the umhlanga magazine edition 1
DESCRIPTION
A magazine focused on Umhlanga, KZNTRANSCRIPT
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umhlanga
social scenes | new dion wired store | healthdesign | gadgets and gizmo’s & motoring
Jan - Mar 2012
issue 01
umhlangaTHE
A N E A S T C O A S T W A Y O F L I F E
a feast of fabulous flavours
a heart of gracereaching out
to people
roaring on the ridge
business guru aaron mcilroy
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property groupEXTRA DIMENSIONS
SANCTUARY
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January 2012 march 2012CONTENTS8 gaDgetS anD gIZmOS for the non techno junkies and junkies alike! What is new gadget wise
10 at the OffIce wIth aarOn mcIlrOy
13 hIgh SOcIety SOcIal Scene spotted out and about in umhlanga.
18 umhlanga pOwer ShOt
21 bOlD turn fOr knIght turner independent law firm Knight turner joins forces with phatshoane henney group
24 taShaS - a feaSt Of fabulOuS flavOur get to meet the owners of the funky new hot spot in umhlanga
30 5 muSt haveS when DecOratIng 31 gIllIanS chrIStmaS trenDS eating out at lifestyle centre has changed, take a look.
35 Super revamp We look at the super new DionWired store at gateway
38 a heart Of grace
42 larneyS hOt SpOt our secret hideout in umhlanga 45 mObI What private property is doing when it comes to mobi applications 56 what’S hOt On the nOrth cOaSt looking back at all that’s happened on the north coast this year - well at least the highlights because there was just so much!
48 kIDS cOrner
50 faSt track tO a great bODy
54 rOarIng On the rIDge
plus all our regular features on health, property, lifestyle anD much much more...
check out the Umhlanga magazine website at www.theumhlangaonline.co.za
having a social scene? give us a call to cover it and get the photo’s in the magazine
to
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contents
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Please share your views with us
We believe that getting feedback from our readers is extremely valuable. Whether it’s about something we’ve written about or something you think we should cover, we’d like to hear about it. While we’ve been doing this a while we don’t think we know it all and always believe their is room to learn. Send an email to [email protected] or chat to us on twitter @theumhlanga. We’d lOvE to hear from you!
Welcome to our launch edition of The Umhlanga, a magazine focused on life in and around the vibrant, energetic and aspirational area of Umhlanga - and more importantly dedicated to you.
Our idea is to publish our Umhlanga magazine once a quarter, well at least for now, and each edition will feature articles about inspirational people in our community, businesses doing things differently and all the funky fashion & design elements that make up the cosmopolitan lifestyle that is Umhlanga.
Putting together this edition really has allowed us to once again appreciate the splendor of being a part of life on the East Coast. When we decided to publish the mag we knew we had to include one of the hottest spots in Umhlanga, tashas restaurant. It was an added bonus for us to meet founder, Natasha Sideris, along with the two local owners Alek Manganas and Kyriakos Spetsiotios when doing the interview and we’re certain you’ll enjoy our article on the restaurant and this booming franchise.
Another great win is the article by renowned comedian, Aaron Mcilory. Aaron recently completed his show @work, a collaboration with Susan Monteregge, at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre and it was totally sold out. When I asked Aaron if he’d write about business and life in the “fast lane” he didn’t hesitate - he was in. We appreciate his fresh approach to the corporate and business world and we know that for most of you the
break from the traditional business advice column will help as you head into the new year after a spectacular holiday season.
The rest of the magazine includes great content and stories. Marc Forrest, technologist and gadget guru brings his review of products and techie things to our pages, Umhlanga fitness expert and microbiologist, Sean Temple and Mario Van Biljon, tell us about how we need to tackle food and fitness to ensure we have toned and healthy bodies for the new year and we got to speak to the team at Grace Family Church about the amazing work they are doing by reaching out to the broader Umhlanga and Durban communities.
Plus there really are pages more of interesting and insightful editorial that is sure to keep you entertained.
We trust you’ll enjoy this launch edition and we hope we’ll hear from you about what you’d like to read in our magazine in future or please invite us to your company’s launch/birthday/celebration so we can take pictures for our high society pages. We’d love to feature you and your guests on the pages of the magazine.
Until we meet again, we trust you’ll ease into the new year and we wish all your dreams come true on 2012. We know getting this first edition to you has already made one of ours come true.
God BlessJustin Scott & the team
publISherlorinda scott | [email protected]
eDItOrJustin scott | [email protected]
graphIc DeSIgnDaniel rambaly | [email protected] lyndie pieters | [email protected]
SaleS lucille nagel | [email protected]+72 83 747 3694
In hOuSe JOurnalISt storm catterick | [email protected]
cOntrIbutOrSaaron mcilory, marc forrest, alan cooper, gillian Kaatz, mario van biljon, sean temple and richard Webb
aDmIn & accOuntS sharlene reddy | [email protected]+72 32 946 3187
phOtOSJustin scott, lorinda scott
OffIce number+27 32 946 3187+27 32 946 0357
faX number086 605 0098
eDItOrIal aDDreSSsuite 1b silverstone WayDouglas crowe ave | ballito, KZn
frOnt pagetashas restaurant, gateway shopping centre
prIntIng
Dna print (pty) ltd.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the contents fabmags publications cannot be held responsible for any omission or errors, or for any misfortune, injury or damages that may arise therefrom. theumhlanga is published by fabmags publications, suite 1b, silverstone Way, Douglas crowe road, ballito, south africa 4418.
copyright theumhlanga and fabmags publications. all rights reserved. reproduction in whole or any part is prohibited without prior permission of the publisher. all products and services featured in this publication are subject to availability and are not stocked by fabmags publications.
eDItOrS note
eDitor
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19SPRING 2011
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gaDgetS
blackberry bOlD 9900www.blackberry.comBlackberry recently announced the latest addition to the their phone lineup with the BlackBerry Bold 9900. The phone, which features a full QWERTY keyboard, as well as a touch screen, brings the best of both worlds to 1
device.
This is the fastest and most powerful BlackBerry experience yet. The BlackBerry Bold 9900 is loaded with a 1.2 GHz processor, 8GB of onboard memory, 720p HD video recording, dual-band Wi-Fi, and a built-in compass, and also comes pre-loaded with the feature rich BlackBerry OS7.
If you due for an upgrade, or looking to get a new feature rich smartphone, then the new BlackBerry 9900 is a must look at!
tOmtOm tOp gear eDItIOnwww.tomtom.co.za
tomtom recently launched the tomtom go LiVe top gear edition, bringing fans a combination of a Stig mode, Jeremy Clarkson’s directions and unique top gear selected points of interest including race track and raceway locations related to the series. Featuring tomtom’s congestion-busting hd traffic technology, the new satnav will steer drivers through traffic jams and is packed with top gear features including start-up and shut-down screens and car icons. drivers can choose to have the Stig mode, which renders the device instantly silent, or select Jeremy Clarkson’s voice to guide them. At r1 999, the tomtom go LiVe top gear edition includes one year of tomtom’s LiVe Services at no cost. the flagship service is tomtom hd traffic, which delivers dynamic routing and accurate traffic information every two minutes. hd traffic gives drivers detailed incident reports, length of delays and reason for them, accurate travel and arrival times and alternative route proposals.
leapfrOg leappaD eXplOrerwww.leapfrog.com
designed for little hands and big imaginations, the LeapPad explorer takes learning to new heights. With his or her own learning tablet, your child can have fun with phonics, maths and science and then take learning beyond the basics to geography, world languages, music and life skills such as brushing their teeth! As part of the learning adventure, your child can also practice writing skills with step-by-step instructions and a child-sized stylus. edutainment takes centre stage and, thanks to the accelerometer and 5” brilliant colour touch screen, little ones can enjoy a truly interactive learning experience. disney favourites like toy Story 3 and Cars put them in the middle of the action with hd-like graphics. LeapPad explorer helps children with their vocabulary and improves reading skills. LeapFrog’s largest library ever (100+ learning games, videos, e-Books, flash cards and more) and e-book functionality enables children to customise an endless variety of learning experiences. Characters and backgrounds come to life and the interactive dictionary reinforces the definition of a word through animation and audio effects. the LeapPad explorer is child-friendly in every way and can withstand rough play. it has a 2gB memory, 480 x 272 resolution and is designed to work in portrait or landscape orientation. Additional features include volume control, a headphone socket and home button for easy navigation. to expand the fun across platforms, the exciting library of Leapster explorer game cartridges and apps are cross compatible with the LeapPad. the LeapPad is available at dionWired stores for r1199.
kInDlewww.amazon.comthe team at Amazon recently re-launched the ever popular Kindle brand with a number of new models. We took a look at the fantastic Kindle Fire in an edition of one of our other magazines, which is an Android based device which brings your books to life on a full colour device.
