Mandy Pannell continues to shine as a top-performing agent, earning her place in the prestigious GoldClub for 2026. Her dedication and outstanding results have also secured her the title of Runner-Up Top Agent in Kloof & Hillcrest, along with recognition as the Top Selling Agent in Le Domaine Estate.
These achievements reflect Mandy’s unwavering commitment to excellence, her deep understanding of the market, and her passion for delivering exceptional service.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to her valued clients and the Le Domaine community for their continued trust and support, your confidence makes these milestones possible.
Mandy Pannell
082 323 1868
Top Selling Agent In Le Domaine Estate
Le Domaine Snippets & Socials
The residents of Le Domaine are always up to something! Catch up with all the latest events.
Know Your Neighbours
Meet Brian and Estelle Kelly, as they express their love for music and tell us more about their work in the estate. 14
Seen Around
Lets see what our residents have been up to. 18
The Beautiful Bird Series
A spread of well-timed shots of the local birds on the estate shows off a whole new world of interaction in nature.
Recipe
This pot pie, filled with tender slow-cooked beef, is sure to keep you warm and cosy this winter!
Important NUMBERS
100 Acutts Drive Hillcrest | 031 716 8000
www.ledom.co.za
Reception Office Hours: Monday to Friday 08:15 to 16:00
Body Corporate Trustees
Chairman: Peter Dixon
Vice Chairperson: Trish Brouwer
Trustees:
Kevin Allan, Jim Barrow, Dave Gibbon, Lesley Heger, Ellen Machanick, Claude Martin, David Martin, Neville Rudman & Grant Weston
Key People & Contacts
Estate Manager
Frances Mans estatemanager@bcld.co.za
PA to Estate Manager
Jo La Réservée | ext 8025 emassist@bcld.co.za
Financial Manager
Lesley Clarke financemanager@bcld.co.za
Finance Admin | Insurance Claims
Jo-Anne Hounsom | ext 8022 accounts@bcld.co.za
Zietske de Villiers | ext 8021 admin@bcld.co.za
Maintenance | Gardens Call Centre
Glenda Coetzee callcentre@bcld.co.za
All maintenance, irrigation and gardening on common property requests to be logged on | ext 8017
For any after hours maintenance emergencies dial | ext 8998
After hours means: Monday to Friday from 16:00 to 08:00, as well as weekends and public holidays
Lifestyle Co-ordinator
Lydelle Goddard | ext 8018 lifestyle@bcld.co.za
Residents Information Desk
Caron Hepburn | ext 8000 reception@bcld.co.za
Services
Care Centre | ext 8450
wendy@ledomainecare.co.za
Laundrette | ext 8699
Digital - supersonic
Marc Chapman | ext 8005 supersonic@ledom.co.za
Security Services, Excellerate & Main gate ext 8998 or 071 475 3664
Clinton Botha - clint@ledom.co.za
Health Hydro | ext 8056 thehealthhydro@gmail.com
Hairdressing Salon | ext 8054 talitha200@gmail.com
Mode de Vie - Bar and Restaurant | ext 8089 catering@ledom.co.za
Le Domaine Health | Ext 8099 Hello@ldhealth.co.za
Medical Emergency Assistance
Please call Security on | ext 8998 Or 071 475 3664
who will contact MEDITECH Emergency Services
work?
What’s on your mind?
What's on your mind?
I’m a South African with assets overseas. What factors do I need to consider for my estate planning, and do I need more than one Will?
A Voice for Tomorrow: Why a Living Will Matters
What Is a Living Will?
Owning assets abroad adds complexity, but here’s what you need to keep in mind:
A Living Will is a written document that records your wishes regarding medical treatment should you become terminally ill and unable to communicate your decisions.
Should I Have More Than One Will?
It generally applies where medical treatment would only prolong life artificially, with no reasonable hope of recovery. In these circumstances, a Living Will allows you to express your wish not to be kept alive by artificial means.
Why Should I Have a Living Will?
If your foreign assets are limited to a small bank account, one South African Will may be enough, as many banks recognise it for worldwide assets. But if you own substantial assets or own foreign property, separate Wills can help by aligning each with local laws, which may speed things up for beneficiaries.
