SUPPORT OUR HEROES IN UNIFORM

 

South Africa urged to support its heroes in uniform – it starts with personal responsibility.

Our country is blessed with thousands of brave and hard-working men and women, who spend their days looking after our health and safety. They need our help and cooperation, as we can only succeed if we all work together and take personal responsibility.

The call comes from armed response company Fidelity ADT, as South Africa enters a second year of lockdown while recent police crime statistics painted a picture of several crimes still being at disturbingly high levels.

“We can leave behind a better South Africa for our children and their children, if we start today by changing the way we live our daily lives and start looking after one another,” says Charnel Hattingh, Head of Marketing and Communications at Fidelity ADT.

“South Africa has no shortage of brave men and women who have continued giving their best since COVID-19 arrived, under very trying circumstances. These police officers, soldiers, doctors and nurses, and armed response officers have been on patrol and at their posts, to keep us safe and healthy,” says Hattingh.

There are easy ways in which to honour these heroes, she adds. 

“We can start by focusing on how we behave ourselves. In the case of police officers and law enforcement agencies, we can make their jobs a lot easier by being aware of our surroundings and remaining vigilant. If you see something suspicious in your suburb, don’t keep quiet. Share information about crimes and criminals with the appropriate agency so that they can respond. 

“We can also honour our healthcare workers by taking personal responsibility for our health and by adhering to any pandemic-related health advisories, so that we put less pressure on our healthcare network.”

Community solidarity and caring for our neighbours, says Hattingh, should also be on the list.

“We have seen examples all over the country where suburbs have become generally safer when communities look after each other and stand together in the fight against crime. This ‘team work’ approach can take many shapes and sizes – from formalised neighbourhood watch groups, all the way to WhatsApp messaging groups where people in a single street keep in contact with each other and share updates about healthcare advisories or other information that is useful. 

“The lesson is that this makes it easier for police and law enforcement organisations or even healthcare workers to deploy their resources more effectively. Who better to immediately raise the alarm when someone is in distress, than a neighbour,” says Hattingh. 

“Every little thing we do in our daily lives, will ultimately make a big difference at the end of the day for our hard-working heroes.”


THREE WAYS TO GET A BETTER BOND

Owning propert y is in South Africans’ DNA, says Colin Strumpher, Sales Manager at BetterBond. We grow up, leave home, get a job, a car and then a house. We’re const antly st riving to improve our circumst ances. “With the interest rate currently so low, we are seeing a lot more people getting into the propert y market and a high percentage of these are first home buyers. But few people know that there are ways to get a better bond - be it to secure a 100% loan with no deposit required, get a competitive interest rate, or to reduce the amount of time it will take to repay the bond.”

Strumpher explains that BetterBond acts as an intermediary between the buyer and the bank, submitting one application to multiple banks to secure the best possible interest rate for a bond. On average BetterBond achieves a 0.6% diff erence in interest rate between the highest and lowest off ers from the banks, and in some inst ances much more. This means, for example, that a client who would qualify for a prime interest rate of 7% on a R1 million bond, could receive a furt her reduction of 0.6% just by getting their bond through BetterBond. This amounts to a saving of almost R400 on monthly bond repayments and, over 20 years, close to R87 000.

Strumpher highlights three insider tips that will help buyers get the most from their bond:

1. Some buyers consider applying for a “fixed rate”, especially now that the prime lending rate is at 7%, the lowest it has been in over five decades. “While the choice is a personal one, it’s wort h noting that fixed rates are generally higher than the base or prime lending rate, and can only be negotiated once the bond has regist ered. Also, the period over which a buyer can fix the interest rate on a bond repayment is usually only one or two years,” explains Strumpher. 

Thereaft er, the bank will revert to the variable rate which the buyer will have to renegotiate a new interest rate on their bond repayment. “Opting for a fixed rate will also negate any savings that BetterBond could secure by approaching multiple banks for a competitive interest rate, and will end up cost ing more in interest over the long run.” A variable interest rate on a bond, however, means that the repayment on the outst anding balance on a bond will fluctuate as the prime lending rate increases or drops.

2. If you are able to pay more than the required monthly inst allment on your bond, you shave years off your bond repayment period. Also, by paying off the balance sooner, you will also reduce your interest over the loan repayment period. As the following example shows, paying just R1 000 extra a month on a R1 million bond, at the current prime lending rate of 7%, could reduce the duration of your loan by more than four years.

