Page 6 - Dainfern Precinct Living June 2022

From the Editor
YOUTH MONTH IN SOUTH AFRICA

residents are involved in at the Thabo
Mbeki Informal Settlement. Some
time ago, the establishment of a Skills
Development Centre was proposed and
Tiisetso Community Projects NPC was
formed by a handful of enterprising
individuals. What’s remarkable about their
activities is their insistence on coming
up with innovative ways to build using
recyclable materials wherever possible.
Their food tunnels have also been a hit
amongst the local community, with
vegetables grown not only to support
the families of the farmers, but made
available for sale to other families in the
settlement – and a percentage of the crop
is even set aside to donate to a feeding
scheme that supports destitute families.

With this month proclaimed as Youth
Month in SA, we take a look at what’s
happening in the sphere of Early
Childhood Development (ECD) and
Lynda Eagle, Academic Advisor at
ADvTECH Schools, unpacks the essential
ingredients of what parents should look
out for when deciding on an ECD facility
elcome to our June edition Local families, too, have been attracted suitable for their child.
of Dainfern Precinct Living. to the unique mélange of the facets
Our first ‘order of business’ making up urban life here. In property Michelle L Raymond also gives school
Wthis month is to thank Ann industry-speak, the precinct is a mixed- leavers some sage advice about
Arnott for almost four years of dedication use node made up of retail, educational, navigating their life and career – and
to building up this wonderful precinct healthcare, commercial, sport and whether they should choose to go
magazine. Ann is heading off overseas residential elements. This has been ideal against or with the currents when doing
to take on some really exciting projects for those who don’t relish the endless their career planning.
and we wish her well for all her future and often frustrating commute to and Still on the topic of the welfare of our
endeavours. from business districts, as well as schools young people, Amanda Pillai shares
and shopping centres further afield. One some disturbing statistics related to
For decades, the Dainfern Precinct has can pretty much remain in the secure
gained a reputation amongst expats for bubble of the precinct and enjoy an teenage pregnancies and goes on
offering a secure luxury lifestyle, where almost endless variety of activities – and to examine and recommend some
families were able to blend into the with the Broadacres Drive Association strategies that may help curb, and
fabric of the precinct communities and taking care to keep the precinct safe and possibly halt this catastrophic trend.
where their children have been able to pristine, one can’t ask for more. Nature lovers will be interested in the
thrive. Some expat families have stayed wonderful news that the Mabula Private
for years, others stayed merely for a year We had the privilege of being part of Game Reserve has just released a pack of
or two, and some have left and returned. the Helderfontein Estate’s big reveal African wild dogs in their reserve – while
last month when we attended their Casey Brown shares a fascinating story
clubhouse complex roof-wetting. I call it about how she discovered what the
a complex, because the restaurant, bar, different colours of dog leashes mean to
terrace and meeting facilities are located the canine community.
in one building, while their gym has
its own dedicated building – available Enjoy the crisp days of our Highveld
exclusively for residents to use. In addition winter, and be sure to indulge in
to enjoying commanding views of the nourishing, hearty soups and casseroles.
natural surroundings, the two buildings Seems strange, but before we know it,
have been designed to passively take we’ll already be past the shortest day of
advantage of natural sources of heating the year!
and cooling, such as sunlight and breezes,
as part of the estate’s eco-friendly and Warm regards
sustainable building practices. Bev

Following on from environmental
responsibility, we also feature two Bev Hermanson
reports about the social responsibility EDITOR
projects that many of our precinct bev@eiapublishing.co.za

4 DPL issue 5 2022