INTRA MUROS - THE FIRST LADIES'' GOLF EVENT FOR 2021 UPGRADES TO ESTATE SECURITY CREATE YOUR OWN BOG GARDEN
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INTRAMUROS E ST AT E N EW S | E NV I R O N M E NT | S P O RT | T R AV E L | F A M I LY L I F E THE FIRST LADIES’` GOLF EVENT FOR 2021 UPGRADES TO ESTATE SECURITY CREATE YOUR OWN BOG GARDEN March 2021
SI LVER LAKES
GOLF ESTATE Linda Bodenstein
082 567 7963 082 567 7963
ESTATE AGENTS www.lindabodenstein.co.za
SILVER LAKES ON THE GOLF COURSE!!! THE ULTIMATE LOCK-UP AND GO!!!
Web Ref: 1410929 EXCLUSIVE MANDATE!!
R7 700 000
FAERIE GLEN NEWLY RENOVATED IN RUIMTESIG RETIREMENT VILLAGE!!
Web Ref: 1329303 RETIREMENT VILLAGE!!
R2 415 000
TOUGH TIMES NEVER LAST, BUT TOUGH PEOPLE DO….. OUR PHONE LINES ARE STILL OPEN
FOR ALL YOUR PROPERTY RELATED QUERIES. FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US AT ANY TIME.
VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.lindabodenstein.co.za
FOR A VARIETY OF PROPERTIES. CLICK OR CALL.WE DO IT ALL!
CONTENTS
ESTATE NEWS TODAY’S CHILD
Message from the CEO 2 Growing up in a Digital Era 17
Cover Photo by Douw Vermaak
Security on the Estate 4 Nicoleen Davies: Telegram
News from the Operations Team 8 – the new porn hub? 18 MOTORING
The Valentine’s Day Ladies’ Golf Event 10 Toyota Hilux 2.8 GD-6 Double Cab 4X4 35
NATURE Legend RS
LIFESTYLE Can Corky Read Your Mind? 26
Gardening: Create your own Bog Garden 12
HUMOUR
Photography 101: Should I Edit? 14 HOME FRONT James Clarke: The Mighty Apies 37
Easter Treats and Recipes 20 Top 5 Tips and Trends for a
Easter Egg Decorating 23 Beautiful Bathroom in 2021 32 CLASSIFIEDS 39
Restaurant Competition 25
SILVER LAKES CONTRIBUTORS EIA PUBLISHING OFFICE Tel: 011 327 4062 - www.eiapublishing.co.za
27 Muirfield Boulevard, Silver Lakes HOA Albert Roos PUBLISHER Nico Maritz - nico@eiapublishing.co.za
Silver Lakes, 0081 Silver Lakes Directors Elize Malan GRAPHIC DESIGNER Christo van Eeden - beyond@bdstudio.co.za
PO Box 11106 Henk Booysen Nicoleen Davies SALES MANAGER Martin Fourie - 072 835 8405 - martin@eiapublishing.co.za
Silver Lakes 0054 Debbie Viljoen Corneli Oosthuizen ADVERTISING SALES Gerdie Murphy - 082 556 9863 - gerdie@eiapublishing.co.za
Tel: +27 12 809 0142 Hennie du Plessis Shannon Beekman PRODUCTION CO-ORDINATOR & ASSISTANT EDITOR
Chantal le Roux Alan Rosenmeyer Nicole Hermanson - nicoleh@nowmedia.co.za
Nienke Moolman James Clarke
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
REASON TO BE HOPEFUL reunited with their friends. For the
country in general, we can hopefully
of dolphins to communicate with each
other and with humans. They are such
look forward to small economic delightful creatures and often look as if
It feels as if the tide is turning, finally. improvements, with restaurants they have smiles on their faces!
Schools have re-opened and the Covid being able to stay open longer, five
infection rate has dropped enough, international airports now operating Enjoy the read, continue to be safe and
signalling an end to the second wave. and gatherings being permitted, subject when your turn comes, don’t hesitate –
Also, the vaccination roll-out has begun to the given restrictions. vaccinate! It’s the only hope we have for
and is progressing well. It was a relief to South Africa and the world to be free of
hear President Ramaphosa announce a Let’s continue to be careful though, wear this virus.
move to Alert Level 1. our masks and observe all the health
protocols - they are still in place and this Regards
It must be a huge load off the shoulders is no time to throw caution to the wind!
of parents who have had to undertake Nicole Hermanson
home schooling for so long and no Take a look at James Clarke’s wonderful Editor
doubt, children will be happy to be article in this issue, describing the ability
DISCLAIMER
Intra Muros is a monthly magazine of the Silver Lakes Homeowners’ Association (NPC). It is intended for the residents of Silver Lakes. It is published on behalf of the SL HOA by Estates in Africa (Pty) Ltd. Articles
printed in the Intra Muros, do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the SL HOA or the Estate, the publisher, nor of the companies themselves. Neither the SL HOA, nor the publishers can be held responsible for
the quality of the goods and services advertised in the Intra Muros. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form without prior written permission of the
publisher.
ESTATE NEWS
MESSAGE FROM THE CEO
W
ell, January brought with it Committee and it appears that they will be approval at the upcoming AGM. Once they
three weeks of rain, which had finding their home on a semi-permanent have been approved the HOA will embark
me wondering if I had been basis, on the golf course; provided their on an awareness campaign to advise
teleported to the United Kingdom without presence does not result in damage to our members about the changes. These
my knowledge. Love it, or not so much, and the course. The committees will closely changes will also be noted in the pack
despite some damage to the estate, the monitor their behaviour and this decision which will be distributed to all members
rain was needed, and the course and the may be reversed if need be. for the CGM/AGM.
gardens are showing their appreciation.
