CHANGING TO A SECTIONAL TITLE DUET SCHEME

CHANGING TO A SECTIONAL TITLE DUET SCHEME The term 'duet' scheme is a description for a sectional title development that consists of only two dwellings. Typically these are created on land that cannot be subdivided. A 'mini' sectional title scheme is then created, consisting of two sections only and these may be separate dwellings or semi-detached. BUT WHAT IS A SECTIONAL TITLE SCHEME? Sectional title living has become very popular due, partly, to a sense that such schemes offer improved security and a more communal way of living. Buying in a sectional title scheme also tends to be more affordable which makes it easier for young people to own their own property. The concept 'sectional title' describes the separate ownership of units or sections within a complex or development. When you buy into a sectional title complex, you purchase a section or sections together with an undivided share of the common property. A sectional title unit may refer to anything from a small house, a semi-detached house, a townhouse, a flat or apartment to a duet house. Ownership of sectional title property involves a number of elements, as the owner owns a section plus an undivided share in the common property. All the sections together with common property comprise "the sectional title scheme". The "common property" refers to the areas which are utilised by all owners, e.g. the grounds, driveways, roads, recreation facilities, corridors, entrance areas and exterior of the building. DUET SCHEMES When a client recently approached us with the question whether he can convert his mountain-facing property to sectional title, the one part of the house constituting one unit, and the other a second sectional title unit, the answer was yes, the Sectional Titles Act allows for this. The building work involved with the process will require municipal building plan approval. However, provided the planned building complies with all building line, title deed, zoning scheme and town planning provisions (and certified as such by a land surveyor), no municipal/local authority approval for the opening of the sectional title scheme is required. If it deviates, local authority and or court approval must be obtained. In addition, if there is a bond over the property being developed, the bondholder must consent to the opening of the sectional title register. Owners in these duet arrangements must comply with the Sectional Titles Act. Accordingly, both owners have joint liability, responsibility and use of the common property areas and must agree on and maintain the common property and amenities, insurance and the like. They need to conduct meetings, take minutes, manage a bank account, collect levies and issue clearance certificates where one owner decides to sell a unit. You may require assistance in this regard, especially if neither of the owners have knowledge of managing a sectional title scheme and the Sectional Titles Act. Contact the property law experts at www.stbb.co.za

WHY IS SUCH A FUSS MADE ABOUT GRADE 11 RESULTS?

Lots of clients ask this very question in my consulting room. This is usually done with a woeful look at their grade 11 results and then at the entrance requirements for the tertiary institutions of their choice. All commit themselves to work much harder in the remaining few months of matric that are still available to them. Regrettably, it is usually a case of 'too little, too late' .

The realty is that you need to apply to tertiary institutions during your matric year using your grade 11 results Even if you plan to apply to UCT on 29 September, just before the closing date, you will still need to provide your grade 11 result.

Many learners end up having an enforced gap year because they did not get an initial acceptance from the institution because of poor grade 11 results, and then have to wait for the following year to apply with grade 12 results.

It's common knowledge that most learners pull out better results from their final matric exams than in the years leading up to it. It is hard not to do so with all the added support most learners receive in matric. 

But Grade 11s, the serious effort needs to start now if you want to enter matric with the sort of results with which you can confidently apply to tertiary institutions early next year. 

Make it happen! You'll be glad you did!

ANNETTE MILLER MA HEd
CAREER DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT

The Working Life

MASCARPONE & GINGER CHEESECAKE

INGREDIENTS

BASE
250g ginger biscuits
125g butter, melted

FILLING
500g cream cheese
250g mascarpone
125g castor sugar
2 eggs, beaten
6cm fresh root ginger, chopped
10 pieces stem ginger, chopped or ginger preserve


METHOD
Mix together biscuits and melted butter and press onto a loose-bottomed baking tin, 24cm
in diameter.
Mix together cream cheese, mascarpone and castor sugar in a processor.
Add the eggs and fresh root ginger and process until smooth.
Fold in the stem ginger pieces.
Spread the mixture over the base and bake in an oven preheated to 150 C for 30 mins, until just set.
Turn off the heat and leave the cheesecake to cool in the oven.
This helps to prevent it from cracking.
When it is cold, place in the fridge for at least 3 hours, or overnight, before serving.
Garnish with slices of stem ginger.

