Creating a Reading Nation

Meet one of our local authors and teachers who started her own publishing company to encourage the love of reading amongst our youth. Nokuphiwe Nala is a Foundation Phase teacher and author with a vision to bring the love of books and reading to as many children as possible. According to statistics from the Department of Education, there has been a decrease in the number of children who can read for enjoyment or meaning. During...

Top Interior Picks From Your Local Decorators

Designing your dream home can be thrilling, but what if you want a space that truly stands the test of time? Amanda Kelly, Head Residential Interior Designer at Tracy Kelly Design, says the ‘gin stool‘ is her go-to piece for adding charm to a room. Small but full of character, it sits perfectly beside an antique chair, sofa, or even a bath. Its ease of movement creates height and visual interest while filling those awkward...

Stop and Smell the Roses

Experience the beauty and passion of a community of enthusiasts who come together to share knowledge, preserve heritage, and celebrate the timeless charm of these exquisite blooms. Did you know the Midlands proudly hosts one of South Africa’s five largest rose societies? Known as the Midlands Rose Society, its roots were established in 1987 by Norman and Val Yeats from the comforts of their nursery, Spurwing Roses, in the Albert Falls area. Norman was the...

Through the Decades – Muirheads Hiring with Sherree Hamblin

We are proud to celebrate a few milestones achieved by our local businesses this year. Learn more about what the decades have taught them and continue to shape them to serve our community. The Beginning My late dad, Bernard, bought this hiring company in 1996 and was excited about the prospect of owning his own business after working in the banking industry for so many years. Dawn, my mom, now retired, joined him after selling...

Through the Decades – The Wine Cellar with Margaret Spowart

We are proud to celebrate a few milestones achieved by our local businesses this year. Learn more about what the decades have taught them and continue to shape them to serve our community. The Beginning After selling our previous business in the fuel industry, we took a much-needed break to the Cape. One morning, we had a wine tasting at the Van Loveren Family Vineyards in Robertson, in their beautiful garden setting, when their gran...

Through the Decades – Coffeeberry with Con Malherbe 

We are proud to celebrate a few milestones achieved by our local businesses this year. Learn more about what the decades have taught them and continue to shape them to serve our community. The Beginning The inspiration behind Coffeeberry was born when I applied to the then-Cascades landlords, Old Mutual, to take over the premises of Icy Cool, a longstanding ice cream parlour and coffee shop that had closed down. Old Mutual required a business...

Introducing Robert Howes and His Fascinating New Book, Sevens

  Robert Howes, a resident of Howick, has unveiled his eagerly anticipated debut book, Sevens: An Exploration of Human Psychological Development and Growth, a compelling work of non-fiction that delves into the intricacies of human psychology and personal evolution. This meticulously researched publication proposes an interesting speculation: that human beings are conditioned to undergo transformative psychological changes every seven years, akin to the profound metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly. Howes expertly guides readers through...

A Healer’s Journey

The Midlands community is proud of its talented members who all contribute their expertise, and one such individual is Sabelo Xaba, who has gone from strength to strength in building his practice as a Physical Therapist and finding his way as a Zulu man. Read more about how he finds meaning within healing.  Sabelo has always been a gentle soul, the peacemaker amongst his peers. “My father had a calm demeanour, there was no shouting...

Unapologetically Her

In a world that often asks women to shrink, soften, or second-guess themselves, these voices rise in quiet defiance. This is a celebration of women owning their journeys. Each answer reveals a deeply personal moment of strength, resilience, or clarity. Together, these seven women form a powerful portrait of what it means to live with courage, trust your gut, and stand tall in your truth, unapologetically. What lesson did life teach you the hard way...

Fireside Chats

The scene is set—a crackling fire with a hot toddy in hand, a chilly, but clear countryside night, and a few friends keeping the cold at bay with warm conversations and insights. Come and join us as we sit with four local men and hear about their treasured memories, dreams, and lessons. John Roff Greatest role model: I grew up a bit later than usual (and parts of me still are, I suppose). As a...