Villager The - Irene Farm Villages
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
The Villager Issue 7 • 2013
The Villager focuses on Irene Farm Villages. The magazine is deliv-
Contents
ered to the home of each resident on the Estate. The magazine is
co-ordinated and published by Estates in Africa (Pty) Ltd on behalf 02 From the Estate Manager
of the Home Owners' Association of Irene Farm Villages. The opin-
ions of workers and personnel of Estates in Africa (Pty) Ltd do not 04 From the Chairperson
necessarily reflect those of the HOA of Irene Farm Villages.
05 What’s On
Publisher
Nico Maritz 06 Protea Coin Site Manager
E-mail: nicom@nowmedia.co.za
09 Plant a Tree
Sales Manager & Advertising
Martin Fourie - Cell: 072 835 8405 11 How Well Do You Listen
E-mail: martin@eiapublishing.co.za
Office: 012 348 2001
Sales
12 Financial Statement
Jacqueline van Zyl - Cell: 074 908 9163
E-mail: jackie@eiapublishing.co.za 16 Smalls
Editor 17 Approved Estate Agents
Kathy Thersby
E-mail: kathy@eiapublishing.co.za 19 Goblin’s Cove
Layout 23 Creating Clarity
Karien van Wyk
E-mail: karien@eiapublishing.co.za
24 Coronations
TEL: 012 348 2001 | FAX: 086 619 0763
84 Glenwood Street | Lynnwood Park | Pretoria
www.eiapublishing.co.za
Deadline for advertisements and editorial contributions:
14 August 2013 for Issue 8, 2013.
Estate Manager
Message from
the Estate Manager
I
always look forward to sitting down to By the time that you read this article,
write my article for The Villager, which the 2013 AGM will be around the cor-
I normally do on a Saturday morning ner on 22 August and the notices will
during the month. Why on a Saturday? I have been mailed to all HOA Members.
am not sure; but I find it a good time to At this juncture, I want to express my
fulfil a task, which in many ways is a good gratitude to the outgoing HOA Board.
opportunity to reflect on all that hap- A lot of hard and dedicated work has
pened during the past month, and it is been done by the Directors, which
At van Niekerk without a doubt, improved the life-
something I enjoy doing. Regrettably this
issue will be a few days late, due to other style in Irene Farm Villages.
administrative duties that crossed my path
during the past weeks.
Willem
Richter Jane Grimm
Daryl Hardy
André van
Antois van der
den Bergh Casper Westhuizen
Badenhorst
On the operational and
maintenance manage-
ment side, many matters
were attended to. The During the school holidays, two
streetlights in Country children staying in the Estate as-
Club, Silk Oak and Privet sisted the Estate Management
Place were out of order in cleaning up the open spaces
for three weeks. After we and parks. They collected 22
engaged the Tshwane City bags of litter. We want to thank
Council Senior Manage- these children for the great job
ment, the day-night switch they did! We urge our Residents
was finally replaced. to educate their children, visi-
The streetlights are now tors and employees not to litter
functioning properly. the parks and open spaces.
Residents are reminded
to cut away plants that
encroach on the electric
sub-distribution boxes The garden maintenance team has been
on the sidewalks. The en- busy planting the Bush Willow trees that
croaching plants can have were donated to the Residents and the
an effect on the day-night Estate. Trees were planted in most of the
switch. The Security Per- parks, especially the parks where there
sonnel submit a streetlight were no, or only a few, trees. The upgrad-
report to the Estate office ing of the Village Green Park near the
once a week, which is then Estate Post Office should be completed
forwarded to the Tshwane by the end of August. The development
Council Streetlight Depart- of the Village Green Park area has been
ment for attention. sponsored by the Residents who reside
around or near to The Village Green.
2 • Issue 7 2013 • The Villager
The rehabilitation of the natural ground level and vegetation at the North-
ern boundary servitude has been completed. Time will tell whether the
soil erosion that occurred in the past, has effectively been stopped. Future
maintenance to this section of the perimeter servitude will now be easier,
less labour intensive and much quicker.
We have received plant donations from the owners of Stands 2352, 1728
and 2200. The donations included aloes, strelitzias and palms. A special
word of thanks to these Residents. We all know how expensive plants are.
Residents are reminded that any unwanted lawn can be donated to the
Estate, which will be used in some of the undeveloped parks. Residents are
urged to plant indigenous plants in their gardens and on the sidewalk.
