• Support the RandWest SPCA by buying a doughnut
Open your hearts and support the SPCA during another fundraiser for the animal welfare organisation at Tambotie Mall from 10:00 to 14:00 on Saturday, March 26. Doughnuts will be sold and any other donations are welcome. Franna and Dominique will also perform.
• Randfontein Youth Rugby Club Open Day
Be part of the Teine team during an Open Day for the Randfontein Youth Rugby Club on Wednesday, April 6 from 18:00. All U/6s to U/18s are welcome. Pre-season training includes ball handling, fitness, kicking and tackling. For more information contact Riaan on 083 640 7070.
• Markdag deur Betesda Bedieninge
Hou Saterdag, 9 April oop vir ‘n Markdag deur Betesda Bedieninge op die hoek van Main Reef- en Battery Reefweg in Randfontein. Daar sal iets vir almal wees, onder andere sangers wat optree, kos, springkastele, tuisgebak, pannekoek, lekkergoed, speelgoed en handwerk. Kontak Nita by 061 083 5470 of 084 458 2151 vir meer inligting.
• Upcoming U3A West Rand events
Are you retired or semi-retired and looking for something stimulating and affordable to do? If so, then join The University of the 3rd Age (U3A).
Tuesday, April 12 – The monthly meeting of the U3A West Rand will take place at The Church of Concession on Red Thorn Street, Ridgeview at 09:30. All retirees welcome and bring some friends. Come and enjoy a cup of tea and biscuits before the talk. Rod Kruger will speak on the history of the West Rand and the discovery of gold. There are no membership fees payable for 2022.
Wednesday, April 20 – Outing to Midrand where they will visit the farm Pico Gro where they grow all sort of edible flowers and micro greens in greenhouses. There will be a tour through the greenhouses. On the way home they will stop at Herbland for lunch, which in itself is something to experience. Come and join them for a day away from the city! Phone or WhatsApp Marthie Coetzer on 083 297 9565 for bookings.
• Lip-sync battle act between two drag stars
Grab your baddest and boujiest crew, because Trouve is hosting the ultimate drag brunch and you’re invited. Hosted by two of Joburg’s superior drag stars, Betty Bangles and Riri Rouge with their brand-new act The Scintillating Sinners. Watch these queens lip-sync their way through hits from Liza to Gaga from 11:00 on Sunday, March 27. R300 includes quiche and salad as well as a waffle and ice cream for dessert. To book WhatsApp the word Drag Brunch to 081 547 3652.
• Bruce Springsteen Tribute show at Silverstar
Jack Stone will be hosting his Bruce Springsteen Tribute show at selected venues all over South Africa during April. Don’t miss the show when it comes to the West Rand at Silverstar’s Barnyard in Krugersdorp on Saturday, April 2.
A homage to the great patriot
From the glory days of Dancing In The Dark to the Streets Of Philadelphia, from the spirit of Blood Brothers that stand together while singing Fire from the top of their lungs, comes the story of the great patriot who stood up for the blue-collar and the right from the wrong. This is a homage to The Boss, the influence he was to many, and the hero to the average man on the street who heard the message … Dream Baby Dream – a story that local charting artist Jack Stone completely relates to in more ways than it might seem. Not only did the songs of Bruce Springsteen influence the sound of his debut album (Walk On), it is also the catalyst that grew his love for music at a young age. A journey of growth, behind-the-scenes moments of each song, and the heartbeat of every emotion relate to years of musical infatuation and creation of vision and sound for singer-songwriter Jack Stone, and oh does he present it well. You can expect an all-original take on the music of hope, the songs of Bruce Springsteen, and a little bit of ‘Did You Know Facts’ about The Boss. Once called South Africa’s very own Bruce Springsteen by the owner and radio personality of Zone Radio (The Unicorn), has become a reality in this soulful yet on fire showcase of the songs of Bruce Springsteen.
