Latest news with #TheNorthCoastCourier
The Citizen
10 hours ago
- Business
- The Citizen
La Mercy honey entrepreneur buzzes her way to success
La Mercy honey entrepreneur buzzes her way to success While most kids were dodging bees at picnics, La Mercy resident Zabambo Mkhize was running toward them, eyes wide with curiosity, not fear. Fast forward a couple of decades and that childhood fascination has blossomed into a buzzing business, Saddie Farmers. Today, Mkhize tends to over 30 hives and produces a sweet range of honey-infused products. 'I have always been curious about how bees live and their role in the environment,' she said. Ask her about bees and you won't get a short answer. It is like asking a pianist to name their favourite song. One minute you are learning how a hive works; the next, you are knee-deep in agricultural science, local folklore and the ecological importance of these tiny, tireless workers. 'Bees live fascinating lives, and to care for them properly, you need to understand their needs,' said Mkhize. She said location is key, bees need food and the quality of honey depends on where the hive is placed. That, in turn, determines what you can do with it. Mkhize did not just stumble into beekeeping, she immersed herself in research and spent years soaking up knowledge about bees. Her journey truly began when she reached out to a local beekeeper in her hometown of Umzimkhulu. He became her mentor, helped her find a supplier and even allowed her to keep her first two hives on his property. That marked the beginning of her journey. Today, Mkhize owns around 30 hives, sells raw honey and crafts handmade products such as face soap, body cream and candles, all naturally infused with honey. In 2023, she expanded her skills by training in bee removal and began experimenting with honey-based cosmetics. Next on her list? Bee therapy. Her love for bees runs so deep that she even embraces their sting, claiming it has healing properties. 'I am not sure which hurts more, an injection or a bee sting,' joked Mkhize. Next time you swat a bee away, remember, that little insect could be the star employee in someone's small business empire. You can contact her at 083 770 8370 or visit to place your order. Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news. Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here, or if you're on desktop, scan the QR code below. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
a day ago
- Climate
- The Citizen
KwaZulu-Natal anglers reel in shad and Garrick as sardine run winds down
KwaZulu-Natal anglers reel in shad and Garrick as sardine run winds down Shad, Garrick and bronze bream are biting hard as North Coast anglers cash in on the season's best surf and deep-sea fishing. The sardine run continued along the South Coast last week, though fewer shoals were seen as the annual migration begins to slow down. Windy conditions late in the week made netting a challenge, but a successful haul was recorded at Pumula early on Sunday morning. The run has lasted a solid eight weeks and it is not finished quite yet. Sardines also have a history of turning up when least expected. Surf anglers enjoyed another productive week, particularly those targeting shad. Decent-sized fish were landed at first light, with a standout catch of a 4kg shad at Eastmore Beach in Umhlanga Rocks – a rare size for this time of year. A popular spot at Zimbali, known as 'Machaortwa,' also produced quality shad and many anglers reported reaching their bag limits. This beach remains a favourite for both shad and Garrick fishing. Garrick numbers have also picked up along the lower North Coast. Anglers using live bait saw the most success, though spoons and modern lures also proved effective. Garrick are now being caught all along the coast, from Durban northwards, in what's shaping up to be another strong season similar to last year. Further south, the action has been just as lively as previous weeks. At Margate, anglers reported 'boiling' shad throughout the day, with garrick mixed into the catches. Bronze bream were also plentiful, with some impressive specimens recorded, alongside rockcod, blacktail and karranteen. T he latter are being used as live bait to target larger fish like Garrick. Other species showing up on the upper South Coast include grunter, kingfish, salmon – and a few smaller grey sharks. In Durban, the Blue Lagoon area continues to produce Natal snoek and Garrick, especially for kayak anglers fishing the backline. Although the pier remains closed since January, fish are still plentiful in the surrounding waters. Blue Lagoon – affectionately called 'Lugz' – holds a rich angling history. I remember walking there as a boy to watch kite anglers send their baits out on offshore winds, landing everything from tuna and barracouta to big sharks. Anglers used Scarborough or 'ball race' type reels in those days and it was great to watch the battles to land the big fish from beyond the waves. There is much history attached to this area and this is the first time that anglers have been banned from fishing. Offshore, not much has changed. Bottom fishing remains steady with rockcod, half-kob, musselcracker and geelbek salmon keeping anglers busy. A notable deep-sea catch last week was a 45kg copper steenbras landed off Durban. Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news. Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here, or if you're on desktop, scan the QR code below. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Baby among 5 killed as family of 4 dies in KZN head-on collision