“The critical thing for any homeowner - if they have any additional funds, pay these into the bond. As an example, if you continued your bond repayment on a R1 million home at the interest rate of 10% (rather than dropping it to the current prime rate of 7%), as it was at the beginning of 2020, you would be able to reduce the bond term by about seven years,” says Strumpher.

“If you are not able to pay that much, even as little as R100 extra each month on a R 1 million bond will trim six months off your loan repayment period, and save you about R27 000,” he adds. It is not a case of taking all your savings and putting it in your bond, but rather about being disciplined to put something extra - whatever you can afford - into your bond. “Any lump sum that you can pay in addition, do. It reduces the balance, which reduces the interest which the bank will charge.”

3. Don’t cancel your bond once you have paid the full amount. If you keep the bond open, it will still be possible to access funds if needed. Any amount you pay over and above your installment lies in an access facility and this can be accessed at a later stage and used as desired,” says Strumpher. There is a small monthly administrative fee charged by the bank to keep it open.

Many homeowners use their primary residence to access funds so that they can buy their second property, Strumpher adds. “There is no real benefit in cancelling your bond, unless you are selling the property or you are absolutely sure that you will not be needing to access funds again. The bank will keep your account open unless instructed otherwise.” Accessing your bond and paying “cash” for your second property can save you in bond registration costs.

Anne-Marie Bamber is Norgarb Properties dedicated Home Loans Consultant. She has over 15 years’ experience in assisting clients with their Home Loan needs and has placed many happy families in their dream homes.

Contact her today for no cost stress-free home-buying.
Anne-Marie Bamber
Home Loans consultant
Tel: +27 (0)21 851 3568 | Fax: +27 (0)21 441 1494 | Cell: +27 (0)82 071 1665
E-mail: anne-marie.bamber@betterlife.co.za









VISIT ARO'S CHARITY SHOPS

 

Pop into ARO's charity shops for quality second-hand goods at bargain prices!

Plan a day trip to Kalk Bay which offers beautiful ocean views, delicious side-walk restaurants and find ARO’s little gem in Belmont Road.

Be sure to stop along the way at our Bergvliet Charity Shop for a variety of great bargains!

You’ll find excellent quality clothing, stunning shoes, fashionable, jewllery and lots of sale items priced to go!

KALK BAY CHARITY SHOP:

Belmont Road, Kalk Bay

(Situated just off the main Road in Belmont Road.

Belmont Road is directly opposite the Trading Post situated on Kalk Bay Main Road.

Look out for Papagayo directly opposite our shop in Belmont Road.)

Open every day including weekends and public holidays 

09h30 to 16h00

BERGVLIET CHARITY SHOP:

51 Main Road, Bergvliet

Call: 0217157525

Monday to Friday: 09h30 to 16h30

Saturdays: 09h00 to 13h00


MAY IN THE GARDEN

How is it May already?!

We're still having beautiful weather, and it hasn't been a rainy Autumn... Yet. Hoping for lots of rain to fill our dams and tanks this year.

You'll notice that the plant list shortens as we head towards the heart of Winter, as the temperatures drop. Planting seeds at the time that's best for them gives them the best chance at a fruitful life, and eating seasonal fruit and vegetables is good for us too.

For those of you keen on planting veg this month, here's May's list:

Broad Beans, Broccoli, Cabbage, Calendula, Chard, Celery, Chinese Cabbage, Chives, Chilli Pepper, Kohlrabi, Garlic, Leek, Leaf Mustard, Lettuce, Onion, Parsley, Parsnip, Peas, Potato, Radish.

Happy growing!

Patchwork Group
Gabriella Garnett
076 2199 849 | gabriella.garnett@gmail.com


FOHP NEWSLETTER

Garden Party

Our next Garden Party will take place from 09:00 - 11:00 in Hampstead Park on 15 May. As usual, donations of plants, cuttings, mulch or water will be greatly appreciated. Hope to see you there!...

Egg Hunt

Thank you so much to everyone who attended the Easter Egg hunt on 3 April in Hampstead Park. The funds raised from the attendees will go towards supporting FOHP's work in Harfields four parks, including buying new plants and equipment and paying for our part-time gardener. Pictures of the event will be available on the new Harfield Village Association Instagram account.