There are still a number of soil heaps
around the Estate. The soil will be sifted The Aesthetic Director has requested the Es-
and used for the planting of the trees. Any tate Management to address the following
leftover soil will be used in the parks and matters, where a number of houses do not
servitude areas. The maintenance team comply with the Aesthetic Rules of the HOA.
has started to cut the “taai” bushes, which • Driveways that are painted.
invaded the open areas over the years, • Geysers fitted on the outside of roofs.
especially on the western side of the Estate, • Air-conditioning and heat pump units
when the Estate was still under develop- that are not screened off.
ment and construction. This pioneer plant • Unauthorized Wendy/tool sheds.
smothers the growth of the veld grasses, • Gardens not well maintained.
which has a negative effect on the available • Dwellings that need exterior painting,
nutritious vegetation for the wildlife. especially wooden doors and frames.
We also need to develop the quality and
texture of the general undergrowth of the
veld areas. With the assistance and guid-
ance of Daryl Hardy, the Director in charge
of the Estate Environmental Management
Committee (“EMC”), we have engaged the
expertise of a number of owners in the
Estate to advise us on the management of It often happens that there is a dispute be- property out onto the street;
the veld areas in a broader environmental tween neighbours about the flow of storm • In cases where it is not practically pos-
eco system. It is not only our duty, but also water from one property onto another. The sible for the upper owner to prevent
our responsibility to preserve the nature in following note, which has been followed by the concentration and discharge of
our Estate. the Courts, is a brief guideline on this topic. rainwater onto a lower lying property,
it is suggested that the neighbouring
The Aesthetic Sub-Committee (“ASC”) of the • Every urban and rural property owner parties negotiate a suitable drainage
HOA has been very busy during the first half is bound to receive rainwater that structure such as pipelines, channels,
of the year. Building plans for new dwellings naturally drains onto his/her property furrows or other measures to safely
and for alterations and additions are sub- from land lying on a higher level; accommodate the water;
mitted for approval on a weekly basis. The • The owner of a lower lying property • This can be achieved by means of an
ASC meets once a week on a Wednesday can therefore not demand that an agreement between the parties or
morning. Owners are reminded to submit owner of an adjacent higher lying the granting of servitude by the lower
four copies of their building plans with the property must prevent the natural flow lying owner over his/her property in
plan approval form and proof of payment of of rainwater from such higher lying favour of the upper owner;
the prescribed plan fee. All plans approved property to the lower lying property; • Since the management of storm water
by the HOA Board must be submitted to the • The situation is different where the up- between neighbouring properties is a
Tshwane City Council for approval. A copy per owner interferes with the natural private legal issue between the parties
of the Council approved plan must be filed state of things so that the rainwater involved, the Municipality has no legal
at the Estate office for future reference. It is artificially diverted from its natural standing to get involved, but subject
appears, from the substantial number of course, or its volume or velocity is to certain aspects;
building plans regularly approved, that increased, and discharged onto the • The same can be said of the involve-
Irene Farm Villages has become a sought- lower lying property; ment by the HOA;
after residential estate, where owners tend • In this instance the upper owner, in • The neighbouring parties are therefore
to alter, or add to their current house, rather terms of the common law, must lead obliged to obtain their own respective
than to sell. his water on his own land over his legal assistance in this regard.
a happy holiday. From the
lars atten ding private schools
We wish all the scho Estate Management
The Villager • Issue 7 2013 • 3
Chairperson
Message from
the
the Chairperson
Chairperson of
of the
the HOA
HOA
Jane Grimm
Dear Residents
T
he two aspects uppermost in the minds of many HOA the tight control over the budget to keep spending consist-
Members is firstly, SAFETY, and secondly, FINANCES, ently below budgeted figures, has placed the HOA in a very
when it comes to the expectation of delivery by the healthy financial position.
Directors on the Board. In both instances, the current Board
has, over the past months, worked at delivering on these for The AGM will take place on Thursday 22 August 2013 at
the 650 Members they represent. Cornwall Hill College at 18:00. Members are urged to please
make every effort to attend on this day so that we have the
After the perimeter of the Estate was breached, shortly required quorum. Postponing the meeting by seven days
after this Board took over, the Board took action by fitting results in unnecessary additional costs to the HOA. If you are
the loops to the perimeter fence and implementing the unable to attend, please complete a proxy and hand it to a
Bloodhound System, which monitors Member who is able to attend, or to the
the movements of the guards. These Estate Manager. If Members have any
actions have prevented any further queries in this regard, please contact
breaches and proved to be efficient in The AGM will take place the Estate Manager, or the Board, who
sounding an alarm when one attempt will be happy to assist.