Understanding Probate Abroad
Foreign assets often require a local probate process (similar to South Africa’s executorship). If this is needed, the South African estate can’t be finalised until it’s completed abroad, potentially causing delays.
It can provide guidance and reassurance to your loved ones during an emotional and difficult time. Rather than leaving family members uncertain about your wishes, a Living Will helps provide clarity and ease the burden of decision-making.
Will My Wishes Be Legally Recognised?
In South Africa, the law recognises a competent person’s right to refuse medical treatment. The difficulty with
a Living Will is that it is intended to operate later, when the person is no longer mentally capable of confirming or refusing treatment at the time the decision must be made.
Having a foreign executor familiar with local probate rules can make the process smoother, especially if you have multiple or valuable assets overseas.
Additional Costs and Fees
Inheritance Taxes and Duties
While a Living Will may not be strictly binding, it remains an important document that medical professionals and family members should take seriously when making difficult endof-life decisions.
How Is a Living Will Different from a Last Will and Testament?
Your foreign assets might be subject to foreign inheritance taxes on top of South African estate duties. These taxes can add up and reduce the total inheritance for beneficiaries.
You need to make provisions for additional costs as other countries don’t always cap executor fees like South Africa does (3.5% plus VAT). In some places, probate fees are much higher.
Living Wills are not yet specifically regulated by legislation and should not be described as automatically binding. However, they may still carry significant practical and evidential weight as a clear record of the person’s prior wishes. The HPCSA recognises that life-prolonging treatment may be withheld or withdrawn in appropriate circumstances, following senior clinical assessment and consultation.
Forced Heirship, Marital Property Rules and trusts
A Living Will may assist doctors, family members and, where necessary, a court in determining what treatment the person would have refused in the stated circumstances. It may also be considered alongside the National Health Act 61 of 2003, which recognises informed consent and allows a patient to mandate someone in writing to give consent on their behalf if they are unable to do so.
Some countries, like Italy, Portugal, and France, have “forced heirship” laws that dictate how assets are distributed, regardless of what your Will says. Additionally, marital property regimes may impact distribution, and testamentary trusts are not always recognised.
Preventing Conflicts Between Wills
Although often confused, a Living Will and a Last Will and Testament serve very different purposes.
A Living Will deals with medical decisions during your lifetime and is intended to guide your loved ones and medical practitioners should certain circumstances arise.
A Last Will and Testament only takes effect after your death and deals with the administration of your estate, including your assets, property and financial affairs.
If you decide on multiple Wills, make sure each one applies only to assets in that specific country to avoid accidental revocation. This is why an experienced estate planner is invaluable—they ensure your intentions are honored without any legal conflicts across borders. Working with a specialist familiar with international laws can help lower these taxes as well as foreign probate fees through strategic planning. If you would like a ‘Health Check’ carried out on your Will at no cost, contact us.
Both documents play an important role in planning and ensuring that your wishes are respected; one during your lifetime, and the other thereafter.
Let’s Talk
083 384 4873
Editor From The
There is something about May and June that gently turns our hearts toward home. Mother’s Day and Father’s Day arrive quietly each year, inviting us to pause and reflect on the people who shaped us through guidance, encouragement, sacrifice, and love.
Living in a community such as ours, one becomes especially aware of the way generations connect. Wisdom is shared over coffee tables and garden walls. Stories are passed down. Traditions continue. Kindness moves quietly from one person to another in ways that often go unnoticed, yet leave a lasting mark.
Perhaps that is one of the most meaningful parts of community life: the reminder that none of us journey through life entirely alone. We are shaped not only by our own families, but also by the friends, neighbours, and familiar faces who care for us, encourage us, and sometimes love us as though we were their very own.
As the seasons slowly begin to shift and cooler mornings settle in, there is something comforting about gathering together, checking in on one another, and appreciating the connections that bring warmth into our lives. In a fast-moving world, these moments matter more than we sometimes realise.
This edition reflects on family, connection, and the relationships that quietly shape who we are. It is a gentle reminder to appreciate those who have guided us, stood beside us, and helped create the stories of our lives, often in simple, everyday ways. Fred Rogers once said, “All of us, at some time or other, need help. Whether we're giving or receiving help, each one of us has something valuable to bring to this world.” Perhaps that is what community truly is: people
quietly showing up for one another, through kindness, encouragement, and care.
