Bored? There are still lots to do, places to go and movies to see

• U3A West Rand outing
U3A West Rand is going to visit the Vaal Triangle on Wednesday February 23. First of all they will go to Vereeniging Gimnasium High School to see how they turned an unused swimming pool to a aquaponic system to grow vegetables. The learners are involved in this project. From there to Vanderbijlpark for a fun boat trip past the Millionair’s Mile on the Vaal River. The host will be Stonehaven On Vaal where they will enjoy a Wackey Wednesday meal after the boat trip. For further information and bookings please contact Marthie Coetzer 083 297 9565 or marthiecoetzer@gmail.com.

• Friends of Kloofendal events this February
Why not spend the summer walking in nature and learning about creepy crawlies, insect bites, flowers, trees and more? Don’t miss the Friends of Kloofendal events below:

• Wild Flower Walk
Join Karin Spottiswood for a wild flower walk in Kloofendal Nature Reserve on February 26 to discover the diversity of flowering plants and how to identify them. You can also buy the imaged list of Wild Flowers of Kloofendal Nature Reserve by Dr Jan van Wyk for R120 during this event. This booklet depicts over 348 species of flowers that can be found in the reserve. Time: 08:00. Visit www.kloofendalfriends.org.za for more information.

• Valentine’s concert
Join a Valentine’s concert on February 13 filled with songs and poems of love. There will also be a selection of the best food stalls, with a focus on healthy, locally sourced produce, including fresh oysters and bubbles. The There Was Fire restaurant will be open to concert-goers for lunch, and Bernie’s Bar will ensure elegant hydration throughout. Time: 10:00 at the NIROX Sculpture Park. Visit nirox.howler.co.za for more information.

• Ngwenya’s Valentine’s Market
Shop to your heart’s delight at the Ngwenya’s Valentine’s Market in Muldersdrift on February 6. There will be food, a gin bar, brewery, glass-blowing, beautiful arts and crafts, homemade produce and vibey music. Four-legged friends welcome. Time: 09:00 to 16:00. Entrance is free.

• Health and Wellness workshop
Health and wellness coach Pat Bosman will host a workshop on February 5 for anyone who needs to set a new foundation for 2022. With the help of Pat, find out what is holding you back from achieving your passion and purpose, and grow into the best you can be. Time: 08:30. Venue: Misty Hills Country Hotel’s conference centre and spa. Details: quicket.co.za

• Randfontein Miracle Service
Believers can look forward to Saturday February 19 when a Randfontein Miracle Service will be held by Evangelist Wessel de Bruyn at the Greenhills Stadium. The time is 17:00 and everyone is welcome. Entrance is free. Contact 062 004 5817 for more information.

• Test your fitness on Melville Koppies’ uphills
Since the Covid-19 pandemic began, Melville Koppies Nature Reserve and Heritage Site has not offered its popular 8km hike. But from February 6 you can do it again on the first Sunday of every month. The hike goes up and down the taxing koppies of Melville Koppies Central, down to the river and through forested areas before crossing into Melville Koppies East. There it traverses the eastern ridge where urban skyscrapers pierce the south-eastern horizon before dipping down to its southern limits. Then there’s a long, steady climb back into Melville Koppies Central which can strain even the hardiest. Come and try it out on the first Sunday of every month. You must be reasonably fit. The hike starts promptly at 08:00 from the entrance opposite Marks Park. If you’re still getting fit or have family members/ friends from young to less young, you don’t have to stress yourself. Guide yourselves on Melville Koppies Central any time from 08:00 to 11:30. Use a map of the numerous paths and just explore wherever your feet take you. Or you can follow a self-guided 5km scenic hiking trail, a self-guided 3km Heritage Trail and if you want to know more about the culture, heritage and nature to be seen, you can book for a 90-minute guided tour starting at 08:30 sharp from the reception hut on Judith Road. Please book on wendavid@mweb.co.za. Melville Koppies Central is open every Sunday (except February 12; it will be open on Saturday February 11 instead from 08:00 to 11:30). Adults R80, children R40; season ticket for a year per adult – R500 (not transferable). Security on the Koppies is provided; park in secure parking opposite the entrance at Marks Park on Judith Road, Emmarentia. Contact wendavid@mweb.co.za to find out more. Check out www.mk.org.za for more detailed information about the history and what you can see, or click here.

