Your body has no idea what month it is. It does not own a calendar. It does not celebrate public holidays and it has never once looked at a weather forecast. It simply responds to the environment you place it in. Give it sunshine, fresh air, movement and decent sleep, and it quietly rewards you. Leave it indoors for weeks on end and it becomes a little less enthusiastic about everything.
That is why escaping the Southern Hemisphere for a week in the middle of winter feels almost medicinal.
Not because you are running away from winter. Winter has done nothing wrong. It simply asks more from us. The mornings are darker, the evenings arrive earlier and our world quietly shrinks. We spend more time inside, move a little less and convince ourselves that another cup of coffee is the answer to almost every problem.
Sometimes the better answer is an airline ticket.
Sunshine Is More Than A Pretty View
People often describe a warm holiday as relaxing. That is true, but it barely scratches the surface. Sunshine encourages your body to produce Vitamin D, which plays an important role in bone health, immunity and mood. Then there is the simple pleasure of feeling warm again. Muscles loosen. Shoulders migrate back to where nature intended them to live. Even your breathing seems to become less argumentative.
There is another benefit that rarely makes the brochure.
Warm destinations invite movement without asking you to exercise. You walk because the streets are interesting. You swim because the water looks irresistible. You wander through markets, along beaches and around old neighbourhoods without ever checking your smartwatch. Somewhere along the way, your body quietly forgets that it thought it was exercising.
Give Your Lungs A Holiday Too
There is something wonderfully restorative about breathing warm air near the ocean. Every destination has its own rhythm. Some encourage long lunches. Others tempt you into mountain trails or early morning swims. The common thread is that they gently lure you outside.
Perhaps that is the real luxury.
Not five-star hotels or infinity pools, although they certainly have their place. Real luxury is waking naturally, walking without purpose and discovering that an entire afternoon has passed without once wondering where your phone is.
The mind enjoys holidays just as much as the body. It simply asks for different souvenirs.
Return Home With More Than A Tan
The best journeys rarely end at the airport. They follow you home in subtle ways. You sleep a little better. You walk a little more. You remember that breakfast can happen outside and that conversations improve when nobody is checking notifications every three minutes.
A week in the sun will not change your life. It was never meant to.
However, it can remind you what your best days feel like. Sometimes that gentle reminder is enough to carry you through the rest of winter until summer finally catches up.
The Southern Hemisphere winter always wins eventually. It ends. The clever travellers simply borrow a little sunshine before it does.
Diets usually fail because they ask too much, too quickly. Instead, try five almost ridiculously simple food habits that will have your body quietly applauding by the time summer arrives.
There is a cupboard in almost every home that contains nutritional optimism on one shelf and complete surrender on another. The oats live near the biscuits. The herbal tea shares a postcode with the hot chocolate. We all like to think the healthy food is in charge. The digestive system knows better.
The trouble with diets is not that they are difficult. It is that they are often theatrical. Monday arrives carrying impossible promises. Sugar disappears. Carbohydrates are banished. Happiness packs a small suitcase and leaves with them. By Thursday, somebody is eating toast over the kitchen sink while insisting the diet starts again next week.
Bodies, thankfully, are far less dramatic than people.
They respond beautifully to small improvements repeated over time. One better breakfast does very little. One hundred better breakfasts quietly change the conversation. By the time October arrives, those tiny decisions have become something much larger.
Break Up With Sugar Gently
Sugar is wonderfully persuasive. It never introduces itself as a bad idea. It arrives disguised as a reward after a long meeting or an innocent biscuit with afternoon coffee. Before long, your energy is climbing and falling like a yo-yo with a caffeine addiction.
You do not need to declare war on sweetness. Simply stop inviting it to every meal. Drink coffee without sugar. Replace fizzy drinks with sparkling water. Leave the packet of biscuits on the supermarket shelf once in a while. Your taste buds are surprisingly adaptable. Within a couple of weeks, fruit starts tasting almost outrageously sweet.
The biscuit never stood much of a chance.
Keep The Plumbing Happy
It is remarkable how few conversations celebrate a well-behaved digestive system. Yet it quietly determines how comfortable, energetic and light we feel every day.
Feed it properly.
Fruit, vegetables, oats, beans and whole grains all provide the fibre your body appreciates. Add plenty of water and everything begins working with considerably less negotiation. Sometimes feeling lighter has less to do with losing fat than giving your digestive system a more agreeable workplace.
Think of your gut as the backstage crew. Nobody applauds it, but the show falls apart remarkably quickly when it clocks off.
Put Protein To Work
Protein has spent years trapped inside gym culture. It deserves a better publicist.
