You read it in The Meander Chronicle …

Our small team scours the Midlands for fresh and local stories, so you get good reads about the area and people you know.

Here are some of our faves from the past few months.

The community is fully invested in an ambitious veggie garden project that is growing momentum at Ntuli Farm, in Rosetta. Garth Johnstone went to investigate and heard about plans for food security and sustainability. Local residents, businesses and farmers are contributing, lending their expertise and resources.

Sarah Finlay at work at Knotts Salon. Picture: Nerissa Card

Nerissa Card caught up with a local institution in the world of hairstyling, Knotts Salon’s Sarah Finlay. The business, first run by her mom, has been going for 32 years and Sarah’s been the go-to person for countless women seeking a cut and colour, refresh, restyling, or rescue from a hairdressing meltdown. Her business recently moved to Robin Road, Nottingham Road.

Daily Bites

In Mpophomeni, Garth Johnstone got his teeth into the township taste sensation that is the kota, at Dexter’s Daily Bites. This is big, tasty food to satisfy a big appetite. The driving force behind Dexter’s, chef Xolani Dube, who has trained at Fern Hill, is excited about the potential and implementing some of his learning and foodie ideas.

Read the full article here

Sphamandla Molefe and Xolani Dube have teamed up for Dexter’s Daily Bites in Mpophomeni. Picture: Garth Johnstone

Two “temporary” sawmills on the R103 near Nottingham Road have sparked controversy due to complaints about the noise, potential fire hazard, hours of operation and concerns about pollution. Nerissa investigated and spoke to the operators of the mills, the land owners’ association, council and the source of the timber to get their side of the story.

Some residents are unhappy that two new sawmills have sprung up in Nottingham Road. The operators say they are providing employment in a very difficult economic climate.

Read the article here

It’s tough out there … really tough. A PMB organisation tracks data and speaks to those battling to feed their families amid the coronavirus pandemic, inflation, a weak economy and soaring joblessness. How much does it take to feed a family and what is eating into household income?

It’s a beautiful walk on the wild side, just up the road near Estcourt. Nerissa and Garth visited Zulu Waters, a game reserve and conservation project with a difference. Find out what happens when people pour their heart and soul into protecting the environment and our wilderness heritage.