was made. These measures ensured on Thursday 22 August
that security could respond before any The Board wishes to invite and encour-
breach occurred. 2013 at Cornwall Hill ages Members to make themselves
available for election to the Board of
The service delivery of Protea Coin, College at 18:00 Directors for 2013/2014 year. The main
our security company, is constantly objective of the HOA and its Directors
monitored by both the Estate Manage- is the provision and preservation of a
ment and the Board to ensure that they high quality lifestyle for its Members
meet the terms and conditions of the Guarding Service Level and to manage and promote the communal interests of
Agreement and that of the Access Maintenance Agreement. the Members of the HOA. In light of this, it is important that
Residents might have recently been inconvenienced at the Board is representative of the community it serves. All
the gates when the booms were not operating. This is as a Members are urged to consider serving their community so
result of an ageing infrastructure and not because of a lack that Members can continue to enjoy the wonderful lifestyle
of maintenance. These issues have subsequently been ad- of Irene Farm Villages. Members can contact any of the
dressed by both the Estate Management and Protea Coin. Directors on the Board, the Estate Manager, or our Managing
Agent should they require information regarding the nomi-
One of the questions always asked by Members, is what is nation procedure or what serving on the Board entails.
being done with regards to debt collection. During the past
11 months the IFV Board has made significant strides in this The successes of a Board are heavily reliant on the Estate
regard. The Board focused on concluding debt collection Manager and his Staff who execute the decisions that
actions against members who were in arrears for more than are made by the Board. Our sincere thanks to our Estate
24 months, reducing the number of accounts with the HOA’s Manager, At van Niekerk, and his team for their continuous
debt collection attorneys. This translated into a reduction support and hard work over the past months. They certainly
of outstanding and arrear debtors from R2.5 million to R0.8 do go the extra mile to assist the Directors, all Members and
million in July 2013 and 51% fewer accounts with the HOA’s Residents of Irene Farm Villages.
debt collection attorneys. These collections, together with
Regards
Jane Grimm
Chairperson of the HOA
4 • Issue 7 2013 • The Villager
What’s On
SPAR Women’s Race
Cars in the Park
When: 4 August 2013 Pretoria’s Cars in the Park Cel-
ebrates 34 Years of Excellence.
From 07h00 to 17h00
This is the largest gathering
Where: Zwartkops of Motor Clubs in South Africa
Raceway on the R55 and is definitely not to be
Contact: www.pomc.co.za missed.
Cost: Adults R50 per
The Pretoria Old Motor Club
When: Saturday, 31 August 2013 person, children under 12 organises an exhibition of vin-
Start Time: 14h00 free of charge tage and classic cars and bikes
Where: Supersport Park, Centurion manufactured prior to 1985.
Contact: www.sparwomensrace.co.za More than 2500 cars and bikes
will be on display from more
For the 12th year running, beloved South African family
than 100 clubs from all over
supermarket, SPAR, have celebrated the launch of their
South Africa. Beer tents and
ever popular and beloved road race, the SPAR Women’s
food stalls, live entertainment,
Challenge. And this year, they are bringing yet another
clowns, jumping castles, mini
heart-warming message to thousands of households
steam tractor rides and more.
across our country: “Life is beautiful because…”
The Villager • Issue 7 2013 • 5
Protea Coin Site Manager
Dear Residents
I
trust that all our Residents are keeping will approach the contractor who will
warm during this cold weather. I would need to furnish him/her with the reason
also like to take this opportunity to extend and details of his/her request to have
a warm welcome to the new Residents and access to the Estate.
tenants. 3. The contractor in charge must collect
the IDs/ Passports of all his/her workers
Contractors and approach the Security check point
I would like to remind our Residents that all at the Main Gate building on foot.
incidental (“day-to-day”) contractors are not 4. The Security Staff will check and confirm
allowed to enter the Estate with a ClickOn the contractor’s request to enter with
Marchell Galant code. Security are faced with this problem the office, or alternatively with the
almost on a daily basis where a contrac- Resident.
tor will approach the gate, and stop at the 5. The contractor will receive an access
biometric reader to punch in a ClickOn code permit from the Security Staff only
that was requested for the contractor by the after confirmation that the contractor
Resident. This causes havoc as an argument is allowed to enter the Estate. With this
with the Security personnel then ensues as access permit the contractor and his/her
the contractor confirms that their client (you workers will be able to enter the Estate
as the Resident) issued them with a ClickOn 6. On exiting the Estate, the Security officer
Traffic Law Enforcement
code. All Members or Tenants are cautioned will request the return of the above-
not to provide any ClickOn codes to their mentioned access permit, after which
I want to remind Residents that the
contractors. According to the HOA Rules and the contractor and his workers will be
Metro Police still visit our Estate from
Regulations, the following procedures must allowed to exit the Estate.
