FroM THE General manaGer
Welcome (back), Simbithi!
It is our first e-Newsletter of 2026, and the ‘new year’ is well underway. The senior HOA management team met for our first quarterly management meeting in January, where we reviewed 2025 and discussed our goals for 2026. We are looking forward to a great year of innovation and evolving Brand Simbithi. The festive season was well-managed with minimal security incidents, and we are thankful to each of you who contributed to keeping Simbithi safe, clean and enjoyable for our community and those who visited. Our facilities and maintenance team completed renovating the braai areas at our community centres just in time for the holidays, and it was wonderful to see residents and guests enjoying them.
If you have not been out for a braai, there are still a few warm weeks left for you to have an afternoon out with your family.
Contractors are back after the annual builders’ shutdown, and our Building Control team has recommenced Design Review Committee (DRC) sessions. We are also about to begin the second round of our home and garden consultations, which are key to assisting homeowners in understanding possible compliance weakness against our protocols and policies. Our team will contact you to set a suitable time for the consultation, and we look forward to meeting you on-site.
Homeowners, we have two important engagements scheduled during February. First, an engagement on short-term letting within the Estate this Thursday, 5 February 2026 at 17:30 in the Pavilion Room. This is a forum where homeowners may discuss short-term letting with our HOA team and members of the Board of Directors,
FroM THE GENErAL MANAGEr
as promised during our 2025 Annual General Meeting. For those unable to attend the in-person engagement, a webinar will be scheduled in due course. We will communicate details closer to the time.
Secondly, we meet for our Annual Budget Presentations for SEEHOA and the Country Club on Thursday, 19 February 2026. Our Finance Manager, Etienne Begemann will present the budgets and take questions, thereafter.
As I conclude, I’d like to thank everyone who contributed to our annual service provider collection. We raised significantly more than we have in recent years, and your kindness enabled us to provide each staff member with a R450 voucher. This is the true spirit of our community, and one of the reasons we are proud to call Simbithi home.
Have a great February!
Marc Mc Clure
WoRLD WETLaNDS Day
Monday, 2 February 2026, marks World Wetlands Day. This is an environmental commemoration conceptualised in 1971, when a group of environmentalists cemented their love and pledge to protect wetlands.
As a pioneer in eco-estate living, wetlands are an important part of the Simbithi ecosystem.
ENVIRONMENT
A wetland is a piece of ground that is wet much, or all, of the time, long and regularly enough that it contains plant, insect, microorganism, and animal species that evolve for wet conditions and change the chemistry of the soil.
carbon sequestration, and stormwater and flood storage.
There are several on Simbithi, which house hydrophytic - water loving - plants, and hydricwaterlogged - soils.
To protect and conserve our wetlands, you may:
1. Vegetate your gardens to reduce runoff into nearby wetlands.
2. Use water wisely.
3. Remove alien plants and use indigenous vegetation, as per our landscaping protocols.
Water in a wetland may be above, below, near, or at the soil surface. They have high water tables - hydrology. Wetlands are beneficial to the environment because of their high biodiversity for wildlife, natural water filtration,
4. Do not discard paint and chemicals into the stormwater drains, as per our rules.
Click here to watch our environmental team wade into the Nsimbi Wetland!
SpoTTED… At long last!
An hour and a half of sitting quietly and waiting paid off for avid birder and photographer Brian Roberts, recently, when he saw the Buff-spotted Flufftail toward the end of Umvumvu Drive.
Brian had heard the call and patiently waited for this wonderful appearance. What a gorgeous sighting!
recipes of Simbithi:
Come Around the Table With Us!
We are elated to announce that work on our second publication, a sequel to 2023’s Birds of Simbithi, has officially begun! Recipes of Simbithi celebrates what brings us together as families and ultimately, as a community: food. Through this work, which we plan to publish towards the end of 2026, we will shine the spotlight on the best of the dishes from your kitchens and tables, Simbithi, and include a few classic favourites from our beloved Fig Tree. So, Simbithi, if you have a favourite dish you would like to share with us, now is the time!
RECIPES OF SIMBITHI
Submissions are now open for Recipes of Simbithi. Simply share your recipe with us by WhatsApp-ing it to 073 156 1378 or email it to marketing@simbithi.com.
Click Here to watch this short clip for more information.