“I have been an agent for over 30 years and have an excellent track record in the Southern Suburbs area. I am professional, love what I do and put my heart and soul into every aspect of my work.”

Lyn Staples

Estate Agent (Norgarb Properties)

Cell: +27 (0)82 846 0739    |   Office: +27 (0)21 674 1120     |    Fax: +27 (0)21 774 4927

Email:lyn@norgarbproperties.co.za

Focus Areas:  Kenilworth & Claremont Village

Lumps and Bumps: Part One

Finding a lump on your dog can be a scary thing so we are going to look at which ones should you worry about and which ones can you ignore!

Lumps and Bumps: Part One

Benign Tumours of the skin.

There are many different types of tumours that occur in the dog. So we are going start this month by looking at the most common benign tumours that occur in the skin.

Warts

As in humans, a virus (papilloma virus) is responsible for the formation of warts in the dog. They are generally single growths on the skin, in young dogs specifically around the mouth, genitals and eyes.

They generally are not a problem unless they cause irritation or the dog interferes with them causing bleeding. Surgical removal is the usual treatment.

Sebaceous cysts

A Sebaceous cyst occurs when a pore or hair follicle in your dog’s skin gets clogged. Each pore and hair follicle has oil glands which produce ‘sebu’, the oil that gives your dog a healthy, glossy coat. When the pore clogs up this material becomes trapped and causes a cyst to develop. 

Pores and hair follicles can get clogged for many different reasons including infection, scar tissue being present or the consistency of the ‘sebu ‘being too thick. Sebaceous cysts do not normally cause any problems but if they increase in size rapidly or seem to be irritating your dog, it would be wise to visit your Vet. 

Do not be tempted to squeeze your dog’s sebaceous cyst!

Lypomas

These are fatty lumps, which are often seen, in obese dogs. They are usually well-defined tumours and do not spread to other tissues. 

However, a lipoma should be monitored as they can grow very big, making surgical removal extremely difficult.

 

Cutaneous histiocytoma

This is a very common tumour that is seen mostly in young dogs of any breed although Boxers and Bull Terriers seem to be more susceptible. The tumour involves the Langerhans cells which form part of the bodies immune system, identifying foreign materials that may cause a threat to the body such as pollens, viruses, bacteria etc. It is then dispatched to other immune system cells, which react to protect the body.

Although theses tumours can be fast growing they often disappear by themselves after a few months or can be successfully removed surgically.

What should you do if you find a lump on your dog?

If you find a lump on your dog you should get your Vet to check it out. Your vet can perform a needle aspirate, which will allow him/her to look at the cells of the tumour under the microscope and determine what type of tumour it is. Your vet will then be able to advise what the best course of action should be. If your vet is concerned that the lump may be cancerous he/she may suggest that a biopsy be taken, this sample of the tumour can then be examined by an expert histopathologist.

Most of the tumours described above can be successfully removed surgically. But even if your vet decides no treatment is necessary it is advisable to keep a close eye on your pet’s lump, as things can change over time. Harmless lumps can become ulcerated or begin to cause discomfort.

Next month we are going to look at the baddies, the malignant tumours that can occur in your dog.

Kenilworth Vet

Patchwork - February in the Garden

Hello Harfielders!

I have been eating tomatoes from the garden every day, and wish it would never end. Please be in touch on the Facebook "Patchwork" page and let us know what you are growing, so potentially we can get some regular trades going in Harfield?

Did you know: 

Planting Marigolds and Calendula amongst your vegetables naturally keeps the bugs at bay? Give it a try rather than spraying chemicals on your plants, which not only kills the bugs, it also damages the soil and thus vegetables.

Plant List for February:
Bush/Climbing Beans, Beetroot, Broccoli, Brussel sprouts, Cabbage, Calendula, Carrot, Chard/Spinach, Chinese Cabbage, Celery, Chives, Chilli, Kale, Kohlrabi, Globe Artichoke, Leek, Leaf Mustard, Lettuce, Onion, Parsnip, Potato,  Parsley, Radish, Rhubarb, Tomato.

