No plans yet? Here are the latest movies and events in and around town

• Friends of Kloofendal events this December
Why not spend the festive season learning about creepy crawlies, insect bites, flowers, trees and more? Walks are generally easy, and most events are suitable for all ages. Please wear walking shoes, and bring a hat, sunscreen and refreshments. Meeting place: Kloofendal Ecological Centre. Cost: Daytime events: R90 adults, R70 pensioners, R50 children. Evening events: R110 adults, R90 pensioners, R60 children. For more information on each event and the link to online bookings please go to www.KloofendalFriends.org.za/events or contact Karin on 079 693 5608. See the latest list of activities below:
• December 10 (18:00 to 20:00) – Creepy Crawly Night Walk with Jonathan Leeming
• December 11 (08:00 to 11:00) – Spider and scorpion ID course with Jonathan Leeming
• December 11 (18:00 to 20:00) – Frog evening with Michael Ormond

• December 12 (08:00 to 10:00) – Reptile walk with Michael Ormond
• December 15 (07:00 to 09:00) – Birding with Bradwin Adendorff
• December 18 (08:00 to noon) – Friends of Kloofendal Open Morning – Come and see displays in Ecological Centre, discover how you can contribute towards nature conservation in the Kloofendal Reserve. Free entrance
• December 18 (08:00 to 10:00) – Geology walk with Steve Spottiswoode
• December 18 (08:00 to 10:00) – Wild Flower walk with Karin Spottiswoode
• December 19 (14:00 to 16:00) – Goldmine Tour with Andre du Plessis

• Keeping the weeds at bay
The rainy season brings joyous flowers, lush green grass and new growth. But it also makes invasive weeds like blackjacks, khakibos and myriads of others flourish. Right now they’re multiplying right across Melville Koppies and threatening to throttle the indigenous plants. If it wasn’t for a team of dedicated conservation workers, Clement Ndlovu, Best Ndlovu and Lucky Mdluli who work every day, five days a week, and Joseph Kasonga who works one day a week, Melville Koppies wouldn’t be the indigenous gem that it is. Managed by Friends of Melville Koppies chair, Wendy Carstens (who can also be seen weeding every morning on Melville Koppies East) they struggle to keep the weeds at bay in summer. Such is their focus on weeds that Clement says he now battles to walk on any pavement without wanting to pull out weeds. Every time you come and hike on Melville Koppies Central on a Sunday, your R80 (R40 for kids) not only allows you to enjoy the beauty of the Koppies, but it also supports the families of Clement, Best, Lucky and Joseph. We need to raise R22 000 per month to pay their wages, so keep on coming and tell your friends about us. Visit Melville Koppies Central (Nature Reserve and Heritage Site) every Sunday from 08:00 to 11:30. No need to pre-book. 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.

• Ngwenya Glass Muldersdrift Country Christmas Market
Join Ngwenya Glass Village’s Country Christmas Market in Muldersdrift on December 16 from 09:00 to 16:00. Organisers said on their Facebook page that … ‘we are jam-packed with amazing, jolly traders to take care of all your stocking fillers and prezzies. We have tons to keep the little ones entertained, including a visit from Santa Claus. Pop into the glass shop and see the amazing art of glass-blowing, or simply chill and enjoy some scrumptious food in our lovely dining area. If you are an adrenaline junkie you can take a spin around our amazing outdoor go-cart track or get down and boogie at the Brewery and enjoy one of their award winning beers and some amazing pub grub. We are a dog-friendly venue so bring them along (on leashes pretty please). Entrance is free and there is ample parking.

• President’s Day at Witpoortjie Bowling Club
It is time for Witpoortjie Bowling Club’s annual event on December 16. Fours – any combination. Three games of 15 ends. 08:00 for 08:30. There is an entry fee (teatime snack and lunch included). Only 24 teams can be accommodated. Contact Tommy on 066 267 5883 or Flip on 082 779 8391. Surprise prize for best-dressed team.