So, as we move through this season of reflection, may we hold a little tighter to the people who matter most. May we continue to create a village filled with warmth, kindness, laughter, and connection; one conversation, one shared moment, and one small act of care at a time.
Here’s to the people who make life richer simply by being part of it.
from the desk of the Estate Manager
As we begin to catch our breath after a particularly busy start to the year, and everything else that accompanies our Annual General Meeting season, I would like to take a moment to extend my sincere thanks to the Owners and proxy holders who attended the AGM held on Monday, 20 April 2026. Your participation, attendance, and positive interest in the wellbeing and future of our Estate are deeply appreciated and play an important role in the strength of our community.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our newly elected Board of Trustees for their willingness to serve the Estate
during the year ahead. The role of Trustee requires not only time and dedication, but also a genuine commitment to the wellbeing of the Estate. We are fortunate to have individuals who are prepared to volunteer their expertise, energy, and support as a service to the Estate and its residents.
Your Trustees for the ensuing year are:
• Peter Dixon: Chairman
• Trish Brouwer: Vice Chairperson
• Kevin Allan (new)
• Jim Barrow
• Dave Gibbon
• Les Heger
• Ellen Machanick (new)
• Claude Martin (new)
• David Martin
• Neville Rudman
• Grant Weston
A warm welcome is extended to our new Trustees, and a heartfelt thank you to those continuing in their roles.
It was especially encouraging to receive many positive emails and comments following the AGM. I would furthermore like to thank the respective Body Corporate members, management team, and all those working behind
the scenes for their assistance in ensuring that the AGM proceedings ran smoothly and successfully.
As we move further into the second half of the year, may we continue to approach estate life with patience, cooperation, and a shared sense of purpose. When residents, Trustees, management, and staff work together with mutual respect and understanding, it strengthens not only the Estate’s operational success but also the sense of belonging that makes Le Domaine such a special place to call home.
Finally, I would like to extend warm wishes to all the wonderful mothers in our community who were celebrated in May, as well as to all the fathers we honour in June. May your special days be filled with love, laughter, appreciation, and time shared with family and friends.
With warmest regards,
Estate Manager
What Your Executor Will Actually Do
Many people are surprised by what an executor is truly responsible for. It is far more than simply reading a will; it is a significant role that often takes many months, and sometimes longer.
Your executor will:
• Manage the full estate administration process through the Master of the High Court
• Gather important documents and prepare detailed records of assets and liabilities
• Settle outstanding debts and ensure all financial matters are properly resolved
• Engage with SARS to finalise tax matters
• Protect and manage estate
assets until they can be distributed
• Communicate with banks, insurers, and other institutions
• Guide your family through what can be a complex and emotional time
Choosing the Right Executor
At Marsh Fidelity, we encourage clients to choose someone who is:
• Organised and reliable
• Fair and level-headed, especially in family matters
• Financially aware
• Available to commit the necessary time
• Trustworthy and able to carry out your wishes faithfully
Appointing a family member as executor may seem like a natural choice, but it is not always the most
appropriate one. Family members often feel obliged to accept the role, even when they lack the time, experience, or practical knowledge of deceased estate administration, which can place an unnecessary burden on them. Where the executor is also a beneficiary, this can further complicate matters, as balancing personal interests with the duty to act impartially may create tension or potential conflicts within the family.
Plan Ahead
It is helpful to speak to your chosen executor while you are still alive. Ensuring they know where your documents are and understand your wishes can make the process much smoother for your loved ones.
Do You Need a Professional Executor?
Many families choose to appoint a professional executor, particularly where estates may be complex or where independence is important.
Marsh Fidelity provides experienced, impartial estate administration, ensuring that everything is handled correctly and with care, allowing your family to focus on supporting one another.
You don’t have to navigate this alone. We’re here to provide professional and sound help. Contact us on 082 839 6160 or daniel@marshfidelity.co.za.