A neighbouring estate made an exchange The date for the CGM and AGM will have
Intra Muros Magazine of our Waterbuck bull for one of theirs to been finalised by the time you read this
The Intra Muros will be shared with ensure a healthy gene pool amongst our article, and formally announced to the
members in an electronic format for the game. members. This meeting will not be a
next year, with a limited number of printed normal meeting in which members attend
copies available at either the clubhouse The Hornwort (Aquatic weed) which occurs in person, but will be a virtual meeting,
or the management centre. Members in most of our dams remains a challenge. details of which will be communicated to
who cannot access the electronic format We have considered various options, our members in due course.
or prefer the printed version may collect including manual removal, mechanical
a copy at the reception area of either of removal, chemicals, as well as the Architectural
the aforementioned facilities. The printed introduction of grass carp, in an attempt to Members are reminded that any outside
version will once again be available to all in eradicate the weed. Meetings have been changes to a property, including
approximately 12 months from now, once held with Dr Dave Pepler, as well as the cantilevers, roof structures, carports
the printing industry has had a chance to Department of Environmental Affairs and and the like, need to be formally tabled
recover from the impact that the Covid Sanitation to find a mutual short, medium with the Architectural and Aesthetics
pandemic has had on it. and long-term solution, which will be Committee for approval before
acceptable to the Department and in the construction commences. Please make
Security App best interests of Silver Lakes. This problem 100% sure with the HOA before taking
The Security App has a specific function will not go away easily, specifically with the the advice of a contractor that it is not a
which allows you to send an SOS. Should inflow of effluent following heavy rainfall. requirement. Some members have been
you find yourself in an emergency, either We will keep our members apprised of issued penalties for this transgression and
inside or outside of the estate, you can the situation and ensure them in the / or have had to remove either the whole
press the SOS button which will put you in meantime that the matter will receive our structure or part thereof to comply with
direct contact with the control room. We utmost attention, with all options being our rules.
encourage our members to use this as a considered.
‘value added’ service for your benefit. We wish to thank the majority of our
CGM and AGM members who really work well with the
Environment We would like to thank the members committee, and encourage any contact
You may be aware of the four springbuck who have submitted suggested changes/ with the HOA if unsure of approvals.
that have continually found their way additions to the MOI, Rules, and the
to the golf course by jumping the cattle Architectural and Construction Rules. The HOA has addressed certain
grid at the entrance to Phase 3. This All the input has been considered by the transgressions systematically by starting
matter has been discussed with both the board, some of which has been included with the 79 concrete balls that were
Environmental Committee and the Golf in the draft documents to be tabled for on the verges – these have now been
02 INTRA MUROS MARCH 2021
ESTATE NEWS
addressed. The next phase will deal with area at the clubhouse, where the old registration and no further forms need to
transgressions onto the common property playground equipment is being removed be completed. This is a further step taken
of the HOA in the game reserve. A detailed and replaced with brand new, modern, to reduce the risk of the spread of the virus.
inspection has been carried out and playground equipment.
various properties identified with either
illegal structures that were erected, or We are also introducing an outdoor gym Should you have any queries about any
gardens that were extended to create the for use by our members. The specific matter on the Estate, please feel free to
impression of an enlarged garden. These location will be announced in due course. contact Leandré Mervis, our Resident Liaison
members have received individual letters Officer at the HOA at info@silverlakes.co.za,
to address the situation. We wish to thank who will assist you with your query or put
all members who have received these COVID-19 you in touch with the right person.
letters and are addressing the challenges. It appears that Covid-19 will remain with
In some cases, members have already us for the foreseeable future and we wish
started breaking down illegal structures to thank our members for their patience
and we look forward to systematically and co-operation on the estate.
having all properties in the game reserve
complying with our rules. The enrolment system at the security
access office has been split between the
Tree houses are also being addressed as clubhouse and the management centre,
these are not allowed on the estate in where lease agreements, gardeners and
terms of our rules. domestic workers are addressed at the
chapel, at the clubhouse; while contractors
Members will be advised, in due course, will be assisted at the management centre.
of the next phase of transgressions to be This is to reduce the risk of the spread of
addressed to enable our members to be the virus.
proactive in rectifying their transgressions
and complying with the rules. We thank Members are encouraged to use the
our members for their co-operation in this HDML forms on the website and complete
regard. them ahead of registering their domestic
workers or gardeners. Once this form Kind regards
Clubs is completed, an automatic email is HENK BOOYSEN
We are excited to announce that generated and sent to the access office, Chief Executive Officer
construction has begun at the playground which means you only need to arrive for Silver Lakes Golf and Wildlife Estate
IMPORTANT CONTACT NUMBERS
HOA OFFICE EMERGENCY NUMBERS SECURITY CLUBHOUSE
Office hours: Security Control Room (24 hours) Security Control Room (24 hours) Clubhouse 012 809 0281
Monday to Friday 012 809 0424/5 012 809 0424/5
08:00 until 16:30 Boschkop Police 012 802 1087/4 Café 41 012 809 1571
012 809 0142 Netcare 911 082 911 Bidvest Protea Coin Security
info@silverlakes.co.za From 18:00 to 06:00, weekdays Takeaways
Fire Brigade 10111 24 hours Sat, Sun and public holidays 012 809 0431 / 012 809 1484
WhatsApp Number Power Failure 012 339 9111 072 615 5862
081 848 2787
City of Tshwane Call Centre GOLF
Security access office: 012 358 9999
Pro Shop 012 809 0430
Hours as above
Water leaks: waterleaks@tshwane.gov.za
Including first Saturday of every
Street lights: streetlights@tshwane.gov.za
month from 08:00 until 11:00
ESTATE NEWS
SECURITY ON THE ESTATE
Backup power to our electric fence and
cameras.
We went out on tender to install backup
power to our electric fence and cameras
on the perimeter fence in case of any
Eskom power failure. The successful
contractor has been appointed and the
project is underway.
Traffic calming devices.
Apart from the electronic traffic calming
devices that have been installed a number
of years ago, we have now also obtained a
handheld Truvelo Falcon H/R radar speed
trapping device. This device is properly
calibrated and issued with the applicable
calibration certificate and all operators of
the device have been trained and issued
with an operator’s certificate.
The speed limit is 40km/h in
Gleneagles Drive, Muirfield
Boulevard and Pebble Beach
Drive. exacerbated due to the rain and heavy
branches. Kindly assist by cutting back
All other roads including the overgrown vegetation.
game reserve is 30km/h.