Please be in touch on the Facebook page if you would like to trade some seeds.

Happy growing!!

The Patchwork Group

Gardening for your security

Dear Residents

CLAREMONT COMMUNITY POLICE FORUM (‘’CCPF’’)

• The monthly Sector 1 and 4 Sub Forum meeting of the CCPF was held on Wednesday, 10 February 2016. The following was noted:
• SAPS reported a substantial decrease in both contact crimes and house breaking for the months of December and January compared to those of the previous years.
• The reduction in crime has partly been attributed to the successes of private security companies and Harlyn Neighbourhood Watch.
• The stand-in Chairperson thanked the Friends of Harfield Parks for the work they have and are continuing to do to improve the gardens at the police station.
• HVCID was thanked for our assistance in helping to find a new treasurer for the CCPF

GARDENING FOR YOUR SECURITY

Your garden should or could be your first line of defence against burglars!  Follow these tips when gardening for your security: 

• Install a strong lockable gate, preferable smooth, solid wood as it is harder to climb. The gate should be the same height as your fence or wall and fitted with good locks which cannot be reached from over your gate.
• Hedges around your perimeter should be cut low so that you can easily see your boundary.
• Cut back large over-hanging trees over your walls or fence. These can be used as effective ladders by burglars.
• Make sure your garden is well lit, especially in the dense areas preferably with solar lighting which will be cost effective as well.
• Do not let your garden get over-grown as this provides hiding spaces for burglars.
• Lock away garden tools and braais. These could be stolen or worse used to gain access to your home.
• Fix trellis to the top of walls or fences. As well as looking pretty, it’s tricky to climb and makes a lot of noise if broken.
• Get prickly plants for your verges or perimeter of your garden for a natural looking burglar deterrent.
• Gravel paths are noisy and can be off putting to burglars
• Ensure that you use suitable outdoor alarm technology to ensure you do not continuously have false alarms.

 Harfield Village Community Improvement District (HVCID)

Small pet, huge headache?

SMALL PET, HUGE HEADACHE?
Who decided it would be a good idea to keep a rabbit in a cage?

At Animal Rescue Organisation we have seen both sides of the pet shop story
~ the great homes with people who take excellent care of their caged pets right through their entire lives and the terrible stories of cage neglect
and suffering when the novelty has worn off.

THE NOVELTY OF IT ALL.WHO THOUGHT THIS WAS A GOOD IDEA?
Make no mistake, baby rabbits & guinea pigs are cute. But did you know, by 1 year old, many rabbits have been disposed of by their owners ~ dumped at a welfare organisation or back at the pet shop they were purchased from?

Hundreds more end up on Gumtree ("other pets" section) with owners saying, "I spent R1000 on everything so must get back R800!" Other sellers are a little more desperate to pass on their headache. As one Gumtree advert begged: "Free to good home, kids lost interest!" together with a photo of a terrified guinea pig being held up like a piece of meat.

Most people who have given ARO their unwanted rabbits are delighted to be rid of them, but
there are the few exceptions to this. Sometimes life's circumstances force people to give up their pets and some people think a welfare organisation is better than a pet shop as far as options go. However, all across the Cape, little colonies of dumped pet bunnies can be seen frolicking in the freedom
of grass verges and mountainsides ~ from Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens through to Tokai and as far out as the Scout hall in Somerset West, where hundreds of sweet little buns enjoy their freedom. If you are serious about keeping little critters, try to adopt ~ check out Facebook for rescue groups
and your local welfare organisations who often have little ones looking for a new home.