time to time to check on drivers that
be followed: 7. The Resident who allows his/her
are ignoring the traffic rules.
contractor(s) to enter the Estate via the
1. Contractors must stop and park their ClickOn system will be held liable and
Thank you to the Residents that have
vehicle at the contractors/visitors sign at a penalty will be imposed on such a
already reported drivers that are not
the main gate. Resident.
abiding by the traffic rules. Should you
2. The Security officer on duty at this point
notice any person driving in our Estate
and not abiding by the traffic rules,
thereby being a safety risk to our Estate,
please take down the registration
number of the vehicle, a description of
the vehicle and driver and report the
incident to me directly, preferably by Guard of the Month
e-mail at galantm@proteacoin.co.za.
Safety I am pleased to announce that Martin
Mophuting is the Guard of the Month.
I once again remind our Residents of the Martin recently identified a contractor that
number of “smash and grab” incidents was driven into the Estate by a Resident. The
just outside our Estate. Women drivers contractor was not registered, nor were any
are mostly targeted. Please make sure arrangements made with the HOA office.
that you do not put any handbags, We learned that the contractor was painting
laptops or other valuable items on the at a property and the Resident wanted the
passenger seat of your vehicle. Smash contractor to sleep at his property. Not only
and grab incidents are on the increase is this against the rules and regulations of
in the areas surrounding our Estate. the Estate, but it is also a security risk and
Please be advised that a suspect will not security breach. The Resident was identified
smash your window if there is nothing and reported to Estate Management. Whilst Zanele Dhlamini recently attended a
to be taken. Make sure your valuables speaking to Martin and obtaining his state- two-week training session at our training
cannot be spotted from outside. Always ment, he shared the following words: “These centre in Hammanskraal. She success-
be on the alert. Make sure that you have contractors must not think they can come fully completed her Grade B training and
activated an emergency speed dial on and mess around at our work place -- I will is now at a more senior level. Well done,
your mobile phone. sort them out”. Well done, Martin! Zanele!
Best regards
Marchell Galant
Please take care of your safety. Security Manager
082 300 1835
6 • Issue 7 2013 • The Villager
8 • Issue 7 2013 • The Villager
Save our
planet
Plant a Tree Charl du Toit is the CEO of The Success Academy, a
property development and management company
Trees renew our air supply by based in Highveld Technopark, Centurion.
asorbing carbon dioxide and To find out more call: 0861 555 555,
email: info@thesuccessacademy.co.za or
producing life-giving oxygen. visit: www.thesuccessacademy.co.za
and www.saveourplanet.org.za
P
hilanthropist and businessman, Charl their trees. Hours of planning goes into
du Toit is passionate about the environ- preparing the trees for distribution. The 15
ment. Ever conscious of how the earth’s member team at the Farm spend three full
sensitive ecosystems are being destroyed, he days pulling the stock from the Nursery and
made it his task to put his money where his wrapping them ready for planting. Once load-
mouth is and do something about it. ed onto the trucks they do multiple trips to
and from the Farm to the school. “It’s highly
“It dawned on me that the future of the labour intensive, but we have got it down
planet lies in the hands of our children. If we to a fine art now,” says Barry Geyer, MD of
want to preserve the environment for them, Willow Feather Farm. The trees have all been
it is up to us to teach them how to save the growing on the Farm for two years which is
planet,” he says. the optimal time needed to ensure the trees’
chances of survival after being planted. They
Horrified at the thought that trees, which sup- are also acclimatised to suit Pretoria’s climatic
port life on earth and act as the earth’s lungs, conditions.
are being chopped down and rainforests
destroyed, he set in motion a process that This month the team also visited their first
would leave a lasting legacy by launching the two residential estates, Irene Farm Villages
Save our Planet – Plant a Tree project in 2012. and Heritage Hill, where 920 residents each
(www.saveourplanet.org.za). received a tree-gift to plant on their proper-
ties. The trees donated to estates are 20L trees
Encouraged by the enthusiastic response and about 3 years old.
from the community, Charl and his team have
visited 14 schools and given away 22 010 The Willow Feather Farm team are responsible
trees since March last year. Already, there are for the propagation of 100 000 indigenous
thousands of young environmental ambas- trees every year with 500 000 under cultiva-
sadors who have started a healthier and safer tion. The River Bush-Willow, for example, has
future for generations to come. a life-span of between 50 to 60 years and
takes about four to five years before it goes to
His message to his audiences is clear: All market. Other species are Wild Olive, Sweet
children should have a tree to plant and learn Thorn, Karee-Rhus, White Karee-Rhus and
how to care and look after it. The benefits White Stinkwood. Watering, feeding, plant
are enormous. Trees renew our air supply by protection, proper pruning and staking of the
absorbing carbon dioxide and produce life- trees has to be done on a daily basis in order
giving oxygen. to produce top quality trees.