Amazon also relaunched a newer, slimmed down version of the Kindle, which has no keyboard, and is a WiFi only device. Weighing in at around 30% less than the standard model, pricing has also been reduced to make it affordable at only $109 (±r800) this makes the new Kindle the perfect present for anyone who enjoys reading.
by marc forrest | WWW.marcforrest.com
gaDgets
giZmo’s
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I don’t know how you feel but for me the ‘9 to 5’ career choice has always seemed as attractive as, I don’t know? A severe case of herpes or sharing
my ice cream with a camel (one lick for you one lick for me kind of style) or going out with a girl who just broke up with her bouncer / Taekwondo champion / steroid junkie boyfriend- it’s just bad for your health.
Don’t get me wrong, I like work- as long as it’s for myself. Of course a lot of people say that I don’t actually work for a living. The general consensus among my friends is that making people laugh for a living isn’t really work! Its more like a hobby that you get paid for. Of course none of them have ever actually tried doing it. I’ve tried telling them that comedy is a bit like golf, it looks easy until you actually try it- but I can tell that they don’t really get it.
I do get a ‘taste’ of the real world as I am often asked to do ‘motivational comedy’
AAron Mcilroy
at theOffIce
at the office. This usually involves me pretending to understand a lot of corporate jargon like ‘synergistic confluence’ or ‘shifting mindset’ or ‘moving from Good to Great’, before encouraging them to really engage in some low-grade humiliation [called team building] after which I grab my cheque and say ‘So long Suckers’…
It is therefore with great fear and trembling that I now pay tribute to those of you who work in the herd who do that wildebeest migration thing every morning and evening. You who put up with that particular co-workers’ biennial jokes - or just smile at the IT support guy who is such a lazy little prick, and who acts like he is doing you a favour by doing his job. [But you have to be nice cos he is the only guy who knows how the network works].
Then there are, the cowboys, the hot shots, the ego-maniacs, the guys who keep the cigarette companies turning a profit. These guys seem to talk too much and shower
too little. This is particularly problematic when combined with an alarming lack of understanding about personal space. Yes we are talking about those SAlES PEOPlE.
I see now that these guys are a breed apart and should be kept apart from us as much as possible and that is why they are usually given cars and told ‘GO! HUNT! KILL! But bring back the samples’. I haven’t even mentioned the ‘Boss’ yet- but it seems to me that we call him/her ‘the Boss’ cos all the other 4 letter swear words were taken.
Yep! It’s tough out there. People like me are in awe of you guys who make it happen every day at the hard coal face of business. You guys ROCK! Well blady done! Here’s your noddy badge…
To get in touch with Aaron visit his site at www.aaronmcilroy.co.za or call him on 031 312 7433. Aaron is also on twitter @aaronmcilroy
uMhlAngA’s business guru
insight
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SUMMER IS HERE….
BIG 5 AFFORDABLE NOWBook now for your 5* luxury break at KZN’S Premier BIG 5 Reserve (20 000 acres) in the luxurious Nambiti Plains Private 5* 10 bed exclusive eco lodge. 3.5 hr drive from
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Midweek special R1 600 per person per night (includes 2 game drives, all meals, teas, coffees, welcome drink).
This lodge is one of a select few exclusive lodges that form part of FLAVOURS OF KZN (Fine dining). Other
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CALL THE LODGE NOW FOR WEEKEND SPECIALS!DAYTRIPS ALSO AVAILABLE!
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been SpOtteD?email us and we’ll send you a complimentary copy of your photo
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high SociETyevents anD happenings along the umhlanga coast
having a launch, event or something social you Want us to cover? email us at [email protected]
the event Wings launchthe place oyster boX
gueStS1. David elton, lesley elton, sorin & cindy necsolu 2. lina da costa & sue Waterworth 3. sandra briant & Jody morley 4. elloise & nadlo coppola 5. phindile nxumalo & Kedi maponyane 6. michelle de Wet and izy etkin & nella palazzo 7. brigette verreyne, angelique Williams & sam de Wet 8. chantal naidoo, cookie palanivelu, sharin pillay & Kerry lee pillay
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GUEST9. brett Weinberg, Danielle hertz, galit seligman & Keegan Zidel 10. byron goldberg, chad nathan, Jessica Kaplan, mathew brouze & Jason seaward 11. rudy singh & Devina gordhan 12. steph von platen & rachelle Dalais 13. Kirsten moss & Kerry schreyer 14. guess glamour models 15. stuart marsh & tamsyn egnos 16. chanel piccione & pascale Darne 17. Kashav Jamuna & aarti Jaganath
THE EVEnT guess fashion shoWTHE PlacE Dli hall, grayville
social scene
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THE EVEnT panDora launchTHE PlacE la lucia mall
GUESTS18. sarita heerman, natalie mc Donald, lize heerman, chia Kougianos 19. lucille nagel, christie Desfontaine, pam de menezes & storm catterick 20. michelle & Wayne shelley 21. natasha Whittaker, megan harris 22. monty & cindene smith 23.claire veitch, robyn hulley 24. lisa hovgaard, claus Jakobsen & Jodi Karpes 25. Deborah andrews & charis charlton 26. samantha de lange & candice cochrane.
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umhlanga poWer shot
purely umhlangaWe’ll be profiling a photo that we believe captures the essence of umhlanga, in every edition of the magazine. if you’d like to send us pics to use please forward them to [email protected] and who knows, you might have one of them published!
the oyster box has become a landmark on our umhlanga beach front and offers both locals and visitors an opulent, decadent, luxurious experience with every visit. its ‘posh’, old style decor whisks you away to a time gone by whenever you enter the hotel and it truly does scream - umhlanga
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Respected independent law firm, Knight Turner, has joined forces with the Phatshoane Henney Group of associated law firms,
bolstering the la lucia Ridge-based firm’s highly regarded local expertise in commercial, property, estates and labour law with Phatshoane Henney’s national reach and wealth of resources.
Knight Turner director, Andrew Turner, said the partnership offered significant benefits to clients. “We’re not a huge, faceless firm. Our discerning clients value the personalised, specialist attention they receive from us. Now, thanks to our association with Phatshoane Henney, they’ll enjoy the same level of one-on-one attention, with all the additional clout of a national association at their disposal”.
“It’s truly the best of both worlds. Our independence remains intact but our focus, which is delivering a personalised, high quality service, will be enhanced. We’re tremendously excited about this partnership,” Turner said.
By joining the group, Knight Turner has also shown its commitment to transformation
and black economic empowerment (BEE). “We’re working with Phatshoane Henney to implement several empowerment and skills development initiatives in our firm. This will ensure we meet national requirements and are recognised as a preferred BEE supplier to our clients.”
As part of the deal, Phatshoane Henney’s Sam Moleko recently joined Knight Turner as a co-director and is helping to implement the group’s initiatives and solutions at the firm.
“We’re thrilled to have Knight Turner join the group,” Moleko said. “I believe they share our values of dedication to quality, service delivery and transformation and I look forward to their involvement and positive contribution to the group. I have no doubt this seminal step will contribute greatly to the continued growth and success of the firm”.
“Phatshoane Henney is South Africa’s largest association of law firms. Group members are pre-eminent or niche market firms in their respective regions with a strong focus on innovation, service quality
and imparting value to their clients. The group’s support services, marketing power, strategic partnerships and research support enhance the ability of member firms to excel and differentiate themselves, ultimately enabling an even better service to their clients,” said Moleko.
Knight Turner is underlining these progressive developments by rolling out a brand new corporate image using the creative expertise of top local advertising agency, The Hardy Boys. Its website, signage and stationery have been completely redesigned to give them a fresh, contemporary look and feel.
“These changes, both public and behind-the-scenes, reflect our philosophy: serious and uncompromisingly professional but, at the same time, dynamic and modern. You don’t have to be staid, boring and old fashioned to deliver top notch legal services. Our clients appreciate this approach” Turner said.
bOlD turn for Knight turner
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above : Client Launch - Some of the Knight Turner Staff, from left to right are Lauren Kelso, Leah Darley, Matthew Ventura, Donovan Avenant, Barbara Zieciak, Leigh Jepson & David Asherson right: from left to right are Andrew Turner (Knight Turner), Sam Moleko (Knight Turner, Phatshoane Henney) & Philo Nel (Phatshoane Henney)
To contact Knight Turner call them on 031 5838900 or 082 9245888
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mark gOlD
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Great jewellery is very personal as you are essentially buying something that is going to be in your life forever and then
be passed down from generation to generation! Great jewellery always comes with a price, but no price can overcome the excitement you feel when you make your purchase or the great memories that you are going to experience with it. Great jewellery comes with a feeling, an emotion that lasts forever. If it doesn’t, then it’s not great jewellery - if it doesn’t then it’s definitely not Mark Gold Jewellery.