Kom ons braai
Simbithi
SECuRITy
Golf Carts
During the last two months, our security team has stopped several drivers of golf carts with expired permits. Drivers were warned not to drive their golf carts on our roads or the golf course until they renew their permits at our Welcome Centre. For enquires, kindly contact welcomecentre@simbithi.com , and our staff will assist you with the permit renewal process. Please take note of the golf cart rule that applies:
Noise Disturbance and General conduct
Our team has noticed an increase in complaints of noise disturbance on the Estate. Residents, we appeal to you to be considerate of your neighbours to promote good community living. We have also attended to incidents of egg throwing. Parents, please note that this is considered vandalism and, if your children are caught exhibiting this unacceptable behaviour, consequences in line with our Estate rules will apply.
Speed Limit
A reminder that, according to our Estate rules, our speed limit is 40km/h on all Estate roads. Drivers, we encourage you to adhere to the speed limit, for the safety of other drivers, pedestrians, cyclists and our wildlife.
As is stated in the Simbithi EcoEstate Homeowner’s Handbook, it is compulsory for every golf cart on the Estate to be registered and adequately insured for public liability. In accordance with our revised rule, proof of adequate golf cart insurance must be supplied to SEEHOA to register and obtain the requisite stickers for your cart.
This must be renewed annually, and such time has come.
must be displayed on the front, left, and right-hand sides of your cart. An amount of R145 will be payable at the Welcome Centre via debit card or levy account for the forthcoming period.
Kindly note that the above process also applies to visitors intending to bring golf carts onto the Estate. Please advise your guests accordingly. Similarly, if you have sold your golf cart since the last renewal, please advise us via e-mail so we may reallocate your sticker.
Please e-mail your proof of insurance to welcomecentre@simbithi.com. The Welcome Centre will then advise when your three stickers per cart are available for collection. The stickers
For more information, or for clarity on the above, kindly contact the Welcome Centre on 032-946 8360 or e-mail
welcomecentre@simbithi.com.
Single Residential
Single Residential
Sectional Title Units
Sectional Title Units
TOTAL DEVELOPMENT: 1495 of 1610 = 93% developed
FROM THE Club General Manager
Happy New year, Simbithi family. May 2026 be a prosperous year for you and your loved ones.
As we turn the page, we do so with real optimism. Our mission remains to be the pre-eminent Eco-Estate in Southern Africa, and our vision is to uphold sustainability in everything we do - protecting our environment, enriching our community, and delivering exceptional leisure and sporting experiences.
While the dashboard snapshot shows cart hire softer than budget in December, the overall golf picture remains robust, with steady rounds and a healthy spend. Our Pro Shop performed well through the season, and the course welcomed members, residents, and visitors alike with tee sheets that were comfortably full.
These principles guided us through a bustling festive season and will continue to shape every decision we make in the months ahead. December was, simply put, a bumper month. The atmosphere across the Club was electric, and the energy translated into strong trading. Golf set the tone throughout the holidays, culminating in a month that matched, and in many cases exceeded, our expectations.
On New year’s Eve and Christmas Eve, we recorded the highest single day turnovers in the Club’s history - two truly record days that speak to the support of our community, the trust our guests have in our product and service, and the hard work of our operations teams.
Food and Beverage mirrored that festive spirit.
The Fig Tree’s food and beverage sales surged well above budget, and the Pavilion bar’s performance was exceptional,
FroM THE CLUB GENErAL MANAGEr
giving clear momentum into the New year. Our events team delivered a strong outcome that resonated with year-end companies celebrating a good ‘25 and well-attended functions and events providing continuity until Christmas. year to date figures for 2025 reinforce the strength behind the festive headline. Golf remains materially ahead of budget, with green fees up roughly 22%, cart hire up more than 26%, and Pro Shop sales are up about 18,5%.
However, 2025 has had higher operating costs, and the Club remains under operational pressure with interest-bearing loans, increased levies, and higher rates, to name but a few. As we celebrate the wins, we remain grounded in the knowledge that our business has become expensive to manage.
Food and Beverage continues to deliver on a powerful year; total F&B revenue is currently about 17% above budget. This was achieved through our upgrades to the pool deck, and kids’ play park towards the end of last year thereby ticking our stakeholder engagement box, which resulted in the family vibe the Club seeks.