Le Domaine Snippets Snippets & Socials
A Ducking Good Time
The Le Dom Arts and Crafts Ladies group came together, showing an overwhelming display of love and generosity, and knitted 190 little ducks for the needy. Each duck was lovingly made and paired with a delicious Easter egg inside. The ducks were donated to:
• Durban Children's Home: 70
• Ethelbert Children’s Home: 60
• M.O.T.H Victory Park Malvern: 60
Andrew Young
He wowed residents with another “smooth jazz meets soulful fire” performance during his “Roll Over Beethoven” show. He played to a full house of 140 residents who were immediately asking after his return.
Mother’s Day Lunch at Mode de Vie
200 Mums and grateful families gathered to celebrate them this Mother’s Day. Mode de Vie put on a beautiful spread with delicious food.
Snippets & Socials Continued...
Pop-up Shops
Happy shoppers at some of our popup shops held in Club de Vie this past month.
St Mary’s Pretoria Girls Choir
A heartfelt thank you to St Mary’s Pretoria Girls Choir for gifting our residents with your time and beautiful voices.
French Connection
Fab Finds
ESSE LIVE PROBIOTIC MIST
With live Bacillus coagulans that works actively and immediately to boost skin hydration, strengthen the barrier, and rebalance the microbiome for sustainably healthy skin. Where can you find it? Right on our doorstep at the Health Hydro. Call Ext 8056.
EDEN PERFUMES
There is nothing like smelling like a celebrity to make you feel a whole lot better. But let's be realistic, who can afford high-end perfumes these days? Eden Perfumes, a local fragrance manufacturer, offers affordable designerinspired fragrances that last all day. The O.P.M. Noir. Smells just like Opium by Yves Saint Laurent!
EMERGENCY PERSONAL SAFETY ALARM WITH LED
LIGHT
The perfect pocketsized essential to draw the most attention to you, regardless of the emergency you find yourself in. The features of the 140db Safety Alarm: Pull the pin to activate the alarm, and then utilise the button to activate the LED light. Available on Takealot.com.
RIMMEL WONDER'LAST EYESHADOW STICK
Mode de Vie’s Hot Lava Cake
Stroll up to the club house an order yourself a portion of the best chocolate pudding in the world! For only R49 per serving, it will come piping hot with a generous dollop of fresh cream. Every chocolate addict's dream. Call Mode de Vie for more info on Ext 8089.
We all love Bobby Brow’s cream eyeshadow stick (usually retails for about R820) but Wonder’last Eyeshadow stick is the same for around R190 at Dischem stores. For the same shade as Bobby Browns “Golden Bronze”, try Wonder’last’s 003 Copper Wink.
Please send us your Fab Finds to share with your fellow residents. Email Lydelle on lifestyle@bcld.co.za
Neighbours
BRIAN & ESTELLE KELLY
Brian
How long have you been involved in the entertainment industry, and what are some highlights?
For 28 years, since 1974, with a break of about 20 years, before Le Domaine came into our lives.
What would you say you are most well-known for professionally?
The ability to know what to play and when to play it comes with experience. I’m a journeyman DJ, but I’m not quite as good as I used to be at keeping a dance floor lively.
How much preparation goes into each month’s entertainment programme?
Approximately two weeks.
What do you enjoy most about sharing music with the residents of the estate?
The great feedback I get from them.
Have you seen any particularly special or memorable moments during your evenings?
My promotion work with artists like Bobby Angel, Sonya Herholdt, Gene Rockwell, Barbara Ray, Tommy Dell, Richard Jon Smith,
Gé Korsten, and a couple of others. Every function has its moments, some memorable for positive or not-sopositive reasons.
Who is your favourite musician or performer of all time, and why? Elvis, his voice.
If you could listen to only one song for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
“Theme From A Summer Place” – I just love it.
Do you play any musical instruments yourself?
No. Absolutely no talent.
What makes a song timeless in your opinion?
Musicianship, melody, and general production.
Estelle
How did the two of you first meet? In church.
What do you enjoy most about being married to someone so passionate about music?
We both love music. We go to sleep listening to music.
What do you enjoy least about being married to a DJ?
It plays havoc with your social life. Every Wednesday, most Fridays, and two gigs on Saturday; not much of a social life.
What do you enjoy most about being part of it all?
