Page 20 - KZN Business Sense 3.4

KZN

KwaZulu-Natal
Business Chambers Council
COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT

play in an orchestra and this is a experienced the joy that
Corobrik chairman, really brilliant opportunity for accompanies such a performance,
Peter du Trevou, joined musicians, of all skill-types and Du Trevou encouraged the
performers at 2017 ages, to experience the involvement from Corobrik,
BHCA 1820s amateur exhilarating feeling of performing which has been ongoing for nine
orchestra, sponsored for an audience,” said Peter du years.
by Corobrik. Trevou, who played for the “I really believe this orchestra
seventh time this year.
C orobrik’s commitment to Du Trevou’s love for music gives amateur musicians
something to strive for, as there is
community enhancement
nowhere else for them to
began at a young age with piano
extends into the cultural
realm. e company has now lessons, although it was only years perform,” said Du Trevou, who
sponsored the BHCA (British later that he decided to try his played the tenor saxophone at this
Cultural and Heritage hand at the saxophone. year’s concert, although he does
Association) 1820s amateur also play the alto and soprano
orchestra for nine years. e event “I wanted to try something saxophones. “Richard Cock puts
is designed to give amateur dierent, that would give me a on an extremely good programme
musicians a platform to perform. nice escape from work, which can every year, just challenging
get extremely busy,” he explained. enough to bring out the best in the
Taking it a step further, “I chose the saxophone because it’s amateur musicians while also
Corobrik chairman, Peter du portable and I’m really interested proving popular with the
Trevou – himself an amateur in the mechanics of the audience.”
saxophonist –performed at the instrument.” Pictured at this year’s the BHCA 1820s amateur orchestra, are from le, Peter du Trevou,
BHCA 1820s amateur orchestra, Organised by the BHCA, the nine-year-old Laila Jones and conductor Richard Cock.
Photographer credit: Roy Reed Photography
which took place on Sunday, 20 It was 15 years ago that Du concert opened with the South
August at Penzance School’s Trevou started lessons with Esme African National Anthem, which
Nkulisa Conference Centre, Venter – which he continued for was followed by a number of of Music; popular orchestral Louis Armstrong’s What a
Glenwood. four years – and it was through showstoppers including John arrangements of the Mango Wonderful World, among
her that he was rst introduced to Philip Sousa’s Washington Post Groove hit, Special Star; Village others.
“Most amateurs never get to the amateur orchestra. Having March; a medley from e Sound People’s YMCA; Shosholoza; and

SCHOOL BOOST FOR SIBAYA NEW BWA REGIONAL

T ongaat Hulett has signed a e school is being developed in strong communities so all children CHAIRPERSON

can get the best possible start in
landmark deal with
Node 5 of the 1 000 hectare Sibaya
education group
precinct, we are investing in our
ADvTECH to develop the rst Coastal Precinct, on which life. By investing in the education APPOINTED
construction of civil infrastructure
new school in the uMhlanga commenced last year. e rst country’s future,” says Mike Aitken he Businesswomen's from all walks of life. Her goal is
region in more than 14 years. e phase of this project is expected to ADvTECH Schools Division CEO. T Association of South Africa to empower women and teach
2 000-student facility, located be completed later this year, with is happy to announce the them to be nancially
within the renowned Sibaya plans to build some 10 000 “With new residential appointment of Debbi van independent and free to make
Coastal Precinct, is scheduled to residential units by the time the developments, it is important to Heerden as regional chairperson their own choices in life. Debbi
open in 2020. entire project is completed. provide those facilities (such as of the Durban branch. feels that through the BWA, she
schools) that will cater to current can see her objectives of growing
e project is expected to Nodes 1 and 5, located on the and future residents. Families in Debbi is the CEO and founding women coming to life.
provide relief for the growing east side of the M4 motorway, are the respective communities will member of Mitras Amenities,
demand in the region for quality the priority focus areas. Mthembu benet from new schools with which manufactures hotel Debbi always nds time to assist
schooling. e facility will be says Sibaya’s big attraction is its qualied teachers that will ensure amenities and distributes products various charities with sponsorship
developed under the ADvTECH convenient location between their children can continue to throughout South Africa, and requests and event support. e
Academies brand, which provides facilities like King Shaka receive world-class education in exports into Africa. Debbi charities she regularly works with
education to a broad range of International Airport and major safe, modern and friendly facilities manages all nancial aspects, as are the Robin Hood Foundation,
income earners. centres such as uMhlanga and close to their homes,” he adds. well as the general management, Sunower Fund and Coastal
Ballito and it was exactly this that of her company. Mitras is one of Horse Care Unit.
“We are very pleased to be appealed to ADvTECH. is is a theme that Mthembu the largest manufacturers of
working with ADvTECH on this endorses, indicating that the amenities in South Africa and the In her free time, she enjoys
development, which has “e Sibaya Coastal Precinct ADvTECH school project is the factory is based in Cornubia. horse riding and competes in
entrenched its position as a site has been selected as it is start of the development of more Mitras has received many dressage.
leading player in the education becoming an extensive education facilities in future. “e accolades including gender
market,” says Sithembiso development node and the number of residential units in empowerment awards and was a
Mthembu, Head of Development developers together with Sibaya Coastal Precinct will be nalist in 2011 for e
Execution for Tongaat Hulett ADvTECH believe that a school growing signicantly in the next Africa Awards for
Developments. “e company within the node will be very ve to ten years, and so will the Entrepreneurship.
clearly sees value in the necessary to service this opportunities for more Debbi completed the
opportunity, and as the developers community (as well as the educational facilities to meet EY Winning Women
of Sibaya Coastal Precinct we’re surrounding region), which will demand.” Programme in 2015.
excited to be able oer this type of be growing considerably in the
amenity to residents in the coming years,” says Vongani In the meantime, the new Debbi joined the
precinct and surrounding region.” Mbhokota ADvTECH Group ADvTECH Academies facility will Businesswomen's
Properties Executive. be a welcome option for Sibaya Association (BWA) as
Mthembu says the decision to Coastal Precinct residents, as well a member in 2009. In
construct the new school follows a e ADvTECH Group as families within the surrounding 2011, she joined the
period of identifying market Properties division has more than areas. Mthembu says the school BWA committee soon
demand and potential, followed by 14 years’ experience in school could attract learners from as far aer she became a
intensive engagement and design, development, construction aeld as Durban North and Ballito nalist in the
negotiations with educational and facilities management and due to the high number of Entrepreneur Category.
institutions towards nding the successfully owns and operates individuals who commute from In 2015, she was
most appropriate and benecial more than 80 schools across South those areas to work in uMhlanga. appointed as
solution. Africa and the rest of Africa. ere remain a number of other vice-chairperson and
educational opportunities in was the project
ADvTECH, he says, responded “Schools in our country are further developments such as champion for BWA
immediately with an exciting more than just bricks and mortar Cornubia. Days, which focuses on
concept and proposal. structures, they are about building empowering women

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