Through Willow Feather Farm Charl donates Charl has put out an appeal to other corpo-
indigenous trees that mature in four to five rates to join him in this initiative. To make
years, so the children actually grow up with it more convenient, rather than planting
their trees. It’s thrilling for them, but most im- 100 trees at a time, his team can facilitate
portantly it contributes to saving the planet. the planting of five to ten trees a month per
sponsor. His aim is to get 500 corporates on
The most recent tree ceremony was held at board as part of their corporate responsibility
the Laer-and Hoërskool Garsfontein when investment programmes.
3 780 pupils waited in anticipation to receive
The Villager • Issue 7 2013 • 9by Maureen Collins
How well
do you
Maureen has a B Sc degree in Psychology from Edinburgh University. Maureen’s passion is for showing
people how to improve the quality of their conversations even under the most difficult conditions.
I
listened to a friend recently as she reminisced about someone does it to you and you’ll understand how much
her father. ‘He made me feel so special’ she said. ‘If I frustration it causes. When people are constantly inter-
interrupted his conversation, he would gently ask me rupted they shut down, and give up trying to explain
to wait until he had finished: then he would turn to what they think or feel. Is this something you want to do
me and give me the same attention he had been giving to your children or teach them to do to others?
to the adult he was talking to. I learned how to hold a
conversation – and I learned I was special’. Do you pretend that you are listening to someone by
nodding and smiling, while your mind has wandered far
Good listening communicates respect and consideration away? Most of us realise when someone is faking and
for other people. It is the cornerstone of good relation- feel unimportant and frustrated. Our reaction is usually
ships. The best way of teaching your children to listen is to find someone else to talk to. This might sometimes
to model it yourself. How good a model are you? suit you, but not if one of your children has a problem
that you should know about. Listen up!
Do you allow others to talk as much as you do? Hogging
the air space because you always have a bigger problem Are you more likely to tell people what they should
or a more dramatic story to tell communicates disrespect do, rather than help them think through solutions to
for others. It takes just a little self-awareness and self- their own problems? Even if you have exactly the right
discipline to notice if you are consistently grabbing more solution, no one likes being told what to do and your
than your share of the air space, and to change your solution probably won’t be accepted. It’s better from all
behaviour. angles to listen carefully to a problem, then to help the
person find a solution for him or herself.
Do you interrupt others to argue with their viewpoint
before they have finished explaining it? We interrupt Good listening creates better relationships with your
when we ‘know’ what someone is going to say; or when children: and will help them develop their own good
we ‘know’ that they are wrong. Think how you feel when relationships. Start now.
Good listening
communicates respect
The Villager • Issue 7 2013 • 11Financial Statement
IRENE FARM VILLAGES HOME OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION
Summary Income Statement
June 2013
May 2013 Year to Date YTD Variance
Actual Budget Acutal Budget Value %
"Your wealth can
only grow to the
extent that you do!"
- T. Harv Eker
12 • Issue 7 2013 • The VillagerIRENE FARM VILLAGES HOME OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION
Summary Income Statement
June 2013
June 2013 Year to Date YTD Variance
Actual Budget Acutal Budget Value %
Account Ability
Office Address: Sovereign Drive, Route 21 Corporate Park
Accounting Office Hours: 8:00 to 13:00 Monday to Friday
Office Tel: 082 780 0059
Accounts Email: accounts@aams.co.za
IFV Accounts: Winny Boshoff
The
The Villager
Villager •• Issue
Issue 77 2013
2013 •• 13
13The Villager • Issue 7 2013 • 15
important numbers
Police Emergency
Lyttelton Police Station 10111
Pierre van Ryneveld 012 664 8600
Community Policing For
um
smalls
079 528 1630
Security at Gates
Guard House Main Gate 012 662 1688
(Smart Village): 42831
Guard House North Gate
(Smart Village) 42832
:
Organic produce delivered 082 weekly
838to777
your home
Protea Coin Shift Manag 9
Order online erat www.terramadresa.com
082 947 761and we
Irene Farm Controller 0
will deliver organic, pesticide-free produce and
hormone free, free range meat 101to
77your home
Fire Emergency
0826022882 082 911
Medical Emergency
Specialised kinesiologist - complementary
Irene Farm Villag es: treatment of pain, depression, trauma,
health 012 662 3505/5601
Estate Office stress, diet, allergies. www.gillianoshea.com. 082
Estate Manager 602 2882. 079 525 9281
Managing Agent: Tel: 082 780 0059
Account Ability Fax: 086 671 9798
info@aams.co.za
FEED-a-PET: Do you need someone to feed and Mogale Waterless Carwash will wash your car @
look after your pets while you are not at home or your place for only R50.00 Sedans/Hatchbacks or
during a holiday? We offer the service! We feed R65.00 for SUV/4x4s. To book, sms wash & stand
pets and walk dogs. Call Clarissa: 072 737 4269. no. to 084 875 8702
Bonjour!! French lessons in Irene Farm Villages Girly Parties!