Sport sales remain a work in progress. To lift Padel usage, we have introduced a R160 off-peak rate from 10:00 to 14:00 (excluding school holidays). We welcome new Padel players to take advantage of the discounted rate. Pay-to-play costs will be adjusted in the first quarter to match increased operational costs.
With that said, our Sports Operations Manager, Willem Rheeder, and his team have developed an engaging calendar across all codes. The introduction of social events, tournaments and
FroM THE CLUB GENErAL MANAGEr
competition sit high on the Club’s requirements to ensure our offering is maximised by both social and competitive play.
Our weekly themed specials returned on Monday, 12 January 2025, giving our residents and families compelling reasons to dine with us more often once again.
We enter 2026 with confidence, momentum, and clarity. Our year to date performance against budget shows that SCC is continuing to grow. Innovation across the board ensures our delivery on the catch phrase “What have you done for me lately? “
Thank you for making December a month to remember and 2025 a year to be proud of. The record trading days on Christmas Eve and New year’s Eve were more than numbers; they were moments where the Simbithi spirit was on full display.
Thank you for choosing Simbithi as your home club; we’ll carry this spirit into every round, every meal, and every gathering in the weeks ahead.
To every staff member who worked through the holidays, to every volunteer and advisory working group member who gave their time, and to every member and resident who chose to spend their festive season with us - thank you. your support and effort are the foundation of our success.
Happy New year!
Craig Nell
FROM THE
Golf Chairperson
By the time you read this, 2026 will already be well underway, and we trust it will be a great year for all our members. Welcome back to golf at Simbithi for 2026.
The annual golf calendar has been published, and we look forward to a well-balanced spread of events and competitions throughout the year. Members are reminded to enter all knockout competitions before the stipulated closing dates to allow us to commence on schedule and maintain appropriate timelines for each round.
This year, we have introduced a Plate Section to all knockout competitions. This initiative ensures that every participant is guaranteed at least two matches and additional playing opportunities. The Plate Knockout will run as a separate
competition for first-round losers, with its own bracket and a Plate Champion crowned at the conclusion. After winning their division last year, our Allerton League team has earned promotion and will compete in the A-Division in 2026. We wish them every success at this higher level of competition.
FroM THE GoLF CHAIrpErSoN
Our Scratch League team has been successfully re-established, and the enthusiasm shown thus far suggests an exciting season ahead.
We also extend our best wishes to our Ladies League team as they set out to defend their excellent performance from last year.
Finally, a sincere thank you to Adriaan, Amos, and their teams for their outstanding efforts in managing golf operations and presenting the course over the festive season. We received numerous compliments from visiting golfers from far and wide - an endorsement that further strengthens Simbithi’s reputation as the Jewel of the North Coast.
On the course, we continue to trial the enhanced maintenance programme, aimed at improving playability around green surrounds and fairways. This is being supported by a targeted initiative to remove foreign grasses across all playing surfaces. We trust that the benefits of these trials are becoming increasingly evident in the overall presentation of the course.
We wish all members an enjoyable and successful golfing year ahead.
Happy golfing in 2026!
Robin Rigney
FroM THE Men’s Captain
Dear Members
May 2026 be a very special year for all of you.
We are very excited for the new year in terms of Simbithi golfing, especially in terms of our jampacked golfing calendar.
Friday meat competitions. Alpine Motor Group has 22 dealerships in Durban, Pinetown, Hillcrest, Umhlanga, and the Ballito area. Alpine Motor group, is a privately owned company with a 57-year heritage in the motor industry.
THE RULE
We had a very successful holiday season as a golf section, with many holidaymakers playing at our beautiful golf course. We had a total of 4183, rounds for December, which included 1932, rounds by visitors and 2251, by members.
We wish our men's Scratch League, team, under the leadership of Terence Hope, and Allerton league, under the leadership of Philup Jansen, all the best.
We are certain you will make Simbithi proud.
“It ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward – how much you can take and keep moving forward.”
Rocky Balboa (Stallone)
We are excited to announce that Alpine Motor Group has committed to sponsoring 12 of our
Kind regards,
Pieter van der Westhuizen
Happy New year, Ladies!
Welcome to 2026! We hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful festive season and is ready for another exciting year of golf, laughter, and friendship.