We are a very supportive family. We’ve supported our daughters and granddaughter in their dancing careers since 1977. I just enjoy being part of it.
What is the hardest part of playing the “behind-the-scenes” support role?
I’m never far behind the scenes. I’m there to do the things Brian has difficulty doing.
Brian clearly loves music, but does he sing in his sleep, too?
I’ve never heard him. Anyhow, he cannot hold a tune, totally tone deaf.
Tell us about your own interests or talents that people may not know. I played the piano and was a church organist. I do a lot of knitting and crocheting for charity, baking – not cooking – and trying to be a good wife and mother to my family.
What do you think is the secret to working so well as a team?
We’ve been married for 55 years in July and have been an item for about 62 years. I would say the secret is to understand each of our roles
Quick Fire to Brian and Estelle
Favourite decade of music? 60s.
Best live concert you’ve ever attended?
Queen.
One song guaranteed to get you onto the dance floor?
“Rock Around the Clock”.
Vinyl, CDs, or streaming? Vinyl; more “musical”.
One artist you wish you could have seen perform live? Elvis.
IN CARE OF THE ELDERLY
Proudly providing a Physiotherapy service at Le Domaine for over 20 years
At Riley Physiotherapists, we combine skilled, hands-on treatment with personalised care to help you move better and feel better.
Now offering a Functional Performance programme, which is for you if you want to:
• Walk faster and with greater ease
• Improve balance and feel steadier on your feet
• Build strength and confidence in your body
• Enhance your overall functional ability & performance in daily life
Thank you Parents For the love that never ends The patience of saints And the courage that kept us going. You are our superheroes
There’s something wonderfully universal about parents. No matter where we come from or how old we are, most of us can relate to the quiet sacrifices, endless patience, and occasional hilarity that come with motherhood and fatherhood.
The month of May gave us the opportunity to celebrate mothers, the women who somehow know where everything is, can hear a biscuit packet open from three rooms away, and have mastered the art of saying “because I said so” with remarkable authority. June, in turn, shines a light on fathers, the kings of bad jokes, enthusiastic braai
masters, and self-appointed experts on absolutely everything from weather forecasts to how to reverse park a trailer.
But behind the humour lies something deeply meaningful. Parents are often the steady heartbeat of a family. They are the people who cheer the loudest, worry the most, give endlessly, and somehow continue showing up even when they are exhausted. Their love is found not only in big moments, but in the ordinary ones too: packed lunches, late-night advice, school lifts, quiet encouragement, and countless acts of care that often go unnoticed at the time.
As we celebrated Mother’s Day in May and Father’s Day in June, perhaps it’s also a reminder to pause and appreciate the parents, grandparents, guardians, and caregivers who have shaped our lives in both big and small ways.
Parenthood is rarely perfect. It is messy, noisy, emotional, exhausting, and sometimes held together with coffee and pure determination. But it is also one of life’s greatest acts of love. So here’s to the parents: the snack providers, problem solvers, chauffeurs, counsellors, and unconditional cheerleaders. The world is gentler, warmer, and infinitely better because of you.
Out & About at
Le Domaine
A few snapshots of residents
seen “out
and about” on the estate
SYBILLE'S FABULOUS SOCIAL PILATES
COFFEE AND CAKE TIME WITH JOAN ROUTE AND MARLENE HOWARD
ARLENE CADMAN ENJOYING PAMPER TIME
ALTA PRETORIOUS FEELING LUCKY PURCHASING HER MONTHLY BINGO TICKET
POST YOGA COFFEE DATES WITH YVONNE, CYNTHIA, MOIRA, KAREN AND PAM
HAPPY AQUA LADIES
THE EVER SMILING KAREEN WINSTANLEY
ROS HAESLOOP FRESH OUT THE HAIRDRESSER'S CHAIR
COLIN PAIGE SNAPPING UP A HIGHWAY MAIL
SANDY SHARLAND
RON AND LIZ KIDSON SPENDING TIME IN THE CLUB DE VIE
Cleaning Hacks
The No-Scrub Frying Pan
Burnt-on food and greasy pans don't stand a chance! These simple, no-scrub hacks use everyday ingredients to leave your frying pan sparkling clean, with minimal effort.