Vegetable & Indigenous seeds planting

The colling weather makes April the perfect time to plant indigenous seeds and bulbs, such as Watsonia, Chasmanthe, Erica or Pelargonium seeds into your garden. If you have a spot with full sun, you may also want to consider planting brassicas (such as broccoli) or leafy vegetables that will enjoy the upcoming rain and cooler weather.

For more information and directions you can email us at harfield.parks@gmail.com. You can donate using the following details: Friends of Harfield Parks; Standard Bank, Claremont; Account number: 076293874

Or use the Snapscan below.


WHY IS THERE CHARCOAL IN MY BREAD?

Activated charcoal has been popping up in all sorts of foods and drinks lately. The most common at the moment is the black bread bun. Although the black bun does not look appealing, there is the belief that the activated charcoal found in these foods and drinks can ‘detox’ the body. This claim is commonly promoted with most fad diets or diet trends where manufacturers claim that their product or diet will detox the body. This should always cause alarm bells to go off in your head because it is important to remember that your body detoxes itself! Your liver and kidneys do an amazing job at removing toxins from your body every day. There is no need for a healthy person to take additional unregulated supplements, like activated charcoal, for your body to do this on its own.

Activated charcoal is sometimes used by hospitals to treat moderately severe to life-threatening intoxication or poisoning using specific dosages. This is after the ingestion of a toxin or poison or an overdose of medical drugs. The activated charcoal binds to the toxin and then the two get excreted together in the faeces, preventing the toxin from being absorbed by your gastrointestinal tract. So in these cases, activated charcoal can save your life. This also explains why activated charcoal can’t in fact cleanse your blood. Because the activated charcoal moves through your intestines without ever being absorbed, it never reaches the blood! Only the kidneys and your liver are capable of doing this.

The likelihood of toxic substances binding to the activated charcoal also depends on a number of factors and some substances cannot bind sufficiently or at all to activated charcoal. One of these substances includes alcohol. So if you find yourself wanting to ‘detox’ your body after a weekend of drinking and a poor diet, rather focus on eating less processed and more whole foods like vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts and seeds as well as drinking enough water. These foods contain vitamins and minerals that will support your kidneys and liver and aid the detoxification process of the body. Eating foods or drinking drinks that contain activated charcoal can also interfere with the absorption of nutrients in the body, which defeats the point of eating well to support your liver and kidneys. Furthermore, activated charcoal may bind to and eliminate any medication that you may be taking. So eating that charcoal sandwich or burger would in fact reduce the effect of your medication and can therefore be dangerous if you are on prescription meds.

To summarize:

• You are better off ditching the charcoal foods and drinks.

• Rather leave the administration of activated charcoal to the doctors when its actually indicated.

• Instead, focus on eating whole foods like fruit, vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds to provide your body and organs with nutrients that will support the body’s natural detoxification process.


Kim Hofmann RD(SA)

Cell: 084 206 2715

E-mail: kimh.rd@mweb.co.za

Website: www.kimsnutrition.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimsnutrition

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kim.hofmann.988/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-hofmann-14a2b619/

If you would like to be added to my mailing list, please email me.

RENOVATIONS AND ALTERATIONS TO YOUR HOME


What is required after your building plans were approved?

Once your local municipality has approved the building plans and you have completed the renovation, alteration, addition or extension to your home in accordance with such plans in the required timeframe, it is imperative that you, or your project manager, make contact in writing with the municipality, in order to request the issue of a Certificate of Occupancy. 

The Occupancy Certificate is signed off by the municipal Building Inspector, once he/she has visited your property and confirmed that you have built in accordance with the approved plans, that any conditions of approval, imposed by the municipality, have been complied with and that the required compliance certificates have been issued.

If you deviated from the approved building plan, the Building Inspector may request that a deviation plan is drafted, submitted and approved before the Occupancy Certificate will be issued.

Obtaining an Occupancy Certificate is crucial because a building may only be formally occupied after the Occupancy Certificate has been issued. Once issued, remember to keep your Occupancy Certificate in a safe place in case it is needed again when selling or mortgaging your property.

Contact us at laurens@stbb.co.za should you require more information.