• Randfontein Publicity Association (RPA) Christmas Lights Competition
The Randfontein Publicity Association Christmas Lights Competition officially kicked off on December 1 and runs through to December 31. Homeowners are encouraged to participate in this competition and help add a sparkle and sense of community to their neighbourhood. The overall winner of the competition will win a hamper valued at R1 500, second place hamper is valued at R1 000, and third place hamper is valued at R500. Participants should take a photo of their decorated home at night (exterior only) and WhatsApp it to Joy on 082 852 1860 or email to joy@randfonteininfo.co.za together with their name and physical address by no later than December 31. Only the address and photo will be posted on social media so that the community can get to know where they can take their families to enjoy the splendour of Christmas. Terms and conditions can be viewed on www.randfonteininfo.co.za/event-calendar.html.

• A perfect place for team-building
If you want to give your work team a break after a hard year and you’re battling to find somewhere to go, consider Melville Koppies Nature Reserve and Heritage Site. Already SA Breweries staff has spent a morning hiking, learning about the history of the area and has marvelled at the biodiversity of a nature reserve right in the heart of Johannesburg. A Discovery team is to visit soon. The visit will cost your company R80 per person, (minimum R1 000 for the group) and includes a volunteer guide from Melville Koppies who will walk with you and enrich your knowledge of the area. For other members of the public, Melville Koppies Central (Nature Reserve and Heritage Site) is open every Sunday from 08:00 to 11:30. No need to pre-book. Adults R80, children R40; season ticket for a year per adult – R500 (not transferable). All income used for maintenance and security of the Koppies – R22 000 per month needed. 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 about the team-building. Check out www.mk.org.za for more detailed information about the history and what you can see.

• Melville Koppies – 41 days of lockdown notes
More than 600 days ago our lives changed when we were confined to our homes because of this thing called the ‘coronavirus’. For Wendy Carstens, who manages Melville Koppies on behalf of the Melville Koppies Management Committee, her daily work and exercise on the Koppies degenerated into “monotonous laps around the garden”. Undaunted, she was inspired by Italian poet and scholar, Boccacio. “During the Black Death in Italy in the 14th Century, he and ten young Florentines went into seclusion in a villa for ten days,” she says. “While they were there, each person told a story every day – hence 100 stories, most of them with the themes of love and lust.” Wendy began to write “a Melville Koppies-related snippet every day” and posted it on Melville Koppies Facebook page. Other Melville Koppies volunteers (school-going ones too) joined her. “There were lots of things to love, and maybe even some lusty titbits”; while volunteer Anthony Paton updated the page “… with his passion for birds – the feathered kind.”
And when the first lockdown was extended, the daily snippets continued until 41 days was reached. You can read all these posts at https://mk.org.za/mklockdown.htm; or you can visit Melville Koppies Central (Nature Reserve and Heritage Site) every Sunday from 08:00 to 11:30 and see if you can spot what the snippets tell you about. No need to pre-book. Adults R80, children R40; season ticket for a year per adult – R500 (not transferable). All income used for maintenance and security of the Koppies – R22 000 per month needed. 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.

• Teine announces AGM
Randfontein Rugby Club will be hosting their annual general meeting (AGM) in the clubhouse at 19:00 on Monday January 10, 2022. The club invites the whole community to attend the meeting and would appreciate their attendance and input. Johan Cronje, the club chairperson will reflect on the year’s events at the club. He appeals to the public to propose candidates for election to the new committee. ALSO ON THE AGENDA: Election of new chairperson for the period 2022 to 2024; election of new committee members for 2022; introducing the coaches for 2022; and the 2021 financial report. Contact Johan Cronje on 061 323 8367 or johan@mapogosec.co.za or Lulu Kleyn on 071 678 0745 or randfonteinrc@telkomsa.net.

