This past year, Polyflor SA once again partnered with the Carte Blanche Making a Difference Trust to help refurbish the paediatric facilities and services for trauma and burns patients at Ngwelezana Hospital, by donating flooring and wall protection products and services valued at close to R400 000.00. According to Tandy Coleman, CEO of Polyflor SA, this project was very dear to her team’s hearts as it cares for and treats KZN’s littlest burn and trauma victims. “Children suffering the emotional and physical trauma of burns caused by paraffin stoves, open flames or candles falling over, is a harsh reality and an occurrence that happens all too often in South Africa. Burns patients require very intense and specialised care to avoid potentially fatal infections and, in most cases, also skin grafts to repair the damaged tissue. Upon hearing of the desperate need to upgrade the paediatric facilities at Ngwelezana Hospital, we were delighted to confirm our involvement in this worthy project,” Tandy says.  

About Ngwelezane Hospital 

Situated approximately 20km from Richards Bay in northern KwaZulu-Natal, the Ngwelezana Hospital is a 554-bed facility that provides district, regional and tertiary services to densely populated communities from the King Cetshwayo, Umkhanyakude and Zululand districts. It is also the referral centre for children who have suffered burns, trauma requiring surgery and orthopaedic care. Prior to the refurbishment, all paediatric burns and trauma cases at Ngwelezane Hospital were treated in the Adult Burns Ward, which allocated 21 of its 38 beds for younger patients.  

Small (corporate) actions making a big difference

Above and beyond the seed capital of R10.3 million contributed to the Carte Blanche Making a Difference Trust by South32 to initiate this project, Polyflor SA was one of thirty companies who generously donated material, equipment, services and advice to help realise the dream of creating a brand-new, 22-bed Paediatric Burns Unit. With the help of Sakhiwo Infrastructure Solutions, and architects the Hospital Design Group, Ngwelezana Hospital’s Paediatric Burns Unit was created as a state-of-the-art facility that is able to provide a range of care options – ranging from general patient to high care and isolated ICU rooms.  It now also has the best purpose-fit medical equipment, essential clinical dry and wet treatment areas and custom-designed air treatment facilities which are required for the optimal treatment of burns patients.

Polyflor’s donation comprised of Pearlazzo PUR sheeting in Mineral, Sunrise, Purple Crush (515 m2),Hydro Evolve 2mm in Tigris (40 m2), Polysafe Verona 2mm in Horizon Blue (80 m2), welding rods, coving and capping strips, wall guards and corner guards. Beautiful waterjet cut-outs of typical African images, such as giraffe, buck, tortoises, bunnies and clouds using the Gradus SureProtect Endure wall protection range, transformed the facility into a highly functional, yet bright, happy space that improves staff morale, aids in the small patients’ recovery process and is unlike any other hospital in the world.

Looking back at our involvement with Carte Blanche’s MAD Projects over the past 10 years, it has truly been an honour and a privilege to support such an initiative that improves and uplifts seriously neglected and under-resourced hospitals around South Africa.  It is wonderful knowing that our products have played a part in transforming the public paediatric healthcare landscape. The ripple effect of small acts of kindness, generosity and teamwork create a lasting and extraordinary impact,” Tandy concludes. 

For more information about Polyflor SA, visit www.polyflor.co.za  

Note to the editor: 

All photographs courtesy of M-NET Publicity. 

For more information about the Carte Blanche Making a Difference Trust, visit https://m-net.dstv.com/show/carte-blanche/news/the-mad-trust-ngwelezane-paediatric-unit-handover/news 

June 2018 – Shamwari Private Game Reserve, in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, has announced plans to rebuild, redesign and create three ultra 5-star lodges, with the building process taking two years to fully complete. This is just part of the rebranding and repositioning of Shamwari in the safari marketplace as well as new culinary offerings specific to each lodge. Three of the six existing lodges will be totally recreated to offer guests a whole new level of lodge, architectural and sheer design luxury befitting for this multi-award winning reserve, which has become known globally for its pioneering efforts in wildlife conservation and fine hospitality. 

Architecture is by DSA Architects International and interior décor and design by K/M2K Architecture and Interior Design, both South African based companies. 

Comments Group General Manager, Joe Cloete, “We felt the time had come to not simply do extensive annual refurbishments of furniture and décor but rather to redesign the lodges to elevate the guests’ offerings and comfort to absolute sheer safari luxury by means of extraordinary architectural, design and décor offerings. We believe the hospitality industry is entering a new era in guest expectations and we hope to be leading this with four exceptional safari lodges coupled with our renowned, malaria-free, Big 5 safari and walking experiences.”   

A new Animal Rehabilitation Centre will be created and the Born Free Centres will see a significant refurbishment to marry with the lodge improvements. 

