For many Midlands locals, we have all seen the “Love Howick” and “Love Notties” signs scattered about our towns, but who is behind the name? In this article, we meet Matt Hogarty, the man, husband, father, and business owner creating change, living BIG and leaving a legacy. Growing up in the idyllic Cape Town and spending a year working in Australia, my entry point to the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands was anything but positive. I was looking...
There are tons of great businesses here! Created by savvy, smart, and caring business professionals. We take a look at what several of our local businesses offer and how they are supporting their community through their products and services. Rockingchair Photography Antoinette McDonald shares more about her business with us, “My business is primarily about storytelling. I feel like I stumbled into photography after working full-time in television production where I was writing, directing, and...
We asked five wedding businesses in the Midlands what their services are all about, just in case you need to plan a wedding! They also included some tips based on their specific offerings and expertise. Starting with Service Excellence, which is an events management company that focuses on providing staff to assist to set up and take down your events. Specialising in guest service and waiting, the company also offers a one-stop-shop when it comes...
We visited a few spots worth mentioning in Hilton, from beauty to bread, hotels, and railway stops! A unique few gems guaranteed to fulfil your needs – whether you are hungry or need a haircut! Welcome to Hilton, although it’s not a very big place, nestled between Pietermaritzburg and Howick, it still offers a large selection of things to do, see and eat! Follow us as we take you on a small tour, highlighting...
Hemyock Farm Is a quaint working farm situated in the Natal Midlands. Our name translates to “summer stream” or “river bend” which is made clear when approaching the farmhouse crossing over the beautiful 7km of the Mooi River. The charming simplistic workings of the farm and the unspoken beauty in our surroundings leave you feeling at peace and in awe. Following a two-year restoration, the old farmhouse has been returned to its prime and now...
As part of exploring the talented people right here in the Midlands, we decided to take to the skies. Well, not really, but we heard from Kelly, who is a pilot and savvy businesswoman, spreading her wings and taking to the skies, all while staying grounded throughout it all. What if I told you there is a place that’s magical, a place of peace, where you don’t look over your shoulder or lock your doors....
We look to the intricacies of Sugarcane Farming in the Midlands for this edition’s Farming Feature and just how a husband-and-wife team makes a huge difference in achieving business success. And did we mention they produce their own handcrafted rum? Words by: Brad and Marisa O’Neill, & edited by Nick Nel. Photos: Marisa O’Neill Brad and Marisa O’ Neill proudly share their little slice of Mkhuzane magic, Seafield Farm, with us. Seafield, ensconced in the...
Looking and feeling wonderful this spring is easy with the help of these health and beauty experts! Renée’s Health Shop The Health Nut was established in 2006 by Renée Mitchell when she relocated to Howick. What began as a tiny health store with a small range of whole foods, herbal teas and some tinctures, gradually evolved into a fully-fledged health shop over a period of 12 years. “When the St John’s Lifestyle Centre was...
These local businesses and talented people make some truly beautiful products right here in the Midlands. The Green Needle Where does The Green Needle and I intersect? The answer to the obvious question has determined the journey I find myself ‘meandering’ along. The Green Needle provides a range of beautiful, handmade, zero-waste products, forming part of the global zero-waste movement as they serve to replace modern-day disposable products. It was while sitting around...
In the beautiful Karkloof Valley, the sun rises through the frosty mist to bathe the morning in golden light. To the backdrop of the magnificent Loskop Mountain, a feed mill starts up for the day with a bustle of activity… glorious green lucerne waits to be offloaded, a hum of machinery comes from the mill and above it all, the delicious scent of freshly milled horse feed hangs in the air. This is the...