Mark Gold are definitely jewellers of distinction and a name to be reckoned with, with innovative designs that break the mould of merely OK to out-of-this-world! Seeing jewellery pictured on a piece of paper cannot be compared to experiencing it at first-hand, so we decided to visit Mark Gold in Innes Road, Morningside where we spoke to the owner, Dean Gorrie, a master-jeweller and all-around amazing
guy to find out why it is that this company is THE destination jeweller in South Africa. In the jewellery industry you are often bombarded with throwaway imitations that don’t last, so it is refreshing to visit a place that is dead-set on providing hand crafted, top quality jewellery that doesn’t just claim to be different and unique, but truly is. Mark Gold creations, unlike much other jewellery, are not mass-produced; the company has stuck to its guns and provided top end, handmade, bespoke jewellery. With most jewellery your love for it fades, but owning a piece from Mark Gold ensures the kind of love that never dies! At Mark Gold everything is made in-house and nothing is bought in and resold, so everything you see and touch is a true representation and experience of what the company does and the relationship between the pieces.
Each piece is unique, with a sense of individuality, but you can see the Mark Gold influence in all of them, as well as the care, time and quality that goes into
making every piece. Another thing that makes Mark Gold jewellery so exclusive is that the company continually evolves its designs rather than always trying to create something new that has no relationship to or connection with the rest of the pieces. Every range is an evolution of what the company has done before, so the items continue to get better and better while still retaining the “DNA” of its predecessors. Not only that, but in what other jewellery store can you gaze at magnificent jewellery which the likes of Celine Dion, Princess Charlene of Monaco and Jensen Button have purchased, or sit in an award-winning coffee shop that offers a vibey atmosphere along with expensive, handpicked, single-origin 100% Arabica beans? Ah, nowhere!
Dean is an extremely interesting and passionate guy which shows through in the jewellery. You cannot fake that kind of passion; it is the result of making your profession an essential part of your life. His infatuation with jewellery stems from
bling
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“There is just no otherjewellery like it”
the underlying factor that it is always affiliated to all the pleasant things in life, such as birthdays, engagements, anniversaries etc. Dean says that being able share that with someone is priceless, as a bit of you is and forever will be a part of a special moment in someone’s life.
A lot of the company’s preferences are for heavy items that are relatively chunky and bold - definitely not for the introverted or
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Appealing
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faint-hearted people. While saying that, the jewellery does not feel heavy and is in fact without a doubt the most comfortable piece of jewellery you will ever wear. A lot of the inspiration behind Mark Gold comes from Italy - the food, the culture and the overall ambiance, as you know the Italians are very bold people and they just know how to make things beautifully.
At Mark Gold you don’t just receive an exquisitely intrinsic piece of jewellery you are receiving a memory, an experience and a lifelong relationship, and a great cuppa to boot. It most definitely is a destination store that will leave you biting at the bit for jewellery that will send you into a state of frenzy and greed- yes they are that good! If you are in the market for a special ring for a special someone! There is no question about it Mark Gold
is the only place to go where your love for the person is symbolised in the plethora of jewellery they offer.
Each of Mark Gold’s jewels is a work of art - created to showcase a striking harmony between design, the finest materials and the use of bright colour. As a brand driven by a culture of pure excellence they encourage you to express your individuality through their bold and dinstinctive design.
When you visit Mark Gold you can also enjoy their unique concept of coffee shop and jewellery store combined.
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a feast of FaBUloUS flavours
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tashas Umhlanga, a new addition to the already phenomenal brand, is making waves in Umhlanga as THE place to see and be seen! This spacious boutique café adds its own unique signature style to the tashas brand, offering a warm, comfortable and cheerful dining experience for all its patrons. It is so satisfying to enter a restaurant that embodies all it represents in both the interior décor and the food served; it is, as the website notes, “a true marriage of tastes and design aesthetics”. This is undeniably a restaurant that prides itself on delivering out-of-this-world food, quality service and a massive mouth-watering menu that will leave you utterly spoilt for choice because everything is just
that good! We got to chat to the owners of this bustling new establishment, Alekos and Kyriakos, the new Umhlanga franchise owners, and Tasha herself, to find out more about their new gem, tashas Umhlanga...
hOw wOulD yOu DeScrIbe taShaS umhlanga? what ethOS haS It createD? tashas Umhlanga is a light, bright, easy-breezy contemporary café that offers all-day innovative comfort food in a relaxed and beautiful environment. The ethos of the store is to ensure that we deliver a stellar experience for our customers. We are driven by a passion for food and people.
tell uS a bIt abOut yOur backgrOunDS — what DID yOu DO befOre thIS? Alek Manganas
Early in my career I was involved in a family-owned business, Model Dairy, a coffee shop/take-away enterprise targeting the corporate sector in the Durban CBD. I managed two of the three shops and my dad ran the other one. In my spare time I was also the entertainer for Greek-themed restaurant functions and weddings, doing the dancing and plate breaking and the burning of floors! Most of my customers remember me from dancing in many of the restaurants in Durban and I am often asked, “Don’t we know you from somewhere?” I have also had experience in property and car sales. I have now finally found my forte in our tashas restaurant, where my love for the brand, the fabulous food, the beautiful people and, very importantly, my unbelievable staff, has made me the happiest I could ever be. It really is unbelievable and hard to explain; we’re just proud... proud of everything we do here at tashas! There’s only love for this place – I can’t wait for tomorrow!
Local owners Alek Manganas and
Kyriakos Spetsiotios have made tashas
an Umhlanga landmark with its great
ambience and brilliant food
Destination
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Kyriakos SpetsiotiosFreezocinno-loving, apron-wearing foodster. After my schooling I travelled to Europe, joined the Greek Army with my tashas’ business partner, Alekos Manganas, and later returned to Durban. I joined my father, well-known Durban entrepreneur, Sotiris Spetsiotios, in his various businesses. I also gained lots of experience in clubs, restaurants and bakeries in and around Durban. In 2004 I started working on my own entrepreneurial projects, including a Steers drive-through in Umgeni Road, Durban, Pantsula bites in Braamfontein, Jo’burg, and a successful bar and events company, also in downtown Jo’burg. I returned to Durban in December 2010, where I got involved in our tashas venture. I believe that the ultimate form of
giving is cooking for people, and so it gives me great happiness to share what I love doing every day with the people from my home town. Passion and persistence are my motto!
what maDe yOu chOOSe gateway anD umhlanga fOr taShaS? what waS It that appealeD abOut thIS lOcatIOn? The site was chosen by the brand’s management team. They are extremely specific and particular when it comes to site selection; they had visited Durban over a period of two years before finally deciding on the location. Umhlanga is a booming area that has not yet reached its full potential in terms of growth. Furthermore, it’s a perfect mix of a community and business, making it ideal
for the brand. The brand usually does not go into large commercial malls. However, from a business perspective, we needed to ensure that the restaurant benefitted from high levels of foot-fall. The Gateway site offered a good combination of robust consumer volumes, whilst enabling the restaurant to maintain its “boutique” feel.
what makeS It wOrk? IS It the venue, the fOOD Or the peOple whO cOme here? I think it’s a combination of the food, venue, people and our passionate staff that make it the success it is. Attention to detail is key to the brand and our restaurant. Most important for us is that we love our customers.
“This is undeniably a restaurant that prides itself on delivering out-of-this-world food, quality service and a massive mouth-watering menu that will leave you utterly spoilt for choice because everything is just that good!”
Destination
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there muSt be twO Or three tOp DISheS that peOple lOve. what are they? We have a lot of favourites on the tashas “classic” menu but, in addition, we have a menu that is specifically designed for the Gateway restaurant— this is our tashas “signature” menu. I would have to choose the top three dishes from this signature menu — chicken wild rice, apricot sticky ribs and the fresh fish of the day.
DO yOu change thIngS up tO keep everythIng freSh anD DIfferent? The brand is constantly evolving and changing elements. In fact, we have just launched new classic and signature menus. Innovation is key to keeping people excited and staying on trend; food is like fashion — you have to keep it exciting.
what elSe DO yOu DO that peOple DOn't knOw abOut? We have a delicious section on the classic menu that is called “me and you”. The Middle Eastern tray (for two) and the Italian tray (for two) are perfect sharing dishes to have with drinks and friends.
In yOur OpInIOn IS there a certaIn type Of perSOn taShaS appealS tO Or IS It appealIng fOr everyOne? We believe our menu is varied enough to accommodate most peoples’ tastes and price range; the environment is homely, warm and relaxed, so I think it appeals to everyone.
the fOOD IS IncreDIble anD unIque — where DO yOu get the InSpIratIOn fOr yOur mealS?Tasha is the creator of the meals; she does a lot of research and planning for the
menus as well as the presentation of the food and drinks.
where DO yOu See the taShaS branD In a cOuple Of yearS’ tIme? tashas will remain boutique and by that I mean that the brand will never comprise a large number of restaurants. It will by design be limited to premium locations. The brand is all about maintaining standards, I would like to see tashas in Umhlanga becoming an institution. I believe that if we maintain standards we will be busy for many years to come.
haS the cOncept fOr taShaS In umhlanga changeD Or DIffereD at all frOm ItS preDeceSSOr In JOhanneSburg? All the tashas restaurants are slightly different and unique; it’s not a typical cookie-cutter-model franchise. For this
Destination
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reason each one is individually designed specifically for its area and an exclusive signature menu is put in place to cater for the specific clientele.