REMEMBER, SECURITY STARTS AT HOME.
Vegetation on our perimeter electric
fence
We are experiencing an increased
number of false alarms due to overgrown
vegetation that is touching the electric
Hennie du Plessis
fences and compromises the integrity of
Security Manager
our electric perimeter fence. This has been
04 INTRA MUROS MARCH 2021
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ESTATE NEWS
FROM THE OPERATIONS TEAM
O
ur estate, game reserve and golf
course are unmistakably beautiful, Road in the game reserve covered with Mud road in the game reserve
lush and green, after the rains in building rubble to be compacted
January. I am sure many of you were also
glad to see the sun shine again. The record
rain falls in January kept our operations
team busy with lots of repair work required
due to the heavy rain and floods.
A big thank you to them for continuing to
ensure that we can enjoy our estate to the
fullest.
The road through the game reserve was impaired by water damage; and
potholes needed to be filled with building rubble and compacted to
restore the surface.
The reeds that were washed down
into the dams with all the floods are
being cut by hand. Whilst this is a more
time-consuming and labour-intensive
approach, we have found that using Some of the jungle gyms in the big play park at the clubhouse were
sickles is the most effective. relocated to other smaller play areas on the estate to make space for new
equipment at the clubhouse play area.
Our Waterbuck bull was darted and moved We also rescued this beautiful baby All the walking trails in the
to Waterlake Farm while we received their Blesbok and he is now back safely with his game reserve were cleaned,
beautiful bull in return. This was done to herd. debris removed and the
create a diverse gene pool at the Silver grass, as well as some of the
Lakes Game Reserve. Thank you, Dr Douw trees, were cut.
and his team, for assisting us with this.
08 INTRA MUROS MARCH 2021ESTATE NEWS
SILVER LAKES
LADIES’ GOLF DIVISION
T
he year 2021 started off very
cautiously for the ladies, as well all
the golfers. It is very strange to play
a round of golf and immediately return
home without a drink or a prize-giving.
However, we are extremely thankful that
we CAN play!
We haven't had many events due to
Covid-19 but we couldn't let Valentine's
Day pass without the traditional red and
white competition celebration. This event
took place during the Ladies’ Tuesday Golf.
They are a very active group of ladies of all would do. When Alida saw the weather was
ages and abilities and all lady golfers are going to play along, she jumped in and at
welcome to join the fun. very short notice organised the day. The
competition format was interesting: Better
On Tuesday 9 February 2021 we had our Ball Squared (so the Better Ball score of the
first Ladies’ Event: Valentine's Day. We two players gets squared). For example, a
had 9 x 4 balls of ladies participating, all 3 pointer becomes 9 points and a 4 pointer
of them wearing red and white. Alida obviously 16!
Kromhout organised a wonderful, fun day
for the ladies and we were spoilt rotten. After the golf we had a small function
Due to the rain we've been having these with four ladies per table (beautifully
past few weeks, it was not easy planning decorated) and the most wonderful
a golf day, not knowing what the weather chicken wings and chips for snacks, as well
10 INTRA MUROS MARCH 2021ESTATE NEWS
as some sparkling wine to top it off. Thank
you, Gawain, Luviyo and the team from
Fairways for the delicious platters.
The winners of the day were Kate and
Alida with 117 points. Second place was
Bernice and Salomé with 111 and in third
place Ané and Tanja on 102 points; while
fourth was Delene and Marna on 94 and
fifth was Griet and Arina on 93 points. Well
done to all the winners!
Thank you once again Alida, for the
enjoyable, well-organised day.
Any ladies who would like to join the
Tuesday Ladies’ for some fun, relaxing golf
are more than welcome. It will change
your life!
We would also like to take this opportunity
to congratulate Larissa du Preez who won
the 2021 Eastern Province and Border
Championship, played on 6 - 7 February in
PE. Well done Larissa, we are all very proud
of you.
Chantal le Roux
Ladies’ Captain
INTRA MUROS MARCH 2021 11GARDENING
BOGByGARDENS
Elize Malan
W
e had an excessive amount of rain
during January and our summer
rainfall could still escalate.
A high rainfall during a short period of time
can cause flooding. The soil is saturated,
the tanks for harvesting rainwater
overflow and a perfect garden turns into
a squishy mess.
A wet corner in a garden could become
a perfect bog or wetland garden. This is
not a proper water garden with a pond
that needs a lining and has to be planted
with water plants. Bog gardens are wildlife
friendly and good for the environment;
and it is possible to maintain a wetland
garden by using mostly the overflow from
rainwater harvesting.
A slight slope is sufficient and rainwater
can be directed from roof downpipes
into a depression to form a shallow pond. Kniphofia praecox
This will have to be the lowest area on the
soil, but need consistent moisture. A drip • Juncus effusus (Common Rush) - Clump
property, so all run-off water can collect
irrigation system can be installed for times forming. Frost resistant. Will grow
there. At certain times some water will
when no rainwater is available. to 70cm. It can be planted in sun or
be visible, but it will not be saturated
semi-shade to form a striking vertical
throughout the year. Plants in a bog garden The area should receive at least five addition.
will not tolerate permanently waterlogged hours of sunlight a day. A wide variety • Kniphofia praecox (Red-hot Poker)
shade loving plants will tolerate full sun if - Evergreen, frost resistant and fast
sufficient moisture is available. growing. Prefers a sunny position to
flower.
Plants that will thrive in a bog garden. • Leucosidea sericea (Ouhout) - Small
• Cyperus papyrus (Papyrus) - Fast (4m) evergreen tree, frost resistant and
growing, evergreen sedge. Frost fast growing. Ideal to protect less frost
damage will regrow soon and the plant hardy plants in winter.
prefers full sun. • Rumohra adiantiformis (Knysna Fern) -
• Cyperus prolifer (Dwarf Papyrus) - Attractive foliage for a shady spot.
Medium sized groundcover. Prefers • Adiantum capillus-veneris (Maidenhair
full sun and is ideal for small wetland Fern) - Frost tender, evergreen
gardens. groundcover, shade or semi-shade.