We kicked off the year in fine style with a fantastic field of 48 players on Tuesday, 13 January – what a brilliant start to the season! It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces (and a few new ones) out on the course, setting the tone for a vibrant year ahead. Our first league match of the season is around the corner, and we’re wishing our team the very best of luck as they represent Simbithi with pride and great spirit. A special congratulations to Taylor Hope, who has been selected for the KZN Ladies Team – an outstanding achievement and a proud moment for all of us in the Simbithi Ladies Section! Here’s to fairways, friendships, and fabulous golf in 2026!
Warm regards,
Olga Serton
Into the KitChen
Capsicum Culinary Studio hosted workplace placement employers at their cookery school in December 2025.
We took along two of our talented alumni from Capsicum, Pastry Chef Rahul Bansee and Sous Chef Mnqobi Nlakanipho Ndlovu. Both began their journey as trainees at Simbithi and have since progressed through the kitchen ranks.
Here they are with our HR and CSI Manager, Justine Mia (third from right).
Oh, Christmas Tree, oh, Christmas Tree!
We are sure you’d agree that the Fig Tree looked magical during the festive season, with our showstopping Christmas tree.
Our heartfelt thanks to the special team of residents who decorated the tree: Les Downs, Dael Stojakovic, Rachael Bassett, Sandy Clark, Shelley McCreadie, Verne Terry, Gail Leaver, and Verna Botha-Richards.
Santa Claus’s annual visit to Simbithi Country Club was, as always, every kind of wonderful! Thank you to Fidelity Security Services for partnering with us to bring Santa in, in style: in their fire truck. Thank you to all the families who joined us for an enjoyable afternoon with Simbithi.
Also, Moms and Dads, please let your kiddos know that we have got word from the North Pole confirming Santa received all their letters. We hope their Christmas wishes came true!
Welcome to Simbithi, brad!
We’re thrilled to welcome Brad Scott, our new Padel coach, to Simbithi Country Club. Brad is a PadelMBA and Playtomic certified coach. As a former pro cricketer and avid sportsman, Brad is an enthusiastic coach who aims to inspire young and old to improve their game.
Pop into the Sports Complex to chat to Brad about honing your skills on the courts!
On the aIrwaveS
Our Sports Operations Manager Willem Rheeder and Events Manager Nelisiwe Ncama popped into Radio Life & Style recently to chat all things Simbithi Country Club in 2026. Listen to the engaging interview, here.
Jeff Leaver: Chairperson
Clive Mc Creadie: Deputy Chairperson HOA
Frank Bradford: Deputy Chairperson
SCC EXCO
Gavin Dunlop
Pamela White Alternate Director SCC & Marketing & Communications board9@simbithi.com
John Gowans
Trevor Luyt
Andrew Mackenzie
Anura Tewary
946 8372/92
946 8381/66
946 5423 foodbev4@gmail.com
Venue: pavilion room
Time: 17:30
For more information: proshop@simbithi.com or 032 946 5407
Venue: Club Deck
price: r630pp, including live music, three-course menu and spoils! Click here for the menu booking essential: sccmsc@simbithi.com
For more information: proshop@simbithi.com or 032 946 5407
The Country Club brings you Quiz Night, sponsored by Harcourts Dolphin Coast and hosted by “The Quiz Guys”.
Venue: The Fig Tree restaurant
Time: 18:00
Limited à la carte menu served bookings: foodbev1@simbithi.com or 032 946 5403
Venue: Heron Community Centre
Time: 11:00 to 15:00
Celebrate love with your family, with a valentine’s Day cookie decorating workshop and heartshaped pizza. To book for cookie decorating, please e-mail sccmsc@simbithi.com.
For more information: proshop@simbithi.com or 032 946 5407
For more information: proshop@simbithi.com or 032 946 5407
For more information: proshop@simbithi.com or 032 946 5407
more information: proshop@simbithi.com or 032 946 5407
032 946 5407
: pavilion room
: 18:00
more information, or to discuss queries regarding budgets and finances: fm@simbithi.com or 032-946 8368.
more information: proshop@simbithi.com or 032 946 5407
For more information: proshop@simbithi.com or 032 946 5407 For more information: proshop@simbithi.com or 032 946 5407
more information: proshop@simbithi.com or 032 946 5407