DO yOu fInD the market-appeal IS the Same In umhlanga aS In yOur JO’burg reStaurantS? Yes, the tashas customer-base here is pretty much the same as in Jo’burg.
a DelI/bakery wIthIn a reStaurant SeemS tO be the new “In” thIng; why IS thIS SO? what waS the thInkIng behInD It? Typically, stand-alone delis have not been hugely successful in South Africa, possibly because the high standard of deli-offerings available in the major retail chains makes it difficult for smaller operators to compete, especially on price. I think that the bakery-in-restaurant trend has tremendous potential. There is nothing better than freshly baked artisan bread.
hOw haS the reSpOnSe tOwarDS taShaS been SO far anD haS yOur eXpanSIOn been wOrth It? The response has been phenomenal and has exceeded all our expectations. We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for all their support — it’s been a dream come true for us. u
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We speak to one of Umhlanga’s best-known and most sought-after interior decorating companies, La Grange, to find out what they think are ‘must-have’ items that will turn any home into a fabulously trendy dream home. This is what they had to say...
They say style is eternal and I absolutely agree, although for me part of the fun is updating one’s style as the mood and seasons change. The best way to get the look and feel you are after is to replace and rearrange your existing accessories and lighting and throws are a perfect way to change the ambiance of a space. Lighting is very important, but it must be practical but evocative, too. Use occasional lamps to create a mood by casting pools of light on the table or floor where they are positioned. Create a focal point in a room by giving an old lampshade a sheen effect - metallic’s are “now” and will be tomorrow’s memories
1Throws are essential for comfort and to enhance personal style. Layer textured linens on your bed, over a sofa arm or on your favourite chairs on the veranda to add colour and interest. Our newest range of throws is a beautiful mix of geometric patterns with subtle colours, using materials like merino wool and cotton - a stylish addition to any home.
2Patterned carpets can create visual interest in a room by adding depth and perspective.
Graphic rugs can bring darker rooms to life. Patterns are also more forgiving to heavy foot traffic. The more patterns a rug
has, the lower the maintenance will usually be.
4One visit to someone’s bathroom can tell you a lot about them. Invest in white towels and use chunky bars of soap and
basic toothbrushes. No plastic bottles here - everything
should be decanted or stored in built-in
cupboards.
fiveAdd organic touches. Woven vine ottomans, wicker tables or one or two bamboo
chairs will update your space without spoiling the mood.
Accessories drawn from nature, like using dried and beautifully textured items such as bark, roots and moss together with ceramics in earthy tones still feels very current and up-to-date. The same applies to frosted and metallic glassware which gives a new and modern feel.
Five must-haves when decorating your dream home!
la grange’S top 5 tipsThe lifestyle Sumari promotes is to constantly update your traditional spaces to create a breath of fresh air with current designs in classic materials or classic designs in modern materials.
325 Umhlanga Rocks DriveUmhlanga RidgePhone | 031 566 1137Email | [email protected]
If you want to find out more about how you can update your home with simple ideas and tips get in touch with La Grange
Decor & Design
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christmas trenDSRenowned designer Gillian Kaatz decorated a magnificent home in Mt Edgecombe Estate, Umhlanga and shares with us her ideas on trends influencing Christmas decorating for 2011
with gillian k
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in a freezing hall, where I sat chilled to the bone at minus 3 degrees
- straight from sunny summer in South Africa to snow- and ice-covered America - I listened to “world authorities”
on colour trends for this year. It is fascinating how trends change with the times and with the mood of the shopper. They talked of “elegant palettes and timeless hues”, taking “bold chances” and being the “restless Nomad” and so it went. And then off I rushed to do the real thing...buy for Gillian’s, my seasonal sensations and gorgeous gifts shop in Ballito near Hirsch’s (and, for a short while, at the newly-revamped and stylish Lifestyle Centre). Well, that is when the
theory goes out of the window and the heart takes over. To buy at a Christmas show, particularly in the USA, is nothing short of mind-blowing. You cannot begin to imagine the hundreds of showrooms filled with the most beautiful gifts you could ever imagine and have now laid eyes on. In a week you can never see enough, let alone remember what you saw or ordered. You are just too spoilt for choice. Have you noticed how a whimsical Christmas has become awfully popular? Maybe whimsy cheers us? I remember when studying for my Interior Design Diploma that whimsy was just what one needed for a good focal point or to stimulate conversation. So, whimsical I bought. I have had such fun using these
cute, elf-like Santa figurines to add to a balustrade with lots of little elves on it, which somehow adds to an elegant and angel-inspired tree in the magnificent home of Ivan and Jeanne Clark. One always has favourite people to decorate for at Christmas and Jeanne is certainly my lady of choice. It is not only the way she makes me feel when decorating her tree, for she is a lady of such compassion and caring that it is a privilege to be chosen by her. Her passion for Christmas and her superb taste is seen throughout her magnificent home, which is decorated with French elegance and sophistication. When it came to her Christmas decor I knew that one beautiful angel in burgundy and gold, in particular, would be just perfect for the tree for this year. The angel inspired the bows, baubles and flowers and the decorations for the tree and balustrade. I made the wreath that is placed in the centre of the balustrade, using burgundy bows to enhance the theme. Jeanne decorates her entire home for Christmas, so there are a number of trees and magnificent objects placed in strategic places. Red and silver or red and gold are the most popular choices and always a favourite. Do you know that although people always tell me how the red
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I am decorating for the Pavilion...I keep the special decor to decorate exclusive trees and theirs will be purple (my favourite colour). I have been Christmas decorating for over 20 years now and every year I get excited all over again choosing just the right ribbon to accentuate the perfect ornament, or the perfect cluster. Beach-themed goodies were also very popular at the shows and for Fairmont Zimbali I decided to decorate a beach-themed tree for the cocktail bar...Santa with all sorts of cocktails and decked out in his beach attire. I then added jellyfish, coral, beach baubles, seaweed, deck chairs etc...too cute for words. So, whether it’s red and white, or pure white, as one beautiful home
in Zimbali belonging to a friend has been decorated, it’s really your own personal choice. This friend buys only white baubles and her tree is quite magnificent. I wish you happy Christmas shopping and wonderful hours of decorating.
www.gilliankdesigns.co.za
GIllIAN’SCrowthorne Corner, Garlicke Drive Ballito , [email protected] 084 500 0804
Gillian can also be found at Lifestyle Centre opposite Mica
and white Santa is the “real Santa”, this character was originally inspired by Coca Cola. Now you know!
Many suppliers in the States featured lots of purple, lavender and lilac. From my favourite supplier of many years I simply had to buy a whole ballet and skating theme as it was just too cute for words - little pink ballet shoes and magnificent ballerinas and all the goodies to decorate a tree for the right little girl. Then there was turquoise with silver, or lots of platinum. I also bought stunning table cloths, towels, finger towels, runners and chair bows from a favourite supplier. We laugh, as they know I will never shop online. I have to touch and see! I meet with the suppliers every year in different countries. We laugh and chat often online, all about where and how I am going to use the decor I buy - and I keep them updated with ads and pictures. As I decorate many homes and a few hotels for Christmas (my favourite being the Fairmont Zimbali as the general manager, David Mac Gillivra, a Christmas Eve birthday boy, shares my passion), I buy all sorts of funny and gorgeous themes. So if it’s not colour, it’s themes - angels, pizza, beach, golf, Santa, sushi, candy, baking, pool table, etc for these types of contracts. Sorry, you won’t find them if you shop, but you definitely will in a salon
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super revampThe new DionWired store in Gateway, Umhlanga has taken electronics shopping to a whole new level and we got to experience an afternoon in this amazing store. All we can say is that this store has something for everyone and you’ll find a visit well worth it.
There is nothing better than walking into an electronics store that comes ‘alive’. It takes more than just putting up a few shelves and placing generic products on them - it needs careful thinking about how consumers use different electronic products, how those products speak to each other if they have to and what accessories are needed to enhance the use and enjoyment gained from the product. When you blend that type of know-how with friendly, happy, trained staff who can answer complex, technical questions in a way that almost seems as if they’re interpreting techno jargon into understandable English then you’ve got a great electronics store that becomes a place you just have to stop in at.
The new, revamped DionWired store at Gateway is all of the above and more. As South Africa’s premier consumer electronics & appliances concept store
DionWired are streaks ahead of others in the same space. The remodelled store builds on the success of its previous layout, but takes the concept of electronics shopping to a whole new level.
Perhaps most impressive is the layout of home entertainment systems at the back of the store. As you approach the area that is home to an array of TV’s you’re greeted by a wall spread from one side of the store to the other, filled with connected, synchronized displays of all shapes and sizes. With all TV’s displaying nothing less than the very latest in picture quality you’ll find yourself a little awestruck and wondering why you shouldn’t leave with one of the 55” or 60” LED TV’s. DionWired has gone one step further in its efforts to impressive its electronics shoppers, making sure that the Smart TV’s are connected to the internet and that the
the impressive tV wall will have you wondering exactly which one (or more) you should take home.