• Dietes grandiflora (Large Wild Iris) - • Typha capensis (Bullrush) - Deciduous,
Evergreen, frost resistant and will grow frost resistant, fast growing to about 2m
in sun or shade. tall.
• Chondropetalum tectorum (Cape • Zantedeschia aethiopica (White Arum
thatching reed) - Evergreen, frost Lily) - Evergreen, fast growing in shade
resistant and fast growing in sun or or semi-shade.
semi-shade.
• Aristea major (Tall Aristea) - Evergreen The above are all indigenous to South
perennial (1.5m), frost resistant and will Africa and are available at nurseries/
grow in sun or semi-shade. garden centres. Although some are water-
• Falckia repens (White Carpet) - Small, wise, the ideal growing conditions will be
fast growing, evergreen groundcover very moist soil.
and will grow in sun or shade. Tel: 012 804 1807
• Hypericum revolutum (Curry Bush) - Fax: 012 804 0278
Shrub or small tree (3m), evergreen and Web: www.garden-group.co.za
fast-growing. Ideal for use as an informal E-mail: admin@garden-group.co.za
hedge.
• Ilex mitis (Cape Holly) - Medium sized,
evergreen tree. Fast growing and frost
resistant. Non-aggressive root system.
Photos supplied by: Carol Knoll
Cyperus prolifer informal pond
12 INTRA MUROS MARCH 2021011 256 3000 www.elliott.co.za
CHESS
CLUB SILVER LAKES
OFFICE PARK 2
(Next to Hans Strydom Entrance)
Von Backstrom Blvd, Silver Lakes
R80 per m 2
Come play chess at the Silver Lakes Chess Club every Areyouabirdenthusiastorwouldliketolearnmoreaboutbirds?
Wednesday at the Clubhouse, 18:00-20:00 in the Parkview Room. Joinusforameetandgreetsessiontodiscusstheneedsand
preferences of the bird club for the year ahead.
Chess club meetings are open to all ages and levels Owner/Eienaar:
083 272 3931/082 783 7624
*We operate under strict COVID procedures
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Leah: 083 626 9695 or Karin: 062 930 3506
CHESS CLUB 2021.indd 1 2021/02/15 10:58:45LIFESTYLE
Elephant Bull
PHOTOGRAPHY 101
SHOULD I EDIT?
By Albert Roos
To each his own
There is no doubt that some people will
agree with this statement, while others
may not be inclined to. Editing, as with
photography, is subjective and open to
each persons’ personal preferences.
To give you an example, both my father
and I have been taking photographs for
many years. We both use the same brand
of cameras and lenses. We have been out in
the field in the same vehicle taking photos
of the same animal. But if you look at the
end result of our individual photos, you
will see the same animal, but with different
compositions and different settings. This
carries through to post-production after
editing.
Editing, therefore, is a complicated topic
to write about and, in fact, to cover it
comprehensively I could write books
about the topic. This article will cover
the advantages of having an editing
programme like Adobe Lightroom cc.
White Rhino Cow and Calf
14 INTRA MUROS MARCH 2021LIFESTYLE
Buffalo Bull
With today’s DSLR and mirrorless cameras Advantages of Lightroom: • Lightroom users can apply preset edits
we need to store our photos digitally • Lightroom cc allows you to create across a range of photos all at the same
on our computers or external drives. various catalogues where you can save time.
Making use of an editing programme your photos. For instance, you might • Many photographers begin the editing
such as Lightroom cc can help with filing create one for your work and then a process with Lightroom, because it
our photos in an organised manner. It is separate catalogue for your private use. excels at handling large numbers of
important that we do it correctly from • You can rate your photos when photos, so you can get more work done
the start. (This will be covered in a future importing. more quickly.
article). • By making use of keywords, you can find • You can export your partially edited
and access your photos more easily. photo to Photoshop to process it even
further. Then you can bring it back into
Lightroom retaining all the changes you
have made and file your photo in the
catalogue.
• This can be used at a monthly
subscription of $9.99, and it includes
Photoshop and some other adobe
products as well.
These are some of the reasons that I prefer
to use Lightroom cc. In the next article
we will cover “Creating your Catalog” and
“Importing Photos into Lightroom”.
As to the question: “Should I edit?”
Well, that is entirely up to you. I believe
that editing is an important part of
photography. It helps us to express our
own unique take on what we see and
what we want to express. The same as any
sculptor or painter would do.
You can tell a story with just one
photograph.
Female Leopard
INTRA MUROS MARCH 2021 15BACK TO SCHOOL
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16 INTRA MUROS MARCH 2021TODAY'S CHILD
GROWING UP IN A DIGITAL ERA
By Corneli Oosthuizen, Educational Psychologist
O
ur children are growing up in the 3. Impact of psychological health standard of behaviour for our children
age of the internet and everything It has been argued that excessive screen regarding screen time. Behaviours include
it brings with it, such as social time displaces important protective showing them that we are more interested
media, online gaming and access to much behaviours for mental health such in what is happening in their lives than on
information. Screen time is described as as physical activity, getting enough Facebook or Instagram. Teach your kids
the amount of time your child spends sleep, face-to-face social interactions about digital etiquette and warn them
using a device that has a screen such as and academic activities. A lack of these about privacy issues. Create screen-free
a TV, computer, games console, tablet activities is linked to an increase in zones such as the bedroom or the dinner
or smartphone. Screens are a part of our anxiety and depression in children and table. Have conversations with your child
lives and we cannot keep our children adolescents. about what they have read on social media
from using them. Reasonable screen or the games they are playing online.
time can be beneficial for children and How can we keep our children safe and Remind your child that a smartphone is a
adolescents. It may assist them with healthy? privilege and not a right and do random
opportunities to enhance their existing As parents, we need to set a certain spot checks on their phones.
relationships, forge new connections,
engage in safe identity exploration, aid in
academic pursuits and provide access to
information about the world beyond their
immediate surroundings. Unfortunately,
when screen time becomes excessive, it
can be hazardous for a child’s physical and
mental health. According to the American
Academy of Paediatrics, caregivers should
limit screen time for teenagers to one and
a half to two hours every day. The realities
of screen use in adolescents tell a very
different story, and research found that
they spend an average of 8 to 10 hours
on their screens for recreational purposes.