for both adults and kids.Very affordable!!! For a no nonsense, girly- girl party experience!
The lessons are given in a group ,on a one- on- Girls will be entertained for 2 hours while you
one basis, or in the comfort of your OWN HOME relax. R200 per child ( min 10 kids)
and at your convenience. So,do you want to Mannies and peddies and then they will make-up
learn this beautiful language? Call Claire on: themselves or each other. Included is a goodybag
0840892692 / 0126625888 Or email with nailpolish, nailfile, cuticle oil, bufferblock,
clairekasengela@yahoo.fr partynails etc. To take home. We come to your
party venue. Phone: Charmaine 0825525278
DOMESTIC: My domestic worker requires an Revive Lash and Nail studio - Come and visit my
ironing job for Mondays. She is also willing to studio for Professional service in Nails and Lash
help out when needed for ironing on Mondays. extentions. I use Bio Sculpture, Calbrook and
She is very trustworthy and has been with us for Acrylic Dip Nail Systems. After hour appoint-
25 years. She work for me from Tuesday –Friday ments also available. Hope to see you!
and stay with us during the week in IFV. Phone: Charmaine 082 552 5278
Charlotte @ 3090 The Village Main. 0829265675.
Elizabeth my domestic worker is looking for
Antenatal classes in IFV Award-winning natural more days to work in the estate, she is already
childbirth preparation classes in our estate. working on Monday and Thursday, she is avail-
For details visit: www.infantree.co.za or contact able on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. She is
Chanel at: 083 4456 019, chaschoe@gmail.com very reliable, her ironing is perfect.
For reference you may contact me on 079 591
CACTUS ROSE - HANDMADE cards…wedding, 4457 or contact her directly on 0783750266.
engagement, anniversary, baby, children, mother,
father, get well, sympathy and Friendship. Gardener: Thabiso a reliable & hardworking
Contact Betty 0781959461,Stand 2342 Yellow gardener seeking work for Mondays, Tuesdays,
Wood Drive. Wednesdays &/or Fridays. His mother works for
me as a domestic worker and is very reliable and
Hand Made Belgian Chocolate: Truffles, pralines hard working. Contact :– Thabiso 081 880 9962
and custom made chocolate for gifts, weddings, or Martha 076 281 4000
corporate gifts or any other occasion. Contact
Sophia on 083 416 5008 or email slaas@goalnet.
co.za for more information
The smalls are free and exclusive to the
residents of Irene Farm Villages
If you would like to advertise in our smalls section, please contact us: Tel: 012 662 3505 E-mail: admin@irenefarmvillages.co.za
16 • Issue 7 2013 • The VillagerApproved
Estate
Agents
Principal: Leane Graaff Principal: Joanie La Grange
Principal: Retha Schutte
Agents: Leane Graaff Agents: Annetjie Benadie
Office: 012 644 8300
Cell: 083 457 3184 Annetjie Cell: 082 555 7490
Fax: 012- 664 6790
Office: 012 689 2018 Office: 012 348 1940 Agent: Peter Varrie
Fax: 086 698 6210 Fax: 012 348 1107 Cell: 082 457 7416
Email: lgestates@absamail.co.za annetjie.benadie@leapfrog.co.za peter.varrie@pamgolding.co.za
Principal: Nina Antoniou
Agent: Nina Antoniou Principal agent:
Machelle Henning-Walker Principal: S.J. van Wyk
Cell: 082 963 1994 Ansa Swart: 082 461 0465
Agent: Simona Mes 082 789 7888 Jonathan Koen
Fax: 086 614 0153 Jack Koetsier 083 679 2213 Cell: 073 206 3877
Cell: 083 601 5392
www.rmrealtors.co.za Office: 012 667 2167 Fax: 012 667 3566 www.superiorrealty.co.za
Office: 012 667 3692 Fax: 086 617 0516
E-mail: machelle@rmrealtors.co.za jonathan@superiorrealty.co.za
The Villager • Issue 7 2013 • 1718 • Issue 7 2013 • The Villager
fantasy at
Enter a world of
By Bev Hermanson
Set in the beautiful Magaliesberg, near the
Cradle of Humankind, Goblin’s Cove is an
intriguing place for adults and children alike.
