One of the greatest pleasures of having an office overlooking the deck is the view. Looking to my left and seeing our deck alive with music, dancing and pure enjoyment is always a treat.

was shared earlier this week. If you have not received notice, please reach out to us on enquiries@simbithi.com or WhatsApp 073 156 1378 so we may assist you.

Mothers’ Day and our recent Firsties with Rockhaven were two standout events during the month of May. Both saw our Club filled with families taking full advantage of our facilities, which is what we love to see. Of course, our chefs put on a scintillating display for these afternoons; thank you for all the compliments received, I have passed these to our team. Before I start waxing too lyrical about the wonders of our Club, let me take a moment to remind you of the pivotal General Meeting scheduled for 20 June 2023 in the Pavilion Room. Official notice

Through the General Meeting, we hope to secure approval for the first phase of the Club’s Masterplan, which encompasses the expansion of our sporting facilities onto ERF1144 (adjacent to Jacana, on Sagila Lane). The proposed new facilities will include Padel courts, tennis courts, squash courts, bowls, a training pool and a new food and beverage facility. This will undoubtedly add uplift our Club, as a whole, create an unparalleled experience for the Simbithi community and increase property values.

Simbithi, this is for us. It’s #MePlusThree – we challenge you to invite three fellow homeowners to the meeting to cast their vote. If they are unable to attend in person, get their proxy. Let’s come

FROM THE CLUB GENERAL MANAGER

out in numbers to make our voices heard on this important vote. Speaking of coming out in numbers, we are counting down the days until we see hundreds of you at the Simbithi Lifestyle Festival. We plan to make this an annual event, so let’s kick it off with a bang! We have an exclusive pop up shop with Storm Lifestyle Events, a Winter Wine Tasting showcasing more than 20 wine estates, the new Mercedes EQ range launching with a pop up shop in the Gallery on Saturday, and Fathers’ Day Carvery on Sunday. We cannot wait to welcome you to Simbithi Country Club.

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.

Enjoy June and I hope to see you on the deck, soon.

Board of Directors

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

CONTACT DETAILS

Tracy Levinson Director Design Review Committee board5@simbithi.com

Gavin Dunlop Director Technical & Maintenance board7@simbithi.com

Lisa Southey Director Legal & Appeals board9@simbithi.com

Derrick Lilienfeld Director Environmental board6@simbithi.com

Frank Bradford: Vice-Chairman SCC EXCO Director Simbithi Country Club board2@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.

Mom, You’re the Best

Simbithi Country Club pulled out all the stops to spoil the ones whose hands hold us together and whose hearts love us most. A fantastic carvery by our chefs, live music and a gift for each special lady made for an unforgettable Sunday afternoon.

To Plant or Not to Plant

SPECIES ON THE APPROVED LIST

APODYTES DIMIDIATA

Commonly called the white pear or bird's eye, Apodytes dimidiata is an evergreen tree with glossy dark green foliage and masses of snowwhite, dainty, aromatic flowers that bloom in Summer. The smell of the flowers is attractive to insects, which is good for pollination. Usually a small bushy tree with a nonaggressive root system, it reaches a height of between four and six metres in the garden, but has been observed reaching between 15 and 20 metres in forests. The fruits are not fleshy and therefore cause no mess on paved areas. The red aril (extra seed covering) makes the fruits very attractive to birds including Blackeyed Bulbul, Redwinged and Glossy Starlings.

bushveld barleria, is a fairly fast-growing evergreen shrub that can grow up to one metre high in sunny areas of your garden. This plant produces beautiful white flowers from February to July, and is pollinated by insects and attracts various species of butterflies. The insects attract insectivorous birds; therefore this plant is a good choice for attracting life into the garden. The fruit is a small capsule that explodes to release the seeds while the plant carries spines to protect itself from being over-utilised by animals.

BARLERIA ELEGANS

Barleria elegans, commonly called white

Having a soil issue on your banks? Baleria elegans can be planted to control erosion on embankments as it helps to stabilise the soil. The Simbithi approved plant list has eight approved species of Baleria that can be added in your gardens. Visit here to download the approved list for the names.

HALLERIA LUCIDA

Halleria Lucida, or Tree Fuchsia, is a small evergreen tree that grows to between five and six metres in height. This tree is often multistemmed and flowers from April through to August with orange-red tubular flowers in clusters right up against the trunks. The flowers are followed by small, round, green fruits so you can expect your tree to buzz with activity from insects, nectar-drinking and insectivorous birds, and the vervet monkey.

Dual Mandate

Halleria lucida thrives under many different conditions, is easy to grow, and has a nonaggressive root system. It should be planted in full sun or partial shade and is easily and readily propagated from seed or cuttings.

KNIPHOFIA PAUCIFLORA

Kniphofia pauciflora is a hardy, evergreen bulb, commonly called the dainty poker due to its

miniature flowers. It should be planted in a wet, sunny spot. It can form quite large clumps and flowers almost all year round but particularly from October to February. This plant is rare in the wild as Durban has been built over its habitat. It should be planted in large groups for the best effect and looks great when contrasted with blue flowering Agapanthus. Propagation by separation is easily done and also makes for a good container plant.