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team on the floor can take you through all the features and functionality of the new Smart solutions. While this might seem logical there are very few electronics retailers that have made the investment in behind the scenes equipment that ensures all products can be experienced as they’re supposed to.
DionWired CEO, Andrew Jackson, is passionate about wanting to deliver nothing short of a great experience to
every customer who visits his new concept stores. Andrew has a true passion for ‘gadgets’ and it’s clear that he gauges the experiences he offers off his personal preference for quality, professional service, product display and the need to have staff who have strong technical product knowledge.
The new concept stores offers far more than just the impressive TV display section. For gamers there are dedicated areas for XBOX, Nintendo and Sony PlayStation where they can take in the full gaming experience even before making a purchase. The gaming sections also stock the latest and greatest in games for all the different gaming platforms so gamers can walk away happy that they’ve got all they need from one store.
You’ll be spoilt for choice once you walk into the store as there really is everything you could want or need. I found myself wandering between the range of Cameras (from point and clicks to top end SLR’s), cell phone, gaming products and the many, many different computer and laptop products available. I managed to find some time to pass by the wall full of fridges and rows of kitchen appliances to ogle the coffee machines and dream of cups of cappuccino’s that could ‘appear’ if I just bought one of these marvellous machines. Once I’d been able to pull myself away from
No matter what you’re looking
for you’ll find it at the new,
revamped and remodelled
DionWired store at Gateway.
They have an impressive range
of gadgets and offer additional
services to match.
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the coffee machines I had to make a call between the impressive display of SMEG stoves and all the Apple products – being a guy the Mac’s and iPads won but that wasn’t before I’d cast an eye at the latest Sony Vaio laptop.
What I also found interesting is that DionWired have backed up their investment in their new store with a range of additional services that you can make use of. One I found particularly interesting was that they offer a specialist connection service for the more complicated installations of Plasma’s, LCD’s and Home Theatre Systems. I’m brave enough to admit that I love the new store and when it comes to buying some of the more technical products I prefer as much help as I can get, and the fact that DionWired offer that service is great.
All round the revamp is impressive and the store genuinely embraces those that are technically orientated while still coming across as inviting from those that only like to pop in to replace the toaster, kettle or washing machine. Either way you’ll be greeted by knowledge staff who really want to see you have a great shopping experience in their store. So if you haven’t popped in yet, we highly recommend it but remember to put a little extra time aside because you’re going to need it. u
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a heart ofgrace
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There is a church building in Umhlanga that is passed by every day and is the spiritual home to thousands of people in both Umhlanga and the greater durban area. while the building is an impressive structure and is where many go every sunday the real heart of this Umhlanga church extends beyond the physical walls as it embraces a community of need all around it.
grace Family church, founded in 2002, started out with a vision to be a church without walls and not restricted by man-made limitations in its quest to reach people and help them become fully devoted followers. What sets this church apart from many others is its ‘come as you are’ approach where visitors can arrive in shorts or baggies and still feel welcome – it’s not about how you’re dressed but just arriving and taking part that drives grace.
Senior Pastor, mark van Straaten, has always had the vision to build and grow a church that reaches out to people in need and help them grow in their faith. While all churches manage different fads in the way people approach
faith and spirituality which influences their physical presence, grace continues to remain true to mark’s core vision of always reaching out beyond the physical structure of a church to influence lives, and this has been core to grace’s success. With a foundation of open arms and reaching communities this church does need a home but the church hasn’t always been in its current location on the corner of the m4 and umhlanga rocks Drive. it started out, humbly, in the hall of one of the local schools in Durban north with mark and the then smaller congregation believing that their growth was only a factor of managing limited resources with increasing passion.
The church building which many are familiar with, is not a destination so to speak, as grace continues to multiply and extend its reach through the establishment of additional campuses like Ballito, working on its social and online presence and finding new ways to engage people in need. Sticking to the view that church is more than just the building, grace continues to build on established ministries and initiatives that see it touch and influence the lives of thousands of people across all spectrums.
The grace community itself is a participative one, which adds to its overall success. everyone involved has a role to play in one way or another, whether it be just attending on a regular basis or being involved in some aspect of the church, but ultimately the community of grace church sense that it’s bigger than a specific person and it is where you can find greater purpose to your life. all of this is built on a bedrock belief that all people matter to god which drives a sense of urgency amongst the pastors at the church – the job is still not done as there are still many, many people who need to be reached and helped. The team believe that the members of grace have a tremendous heart for others in the community in umhlanga and Durban, and they want to make a difference, love the city they live in as well as the people that are around them.
When it comes to staying grounded the leadership team at grace keep themselves in check by asking themselves, “if grace Family church had to stop existing tomorrow would the community miss us and would our city know we were gone?” it’s a difficult question even many businesses neglect to ask
above every year grace family church asks its congregation to fill buckets that get distributed to families all over KZn. opposite, clockwise from top senior pastor mark
van straaten has remained focused on what he wanted to achieve with grace family church, and has gone on to impact thousands of lives with the help of his passionate
team who work with him, a smile makes all the effort worth while and a full house as many attend the annual leadership summit held at the umhlanga campus.
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“
There are no check boxes on the welcome mat, all are welcome, with no judgement”
themselves, and it ensures the team remain relevant to the community they serve in and not be complacent in believing that people just come to church.
asked how the church plans to innovate or do it differently in the future, tom Basson, Spiritual growth Pastor answers interestingly “The team is free to fail. as a team we’re given the rope to go and try things and see if it works for the community. it means taking risk and we’re willing to if it means we remain relevant and connect with people.”, in discussion with the team it becomes clear that the foundation of christianity and Faith has remained the same – it isn’t a product that needs constant innovation and change – in fact the message has remained constant for more than 2000 years. What grace Family church focuses on is how the message remains relevant to the community it serves. This is where any innovation is needed – deciding whether it is in kids’ church, focusing on the- teenage youth, adopting multimedia, being online or continuing with different courses that help people in issues experienced in everyday life. in being innovative this church believes that the idea is to see how they can do what they doing now - better.
in all that they do and think about though, the grace team remains focused on delivering the core vision of the church, which is to reach the people of umhlanga and Durban. They have extended the current capacity of the building through the introduction of additional service, which sees 400 more people arrive on a Sunday and have even launched a Ballito campus during 2011, which has extended the reach beyond the physical presence in umhlanga.
The reality for this energetic, inspired team is that as long as there are broken marriages, human suffering, financial burdens, starvation and widows and orphans needing solace then there will always be work to do for the people of grace.
in closing i ask the pastoral team what message they’d want to leave with people who get to read this article, and it embodies exactly who the grace Family area and why they’re a church with a heart of grace. Their answer is, “We’ve worked on creating an environment where you can just come and see, and if you believe god is real or want to find out, then grace has created a place where you’ll feel comfortable doing it - there are no check boxes on the welcome mat, all are welcome, with no judgement”. u
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Custom home theatre systems with complete home automation
Purist music systems for the connoisseur
House-wide multi-room audio and video distribution
Large-screen projection
In-house service department
Pre/post construction wiring design and layout
Blending high-fidelity with decor
Designed and installed throughout South Africa for over 20 years
A U D I O E X C E L L E N C EGATEWAY OFFICE PARK UMHLANGA ROCKS
CALL 031 566 5931/[email protected]
larneys is a secret gem tucked away, oddly enough from the foot traffic at Gateway, just next door
to the Barnyard Theatre. This unique Italian style coffee bar offers easy, flavour filled food for those needing a quick lunch or snack and a place to rest wary legs.
Opened in July 2011, this is the third coffee bar for owner, Neil Roake, after the successful Craft and Freedom Cafe.
With an arty feel and a funky vibe that includes designer tables and non traditional coffee shop chairs - big and soft made for being lazy in - the venue is extremely inviting.
When we asked Manager, Deon Schnetler, for his top recommendation he had to struggle for an answer, eventually it was the Bruschetta Trio that can double as an excellent starter or small snack, that has to be complimented with a cappuccino.
If you want to call before visiting, their number is 031 566 3410 or you can email them at [email protected].
Secret hiDeout
laRNEYS HOT SPOT
With great food and delicious cappuccino Larney’s is our Umhlanga secret hideout.
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The property market on the North Coast has expanded as more and more families
look to move away from the hustle and bustle of city life and find homes in areas that offer good ‘old’ school values and support family lifestyles. Discerning buyers and sellers have changed their views on how to choose a real estate agent that can help them. They are looking for someone who is realistic in the current climate but can still help make their dreams come true while they invest time and effort looking for this new lifestyle, family centric haven.
It appears that people in the market are seeking out agencies that live the same values they are looking for, making the process of buying or selling a family’s most important asset more real and more personal.