E
stablished by well known South African Marguerite, added her flair, helping with
sculptor, Charles Gotthard, Goblin’s the interior décor, compiling the menu and
Cove is a captivating fantasy experience organising the kiddies’ parties.
filled with fairies and goblins. He calls this
venue a ‘labour of love’ and everywhere you “For the kiddies’ parties, we work according
will see evidence of his creative genius. to a set budget which can range anywhere
from R50 per child upwards, depending
It’s a favourite spot for kiddies’ parties and, on their requirements. We can add fairy
strangely, also for romantic tête-à-têtes and decorations, magic-themed birthday
family gatherings. Inside, you’ll find lots of cakes, balloons, face painting and kiddies’
interesting nooks and crannies and there’s entertainment, along with a kiddies’ menu,”
a secluded upper level that is reached up Marguerite says. “It’s a very creative venue
a rustic stairway outside. Set apart from and the children have lots of space to play
the main restaurant, a large ‘hall’ called The on the climbing ropes, apparatus
Gathering is used for small weddings and and in the sand pits. There’s a
creative workshops. Goblin Shop (for the boys), a
Fairy Shop (for the girls) and
The adventure involving the creation of this a Crystal Shop that sells
fantasy venue began in 1996, when Charles crystals, offers tarot
and his daughter, Charlise, decided to readings and reiki
search for a piece of ground that would lend massages.
itself to the creation of a fairy restaurant.
They stumbled upon an extraordinary “We cater for small
property that proved to be the perfect weddings involving up to 60
canvas where they could bring their fairies guests and corporate gatherings
and goblins ‘to life’ in and around the and conferences, too. Then every
buildings and in the garden. Charles’ wife, now and then Charles offers drumming
The Villager • Issue 7 2013 • 19captivating
fantasy
experience
and creative therapy workshops. For these
groups, catering is laid on, tailored to suit
the occasion,” she continues. “We pride
ourselves in providing good service and
nourishing country food that is prepared by
our four top chefs.”
As a treat for the kids, overnight
accommodation is offered in a restored
1949 vintage train coach, called the Goblin
Express. Each suite has a double bed and
the original double bunks which the kids
love to sleep on. The train can be block-
booked for groups of ten to twelve people
– making it a great outing during the school
holidays.
To make enquiries about a kiddies’ party
or function, or to make reservations, call
Samantha on 014 5762143
(Wednesdays to Sundays
between 9am and 4pm)
or visit http://www.
thegoblinscove.co.za. Note:
They are closed on Mondays
and Tuesdays for fairy spring
cleaning.
20 • Issue 7 2013 • The VillagerThe Villager • Issue 7 2013 • 21
22 • Issue 7 2013 • The Villager
By Graeme Butchart
THE POWER
OF KNOWING
L
ast week I was with a group of young matters to be addressed and clearly there I want to be doing?” “Have I thoroughly
marketing communicators helping is ongoing work required from everyone. investigated the alternative?” “Are there
them overcome some of the problems But distance wasn’t the problem after all – alternativeness?” and so on.
they ace working together as a team. It’s the absence of clarity was. Simply talking
complicated – part of their team work through the doubts and concerns – created Clarity replaces uncertainty. Clarity provides
200 kms away. It led us to believe that their a clarity that was absent at first. knowing. Clarity creates certainty. So now
biggest problem could be ‘distance’. ask yourself the following...
Many of us fail to create clarity, for fear of
At first, it was difficult for the group to open upsetting or offending one another. Yet the “What do you really seek to achieve in
up, to share the concerns they held about truth is, in hiding this unspoken content, 2013?”
the working relationship. Yet, once the we invariably cause greater damage in the “Why do you want that?”
process began to flow and everyone realised longer term. “What do you need to know (that you don’t
it wasn’t personal, many of the unspoken already) about aiming for that?”
issues were revealed. I was reminded once again, of the impor- “What resources (beyond time and money)
tance of creating clarity. will you require to achieve that?”