The dangers of too much screen time
are myriad and may include some of the
following:
1. Screen time addiction
One of the most severe dangers of too
much screen time is that it can become
an addiction. Research has found that
electronic gaming activates the same
brain area as addictive drugs such as
cocaine. Signs of addiction in children can
include the need to have more and more
screen time, a lack of interest in other
activities, withdrawal symptoms like being
distressed if they are separated from their
device or battling to think of anything
besides their device.
2. Impact on cognitive development
Too much screen time at a young age can
lead to delays in language development.
It is recommended that children under
the age of two years should not use
screens at all. Another area of cognitive
development linked to early and excessive
screen exposure is levels of concentration.
An excessive amount of screen time
preconditions a child’s mind to expect
high levels of stimulation, which leads to
difficulties with concentration span and
an increase in the diagnosis of Attention
Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
INTRA MUROS MARCH 2021 17TODAY'S CHILD
TELEGRAM – THE NEW PORN HUB?
By Nicoleen Davies, Director Life Talk Forum
W
e are all aware of the recent issues
around WhatApps’ mandatory
new privacy policy terms, which
left people nervous and scrambling to
move away to other chat platforms such
as Signal and Telegram. The main issues
at play are a lack of trust in Facebook and
the fact that if users didn’t accept the new
terms, they would no longer be able to use
the service.
Facebook, which purchased WhatsApp,
has a poor track record when it comes to
managing data and thereby consumer
interests. The intention of the new terms
was to allow WhatsApp to generate
revenue by allowing commercial
exchanges on the app and allowing users
to message a business. The terms would
not affect personal conversations which
would remain encrypted. They also claim
that it would not expand their ability to
share data with Facebook.
within a geographical area. Scammers • Google parental control apps. A
But the consumer backlash was immense, often spoof their location to cash in on suggested article is: https://www.
with millions of people downloading such groups and then peddle fake bitcoin tomsguide.com/us/best-parental-
other apps. On the 18th of January, investments, hacking tools, stolen security control-apps,review-2258.html
1, 5 million people downloaded Signal and numbers and other scams.” • Talk to your children and educate them
they boasted 17, 8 million downloads in about the potential dangers; and, more
the first week of January. Telegram had Sexually suggestive stickers specifically the issue of people not
15, 7 million downloads in the same But, there’s more! I have seen for myself known to them who may try to interact
period. the sticker options freely available on with them.
the app. They are entirely inappropriate • Remind your children that the best
Telegram – “People Nearby” feature for younger children, being sexually protection they have, is themselves.
warning suggestive and, honestly, leaving nothing They can keep themselves safe.
With the focus on new platforms, issues to the imagination. Once seen, cannot be • Periodically, check their phones to
came to light about the potential exposure unseen. Personally, I wouldn’t want those ensure that they are continuing to be
of children to inappropriate material. images imbedded in my child’s mind. safe.
Emma Sadlier, a social media law specialist What to do
has been warning parents of the Telegram If your child has downloaded Telegram
feature “People Nearby”, which can easily and you are still comfortable for him/her
expose young users to pornography. She to continue to use the app then:
posted on Twitter:
• Ensure their location is turned off. BUT,
“URGENT URGENT!!!... If your child has turning off location settings is not
downloaded Telegram, please make enough as they can easily be turned
absolutely sure the location is turned off back on. Emma suggests... “you need
and that they cannot turn it back on. There to make sure that there is a parental About Life Talk® Forum
is a “People Nearby” feature which allows control function that either stops them Our mission is to create happy, successful
you to see nearby groups (without joining) from turning the location on and off – and fulfilled youth, guided by sound
and with the most horrific pornography or if you have decided they should not values. Life Talk is a non-profit organisation
etc.” be on Telegram, to ban them from the dedicated to raising awareness and
platform.” seeking solutions to the challenges faced
According to Gadgetsnow.com, hackers • To access the location setting, follow the by parents and their children.
can use this feature to extract your exact prompts below:
location. If there is a stalker out there, your • go into "settings" on your phone; LIFE TALK® FORUM NPC
child could be at risk! • go to "privacy and location"; REG: 2010/017980/08
• in "permission manager", you are PBO # 930 036317
A report compiled by ArsTechnia states: allowed to turn off your location
” Telegram lets users create local groups settings for each app.
Other sources
https://www.moneyweb.co.za/news/tech/whatsapp-retreats-after-user-backlash-delays-mandatory-new-terms/
https://www.inc.com/jason-aten/how-signal-became-most-popular-app-in-world-overnight-why-it-matters.html
https://apnews.com/article/apple-inc-media-social-media-844c00e28ea7f73e6d1f5fa002f60f6a
https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/sci-tech/2021-01-12-porn-exposure-warning-with-telegram-location-setting/
18 INTRA MUROS MARCH 2021EASTER TREATS
We know bunnies don’t lay eggs, but Easter Eggs and Easter
Bunnies always make Easter extra special. Here are some super
reci pes for you to try out this Easter.
FAMILY FUN WITH CUPCAKES
Baked and decorated by Shannon Beekman
Tip
Pre-boxed cupcake mixes are
a great option here as they
include a convenient list of all the
additional ingredients you will
Gather your ingredients and need, and they often include a
packet of icing mix as well.
measure out what you need
Plus, they’re quick and super easy • While the cupcakes are cooling, prepare
before you start. your icing as per the instructions on the
to make with the kids.
packaging.
• Pre-heat the oven and place paper
• Once the icing is ready, add a few drops
cupcake cups in a cupcake or muffin
of green food colouring and mix it into
tray ready for your cupcake batter.
the icing to give it a grass colour.
• Once the oven has warmed to the
correct temperature, place the tray in
• Mix your ingredients together for the the oven.
cupcakes as per the instructions on the • Allow the cupcakes to bake for the
packaging. allotted time shown on the packaging.
• Spoon the cupcake batter evenly into • Take the pan out of the oven and place it
the cupcake cups, to about halfway up. on a cooling tray.