ALIEN INVASIVE PLANT NOTED IN GARDENS ON SIMBITHI

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Catharanthus roseus

Also called the Madagascar Periwinkle, Catharanthus roseus is native to Madagascar but grown elsewhere as an ornamental plant. It is listed as a NEMBA (National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act) Category 1b species as it invades and competes with indigenous plant species. Should you have this in your garden, please remove it. It may be replaced with a Baleria species or another plant from the approved plant list.

Country Club News

GOOD ONE, TOM!

Our Golf Manager, Class AAA PGA Pro Thomas Raatgever, recently clinched the PGA Pro Am at Cotswold Downs.

Well done for flying our flag high, Tom.

PLEASE BE CAREFUL

Residents, a reminder that walking on our golf course is not permitted while the course is in play. Not only is this a distraction for golfers, but it is a safety risk to be out while a game is underway. Thank you for your co-operation.

Let’s Rock!

If ever there was an education in the history of rock ‘n roll… then Rockhaven would certainly give the master class. We thoroughly enjoyed hosting the local favourites on the deck, recently. What a show!

EVENTS

SIMBITHI WELLNESS:

A DISCUSSION ON DIABETES

WELLNESS

We recently hosted our second instalment of the Simbithi Wellness initiative, in partnership with Pam Golding Properties Ballito.

In the newly refreshed Simbithi Gallery, residents gathered for an insightful talk from Dr Claudine Lee, a General Practitioner and Diabetologist, and Fran Steart, a dietician with a special interest in diabetes and insulin resistance. The duo forms Power Over Diabetes, a movement dedicated to educating on, and early detection of, diabetes.

South Gate Refurbishments Complete

The final refurbishments to our South Gate were completed at the end of May. The last pieces of the puzzle were ablution facilities and a shuttle shelter, which are both constructed in line with the new gate aesthetics rolled out at the Ballito and South Gates.

Thank you for your understanding and co-operation during this project.

BUILDING STATS

Single Residential

Single Residential

Sectional Title Units

Sectional Title Units

TOTAL DEVELOPMENT: 1474 of 1625 = 91% developed

Ballito Photo Club

It is always a pleasure to showcase the outstanding work of the Ballito Photo Club, with whom Simbithi continues to enjoy a fruitful partnership. Here are the April club competition winners:

• Nature – “Goodmorning sunshine”

by Suzanne Morshead

• Colour Open – “Rock Splash”

by Willem Delport

• Photojournalism – “Getting a fix”

by Suzanne Morshead

• Scapes – “R617 to Underberg” by Caro Smith

• Set Subject (Footpaths) – “Mountain View”

by Avril Eshmade

• Visual Art – “track Silhouettes”

by Willem Delport

• World of Colour – “Tulips in the Park”

by Rung Button

• Mono Open – “Cloudcsape” by Anita Daly.

Nature – “Goodmorning sunshine” by Suzanne Morshead

World of Colour – “Tulips in the Park" by Rung Button

Photojournalism – “Getting a fix" by Suzanne Morshead

BALLITO PHOTO CLUB

Mono Open – “Cloudcsape” by Anita Daly

Scapes – “R617 to Underberg” by Caro Smith

Colour Open – “Rock Splash” by Willem Delport

BALLITO PHOTO CLUB

Visual Art – “track Silhouettes” by Willem Delport

Set Subject (Footpaths) – “Mountain View” by Avril Eshmade

ENVIRONMENTAL TALK

Cats and Dogs on an Eco-Estate: Pet or Peril?

– Prof Corrie Schoeman

Venue: Pavilion Room, Simbithi Country Club

Time: 18:00

Cost: R30, at the door

Enquiries: environmental@simbithi.com / ea@simbithi.com

11 JUNE

QUIZ NIGHT

The Country Club brings you Quiz Night, sponsored by Harcourts Dolphin Coast and hosted by “The Quiz Guys”.

Venue: The Fig Tree Restaurant

Time: 18:00

Cost: R195pp

Booking esssential: foodbev1@simbithi.com or 032 946 5403

SIMBITHI LIFESTYLE FESTIVAL

We are thrilled to reveal the line-up for our inaugural Simbithi Lifestyle Festival, happening next weekend at the Country Club. We begin with the Brandhabit Pop Up Shop, curated by Storm Lifestyle Events, in the Pavilion Room from 08:00 to 17:00 on Saturday, 17 June 2023. Entry to this event is FREE: browse the best of local lifestyle brands.

Then, meander down to the deck from 12:00 to 17:00 for our Winter Wine Tasting with more than 20 wine estates showcasing various brands. Entry to the tasting is R150 and includes a complimentary tasting glass. Limited spots available: book and pay in advance to confirm your slot with sccmsc@simbithi.com or 032-946 5400. The suave René Tshiakanyi will serenade us into early evening.

For the vehicle enthusiasts, come and feast your eyes on the electric Mercedes-EQ range. Take the beautiful vehicles for a test drive, and grab some Mercedes Benz merchandise from the Pop Up Shop in the Gallery.

Venue: Simbithi Country Club.

Booking and more information: events@simbithi.com

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