• Randfontein Bowling Club’s fun day
It’s a new year and a new month, so why not do something fun and exciting? The Randfontein Bowling Club will be hosting their first bowling fun day for the year this Sunday, February 6 at 11:00 at the Randfontein Bowling Club. So why not take the kids, parents and grandparents for a fun day of bowls … there is no age limit! The Herald will also be joining in and taking photos, and we would love to see you there. There will be a lovely braai with salads, pap and gravy after you have bowled to your heart’s content. For enquiries about the event please contact Geoff Behrent on 071 294 0870.

• Cansa Shavathon
Gear up to get shaved or sprayed and show your support for a cancer survivor at a Cansa Shavathon event on Saturday February 26 at Buffalo Ranch in Pelzvale, Randfontein. The event starts at noon. Contact Leanda of Buffalo Ranch on 065 275 5334 for more information.

• Kendra Harmse Golf Day
The Ben Morgenrood Group with Mahindra World of Solutions will host a golf-day fundraiser at the Goldfields West Private Golf Course on February 18. The Kendra Golf Day is in aid of six-year-old Kendra Harmse who is suffering from a skin condition. Hit a hole-in-one and WIN a 6060 Mahindra tractor. Registration is from 08:00 to 09:30 with a shotgun start at 10:00. All donations and prizes welcome. There will also be entertainment and a spitbraai at the prize-giving. Player bookings and hole sponsorship to be done through Jeanne on 072 734 9188. Booking essential.

• Finding treasures on Melville Koppies
Now that families can guide themselves on Melville Koppies’ numerous paths, little people have the chance to discover treasures there. Whether it’s a broken bird egg, the furry pellets ejected by an owl, or busy harvester termites carrying grass into their termitaries, all can be found by beady-eyed youngsters. Melville Koppies Central is open every Sunday morning from 08:00 to 11:30. Take a map of the numerous paths and just explore wherever your feet take you. Or choose from a self-guided 5km scenic hiking trail, a 3km self-guided Heritage Trail, or a 90-minute guided tour starting at 08.30 sharp from the reception hut on Judith Road. Please book the latter on wendavid@mweb.co.za. On the first Sunday of every month leaving at 08:00 sharp, join an 8km hike. The hike includes Melville Koppies Central and East, and you must be reasonably fit. Adults R80, children R40; season ticket for a year per adult – R500 (not transferable). Security on the Koppies is provided; park in secure parking opposite the entrance at Marks Park on Judith Road, Emmarentia. Contact wendavid@mweb.co.za to find out more. Check out www.mk.org.za for more detailed information about the history and what you can see, or click here.

• Berge & Dale back after two years!
The popular Krugersdorp-based cycling event Berge & Dale [https://bergeendale.co.za/] will return when the 22nd edition takes place at Protearif Primary on February 26 and 27. After having had to cancel the 2021 edition due to Covid-19 uncertainties, organisers Slipstream Events look forward to welcoming riders back to this event, which is renowned for its challenging and hilly route – in particular the sting in the tail climb to the finish. Following the 109km, which is an official seeding event for Ride Joburg, and the 60km road races on Saturday, the event will also introduce a mountain bike event with distances of 45km and 20km at Kings Kloof. The 45km MTB race, with 1 000m of ascent, is challenging and technical, and should only be attempted by fit and experienced mountain bikers. There will be new sections cut for the 20km race. Race director Erick Oosthuizen said the Berge & Dale has become an iconic event on the West Rand since it started 22 years ago. Entries close February 18, or as soon as the entry limits have been reached: Road – 2 000 entrants; MTB – 500 entrants. Enter on www.bergeendale.co.za.