20 INTRA MUROS MARCH 2021EASTER TREATS
Tip
Gel food colours work best as they will not
DECORATING thin out the icing. If you are using liquid
• Fill a piping bag with the green icing. * food colouring, avoid using too much as
• Use a grass tip (Wilton 233) to pipe your grass onto the cupcakes. * this will make your icing runny. If it does
• Decorate your cupcakes with mini eggs, chocolate bunnies and flowers. become runny, you can add more icing
• Let your imagination run wild and have fun with it – the kids will love it! sugar to the mix to thicken it up, but this
will make it much sweeter.
* If you do not have a piping bag or a grass tip, here are some alternatives to get a grass effect:
• Spread the icing on the cupcakes with • Spread the icing on the cupcakes with • Colour some desiccated coconut with
a knife. Then, using the back of a spoon, a fork, spiking it up to look like grass as green food colouring and lay it out on
swirl the icing until it starts to look like you go along. a plate to dry. Spread the icing on the
grass. cupcakes with a knife and once the
desiccated coconut is dry, you can
either sprinkle it over the cupcakes or
turn the cupcakes over onto the plate,
lightly pressing down to ensure enough
coconut sticks to the icing to give you
the grass effect.
INTRA MUROS MARCH 2021 21EASTER TREATS
EASTER
BUNNY
BISCUITS
If you’re worried about
chocolate overload at
Easter, these cute little
bunny biscuits are just
what you need.
Preparation: 1 hour
Makes about 30 biscuits, depending on
the size of the cookie cutter you use.
INGREDIENTS
For the biscuit dough
• 200g softened butter METHOD Place the bunnies on the prepared baking
• 150g caster sugar Preheat the oven to 180°C. Lightly grease trays and bake in the preheated oven for
• 2 large free range egg yolks two baking trays and line with baking 10 - 15 minutes. Remove from the oven
• 400g plain flour paper. and, using an egg-lifter, lift the biscuits on
• 1 level teaspoon mixed spice to a wire rack to cool.
• 1 level teaspoon ground cinnamon Measure the butter and sugar into a bowl
• 2 - 4 tablespoons of milk and beat together until light and fluffy. To make the icing, whisk the egg white and
Beat in the egg yolks. Sieve in the flour and lemon juice together in a bowl. Gradually
For the icing spices and add enough milk to give a fairly add icing sugar, whisking constantly. You
soft dough. Using your hands, knead the are aiming for a mixture that looks like
• 1 ½ cups pure icing sugar, sifted ingredients together on a lightly floured thick whipped cream with soft peaks. This
• 1 egg white work surface until they form the dough. is the best consistency for piping.
• ½ teaspoon lemon juice
• Food colouring if desired Roll out to a thickness of 5mm. Cut out the If using food colouring, divide the icing
bunnies using bunny-shaped cutters. into separate bowls and mix in food
colouring of your choice until you achieve
the correct shade.
Spoon a little icing into a piping bag and
pipe your decorations on the biscuits. If
you want to fill in an area with icing, you
should outline with the piping bag first,
allow to dry for a few minutes and then
flood the biscuit with softer icing. To do
this, add a little extra water, a few drops at
a time, but make sure it is not so runny that
it doesn’t keep its shape.
When filling in shapes, start from the
outside and work towards the middle,
being careful not to put too much icing
on the biscuits. If air bubbles appear,
prick them with a pin. Let the cookies
dry overnight and then add any other
decorations, such as sprinkles, the next
day.
22 INTRA MUROS MARCH 2021EASTER CRAFTS
EASTER EGG
DECORATING
Why not make your own Easter eggs from
real eggs this Easter?
Hand-decorated eggs look lovely perched
on a mantel piece or coffee table and make a
great art project to keep the kids entertained
while getting their creative juices flowing.
Get cracking . . . but not literally! The first task
is to get all the yolks and egg white out of the
eggs without breaking the shell. The empty
shells are sometimes called ‘blown out’ eggs,
because the contents of the egg can be
removed by blowing air through two holes,
one on each side.
You will need:
Eggs
A tack, pin or safety pin
A cocktail stick
Two bowls
Art supplies: glue, glitter, paint, cotton wool or any other
decorations you may want to use to decorate your eggs.
What to do:
• Gently but firmly push the tack or pin through the pointy
end of the egg shell to make a small hole.
• Now push the tack/pin through the other end of the egg.
Try to make the hole at the base (the wider end) of the egg
slightly larger. Take a cocktail stick and carefully insert it
through the hole.
• Push the cocktail stick into the egg. Swirl the stick around
in order to break up the yolk. Then remove the stick. The
cocktail stick helps to make the holes a little bigger and
easier for the yolk and white to be removed.
• Place your mouth over the smaller hole and blow (this
can take a little effort!!) and the insides should come out
through the other end and into your bowl (perfect for
scrambled eggs, French toast or baking later).
• Run water through the egg and blow any excess water out.
• Leave to drain and dry on a kitchen towel.
Now that your shells are completely empty and clean, it’s time
to unleash your inner artist and decorate your eggs. When the
eggs are dry, paint them using different colours and designs.
You can also glue some sparkles on them and make a bunny
rabbit using bits of wool and cardboard.
Put them on show. To display your eggs, fill a small basket or
fruit bowl with coloured tissue paper to create a ‘nest’ that will
add an eclectic touch to your Easter decorations.
HAVE AN EGGSCELLENT EASTER!!!
INTRA MUROS MARCH 2021 23hippity hop
happy easter
PLEASE NOTE OUR CONTACT NUMBERS
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24 INTRA MUROS MARCH 2021COMPETITION
RESTAURANT COMPETITION FOR MARCH
Terms and Conditions:
1. Vouchers cannot be exchanged for cash.
2. Portions of the monetary value of the voucher cannot be
refunded as “change”.
3. Bookings need to be made in advance with the restaurant
detailed on the voucher.
4. Service charges/gratuities are not included, regardless of
any balance left over after the meal.
5. Vouchers will be numbered. Please provide your voucher
number when you make your reservation.