• Friends of Kloofendal (FroK) events this March
Why not spend the autumn walking in nature and learning about creepy crawlies, insect bites, flowers, trees and more? Don’t miss the Friends of Kloofendal events below:
• Butterfly Walk on Sunday, March 20 from 09:00 to 11:00
FroK will supply nets and sample jars. Participants will be shown how to catch butterflies without harming them. They will be released after participants have seen them nicely. The guide will give a story on each butterfly, how to identify them.
• Biomimicry Walk on Saturday, March 26 from 08:00 to 10:00
• FroK Open Day on Saturday, March 26 from 08:00 to noon
People are invited to view FroK ecological displays in the Kloofendal Ecological Centre. Free entrance. Also free short guided walks
• Spider nature explorer book launch on Saturday, March 26 from 11:00 to noon
Social event – free event limited to 40 people
• Reptile Walk on Sunday, March 27 from 08:00 to 10:00
• Enjoying a hike and guided tour at Melville Koppies
Those selected few that chose to go on the 8km Melville Koppies hike on March 6, were lucky to get a bit of a guided tour thrown in too.
With just a few people partaking, there were three guides to three hikers most of the way. With one hiker training for the Otter Trail and burdened by a pack weighed down by coffee-table books, it was a chance to stop frequently to catch our breath.
Geologist and Melville Koppies guide Musarrat Safi got a chance to point out and explain one of the geological marvels on the Koppies. 3.3 billion years ago the ancient granite and greenstone basement was formed. A billion years ago a massive meteorite hit the Earth, creating the Vredefort Dome (near Parys). This event caused the overlying Wits quartzite rock to be tilted to the south, slipping downwards over the ancient granite and greenstone basement and exposing the rocks which normally lie deep below our feet. The extreme temperature and pressures created by the shearing of these two rock formations caused the alteration of minerals to form mica and kaolinite. The contact between the basement and the Wits quartzites is not normally seen above ground. Mica is used to make the shine in make-up, and kaolinite to make glossy paper amongst their other uses.
Melville Koppies Central is open every Sunday between 08:00 and 11:30 Choose from a 5km self-guided hike, a guided tour (book on 079 532 0083 or be there by 08:30), a 3km self-guided heritage trail, or just take a map and guide yourself along the extensive network of paths. On the first Sunday of the month join a guided 8km hike starting at 08:00 sharp. Adults R80, children R40; season ticket for a year per adult – R500 (not transferable). Income used for maintenance of the Koppies; R22 000 needs to be raised per month. 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 or call 079 532 0083 to find out more. Check out www.mk.org.za for more detailed information about the history and what you can see, or https://www.facebook.com/melvillekoppies.
• Enjoying the variety of Melville Koppies
The almost 50 visitors to Melville Koppies on Sunday February 20 enjoyed the many varied options available to them. Some took part in a 90-minute guided tour that leaves promptly at 08:30 (book on 079 532 0083). The tour ends on top of the ridge after which visitors can choose their own route back to the gate. Family groups with pre-schoolers chose the short direct route up to the top. The kids kept their eyes peeled to see how many of the Melville Koppies treasures they could find. Others with knees that had endured many decades of hard walking chose a gentler route. And there were numerous groups who took up the challenge of the 5km hike. “We thought it was going to be easy but it was more of a challenge than we were expecting,” said one hiker. One thing the visitors had in common – all left with happy faces. Melville Koppies Central is open every Sunday between 08:00 and 11:30. Adults R80, children R40; season ticket for a year per adult – R500 (not transferable). Income used for maintenance of the Koppies; R22 000 needs to be raised per month. 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 or call 079 532 0083 to find out more. Check out www.mk.org.za for more detailed information about the history and what you can see, or https://www.facebook.com/melvillekoppies.