To clean a burnt or greasy frying pan without scrubbing, simmer a mixture of water and 2–3 tablespoons of baking soda for 5–10 minutes, then let it cool and wipe clean.
For stubborn stains, add white vinegar to the baking soda for a fizzing reaction, or soak with a dryer sheet and soap for an hour.
BEST NO-SCRUB HACKS
1. BAKING SODA & WATER
Cover the pan base with water, add 2–3 tablespoons of baking soda, and boil for 5–10 minutes. The residue should lift off easily.
Sprinkle baking soda on the pan, add a little water to make a paste, and pour in vinegar.
Let it fizz for 10–15 minutes, then wipe away burned food.
A little heat, a little fizz, and a lot less scrubbing. More time for the things that matter.
2. VINEGAR & BAKING SODA
Meet the Team Stuck in the lift with Laura
In only a few short months, Laura has brought a wonderful energy to the reception, combining professionalism, attention to detail, and a sparkling sense of humour that instantly puts people at ease.
Inspired by the classic “stuck in a lift” scenario, we asked Laura a series of quick questions, the sort that move beyond polite introductions and reveal a little more personality, humour, and heart.
You’re stuck in a lift for two hours; who do you want with you and why?
My fiancé or Jesus, I shall just say
I have many creation questions for Jesus that we can not answer, even with the Bible.
You can only listen to one song on repeat in the lift; what is it?
I am still deciding between these three: “Puppet on a String” by Sandy Shaw, “Uptown Girl” by Billie Joel, or “Can't Smile Without You” by Barry Manilow.
The lift suddenly becomes a time machine; where are you going?
That is a difficult one as I am a strong believer of: we are who we are and know what we know from what we have been through, I would be a different
person if I went back and changed anything, and I am also a strong advocate for not wishing your life away but making the most of the moment you are currently living so I would not want to jump forward either.
You find a mysterious button in the lift; do you press it?
No, I prefer making informed decisions.
You have snacks but no phone; what are you doing to pass the time?
Sing, pray and remember/replay my favourite movies in my head.
Someone starts singing in the lift; do you join in or pretend you’re asleep?
Join in, but very quietly at first.
The lift opens to a completely different country; where do you hope you are?
Thailand or Mauritius.
The lift gets Wi-Fi for 5 minutes; what’s the first thing you do (but you can’t call for help)?
Download an audio Bible and some 50s and 80s music.
The person next to you won’t stop talking; how do you handle it?
Share all the advice I can. People who do not agree with your opinions usually eventually stop pushing for feedback out of frustration, or you end up learning from each other, so I believe with some patience, it is more likely to go positively than not.
You get to have one animal with you in the lift; what is it?
A hand-reared budgerigar (budgie).
We sat down with the newest face on the Body Corporate team
Bird Series The Beautiful
A series of photos depicting an epic battle between a giant lizard (Nile monitor) and some common moorhen in one of our waterways. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
PHOTOS CLAUDE MARTIN
These photos show off a giant kingfisher on the hunt, catching a crab and eating it. The whole encounter was caught shot by shot. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Excellerate Security has been rated South Africa’s top security company in the 2026 independent PMR.africa survey of Workplace Management Solutions companies. The award recognises excellence, service delivery, and the teams behind South Africa’s highest-rated companies.
By
Contact Rashilla Francis on 031 303 3890 or email: rashilla@communitychest.co.za YOU HAVE THE
We Love Hearing From You!
If you have an interesting story, a special memory, a unique experience, or even a fun little tale to share, we would love to hear from you. Likewise, if you know of a resident who you feel would make a wonderful feature in the magazine, please get in touch.
To share your story ideas or nominations, please email Lydelle at: lifestyle@bcld.co.za
More Than Curiosity
How one “Get to Know Your Neighbour” feature sparked a remarkable connection
WORDS LYDELLE GODDARD
One of the loveliest things about a community magazine is that it can do far more than simply share news and events; sometimes it helps create genuine human connections. Following our recent “Get to Know Your Neighbour” feature on resident and talented maritime artist and model ship builder, Ian Boyd, exactly that happened.