Situated in the lush indigenous bush of the Shamwari Private Game Reserve with breath-taking views of the adjacent rocky cliff face where eagles soar, Eagles Crag Lodge is set to be a sophisticated safari experience making efficient use of this idyllic site, whilst providing privacy and spectacular views. The architects have designed a spacious entrance and reception looking directly onto the lush vegetation and majestic rocky cliff face. On the upper level, the Guest dining and lounge open through large doorways onto the wrap-around veranda with individual ‘dining pods’ overlooking the cliff. On the lower level, fitness enthusiasts Guests can enjoy a fitness centre and an entertainment lounge. 

Nine luxurious Guest Villas, each with its own sundeck and heated plunge pool, are discreetly placed in the surrounding bush and the intimate Spa complements the Lodge offerings. Eagles Crag will close from 1 May to 1 September 2018. 

Riverdene Family Lodge is an exclusive family African destination, offering a sense of style and comfort in a secure environment. Designed in African Modern Farm style, synonymous to the Cape region, with its simple forms and pitched roofs it will offer unique family accommodation, where the youngest are welcomed and are involved in all activities including an unforgettable bush experience. 

Nine inter leading rooms with elegant bathrooms and all with magnificent views over the bushveld provide family lodging, while the lofty Lounge, Bar and Dining rooms open on to the infinity edge pool and sun decks. 

The Kids on Safari Adventure Centre complement the facilities with extensive modern playground offering an array of kid friendly activities for kids to entertain themselves in a safe and supervised environment, as well as a toddler play area and adventure zone. Proposed activities include a swing bridge, climbing wall, timber tunnel, zip line and many more adventure fun filled activities. Riverdene Family Lodge will open to guests on 14 September 2018. 

Long Lee Manor faithfully and elegantly reflects a bygone era and whilst retaining the original façade, a new arrival courtyard and porch will create a grand entrance to this historical Manor offering direct views across the magnificent Eastern Cape plains and wildlife. Adding to this, a new reception and lounges will be created with a dining room situated within the gardens, which will be complemented by spacious verandas, with a nearby Bar Pavilion and infinity edge pool also offering wonderful views over the reserves unique landscape. 

An elegant Wellness Centre and Teen Entertainment and Gaming Room will be created around a peaceful landscaped courtyard and guests will be accommodated in 18 spacious Guest Suites, all with elegant colonial themed interiors. The Barn, used for boutique meetings and conferences, will also take on a new look and feel and offer state-of-the-art equipment for delegates. Health conscious guests will be able to take advantage of a new fitness centre. 

One Luxury Presidential Suite and 17 Guest Suites, including an impressive Honeymoon Suite, as well as a well-equipped Universal Access inter leading Suite. Complete the offering of the new look, contemporary colonial Long Lee Manor embraced by extensive landscaping. Long Lee Manor is scheduled to close on 1 November 2018 and reopen 1 December 2019.  

Conserving a Vanishing Way of Life 

This press release has been distributed on behalf of our client, Shamwari Private Game Reserve. 

For further media information and artist’s impressions please contact:

The P.R Team, Cape Town, South Africa

T: + 27 (0) 21 419 2390/1

E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

From South African winner to new brand identity – Kandua is an online marketplace that makes it simple for the South African homeowner to transform their home and make urgent repairs using reputable and reliable contractors.

Originally known as IDWork, Kandua won the South African Seedstars competition in 2016 for the most promising startup, and today it has a thriving database of vetted, reviewed and tested independent professionals. As part of its drive to keep things simple, the company has rebranded and redesigned its online platform so users have a seamless experience from start to finish.

“We have designed Kandua as an easy to use platform that helps people to simplify their lives,”,” says Kandua co-founder Arjun Khoosal.

“Broken geyser? We can connect you to a reliable plumber in your area. Broken door? We’ve got the expert for you. Unexpected weather damage? We have contractors ready to step in and get your home ready for the next weather warning. Say goodbye to horror stories and hello to the perfect home.” Homeowners can go online using their mobile device or laptop and search for a professional contractor using an interface that’s been designed to be as effortless as possible.

The platform is tailored towards making South Africans lives simple, after all everything else is complicated enough. “Let’s be honest, doing home repairs and maintenance introduces that you never knew existed,” says Khoosal. “Our contractors live this life every day and it’s a good chance they’ve got your solution. Kandua gives you the backup you need to fix your problems. Any job, any size, done.” In addition to providing a searchable database of reliable contractors, Kandua has a seamless payment and quoting system built in.

Users can get quotes and pay online, all from the comfort of their desk, and they are connected to their chosen contractors through SMS and WhatsApp to make communication as easy as possible. Every step has been designed to help the user breathe a sigh of relief.