• Magalies Monster and Platinum Trail Run 2022
Entries are open for the 2022 Fedhealth Magalies Monster MTB Classic on Saturday June 4, and the Fedhealth Platinum Trail Run on Sunday June 5 that will take place at the ATKV Buffelspoort in the North West province. This is the perfect weekend getaway for adventure-seeking families. Both events boast routes that incorporate the best trails on offer in the Magaliesberg. Irrespective of the distance entered, mountain bikers and trail runners can expect an exciting on-route challenge. Both events also feature a 2,5km distance for junior adventure-seekers. Families can look forward to spending the entire weekend outdoors celebrating health and wellness. For more information and/ or to enter the Fedhealth Magalies Monster MTB Classic or the Fedhealth Platinum Trail Run visit www.stillwatersports.com or email entries@stillwatersports.com.

• Appreciating the culture and history of Melville Koppies
Recent visitors to Melville Koppies were thrilled to experience its culture and history. A Zulu teacher is keen to bring her learners to see artefacts and tools that were used by the Tswana/ Sotho-speaking people who once lived on the Koppies, and to get them to try grinding sorghum on the grindstones there. Another group of friends happily shared their knowledge passed down from generations with a Melville Koppies guide.
Melville Koppies is open every Sunday morning from 08:00 to 11:30. Choose between a self-guided 5km scenic hiking trail and the 3km self-guided Heritage Trail. Or join a 90-minute guided tour starting at 08:30 sharp from the reception hut on Judith Road. Please book on wendavid@mweb.co.za. You can also take a map of the numerous paths and just explore wherever your feet take you. On the first Sunday of every month leaving at 08:00 sharp, join an 8km hike. The hike includes Melville Koppies Central and East, and you must be reasonably fit. Adults R80, children R40; season ticket for a year per adult – R500 (not transferable). Security on the Koppies is provided; park in secure parking opposite the entrance at Marks Park on Judith Road, Emmarentia. Contact wendavid@mweb.co.za to find out more. Check out www.mk.org.za for more detailed information about the history and what you can see, or click here.

Movies not to miss!

• DOGTANIAN AND THE THREE MUSKEHOUNDS – From January 7
Dogtanian is a young swordsman who dreams of joining the legendary Muskehounds. After proving his skills and earning their trust, he and the Muskehounds must defend the king from the evil Cardinal Richelieu’s secret plot to seize power.

• THE LOST DAUGHTER – From January 14
Alone on a seaside vacation, Leda becomes consumed with a young mother and daughter as she watches them on the beach. Unnerved by their compelling relationship (and their raucous and menacing extended family), Leda is overwhelmed by her own memories of the terror, confusion and intensity of early motherhood. An impulsive act shocks Leda into the strange and ominous world of her own mind, where she is forced to face the unconventional choices she made as a young mother, and their consequences.

• LICORICE PIZZA – From January 28
It is the story of Alana Kane and Gary Valentine growing up, running around and falling in love in the San Fernando Valley in 1973. Written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, the film tracks the treacherous navigation of first love.

• MOONFALL – From February 4
In Roland Emmerich’s MOONFALL, a mysterious force knocks the Moon from its orbit around Earth and sends it hurtling on a collision course with life as we know it. With mere weeks before impact and the world on the brink of annihilation, NASA executive and former astronaut Jo Fowler (Halle Berry) is convinced she has the key to saving us all – but only one astronaut from her past, Brian Harper (Patrick Wilson), and conspiracy theorist KC Houseman (John Bradley) believe her. The unlikely heroes will mount an impossible last-ditch mission into space only to find out that our Moon is not what we think it is.

• BLACKLIGHT – From February 25
Travis Block, a shadowy government agent who specialises in removing operatives whose covers have been exposed, uncovers a deadly conspiracy within his own ranks that reaches the highest echelons of power.

• Silverstar’s Pop-up Market
A weekend on the Square at Silverstar is all about enjoying a little shopping at their pop-up market, a delicious meal with family and friends at any of the variety of restaurants, while the live music of local talent fills the air. Find everything from arts, crafts, decor and fashion to toys, eats and treats. There is something for everyone at the Silverstar Pop-up Market. Free entry. Visit their website for more information.