6. The competition is open to readers over the age of 18.
7. COVID regulations need to be adhered to at all times.
8. Indemnity: The publishers, Silver Lakes and
any other associated parties are not responsible for the
fulfilment of the service from the restaurant once the prize
has been awarded.
Don’t forget to enter our monthly restaurant competition.
Who were the winners of the Ladies’ Valentine’s Day Golf Event for 2021?
Please email your answer along with your full name, your cell number and your stand number, detailing ‘Intra Muros
Restaurant Competition’ in the Subject line, to: nicoleh@nowmedia.co.za. The winner will be notified by email.
Each restaurant featured in this section has been carefully chosen and we hope that you’ll enjoy visiting them whenever
you are looking for a memorable culinary experience.
WINNER
Congratulations!! Well done to the winner of our latest restaurant competition! Congratulations to: Michelle Botha who receives a R500
meal voucher from one of our participating restaurants.NATURE
CAN
CORKY
READ
YOUR
MIND?
By James Clarke
S
ome years ago, marine biologist,
Alexandra Morton, a world authority
on orcas, was visiting Marineland
Oceanarium in Los Angeles where she
had once worked. She was chatting to
dolphin trainer, Tish Flynn, and mentioned
the problem of captive orcas (also known
as ‘killer wales’) suffering boredom in the
‘dreadful confinement’ of an oceanarium. oceanarium try to get its two captive orcas surface. After a moment’s hesitation, she
to do the same – “just to liven things up”. dove and surfaced to slap her fin again. As
Orcas, the largest of the world’s 42 species Corky continued, she gained momentum
of dolphins, can weigh more than four tons Flynn said the oceanarium’s orcas had and rose higher, the next time sending a
and, despite their ‘killer’ moniker, they are, never done that and said, “We’ll try it next satisfying smack across the water. I stood in
like most dolphins, well disposed towards week.” the grandstands watching, mouth agape.
humans and have never been known to
Morton, in her 2002 book, Listening to “Tish, Tish, come! Quick, you’ve got to see this!’”
deliberately kill anybody.
Whales, recalls: Tish emerged from the stadium tunnel to see
Morton told Flynn how, in the open ocean, Corky flying around the tank, waves sloshing
Then something happened that has made water over the side. With each breath the
she’d watched wild orcas noisily slapping
me careful of my thoughts around whales exuberant whale rolled and smacked her fin
the water surface with their huge, almost
ever since. As Tish walked out of the stadium, on the water.
sail-like dorsal fins, possibly as a means
Corky (one of the orcas), rose to the surface
of seeking attention. She suggested the
and slapped her dorsal fin on the water’s Had the whale read my mind, or was this
just an enormous coincidence? Tish saw my
expression of disbelief and smiled.
“That’s whales for you,” she said, “they can
read your mind. We trainers see this kind of
stuff all the time.”
Could Corky read Morton’s or Flynn’s
mind? Or is that an absurd suggestion?
It is no more absurd than the recent finding
that dolphins can pass mental images
(‘snapshots’ of what they are seeing) to
each other even when kilometres apart.
And no more absurd than elephants being
able to communicate via vibrations sent
along the ground from their feet.
Bizarre, yes. Absurd, no.
And consider sperm whales and how
they create underwater sound waves to
communicate with others on the other
side of the ocean.
26 INTRA MUROS MARCH 2021NATURE
Whether working in a marine environment other species, on an intelligent level. New In truth, we haven’t gone far. Some argue
or on the American Prairies, or in the hot, technologies are constantly being applied we haven’t gone anywhere at all. But in
grassy plains of Africa, researchers have, and, lately, there has been cautious pursuit of this Holy Grail, scientists are
for decades, been observing and analysing optimism from very diverse research making some amazing discoveries.
the actions and utterances of animals, wild institutions.
and domestic, hoping to devise a way to It is going to be difficult. Just look at the
converse with one. As one scientist put it, a breakthrough problems we have among ourselves. We
would be the most game-changing event Homo sapiens are divided by 6 500 spoken
So far, research has demonstrated in the history of biology. It would transform languages. How many educated people
how organically and behaviourally the way we view our fellow creatures. can make sense of this brief passage?
we mammals are linked to each other.
Today, the world’s 6 000 different kinds
of mammals range from South Africa’s
4 gram pygmy shrew to the 100 ton blue
whale off our coast.
The evolutionary paths of all of us
mammals parted from a common ancestor
80 to 90 million years ago, yet skeletally
we have retained essentially the same
components. Even inside the dolphin’s
flippers there are recognisable finger
bones, wrists and arms. The giraffe has
the same number of neck vertebrae as
humans - seven. In our social order too,
there are remarkable similarities. We are
but variations on a theme.
But there is one fundamental difference:
communication.
The rest of Mammalia doesn’t give a hoot,
or a whine, or a bark, about it, but humans
are currently putting in a great deal of
effort, seeking a way to communicate with
INTRA MUROS MARCH 2021 27NATURE
Ha kihult, hozzaadjuk a karikara vagott their home and raised it alongside their an individual ‘by name’ from out of a pod:
kolbaszt, a zoldborsot es az aprora infant son. The two youngsters got along “Hey Fred!” and Fred will respond using his
vagott fott tojassal, I db nyers tojassal, famously. The couple gave up when, after a own identity whistle to say: “I’m here!”
sozzuk borsozzuk, es az egeset jol year, their son began making chimp noises
osszekeverjuk. and the chimp had made no progress in Apart from sound and ultrasound, many
the other direction. animals communicate using smells and
Were these the words that stirred Middle body language and, in the case of dolphins,
Eastern people to rise up against Ottoman The spinoff from the quest has been a something bordering on Extrasensory
rule? Or are they from an instruction constant stream of the unexpected. It Perception (ESP).
manual for building a chicken house? In brought an awareness that we share our
fact, these words are from an Hungarian planet with creatures whose intelligence There are institutions concentrating on
cookbook on how to make a stuffed beef and social behaviour have been grossly finding ways to converse with crows and
roll. underestimated. parrots and, as we are discovering, they
have amassed some quite startling results.