• Time to step up the hiking at Melville Koppies
In less than a month’s time, most of us will be winding down for the festive season so that we can take a well-deserved break. Now is the time to get fit and lose some kilos so that we can put them all on again during our holidays. There’s no need to travel for hours. Right on your doorstep is Melville Koppies Nature Reserve and Heritage Site. Open every Sunday morning from from 08:00 to 11:30, there’s a 5km hike that will get your heart pumping as it takes you down to the river, back up to the ridge with magnificent views and then back down to the river and up again to the top of the ridge. If you’re not up to that yet, you can try the 3km heritage trail which is more forgiving and tells you more about why Melville Koppies is a heritage site. And if that is too much, just come and enjoy the fresh air, the birds, the bees and the flowers and wander on any one of the numerous trails. All the trails are self-guided so you can go at the pace that suits your fitness. The cost is R80 per adult (R40 for kids) or you can buy a season ticket for R500 which will then give you free entrance for the next year. No need to pre-book. All income used for maintenance and security of the Koppies – R22 000 per month needed. 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.

Movies not to miss!

• THE HATING GAME – From December 31, 2021
Resolving to achieve professional success without compromising her ethics, Lucy embarks on a ruthless game of one-upmanship against cold and efficient nemesis Joshua, a rivalry that is complicated by her growing attraction to him.

• DOGTANIAN AND THE THREE MUSKEHOUNDS – From January 7, 2022
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, 2022
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.

• KING RICHARD – From November 19, 2021
Based on the true story that will inspire the world, Warner Bros Pictures’ King Richard follows the journey of Richard Williams, an undeterred father instrumental in raising two of the most extraordinarily gifted athletes of all time, who will end up changing the sport of tennis forever. Starring two-time Oscar nominee Will Smith (Ali, The Pursuit of Happyness, Bad Boys for Life).

• HOUSE OF GUCCI – From December 3, 2021
House of Gucci is inspired by the shocking true story of the family behind the Italian fashion empire. When Patrizia Reggiani (Lady Gaga), an outsider from humble beginnings, marries into the Gucci family, her unbridled ambition begins to unravel the family legacy and triggers a reckless spiral of betrayal, decadence, revenge and ultimately … murder.

• SPENCER – From December 16, 2021
The marriage of Princess Diana and Prince Charles has long since grown cold. Though rumours of affairs and a divorce abound, peace is ordained for the Christmas festivities at the Queen’s Sandringham Estate. There’s eating and drinking, shooting and hunting. Diana knows the game. But this year, things will be a whole lot different. SPENCER is an imagining of what might have happened during those few fateful days.

• THE MATRIX RESURRECTIONS – From December 22, 2021
From visionary filmmaker Lana Wachowski comes The Matrix Resurrections, the long-awaited fourth film in the ground-breaking franchise that redefined a genre. The new film reunites original stars Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss in the iconic roles they made famous, Neo and Trinity.

• Source: Empire Entertainment

• RandWest SPCA Christmas Market
RandWest SPCA will be hosting a Christmas Market with food, drinks and entertainment on the main rugby field at the Greenhills Sports Stadium from 09:00 to 15:00 on Saturday, December 11. They are looking for vendors to show off their stalls. Contact Brenda on 084 505 0613 or Ansie on 082 614 8643 for more information. Food stalls are R200 and other stalls R100. One can make a financial donation to the RandWest SPCA. The banking details are: SPCA Westonaria, Standard Bank (cheque account), Account number: 22070109 and branch 051001.

• Garden World’s Summer Festival
If you have a green thumb, then Garden World’s Summer Festival will be right up your alley to get heaps of gardening insights. The theme is Gardens for the Soul and you can expect to see designer gardens, the latest garden trends and get clever solutions for small outdoor spaces. There will also be talks and workshops hosted by gardening pros, so keep an eye out on their Facebook page @GardenWorldNurserySA. Pencil October 22 to December 5 in your diary, it’s so worth the drive. Entry fee is R20 per person. Garden World is situated on Beyers Naude Drive, Muldersdrift. Details: Contact 011 957 2545.

• Pencil in your diary … The Brauhaus Afrika Christmas Market
The Brauhaus Afrika Christmas Market taking place on December 18 is not to be missed. Think unique hand-made items ranging from baby accessories, clay earrings, woodwork, sourdough, bread, sweet and savoury bakes and much more. The stalls are hand-picked, the entertainment is superb, the food is fresh and the German beer is cold. Bring the children (and their swimsuits) there will be lots of fun activities. Details: Contact Ring Laoni on 076 018 5848 or email laonihill@icloud.com.