• Book a guided walk on Melville Koppies
“There’s nothing to see,” said recent visitors to Melville Koppies. That was before David Carstens, one of Melville Koppies’ guides, took them under his wing and opened their eyes. He pointed out the ridges of Melville Koppies formed around 2.9 billion years ago, just a little later than South Africa’s oldest rocks near Barberton. They learnt and saw for themselves how the Koppies’ quartzite ridges became tilted after an asteroid struck near Parys creating the Vredefort Dome. And he described the metal-working skills the first farmers had: skills that enabled them to pick out ore-bearing rock, create their own charcoal for the smelting and know the heat of the furnace just by looking at the colour of the flames. Book your own 90-minute tour (call 079 532 0083) on a Sunday morning and learn more about the geology, heritage and nature on the Koppies. Melville Koppies Central is open every Sunday. Adults R80, children R40; season ticket for a year per adult – R500 (not transferable). Income used for maintenance of the Koppies. 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. 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 or call 079 532 0083 to find out more. Check out www.mk.org.za for more detailed information about the history and what you can see, or https://www.facebook.com/melvillekoppies.
• Hiking in the City
Just 13 hikers braved the uncertain weather to try out the first-Sunday-of-the-month 8km hike that winds its way up and down Melville Koppies Central before heading across into Melville Koppies East. ‘You get to hike right in the City’, was the common surprised refrain of the hikers, many of whom normally travel longer distances each week to satisfy their hunger for the open air and challenging trails. Hikers get to see the city from all angles as they follow the trail that clambers up and down the Koppie’s ridges. There’s the view north to the skyscrapers of Rosebank, Sandton and Randburg, and way in the distance the little bumps of the Magaliesberg mountain. Then east to the cooling towers of Kelvin power station, south to Braamfontein and Joburg’s first skyscrapers, and west to the old police flats in Sophiatown. 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). 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 at wendavid@mweb.co.za or call 079 532 0083. 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 visit https://www.facebook.com/melvillekoppies.
• The Bell of Hope charity ride for mental wellness
Ebenezer Psychiatric Home is proud to announce that they are hosting their Bell of Hope Charity Ride for Mental Wellness again this year.
Ebenezer House is a licensed non-profit organisation (NPO 088 960) taking care of fully functional adults suffering from bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. They depend on donations and assistance from the public and corporate sectors to keep the home open and functional. Every year they host a charity road cycle event, the Bell of Hope Charity Ride for Mental Wellness, in the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site. The proceeds of this event go towards sustaining Ebenezer Psychiatric Home in Witpoortjie, Roodepoort. The Charity Ride will be held on Sunday, June 5 at Valverde Eco Hotel in the Cradle of Humankind. Starting times: 07:00 for 50km at R220 per cyclist; 07:30 for 15km at R150 per cyclist; and on the day R250 per cyclist. You can enter at Cycle Events at www.cycleevents.co.za, and for more information, contact their office on 011 955 6595 or email to bellofhopecycle@gmail.com.
• 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 https://www.facebook.com/melvillekoppies
• 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 visit https://www.facebook.com/melvillekoppies.
• 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 visit https://www.facebook.com/melvillekoppies.
• 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 https://www.silverstar.co.za/whatson/events/pop-up-market/ for more information.
Movies not to miss!
• THE CONTRACTOR – From March 18
Chris Pine stars in this action-packed thriller as Special Forces Sergeant James Harper, who is involuntarily discharged from the Army and cut-off from his pension. In debt, out of options and desperate to provide for his family, Harper contracts with a private underground military force. When the very first assignment goes awry, the elite soldier finds himself caught in a dangerous conspiracy and on the run for his life. Also starring Kiefer Sutherland, Ben Foster, Gillian Jacobs and Eddie Marsan.
• C’MON, C’MON – From March 25
Joaquin Phoenix plays Johnny, a kind-hearted radio journalist deep into a project in which he interviews children across the US about our world’s uncertain future. His sister, Viv (Gaby Hoffman), asks him to watch her eight-year-old son, Jesse (Woody Norman), while she tends to the child’s father, who’s suffering from mental health issues. After agreeing, Johnny finds himself connecting with his nephew in ways he hadn’t expected, ultimately taking Jesse with him on a journey from Los Angeles to New York to New Orleans. Anchored by three remarkable actors, C’mon C’mon is a gentle yet impeccably crafted drama about coming to terms with personal trauma and historical legacies.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7em-IKA3p4
• Source: Empire Entertainment