Resident Peter Sharland was paging through the Autumn edition of the French Connection when he arrived at Ian’s story on page 14. While Peter thoroughly enjoyed reading about Ian’s fascinating maritime career and remarkable artistic achievements, one particular painting immediately caught his attention: Ian’s superb depiction of a Durban Harbour tug. Far in the background of the painting, Peter noticed a ship moored at D Shed. On closer inspection, he realised it was one
of the famous “City Line” vessels belonging to the London-based company Ellerman & Bucknall. The ships City of Durban, City of Port Elizabeth, City of York, and City of Exeter carried both cargo and passengers around the world, regularly visiting South Africa. For Peter, this was no ordinary ship.
On 6 November 1963, Peter and his family boarded the City of Durban at Durban harbour and began a life-changing voyage to London. After stops in East London, Port Elizabeth, Cape Town and Las Palmas – and surviving a fierce storm in the Bay of Biscay – they finally arrived in London on 22 November.
Coming from a farm in Central Africa, London was a tremendous cultural shock. Peter vividly recalls seeing young men with “Beatle haircuts”, experiencing the cold English weather, and watching
black-and-white television for the very first time. That same evening, their hotel television programme was interrupted with the shocking news of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination.
After reading Ian’s article, Peter contacted him, only to discover that this fascinating neighbour had lived just one house away for years. The two residents soon met, shared stories, and formed a wonderful friendship. Ian has since very kindly agreed to paint Peter a picture of the City of Durban, complete with Table Mountain in the background, a treasured reminder of a deeply meaningful chapter in Peter’s life.
Stories like this remind us exactly why these neighbour features matter. Behind every front door is a lifetime of memories, adventures, talents and experiences, and sometimes all it takes is one story to turn neighbours into friends.
• Mobile
the
&
• Medical aid rates
• Diagnostic Hearing Assessments/Tests
• Hearing Aid Trials
• Hearing Aid Fittings
• Rooms based across the road from Le Domaine, at Clifton Hill Estate
083 779 3103 A personal physiotherapy service with a
• Auditory Processing Disorders - Assessment and management
• FM systems
• Swim Plugs, Earmolds, Ear Protection
Annual Party Marseille Village
WORDS LESLEY HEGER
While others cling to the last echoes of December festivities, Marseille Village preferred to do things a little differently. Our annual celebration waited until the holiday dust had settled, and on 25 February, some 40 residents gathered at Mode de Vie to prove that good things are indeed worth waiting for.
The evening began in style with welcome drinks overlooking the wetlands, setting a relaxed and cheerful tone. This was quickly followed by a lively “stand up, sit down” quiz; less about general knowledge and more about gentle self-exposure! Questions such as “sit down if you change into your pyjamas before supper” drew knowing laughter, while “sit down if you’ve ever made better chips than Malcolm” left everyone firmly on their feet.
After a delicious buffet, the competitive spirit took hold. Guests tried their luck at “Guess the Number of Beads”, while tables collaborated on a “Complete the Story” challenge. Table two, in particular, veered gloriously off course, weaving a tale involving dassies, churned lawns, blue garden pots, and a most efficient casserole brigade, much to everyone’s amusement.
The décor, featuring handmade crepe paper flowers, added a special touch. Despite anxious moments awaiting supplies (and
a few crafting battle scars from hot glue, broken scissors and wire cuts), the creative team triumphed, proving once again that coffee mornings can be both productive and perilous.
A special mention must go to the generosity of residents, whose donated prizes, gifts and behindthe-scenes sponsorships added greatly to the evening’s success. The evening concluded with
prize-giving, lucky draws, and plenty of smiles, another memorable chapter in Marseilles Village life.
Vervet Monkeys
Just about everything you need to know about these interesting and complex animals.
Understanding who vervet monkeys are, why they are here, what their behaviour means, how to behave or not to when they are around, and how to humanely keep them from those areas you don’t want them to be, is key to a peaceful coexistence between humans and vervet monkeys!
Vervet monkeys live in close-knit troops of around 35 individuals (some troops are as few as 20, others up to 55), led and protected by the alpha (dominant) male, within a fixed territory which the
females never leave from birth till death and carry information about the territory (the troop’s ancestral home) from one generation to the next. The adult female monkeys in the troop, led by the alpha female, dictate the day-to-day social dynamics of the troop, which also functions within the parameters of a strictly enforced individual and clan hierarchy (pecking order).