As we talked, it appeared that ‘distance’ can “How long will this take you to complete?”
create an enormous amount of doubt, spec- I see the absence of it so often. “When do you begin?”
ulation and assumption, which ultimately
manufactures mistrust in the relationship. And often, it is the only thing missing from If you can answer these questions with clar-
so many, otherwise, successful outcomes ity then the chances are you will succeed in
Then a strange thing occurred. and relationships. your ambitions for this year.
Having noted everyone’s problems and People often create ambitious goals. They Always seek to create clarity in everything
following further discussion, the scale and have the motivation and have detailed the you do and remember smart people do this
significance of the issues appeared to dimin- plans. Then they get stuck somewhere and before setting off in search of their dreams.
ish dramatically. It was as though having they don’t know why. They seem unable to
simply talked through the problems, those move forward. Graeme Butchart is a life coach who works
problems that had been raised, suddenly
became less significant. After a process of post-examination, it was with adults and adolescents of all ages. He
the failure to ask themselves some basic first helps to create the appropriate skills and
They hadn’t lost significance, but they no questions (before commencement) that ap- tools to better manage the challenges life
longer carried the weight they had before. pears to be a consistent theme for failure. continually brings. He can be contacted on
082 8971463 and via email at
For this group there are still practical “Why am I doing this?” “Is this really what
graeme@graemebutchart.com
The Villager • Issue 7 2013 • 23By James Clarke
Coronations
I
watched the recent induction of the King children do not take this as an invitation to cheek or fiddle with her jewellery asking
of Holland with rapt attention for, as a get personal and ask about hers by asking, what it cost.
cub newspaper reporter in England, I “How’s Charles and the Rottweiler getting
helped cover Queen Elizabeth’s coronation. along?” Never make personal observations GREETINGS – Do not greet a Royal Person-
such as “You don’t look at all like you do age unless you are greeted first.
I must say, the Dutch aren’t half as good on the stamps.” If she asks you what you
at crownings as the Brits. And their royal do for a living don’t tell her how you travel PRINCE PHILIP – with Prince Philip do not
personages can walk around unrecognised, in bathroom ware and that if ever she has take too much advantage of his affability
eating ice-cream. a problem with a drip she should call on should he be displaying any that day. If he
you – she might think you’re referring to calls you by your first name do not presume
Not long ago I was in Oxford and the Queen somebody in the family. to call him Phil.
happened to be visiting so everywhere
there was the smell of fresh paint. That’s PHYSICAL CONTACT – Never touch the TABOO WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS –
the English: as soon as they hear the Queen Queen’s person. Apart from briefly shak- Howzit? Nickers. Sweetie. Charlie-boy. Hey!
is coming they paint everything and then ing her hand – if she proffers it – never Money. Fergie. You. Mohamed Al-Fayed. Can
they line the pavements waving little flags, put your hand on her shoulder or pat her you give me a hand to change my car oil?
smelling of turps.
In the 1990s when the Royals resumed
visiting South Africa I felt it incumbent upon
myself to seek advice on how to conduct
oneself if suddenly confronted by the
Queen.
I learnt the following:
SHAKING HANDS – You may take the
Queen’s hand only if she offers it. Do not
kiss it (especially if you have been eating
savouries topped with cheese whorl). Do
not hang on to it, or wring it, or shake it
vigorously.
BOWING AND SCRAPING – Gentlemen
should bow ever so slightly. To perform a
deep bow, which Her Majesty will cer-
tainly not be expecting, could mean your
forehead coming to rest on the Royal
Bosom or your face buried in her bouquet
which could induce hay fever causing you
to sneeze all over her. Ladies may curtsy,
but those with arthritic knees should not
attempt this unless they can straighten their
legs within a reasonable time – say less than
three minutes.
PLEASANTRIES – If the Queen says “How
do you do?” you may respond by saying
“How do you do, Ma’am?” Don’t take the
question “How do you do?” as a real ques-
tion. Don’t, for instance, go into details
about your colon. She is unlikely to be really
interested in how you do do.
CONVERSING – Never ask the Queen a http://stoeptalk.wordpress.com • www.jamesclarke.co.za
question. If she asks you about your For a free sample of James Clarke’s latest e-book go to:
www.amazon.com/Save-me-Lions-Mouth-ebook/dp/B008FO88DO
The Book is about human/wildlife/conflict in Africa
24 • Issue 7 2013 • The VillagerYou can also read