Fiona Crago Real Estate, based north of Umhlanga in the growing town of Ballito, is not the run of the mill real estate company. This independent real estate company offers a very personal and professional service with strong Christian values as a foundation, which has set them apart on the North Coast in the past 4 years. While the term ‘personal and professional’ may be used flippantly by agents in the industry, the team at Fiona Crago take it seriously. For them the personal aspect is all about realizing people’s dreams, both for those buying and selling.
While this might appear like a difficult task the owner of the business, Fiona Crago, tells us it starts with focusing on your clients and what they’re expecting to get as opposed to what’s in it for the real estate company. Once the decision is
focuseD on eXcellence
The team at Fiona Crago Real Estate from left to right : Charmaine Nairn, owner Fiona Crago and property partner Robyn Jackson
taken to focus on how satisfied your clients are, the rest really becomes easier. Secondly, and most importantly, it’s imperative to remain honest. Knowing that buying or selling a home can be both an emotional and stressful time, it’s important that the client feels at ease with their agent, knowing that trust has been established and they are ‘safe’ in their hands.
For Fiona there is a sense of achievement when the seller experiences a smooth and hassle free transaction while the buyer truly believes they unlocked good value and weren’t taken for a ride. Balancing these outcomes takes careful negotiation to meet their respective needs and discern value versus expectation.
When it comes to professionalism the approach is simply stated by Fiona, Robyn
and Charmaine. Stay focused on excellence and either do it right or don’t do it at all. While there is acceptance that fallibility does exist and is managed, it’s the pursuit of excellence in all that Fiona Crago Real Estate does that ensures true professional service is delivered, consistently. Every transaction is unique in that it is with new people who have unique wants and needs, and so each transaction is a new learning experience where they are able to combine their experience and knowledge of both residential and commercial property with their desire to make customers happy.
When it comes to finding a company to help you buy or sell your dream home Fiona Crago Real Estate has to be on the top of your list.
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FOR RESERVATIONSt: +27 47 564 1115/6/8/9f: +27 47 564 1210e: [email protected]
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All mobile products & more info is available on http://www.privateproperty.co.za/mobile/The mobi site is http://m.privateproperty.co.za
The mobile industry has taken off and exceeded all expectations anyone had of it. As more and more people experience
the online world through their phones and tablet devices, it’s clear that businesses previously offering internet solutions and services will need to move to mobile offerings. One company that is already ahead of the curve is Private Property, the online property site that offers houses for sale or to rent.
Started locally in 1997 the company has used the internet and its growth to deliver a different way for prospective buyers to find homes. In 2008 the company did a deal with a private equity company from the USA which provided the opportunity to re-evaluate their then current business model and review their strategy in terms of what type of company it was that they wanted to be. The answer was that Private Property wanted to be a technology company that provided solutions to the real estate industry, and so they set about developing a plan of action to realise that vision.
In 2008 CEO, Justinus Adriaanse, attended a presentation in New York that highlighted how mobile usage would overtake that of desktop by 2014 and he realised that Private Property were not prepared for that shift at all, so they decided to invest heavily in new teams and emerging technology to make sure mobile was a fundamental part of their business. It worked as Private Property was the first to offer mobile solutions to the market on both iPhone and Andriod, as well as several of the other platforms. Justinus says ”We remain committed to building more quality solutions that offer a totally different experience for both private users and estate agents.”
Marc Forrest, Mobile Product Manager for Private Property, shares that the trend in Europe is focused exclusively on mobile and he believes that the reason is because property and mobile go hand in hand. Referring to your phone for information has become second nature for more of us and this means that we already do the same when it comes to looking for houses.
Tablets are also competing, positively, for consumers free time and products like the iPad allow users to have a rich experience when they engage with niche applications. These two devices, phones and tablets, are fast becoming the choice platform through which buyers want to have information shared which supports Private Property’s strong focus on the mobile platform. Marc shares “Property also lends itself to mobile well because the search process is actually a quick browsing experience and so is differentiated only by the quality and richness of the experience as it’s happening. This is where Private Property is strongest.”
Justinus closes by telling us that today the reach with mobile in South Africa is greater than the desktop, and that a majority of people who have experienced the internet through mobile will never experience it through a desktop. The way people look and search for property has already moved to mobile and Private Property is leading in this space, innovating all the time.
The team are currently working on a couple of exciting new products to be launched in early 2012, but in the interim you can take a look at their mobi site or download the iPhone or iPad app.
Above: Private Property has apps for a majority of the
mobi platforms, including iPhone and iPad
Below: A QR Code that points to the iPhone app
download
mObIprIvate prOperty is leaDing the Way on mobi platforms, anD they speaK to us about their approach to ‘mobi’.
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Christmas word puzzleFind and circle all of the Christmas words that are hidden in the
grid. The remaining letters spell a secret message...
etegrsthgilFamilY
nhgielsaittesni
oP
aigFgthreewisemen
csntnrnaggoBotteY
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Jungle AdvertureSpot the 10 differences
SnowflakesSnowmanStableStarStockingThree Wise MenTobogganToysTreeWreath
MangerMaryMistletoeMyrrhOrnamentsPoinsettiaSantaShepherdsSkatesSleigh
AngelBellsBethlehemCandlesCandy CaneCarolsDecorationsEggnogFamilyFrankincenseFriends
FruitcakeGabriel GiftsGoldGreeting CardsHollyIciclesJesusJosephLights
Funny FilesVisit www.ahajokes.com
Holiday Boredom BluesSeeing as though Christmas school holidays are always so long and you are bound to come across a few rainy days- we thought we’d give you a few fun games to do to fight off those boredom blues. We hope you ENJOY them!!!
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Join the dots
Christmas word puzzle solution
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HEy KIDS! THIS PAGE IS JUST FOR yOU ... PlEASE SEND US INTERESTING INFORmATION OR qUESTIONS FOR US TO lOOK INTO FOR yOU AT [email protected]
These twins have certainly made their names famous featuring in over 30 TV films and programs. The twins were born August 4, 1992. They are collectively referred to as Dylan and Cole Sprouse or the Sprouse Bros. Their first prominent major theatrical film role was in Big Daddy, where they starred alongside Adam Sandler. They later appeared in several television sitcoms and starred in the straight-to-DVD family films, I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus and Just for Kicks. You may better know the twins from their hit Disney Channel sitcom, The Suite Life of Zack and Cody and the sequel The Suite Life on Deck. Cory and Dylan are said to be the highest paid Disney Channel stars.
Sydney is an alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of human and vampires. They protect vampire secrets - and hu-man lives. When Sydney is torn from her bed in the middle of the night, at first she thinks she’s still being punished for her complicated alliance with dhampir Rose Hathaway. But what unfolds is far worse. Jill Dragomir - the sister of Moroi Queen Lissa Dragomir - is in mortal danger, and the Moroi must send her into hiding. To avoid a civil war, Sydney is called upon to act as Jill’s guardian and protector, posing as her roommate in the last place anyone would think to look for vampire royalty - a human boarding school in Palm Springs, California. But instead of find-ing safety at Amberwood Prep, Sydney discovers the drama is only just beginning...
q: what do you get when you cross a pig and a cactus? a: a porky-pineq: what’s at the bottom of the ocean and shakes?
a: a nervous wreck.q: why is it so hot in a stadium after a football game?a: Because all the fans have left.q: what has ten letters and starts with gas?
a: an automobile.
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NATAl SHARKS BOARDTel : 031-566-0400A visit to the Sharks Board in Umhlanga is definitely a must. For a great family affair- where you can view a multimedia shows on the day to day work done by the Sharks Board as well as the integral role sharks and other animals play in the marine ecosystem. This is followed by a 20 minute shark dissection. There are also early trips out to sea where you can see the shark nets being serviced along Durban's "Golden Mile".
WAvE HOUSE Tel : 031 584 9400Located at Gateway’s Theatre of Shopping on Umhlanga Ridge, Wave House Durban is South Africa’s hottest entertainment venue. It’s an awesome fusion of all board-sport cultures providing the ultimate place for the youngsters to hang as well as being a great spot for a family day out.
36 DEGREES – ECO ADvENTURESTel : 082 553 2834 Experience the best land based whale watching in the world with this 2 hour educational journey into the warm Indian Ocean, to uncover secrets of the deep. You are assured encounters with the likes of dolphins, whales, sharks, whale sharks, rays and much much more!!!
SKy ADvENTURES - vIRGINIA AIRPORT, DURBANTel : 073 334 7911Take a helicopter flip over our magnificent unspoilt countryside capitalising on the manoeuvrability of the craft. Play hide-n-seek with the hills as you duck and dive to new perspectives or quietly descend on a magnificent mountain slope for a private prepared picnic with a 1000 ancestors. The flight path starts with a seaward track towards the Umhlanga Lagoon with a coastal view of the Indian Ocean.
