The Duncan Family

Meet a wonderful family who excels in always staying true to their health and well-being, respects the earth we live and walk on, and provides the same love and care for their community.   We don’t always feel our heartbeats every second of the day, but if we stop and concentrate we will feel that thump, thump, thump. We can say the same about the Duncan family, who have been keeping the community’s heartbeat healthy...

Re-Treat Yourself

2023 is the year to become your best self by working on your physical and mental well-being, but it’s not always so easy. Sometimes you need some guidance, and what better way to help you on your journey than by booking yourself into a retreat hosted by well-being experts?   Are You Breathing?  When was the last time you dipped your toes in a mountain stream, observed tiny creatures, or touched fine leaves? If you’re...

Happily Ever After

Weddings are special occasions and can be challenging to plan, but the end result is always worth it. We look at three couples and their advice on how they brought their dream wedding to life.   The Groves: Lorren and Michael Mandy WHEN WAS YOUR WEDDING? 30 April 2022   WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO GET MARRIED IN THE MIDLANDS? I chose the Midlands specifically because of where it is situated. We live in the...

Our Love Story

Roses are red, violets are blue, and we have something special in store for you! With Valentine’s Day around the corner, we look at four married couples from all walks of life, how they met, and how long they’ve been keeping the loving flames stoked. Whether you are single, in a relationship, engaged, married or “it’s complicated”, a little love inspiration can go a long way and we hope this will inspire you to define,...

What’s Up & Coming in 2023

With the new year underway, we thought we’d introduce a few new kids on the block, as they say. There is a bit of everything for everyone, all the way from food, beverages and event spaces to beauty and (yes, you heard it!) modelling.   Hilton is a hot spot this new year and welcomes several places, namely the Hilton Siding Centre. Although all of the tenants are new, you don’t want to miss out...

#FABSTUFF JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2023

We’ve got loads of stuff you’re going to love!   Home Artist: Khululeka Vase This is a handmade terracotta ceramic vase made from natural clay. Home Artist creates modern, African home decor products by using traditional ways, forms and concepts. The design store wants to carry on the African ways in this modern age, becoming preservers of African knowledge in art form. In their new collection, they celebrate Bantu stories by expressing and articulating a...

Big Hope for Little Hearts

A look at how a group of educators is creating change and helping children thrive through play. In Nottingham Road in April 2022, armed with strong coffee and chocolate croissants, a group of passionate educators and creators came together in answer to a worldwide funding challenge presented by The LEGO Foundation in partnership with Lever for Change. Identifying a worldwide underfunding problem in the ECD sector, this Build a World of Play Challenge – a...

A Farming Dream

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...

#FABSTUFF – NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022

We’ve got loads of stuff you’re going to love!   Crooks Apparel: Sausage Cat Hot dawg! It’s a sausage cat. This is a silly and lovable cat plush toy from Rock Paper Scissors. These characters are part of a collection of one-of-a-kind pieces, and are hand made in the Midlands. Retail price is R375. www.rockpaperscissorsshop.co.za   Safari Days: Classic Candle Celebrate the natural beauty of the African Bushveld with this classic single wick scented candle. The candles are...

Back to Our Roots: Art in The Midlands

The Platform Gallery is not shy. As you step into the unique gallery’s space, you will notice an abundance of artists and media and meet a friendly and knowledgeable curator to help you see it all. While the exterior of this must-see attraction maintains its humble roots (formerly used as a railway shed), it boasts the raw and undiluted talent that KwaZulu-Natal has to offer. Drawing solely on artists that live within two hours of...