Baby among 5 killed as family of 4 dies in KZN head-on collision A devastating head-on collision claimed the lives of five people, including two young children, last night on the R66 near the Dokodweni Bridge in KwaGingindlovu, KZN. According to The North Coast Courier, the crash between a light motor vehicle and a bakkie left seven others seriously injured. Among the deceased are a family of four – a mother, father, their three-year-old child and a two-month-old baby – and a fifth passenger. They were travelling from Nongoma to Durban when their vehicle, a Hyundai i10, was involved in the crash. Three children travelling in the Hyundai i10 survived with serious injuries. IPSS Medical Rescue spokesperson Samantha Meyrick confirmed the occupants of the bakkie – two adults and two children – were also seriously injured. 'Advanced life support paramedics stabilised the critically injured before transporting them to nearby medical facilities for further treatment. Emergency services worked tirelessly to manage the scene,' said Meyrick. She extended thanks to the uMlalazi and Mandeni Fire Departments, additional ambulance services and the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) in Gingindlovu for their co-ordinated efforts during the rescue operation. Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash. Meanwhile, Zululand Observer reports KZN MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma has expressed condolences to the friends and family of the deceased. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
3 days ago
- General
- The Citizen
#Opinion: What to do about abandoned fish hooks
Discarded fishhooks and fishing tackle are a danger to both pets and wildlife, as highlighted in the article: Puppy pierced by abandoned fish hook in Sheffield. We asked our readers to share their own experiences with this hazard on local beaches. Lorraine Fleetwood Yip, Labby swallowed 2 large hooks with bait still on. To be fair, I don't think the fisherman do it on purpose but with all the rocks and the hooks get stuck and unstuck at a later stage and wash up. The don't want to keep buying hooks etc also. Reghard Roets More than once our dogs have picked up discarded hooks with bait on … luckily, we stopped them in time. Some local fishermen are very reckless in this regard, even empty bait packaging and glass bottles are often just left when they leave. Mikaela Hagemann Terrible experience with my Labrador, who had to be rushed to the vet on the Saturday of Easter weekend after eating bait with a hook at Xmas Bay – it got severely stuck in his throat and he had to be sedated to cut it out. My lab was lucky in the end that it didn't go to his stomach but I'm now so nervous to take him to the beach. Allison Pearson I'm so sorry Mikaela. Unfortunately, the people who recklessly discard their bait / hooks etc would never even bother to read this post. And unfortunately, they'll never be held accountable so will just keep doing it. Rein Van De Wall Yip. Ballito vet was a magician! Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news. Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here or if you're on desktop, scan the QR code below. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Chief Jiba Magwaza calls for action on social ills in KwaDukuza
Chief Jiba Magwaza voiced deep concern over unemployment, drug abuse and undocumented foreigners during his first official imbizo, held on Sunday at the Shakaskraal Community Hall. Addressing residents from Nkobongo, Shayamoya and Etete – townships under the Magwaza chieftaincy – Chief Magwaza noted that this was his first opportunity to formally engage with his community since assuming the role after his mother's death. He expressed his intention to visit all areas under his leadership moving forward. 'I truly value and appreciate the development taking place along our coastline, it is much needed. However, the high number of unemployed youth in these areas is deeply concerning. How can we have so much development, yet so many people remain without work? 'We also cannot ignore the number of undocumented people in our areas. We must address the issue of people entering and leaving our communities without regulation,' said Chief Magwaza. During the imbizo, attendees were also given a historical overview of the Magwaza chieftaincy, which was established in the 1890s. The gathering took an emotional turn when induna Nduli recounted the forced removals of families from their land in Shakaskraal and surrounding areas during the apartheid era. 'It was a brutal time. Tractors would arrive without warning and farmers would begin ploughing around your home. You'd be told to leave everything behind. Your house would then be turned into a compound for farmworkers. 'I witnessed that and it still pains me to this day. I hope that one day, whether I am alive or not, the Magwaza chieftaincy reclaims its land. It was taken in the most inhumane way,' said Nduli. Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news. Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here or if you're on desktop, scan the QR code below. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