4x4 TRACK AT GATEWAy Tel: 031 566 3140 The Gateway Leisure Centre and 4x4 Track will supply you with an off-road Nissan to tackle the off-the-chart track. With some of the wildest terrain imaginable right here at your finger tips, extreme motoring enthusiasts will be over heating with excitement. If you are a licensed driver then this 4x4 track is an experience you don't want to miss.
The holidays are upon us and we all know how hectic life gets when the kids are on holiday and chomping at the bit for something to do, apart from head down to the beach. Well, your troubles are over! We have come up with a few fun filled places ensuring you and your kids a few fun filled family days! You will be amazed at the array of activities beautiful Umhlanga has to offer...
WHAT WILL YOU BE DOING THIS HOlIDAy?
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mARIO vAN BIlJON nhdiP: MiCroBioLogy And Co-oWner oF Bodyguru, uMhLAngA
GET on THE FaST Track To a great bODy By aVoidinG common miSTakES
Having being passionately involved in the physique & fitness game for well over a decade now, I’ve been witness
to numerous bad habits and common mistakes that I’m sure have prevented or at the very least hindered aspiring body conscious gym goers from achieving their goals.
I am therefore confident that being conscious of mistakes and heading the advice below will greatly assist in putting you on the fast track to a great beach body.
mIStake #1Eliminating or cutting back on weight training in favour of cardioMake no mistake; resistance training is possibly the single most valuable tool in any fat loss program. Muscle tissue is a significant contributor to your metabolic rate and it is what provides the firm toned look all body conscious individuals aspire to. Resistance training using free weights and or machines is unarguably the most effective means of building and maintaining lean muscle tissue. Whilst favouring cardio or aerobic activity over resistance training might still result in weight loss, unfortunately a significant percentage of this weight loss is likely to come from the loss of muscle tissue, which in turn means a depressed metabolism and noticeable lack of muscle tone. Whilst cardio and weights is the ultimate approach to fat loss I can assure you that if faced with either option, I will undoubtedly favour weight training over cardio ten times out of ten!
A resistance training program is crucial to fat loss, but it must be designed cleverly and in particular, one must be very careful not to use a lighter weight, higher repetition approach exclusively.
Using high reps (12-20) exclusively can actually cause you to lose muscle mass during a fat loss phase. This will have a negative impact on your metabolism, thus making it that much harder for you to lose your kilogram of body fat. A specific balance between moderate weight, higher rep (12-20) exercises and heavier weight, lower rep (8-12) exercises should ideally be employed for optimal results.mIStake #2Excessive cardio trainingCardio can be a double edged sword in that it certainly burns fat, but too much also burns off lean muscle tissue. When you lose muscle tissue your metabolism unfortunately slows down. A slower metabolism means you burn fewer calories on a daily basis which leads to an associated decrease in fat loss. Often a solution is to decrease the volume and frequency of your cardio workouts but increase the intensity for shorter sessions.
Remember that if a cardio program is designed correctly, the majority of the fat loss from that cardio will occur AFTER the workout has already been completed. As a matter of fact, it turns out that the post-workout energy expenditure that follows a more intense cardio workout burns much more fat than a long, boring low intensity cardio session ever could.
mIStake #3Decreasing calories too drastically – “Crash Dieting”Not decreasing calories too drastically below your maintenance levels is one of the keys to maintaining all of your “metabolically active” muscle tissue during a fat loss phase. A drastic drop in calories generally results in a loss of muscle along with a significant decrease in ones basal metabolic rate. This in turn creates a vicious circle in that as metabolism shuts down, calories need to be further reduced to sustain further weight loss. Eventually when “all resistance crumbles” and one returns to “normal” eating habits the damaging “rebound effect” is experienced whereby all, if not more, weight than was lost is now regained.
The solution is to ideally not reduce calories by more than 10-15% of what you typically consume. Maintain that moderately restricted caloric intake for 4 weeks or so before re-assessing whether another slight reduction is needed.
mIStake #4Not enough proteinToo often I’ve heard myths prevailing such as “protein damages your kidneys” or “protein is for bulking or bodybuilders with excessive muscle”. These kinds of statements or beliefs are absolute misconceptions and completely lacking in scientific evidence. In healthy, well hydrated individuals high protein intake poses no health risk and cannot without appropriate stimulus (via very intense
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weight training coupled with high anabolic hormone levels not typically found in females) result in “excessive” muscle gaina. On the contrary since lean muscle tissue is made primarily from protein and exercise can tear it down, by consuming a high protein diet and even ideally downing a pure whey protein shake after working out, you optimize recovery, assist with enhancing “muscle tone” and support fat loss.
An added advantage of a high protein diet is that compared to carbs and fat, protein has a higher “thermic effect” in the body. In short, this means that protein digestion, absorbtion and assimilation in the body results in greater energy expenditure than happens after consumption of the other macro-nutrients.
mIStake #5Taking the “easy route”The last bad habit I’d like to highlight is that of “choosing the easy way out”. An example is choosing machines that do the work for you or those that you like because you find them to be the easiest, most pleasant or comfortable to do. Another example is popping into the gym and doing a little cardio and abs in a subconscious effort to make yourself feel good that you have exercised but not really taken yourself out of your “comfort zone”.
The quickest and most significant results come from putting in the effort and sticking to the time tested “basics”, which includes performing exercises such as free weight squats, dead-lifts, heavy leg press, bench press, bent over rows etc as well as throwing some challenging high intensity cardio into the mix from time to time. u
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KETTLEBELLTRAINING
thai chicken stir fry R45A fresh medley of stir fry veg, peppers, grilled chicken topped with coriander, mint and roasted sesame seeds on a bed of noodles
chicken penne pesto R45Grilled chicken and penne noodles, tossed in a basil pesto sauce, topped with roasted cherry tomatoes and grated parmesan
homemade meatballs R45Homemade meatballs smothered in a fresh basil and arribiata sauce on a bed of brown rice or noodles
homemade fish cakes R45A combination of fish, potato and a hint of chilli, baked in the oven served with wedges, fruit salsa and sweet chilli sauce
From as little as R350 per month you could experience some of the benefits of kettle bell training which include:
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• Incredibleworkcapacity(strengthendurance)
• Enhancedathleticism–flexibility,coordination,balanceetc.
• Weightloss
• Injuryprevention
• Mentaltoughness
• Lean&functionalmusclemass
• Strengtheningoftheentireposteriorchain
• Corestrength
• Sportandcombatapplications
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welcOme tO the umhlanga!
"Not actively surviving is passively dying," says Ori Hofmekler, famous author of 'The Warrior Diet' and 'The Anti-Estrogenic Diet. His ideas about weight loss, exercise, nutrition and wellness are revolutionising common beliefs.
Yet this statement also means so much more in everyday life. Trying something that makes you feel alive is so rewarding, even if it scares you at first! On this note, congratulations must go to the team at the Umhlanga Mag for putting together a great publication. Long may this continue!
The other active survival tool being used today, to great effect, is the use of Russian Kettlebells. They have been around for hundreds of years, and to great effect by top athletes and sports teams. They are a great implement, combined with a top nutritional plan, to get the best results out of your body.
what IS a kettle bell?
A kettle bell is a traditional Russian training implement that has been used since the 1700’s to develop full body conditioning and fitness. A kettle bell looks like a cannon ball with a handle. The shape of the kettle bell allows for unique positioning of the weight directly above your centre of mass (unlike a Dumbbell or Barbell which must be held in front of the body) and allows you to keep your hand and wrists in neutral alignment, which enable for greater endurance and longevity in the core lifts so that you can produce a much higher volume of exercise and thus greater conditioning and fitness.
Kettle bells are distinctive purely by the vast extremes they encompass – ranging from being incredibly difficult to master and poetic and beautiful when working correctly.
This is the journey Kettle bells encompass. You will find that through this journey you obtain the maximum results afforded you!
hOw DO I gO abOut DOIng thIS In umhlanga? Easy! Go to www.fluxmotion.net and the rest is history!
To quote Ori, Get busy surviving or just passively die.
Some of the benefits of kettle bell training include:•Improved strength•Incredible work capacity (strength endurance)•Enhanced athleticism – flexibility, coordination,
balance etc.•Weight loss•Injury prevention•Mental toughness•Lean & functional muscle mass•Strengthening of the entire posterior chain•Core strength•Sport and combat applications
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William S. harley and Arthur davidson make available to the public the first production harley-davidson motorcycle. the bike was built to be a racer, with a 3-1/8 inch bore and 3-1/2 inch stroke. the factory in which they worked was a 10 x 15-foot wooden shed with the words “harley-davidson Motor Company” crudely scrawled on the door. Arthur’s brother Walter later joined their efforts.1903
rOarIng on the riDge
1200n sportster
Length : 2,179mmSeat Height : 676mmFuel Capacity : 12.5lWeight (Dry) : 251kg
Engine : Air cooled, EvolutionDisplacement : 1,200ccTorque : 98 Nm @ 3200 rpmDrive : Chain, 57/38 ratio
Fuel Economy : 5.6 l / 100km in city4.13 l / 100km on highway
Service :First at 1,600kmevery 8,000km thereafter
Price : R105,000 incl *
The iconic Harley Davidson is known around the world, defining a bold
approach to life of those that choose to own them.