TAKE A CLOSER LOOK..
Petshops keep cages or enclosures of rabbits, and guinea pigs, sometimes all thrown in together like one big (un)happy family. Hamsters are generally bunged in fish tanks together, so that they can all fight and breed, in order to deliver you, the unsuspecting buyer, a litter of 6-8 dear little babies 3 weeks later. If you try to return your unwanted caged pet or their unexpected off spring to the pet shop, the shopkeeper will either love you or chase you out depending on his stock levels. Be careful, if you purchase a pet who has lived in communal cages as described above, you will probably go home with a pregnant female or breeding pair! Do not take "the word" of the pet shop salesman when he says, "these are both females". Most Pet shop employees have no idea how to sex a rabbit, hamster or guinea pig and quite frankly are not concerned with this petty detail, preferring to concentrate
on ringing up all the novelty extras which they insist are essential for a happy pet!

SO WHAT WILL IT COST ME?
Rabbits are marginally less expensive than Guinea Pigs, but both can be expensive. A small packet of guinea pig food costs around R65 and you will need 2-3 per month for 2 guinea pigs. Add in vegetables, greens and bedding and suddenly you have rung up over R300 extra onto your monthly food bill.
More than a cat. Rabbits love to run, jump, dig and chew so try to avoid the "hutch trap" and rather opt for an enclosure of at least 3m x 3m outside with shelter. Keeping a house rabbit could land you in an electrical disaster so keep any wires hidden. If you insist on bunny being indoors, find a good electrician and watch bunny closely because those teeth can chew just about anything! Rabbits live in groups in the wild and do not cope well alone. Although they will fight for a day or two, they must have companionship of other bunnies and that will require sterilisation somewhere along the line.

THE FINAL NAIL IN THE COFFIN
If you are a brave soul who is considering "small pet keeping" you would appreciate knowing that it can cost as much as R2000 to sterilise a rabbit at a private veterinary practise and it will cost you upwards of R500 to sterilise a guinea pig! Of course, it is wise to shop around for the best rate. Animal welfare hospitals will only help you if you can show that you are entitled to use the welfare system by virtue of your joint household income.

If you are really dedicated, these dear little fluffies can bring much pleasure. Before you enter a relationship with a caged pet, ask yourself: do I want to be plagued by guilt because I did not clean the cage out and they stink to high heaven? Do I have enough money to afford these darlings and
do I need this in my life for the next 4-10 years? Would anyone be bothered if I made the appropriate excuses and purchased a PlayStation instead?

Queries, interests or concerns about small pet ownership can be directed to aro@animalrescue.org.za and we will try to assist you to the best of our ability.

Article by the Animal Rescue Organisation

Is there a relationship between our economy and crime?

South Africans have watched our economy drop over the past few years; however specifically in the last 3 months we have seen the lowest fall yet struggling to settle our currency below the R16 to the dollar mark.

We have also noticed an increase in contact and property related crime, or even criminal movements. This could be that we are more aware of our surroundings due to social media and WhatsApp groups, although most South Africans have been or are related to a victim of crime at some point in their lives.

This topic has two different trains of thought. The first comes from the criminologist, and the second from the economist:

1. The criminologist: A low economy = an increase in crime

Tough economic times make more people willing to commit crimes. Bad economies lead to more property crimes and robberies as criminals steal coveted items they can’t otherwise afford.

The economic anxiety of bad times leads to an increase in domestic violence as well as an increase in substance abuse which causes an increase in violence in general.

Crminologists argue the logic that desperate people will do anything to survive. The tighter the economy squeezes them, the more they are likely to commit crime.

VS

2. The economist: A good economy – an increase in crime

There are more expensive and flashy items to steal. Fancy cars (theft of motor vehicle), flat screen TV’s (burglaries), expensive jewelry and cellphones (common robberies), are all very attractive to a criminal in the market. Along with a strong economy, comes the demand for alcohol and drugs with also has a knock-on effect to domestic violence and crime.

The economist argues that with a strong economy, people succumb to temptation.

  

So we have two view-points both driven by two evils: desperation and temptation.

Statistics show that there is no real correlation between economy and crime, however that we should rather say: crime is periodic.  Each geographical area experiences a wave of crime which could last a week, a month or a few months, and then dissepate. So how do we know the period we are in? Check in on your social media platforms. Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Be conscious of the fact that crime exists!

Crime might not be dependant on the economy; but it can be expected that South Africa is going to have a tough 2016, and it is up to us to keep positive and keep working together.

Princeton Armed Response