How often do you visit Hillcrest? It’s kind of an in-between area – a middle place if you will – and is often overshadowed by other spots around the KZN countryside and coastlines. It’s time to give this area some love and share a few great places that you must visit during your next Hillcrest trip! Before we do anything, let’s start with food. Shongweni Farmers & Craft Market’s main attraction is their incredible...
Life in St John’s Village Lifestyle & Retirement Country Estate, with its slow pace, friendly community and natural beauty, offers all the charm and appeal of an idyllic KZN Midlands way of life. The farm-like environment, lush green spaces, clean air and scenic vistas backdrop this peaceful sanctuary. Cycling trails, three dams, communal allotment gardens and a host of indoor and outdoor activities enhance this easy country lifestyle. Adults enjoy weekend walks or cycle...
We look at how the Wood family went from owning a cow in their garden Essenwood Farm. I wake like clockwork, at 4:30 each morning, and head off to milk my precious small herd of Jersey cows on Essenwood Farm in Curry’s Post, KwaZulu-Natal. Chewing cuds, peaceful and content, they lift their heads, gently and quietly, and moo a welcome to me as I approach my humble milking parlour. It is a very special time...
Boston, Dargle and Impendle have an incredible Community Tourism Organisation which was formed back in 2018 by owners and managers of a myriad of bed and breakfasts, cottages, hotels and farms partnering with the Impendle Municipality that now helps promote awareness to this spectacular part of The Midlands. If you are a tourist or local there is a wide variety of activities and establishments in the area that will cater to your needs and allow...
We are given an insider’s peek into what the life of a Weston learner looks like and how this agricultural school actively prepares the boys for their future studies or careers. Set in the beautiful KwaZulu-Natal Midlands is a high school like no other. The road leading to this unique agricultural school, which was built more than a century ago, is lined with established trees and welcomes aspiring young agriculturalists. Weston Agricultural College promises to...
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...
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...
If you have ever had the pleasure of visiting Hartford House Hotel and Summerhill Equestrian, you will understand what a spectacular place it is. Recently, the farm was bought by renowned farmer and horseman Henning Pretorius. Those in the equestrian world might know Henning as the owner of Capital Stud, who produces some of the best warmblood horses in Africa. His purchasing of Hartford and the stud is something incredibly exciting and, as Mick Goss...
Whether you’re planning a wedding, birthday party, corporate event or anything in between, these local catering companies are ready to provide delicious food and great service! Capitol Caterers Founded in July 1992 by Giles King, Capitol Caterers has grown from a startup of four contracts in the Eastern Cape to one of the leading contract catering service providers to the education, health care, retirement and commercial sectors, servicing over 100 contracts and employing in...