Umhlanga Dealer, Rob Saunders, looks after all Harley enthusiasts in KZN and offers a range of exceptional Harley’s at his showroom on Umhlanga Rocks Drive.
We thought you’d be interested in a few of these amazing machines that grace the roads of Umhlanga.
cuStOm blacKline
Length : 2,362mmSeat Height : 610mmFuel Capacity : 18.9lWeight (Dry) : 290kg
Engine : Air cooled, Twin Cam 103BDisplacement : 1,584ccTorque : 121 Nm @ 3250 rpmDrive : Chain, 34/46 ratio
Fuel Economy : 5.6 l / 100km combined
Service :First at 1,600kmevery 8,000km thereafter
Price : R209,000 incl *
SOftaIl DeluXe
Length : 2,405mmSeat Height : 648mmFuel Capacity : 18.9lWeight (Dry) : 326kg
Engine : Air cooled, Twin Cam 96BDisplacement : 1,584ccTorque : 117 Nm @ 3200 rpmDrive : Chain, 46/34 ratio
Fuel Economy : 6.7 l / 100km in city4.4 l / 100km on highway
Service :First at 1,600kmevery 8,000km thereafter
Price : R239,500 incl *
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PREMIUM 1.6 THP 5DR
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Deep inside Peugeot HQ at Avenue De La Grande Armee Paris, Peugeot designers have found inspiration
from a Tetraodontidae, commonly known as a ‘Puffer Fish’ their 3008. A car styled after a fat, poisonous, bloated fish may not sound that appealing, But it is. Really, it is!
Jean Francois Bacos, MD of Peugeot Motors South Africa says of the 3008. By blending the best attributes of the most popular contemporary market segments into one vehicle concept, the Peugeot 3008 is a true crossover in every respect. I think he has a point.
The 3008 is Peugeot’s 308 ‘cross-over’ and vies for sales against competitors like Nissan’s Qashqai and VW’s Tiguan and quite a few others. Peugeot will wrestle buyers out of a much wider range of cars, so good is its packaging. The 1.6 petrol engines are smooth and free revving, producing 88 kW in the 5-speed manual VTi and 115kW in the 6-speed manual THP (Turbo High Pressure). The 3008 is easy to drive around town, but its slightly light steering limits the fun on twisty roads. Mechanically, most parts are already tried and tested elsewhere in the company’s range, so the car should be pretty reliable.The panoramic glass roof is truly excellent and the superbly finished cabin feels bullet-proof, with fine soft-feel materials
and metallic trim. Stylish dashboard architecture that includes a padded passenger grab handle that would not look out of place in a Bentley.
In the rear there’s generous room and there’s a false floor that can be repositioned on three-levels with ingenious ease. The split tailgate aids loading and can be sat on, the front passenger seat backrest folds forward for an extended load deck. Add to that an appealing instrument display and lots of storage space and it adds up to be an excellent effort.
Out of all the high tech goodies stuffed into the 3008, the most interesting is the dynamic roll control device fitted to the rear suspension of the 150bhp petrol, which pressurises the outboard shock absorber in corners to counter roll and understeer. Clever stuff! The 3008 drives well with its supple suspension, sharp steering and tidy handling that will entertain spirited drivers. It’s brisk rather than fast but it is practical, refined and easy to drive. A sumptuous cabin and some excellent engines help make it even more appealing.
Peugeot’s 3008 offers excellent refinement, a classy interior and plenty of versatility: it’s a fine all-rounder for families.
peugeOt 3008spec check
Price R 286,119
Engine Capacity 1598
Power 88 kW @ 3800 rpm
Torque 160Nm @ 4250 rpm
Transmission 5-spd Manual
Acceleration 0-100 km/h in 8,9 seconds
Top Speed 210 km/h
Fuel Consumption (combined) 7.1 /100km
Emissions 167 g/km
Warranty 3yrs / 100 000km
InsIde VIew
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BALLITO
1 Write an encouraging Email to someone. A lot of people only hear complaints. Compliment someone on what they’re doing. It’ll lift your spirits and give you some perspective.
2 Wash your face. Try this one – it works. Cool water can refresh you when you’re hot, and warm water is very soothing when it’s cold.
3 Pray. Briefl y give thanks to God or pray for strength and peace.
4 Stretch. Get out of your chair and move around. There is loads of science out there that confi rms the effectiveness of stretching, both physically and mentally.
5 Get a breath of fresh air. Step outside. Get out in the sunshine.
Have a snack. A light healthy snack does wonders to help you slow down, and gives you the energy needed for the next push.
7 Laugh. Watch a funny YouTube clip, or have a conversation with someone who makes you smile.
8 Think of a few things for which you’re grateful. Take a mo-ment to count your blessings.
9Breathe. It’s cliché for a reason – it works. Take a little while to breathe deeply and slowly.
10 Take off your shoes. Scrunch up your toes and rub your heels. This really does wonders if you’ve been on your feet all day.
11Pay attention to your posture. Sit or stand up straight. Make sure your desk and chair are correctly positioned.
12Drink some water. Don’t gulp. Sip on a cool, clean glassful.
13Listen to a worship song. These do well to help you take a step back and regain an eternal perspective.
14Get physical. A few jumping jacks or a brief walk around the offi ce can refresh you immensely.
15Unplug. Turn off your digital devices for an hour and do your most important work.
16Get perspective on work. Remind yourself that work is an opportunity & not a burden. Be grateful for the blessing of an income.
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That seems to be the pace of modern life. Everything around us is telling us to go faster, do more, and try harder.
Taking extended breaks to rest and rejuvenate is essential.
But you don’t have to wait until the weekend or until your next vacation to recharge. With just a few minutes of intentional action, you can start today – even right now – to press pause, slow down, and relax. Here are 16 easy things you
can do when you need to refresh yourself mentally and physically during your day.
A few minutes later, you’re hopefully refreshed and ready to tackle life again.
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SOunD aDvIcestan shaW
An acquaintance and family friend of mine is an absolute human dynamo; he has several business interests, all of which are solid, reliable and traditional in what they deliver. He has ideas a plenty that all have the potential to be better than the businesses he is currently running, but the snag is that he has limited or no time to develop these further.
We have all probably had great money making ideas and seen opportunities for a gadget or system that is something new, and we all aspire to something different. But we are so caught up in today’s work, life and problems that we don’t have the time to grab the ideas and opportunities and develop them.
I just wonder how many people have the desire and are ready and able to implement an opportunity if it were to cross their path? This may surprise you, but I would suggest that everyone has the potential to identify opportunities, but that very few take them and even fewer actually succeed with them.
By way of an example of an opportunity that was both identified and acted upon allegedly happened when Frank Sinatra, then an unknown, was working as a waiter. One of the biggest names in the music industry came into the restaurant in which he was working and what he did next was a demonstration of being ready to seize an opportunity. He cleared the table next to the gentleman, got up on it and sang! He knew in doing so he was finished with the restaurant business, but saw the door of opportunity and stepped through it! The rest is history.
Those who succeed when opportunity knocks — on any level, personal or work —are those who grab the opportunity and walk through the door with it when it swings open.
But to get back to my buddy, there have been plenty of opportunity doors — a couple have come out of casual conversation over a braai, and they were
opportunitymaKe the time for it anD step through the Door.
sober conversations! We’ve worked through numerous iterations of what seemed like innocuous comments and ideas that have the potential for some real business legs. Watch this space!
So what’s stopping us doing it now? I guess that with most people with “responsibilities”, taking a step or a leap of faith is a very big deal, given that we have so much at risk. It’s not uncommon for the younger generation, without the “responsibilities”, to have a greater appetite for risk and to leap through the door, with way less to lose and plenty to gain.
Given that, a methodical approach to taking the opportunity and letting go of the old order to develop the new opening can be daunting, but never lose sight of the opportunity. There is a tendency for some people to work through all the potential reasons for taking an opportunity that, when compared against the risks, makes them hesitate to take the leap through the door. Even when the risk has a minor
down-side compared to the overall up-side, risk aversion becomes the inhibitor that stops the plans dead.
Seeing an opportunity is as much about being ready as it is about looking for one. Complacency has probably seen more ideas that collectively have not, and probably will not, see the light of day. What a pity. Wayne Gretzky (an ice hockey icon) said “you miss 100% of the shots you never take”.
Do everything you can to be ready. Think about the things that you do that could be done in a better and easier way. Don’t just sit and wish and dream. Talk with someone and see how the conversation might develop into a key for the opportunity. Two minds will always be better than one. Be proactive and make sure that you are closest to the door when it opens!
You never know where opportunity is going to come from and how wide the door will open — when you see it, just be ready for it, and take the shot!
final thought
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Aon05523 Umghlanga Shoe Ad.indd 1 2011/11/21 8:44 AM