As you arrive at River Bend Farm, the river below, surrounding trees and sound of nature relax you immediately. The farm is situated on the Midlands Meander, nestled at the end of the road on a bluff overlooking the Lions River as it meanders in a horseshoe around the farm. The views overlooking the river and forests are spectacular and the country air is refreshing. We drove the car right up to our room...
The Olde Duck is a cosy restaurant run by Jeannine Bonsma, who started it 20 years ago, sold it, and then rebought it in 2014. She has partnered with her daughter, Bronwyn Penny, who bought into the business in 2020. The restaurant is situated on a quaint working dairy farm, Marlin Farm, in Underberg. Whether you are just passing through for a snack or enjoying a delicious lunch with friends or family, this is...
In a sunny Monday in Durban, I met with Ms Giulia De Lorenzi, teaching Director for Dante Languages. The new venue, located in a beautiful and secure complex in Umhlanga, is equipped with all that is needed for highly professional teaching in a comfortable learning environment. Here, more than twenty teachers are engaged in lessons. What is the current situation regarding the study of foreign languages in South Africa? What are the predictions for...
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...
Sleeping under the open sky, swimming beneath a waterfall, and forging new friendships, this experience promises both physical challenges and enduring memories. The Drakensberg is one of those places where people lose their souls, not in a negative way, but in the sense that they let go, find themselves, and tend to always return. The mountains are fortresses of solitude and it is an incredible experience exploring their vast lands. If you haven’t...
The Midlands is filled with homes that have dreamy modern interiors. Kirsty Badenhorst, an inspiring interior designer, has created one of them. She turned a dilapidated open warehouse shell into an elegant, two-storey, three-bedroom family home in Richmond, KZN, where even the smallest details were carefully thought out. She worked side-by-side with a contractor, designing everything from the spatial plan to the placement of the final decor pieces. Specialising in full turnkey solutions for...
In a first for South Africa, Volvo Cars Pietermaritzburg has re-launched with a studio-style dealership offering clients an exclusive premium luxury experience. With the dealership officially opening its doors in May 2023 at Absa House, 15 Chatterton Road, it features Scandinavian design, exuding clean and refined finishes with a space that people want to return to each time regardless of whether they are servicing their vehicle or looking for a venue to catch up...
The East Coast Radio House + Garden Show is back, and this year it promises to be a haven for craft enthusiasts and those seeking interactive DIY experiences. Crafting has come a long way from scrapbooking and papier-mâché, we have an incredible lineup of specialist crafters that will expand your imagination! With a focus on engaging activities for all, this year’s craft traders will offer a variety of hands-on experiences at their stalls. From crafts...
Referred to as a ‘first ever’ for the Collins Property Group, and possibly for any off-plan residential development in South Africa – Saturday 9 July 2022 saw the online ‘sales’ of the final phase of Emberton Estates with the R15 000 deposit for each unit being made through the online payment platform, Ozow. First-time homeowners who claimed the first unit of this final phase development were beyond elated and compared the process to a normal online...
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....