Male vervets leave their birth troop when they become sexually mature and remain nomadic until they can join another troop. The presence of a
mature male vervet in a troop is also temporary, as he will leave or be evicted from his current troop a number of times during his adult life, even if he is the alpha male in the troop. Lone adult males are not “rogues”; they are dispersing males looking for a new troop to join!
Most mature females weigh between 3.5 and 5 kilograms, and mature males weigh between 5 and 7.5 kilograms, rarely reaching 8 kilograms! Females give birth to a single baby after an approximate sevenmonth pregnancy. Most vervet babies are born during the period between September and December, but occasional births can, and do, occur throughout the year.
Not all adult females in the troop have a baby in any given year. Observations by those who work in the field of vervet monkey protection, rescue, and rehabilitation indicate that, due to the high infant mortality rate, possibly only one out of every four babies might live to adulthood.
In KwaZulu-Natal and some other provinces in South Africa, vervet monkeys are protected in terms of both national and provincial conservation legislation and also in terms of national animal protection legislation. Catching, possessing, translocating, injuring or killing
a vervet monkey without official approval via an issued permit is an offence! Vervet monkeys are NOT classified as “vermin”. Vervet monkeys are NOT “breeding out of control”, nor is there a “population explosion”. Vervet Monkeys do NOT randomly attack people or pets!
Vervets will threaten any person or other animal they regard as an immediate threat to their safety or that of a fellow troop member, but these threats are merely defensive and are intended only to warn off a possible aggressor and are very seldom carried through to an actual defensive attack.
As already stated, vervets do not randomly attack, but they will bite in self-defence if they are attacked or seriously provoked.
Concern that vervets will, without provocation, bite children who encounter them in the garden or home is unfounded.
Thousands of adults and children experience close encounters with vervets in KZN every day, and very rarely does anyone get bitten, and when there is an incident, there are invariably aggravating factors involved!
Monkey Helpline
Pot Pie Slow-Cooked Red Wine Beef
Tender beef slow-cooked in red wine with aromatic herbs and vegetables, topped with golden, flaky pastry. The ultimate warming dish for cosy winter evenings.
SERVES
4-6
PREP TIME
25 MIN
INGREDIENTS:
For The Filling
COOK TIME
2 HOURS
DIFFICULTY
MEDIUM
• 1 kg beef chuck or stewing beef, cut into cubes
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tbsp flour
• 1½ cups red wine
• 2 cups beef stock
• 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves (or ½ tsp dried thyme)
• 2 bay leaves
• 200g button mushrooms, halved
• Salt and black pepper to taste
For The Topping
• 1 sheet ready-made puff pastry
• 1 egg, beaten
Cook's Tip
For even deeper flavour, prepare the filling a day ahead and refrigerate. The flavours will mature beautifully
METHOD
1. Brown the Beef
Heat the olive oil in a large pot or casserole dish over medium-high heat. Brown the beef in batches until nicely coloured. Remove and set aside.
2. Cook the Vegetables
In the same pot, sauté the onion and carrots for five minutes until
softened. Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
3. Build the Flavour
Stir in the tomato paste and flour, cooking for one minute. Slowly pour in the red wine, stirring well to deglaze the pan.
4. Slow Simmer
Return the beef to the pot and add the beef stock, thyme, bay leaves and mushrooms. Season generously with salt and pepper.
5. Cook Until Tender
Cover and simmer gently for 1½ –2 hours, or until the beef is tender and the sauce has thickened beautifully.
6. Prepare the Pie
Transfer the filling into an ovenproof pie dish and allow to cool slightly.
7. Add the Pastry
Lay the puff pastry over the dish, trimming the edges if necessary. Brush with beaten egg and cut a small slit in the centre.
8. Bake
Bake at 200°C for 25–30 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown and puffed.
Serving Suggestion
Serve with creamy mashed potatoes or a simple green salad and enjoy beside a warm fire with a glass of red wine.
Perfect Pairing
A bold South African Shiraz or Cabernet Sauvignon complements the rich, savoury flavours of this dish beautifully.