Yet here we are trying to communicate We now know, for instance, that elephants
with creatures that are totally cocooned in can receive messages through their feet If ever we are to talk with an animal, we will
their own secret styles of communicating. by picking up vibrations from the ground - have to differentiate that animal’s grunts,
vibrations transmitted by other elephants snorts, clicks, squeals, screams, whistles,
If we are to achieve success, which is the way out of sight. Elephants, generally rumblings, hoots and roars as well as its
most likely candidate? Most people would assumed to be silent creatures are anything body language, and decipher them.
put their money on the chimpanzee, but. Using ultrasound - beyond the range
our nearest relative. Chimps are closer of human ears - they can communicate Surprisingly among the favourites is
to humans than they are to all the other in relays from family to family across the elephant, the dolphin, Prairie dogs
(ground squirrels) and even crows, whose
primates. Yet despite almost a century of thousands of square kilometres.
research into ape communication, we’ve teaspoon-sized brain outwits that of a
achieved very, very little. The first serious Dolphins, even when kilometres apart, chimp’s.
attempt was in 1931 when an American communicate with whistle-like calls
husband-wife team, both psychologists, (Footnote: The writer is currently completing
and their ‘whistles’ can identify them as
brought an infant chimpanzee into a book on cross-species communication.)
individuals. Using whistles, they can call
28 INTRA MUROS MARCH 2021INTERIOR
DESIGN
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TOP 5 TIPS AND TRENDS FOR A
BEAUTIFUL BATHROOM IN 2021
I
nterior design creative and behavioural products, soaps and shampoos you may surprisingly cold tiles and add a touch
specialist - Kim Williams believes that all have. Begin by identifying everything of luxury. Every bathroom needs a bath
great bathrooms are instrumental in our that the shower needs to store, and then mat but depending on the size of the
ability to self-soothe and that well-planned implement the ideal sized in-shower bathroom, don’t be afraid to use more
and thoughtful design can enhance storage and avoid annoying bottles falling than one, or explore different shapes like a
our experience of space and contribute all over the place. Having a linen cupboard round carpet in the middle of a bathroom.
positively to our mental well-being. to store dry items like toilet paper and
towels, as well as the normal vanity Accessorise
Bathrooms are a quintessential example of storage, is always a bonus if one can find Many people under-style their bathrooms,
a space that, with intuitive and considered a nook for it. leaving them with a stark or incomplete
design, have the potential to be functional, feel. Simple elements like small decorative
beautiful and significant in reducing Bring nature in… shelves for face cloths, diffusers and
our anxiety. By designing a soothing Plants work so well in bathroom spaces and plants can make the world of difference.
environment, we can create an oasis for the naturally occurring ambient humidity Decanting oils and salts into pretty bottles
us to retreat to, relax in and revitalise our from the steam of a shower is perfect for can make a unique feature, add a spa-
souls after a long day. a wide array of tropical and sub-tropical like element, and be arranged around
plants including orchids, peace lilies, ferns a bath area to be both functional and
Kim Williams’ Top 5 Tips for a Beautiful and even air plants. They add a wonderful aesthetically pleasing.
Soothing Bathroom Space: connection to nature, soften materials like
marble or tile and add a gentle aspect of Mix and match
Consider storage colour. A combination of tiles in a bathroom
Storage is essential in keeping an creates a wonderful pattern even if they
uncluttered space for the myriad of Use soft textures are all in one colour, and by using different
practical items like lotions, beauty Soft textures underfoot protect feet from shapes can create subtle interest. It is also
32 INTRA MUROS MARCH 2021HOME FRONT
a great way to create a feature area or wall Colour paint. Metallics are also set to shine and
with a smaller budget - one can combine Europe is experiencing a movement away warm bronze and gold metallic stylings
cost-effective and expensive tiles to give from white sanitaryware in bathrooms dominate the catalogues.
a sense of elegance without the expense. in favour of vibrant colours that create
an energising atmosphere. However, Individuality
Think about seating in South Africa, we tend to be more Bathrooms are a particularly important
Having either a built-in shower seat, an conservative in the finishes we select. source of value in any home and a
ottoman or even a little bench to rest a This is perhaps due to the costs involved fabulous bathroom can add commercial
towel on is always a nice touch and adds in redoing a bathroom and explains why value to the property. As an investment, it
an element of luxury to a bathroom even traditionally bathrooms have been kept is important to remember to stick to what
in a much smaller space. 2020 brought a very classic and monochromatic. Due to the owner prefers and not just what the
design revolution in what we want from our more conservative nature, the trend market wants or what the trends are at
our spaces as we all spent more time in towards coloured sanitaryware may not that point. Contrary to what many believe,
our homes. Overall people have a greater be observed as broadly here unless it’s in buyers of new properties are more likely
desire to be more connected to nature, to a fun area like a kid’s bathroom. to buy the unique experience of how a
warm up their spaces with earthy tones space feels over spaces that are devoid
and soft textures and to add pops of Pattern of personality, so infusing the space with
energising colour. Although more people are becoming personal style will allow all to enjoy it while
bolder in their use of darker, moodier one has use of it and can help the property
Kim Williams’ top insights into shades, we expect that 2021 will stick to to sell eventually.
bathroom Trends for 2021: a more classic take on European boldness
and tones of serene blue and green will Rise of the wet room
appear in tiles, patterned wallpaper and As spaces become increasingly smaller,
2021 is sure to continue to see an increase
in the open-plan, wet room style of
bathroom layout. The practicality of this
layout is particularly useful in longer,
smaller spaces, as it allows us to have the
vanity, shower, and bath adjacent to one
another, forming one line.
The way we spend our time in the
bathroom is far more than simply to get
clean. For many of us, it is a place to focus
on self-care, relax and to find a moment of
peace after a long day. It is not surprising
then that we are spending more time in
our bathrooms. Great bathroom design
has the potential to create an environment
that allows us to manage our anxiety by
self-soothing with touches of nature, the
feeling of warm water and the dim light
of candles, and ultimately to improve our
experience of being.
INTRA MUROS MARCH 2021 33You can also read