Eggs, fish, yoghurt, chicken, beans and lean meat all help keep you fuller for longer. They also support muscle, particularly if you have started walking more or persuaded Joe Wicks back into your lounge. The result is refreshingly practical. You spend less time wandering into the kitchen simply because boredom disguised itself as hunger.
Good protein is wonderfully unexciting. That is precisely why it works.
Drink More Water Than Marketing
The wellness industry has produced an astonishing number of brightly coloured drinks with labels that read like chemistry assignments. Your body, meanwhile, continues to be quietly impressed by plain old water.
Drink more of it.
Replace sugary drinks with sparkling water, still water or herbal tea. Add slices of lemon, cucumber or mint if you enjoy the flavour. Hydration supports digestion, concentration and energy. Better still, it often silences the hunger that was actually thirst wearing a convincing disguise.
Water remains one of the few bargains left on the planet.
Treat Wine And Dessert Like Interesting Visitors
Winter evenings have a habit of inviting red wine and rich desserts to stay a little longer than intended. They are delightful guests. They simply should not move into the spare room.
A bowl of frozen yoghurt topped with berries satisfies a sweet tooth remarkably well. Meanwhile, replacing a few glasses of wine each week with sparkling water gives your liver a small holiday and your sleep a noticeable upgrade. Neither change feels especially heroic. That is exactly the point.
Forget miracle diets. Forget impossible food rules. Feed your body a little better than yesterday. Repeat that often enough and the results become surprisingly difficult to ignore.
The cupboard will still contain biscuits in October. By then, they simply won’t be running the household anymore.
The calendar plays a confidence trick every winter. July looks enormous. October appears to live on another continent. Then somebody mentions Christmas, the year’s first berg wind wanders through town and you realise you have travelled three months without really noticing.
Circle 12 October.
That is where ninety days from today deposits you. Between now and then lie thirteen Wednesdays, a procession of cold fronts and a profusion of infinitesimal decisions. None will earn applause. None will appear on social media. Your body, however, is a forensic accountant. It notices everything. It remembers every walk, every decent meal, every extra glass of water and every evening when you decided the couch had enjoyed enough of your company.
The encouraging part is that bodies are surprisingly generous. They respond to consistency long before they respond to heroics. You do not need a complete reinvention. You need thirteen Wednesdays that are fractionally better than the ones before them. Stack enough ordinary days together and they quietly become an extraordinary season.
Walk Until Your Brain Starts Talking
Walking remains one of the cleverest forms of exercise because it rarely announces itself as exercise. It is simply movement. Wander down to the beach before work. Walk the dog a little farther than yesterday. Leave the car behind for the short trips. Collect kilometres the way some people collect coffee mugs. Before long, you have a cupboard full of them.
Something else happens once your feet settle into a rhythm. Your brain quietly takes itself into the workshop. Problems become less theatrical. Ideas begin arriving without knocking. Conversations replay with much better endings. Great thoughts have an irritating habit of appearing when you are nowhere near your desk. It turns out your brain prefers walking meetings.
Invite Joe Wicks Back Into The Lounge
Millions of people met Joe Wicks during the Covid lockdowns. Living rooms became gyms, dining rooms became fitness studios and families everywhere discovered that twenty minutes of movement could improve the mood of an entire day.
The workouts are still there, waiting patiently on YouTube. Find one that suits your fitness level and press play. There is no traffic, no membership card and no expensive equipment. There is only enough floor space to avoid kicking the coffee table.
Joe Wicks has already done the difficult part. He worked out what comes next. Your contribution is considerably smaller. Press Play.
Become A Temporary Hippie
Yoga deserves another season. Warm the room before you begin. Roll out a mat and put on music that sounds as though it was recorded in a cave by people with an impressive collection of incense. Stretch slowly. Breathe deeply. Become gloriously unavailable to the modern world for half an hour.
The original hippies understood something we have largely forgotten. Slowing down is not the same as doing nothing. Sometimes it is exactly what the body has been asking for all week.
When you stand up afterwards, the emails will still be there. They have shown remarkable survival instincts for years.
Feed Your Brain While You Feed Your Body
Bodies enjoy movement. Brains enjoy novelty. Read ten pages before bed. Listen to an interesting podcast while you walk. Learn enough Italian to order lunch with confidence, or finally discover the names of the birds making all that racket outside before sunrise.
Curiosity is surprisingly contagious. Once the brain wakes up, the rest of the body often follows. Healthy habits travel together. They rarely arrive alone.
Arrive At 12 October With Momentum
Forget impossible targets. Forget dramatic declarations. Simply arrive at 12 October in better shape than you are today. A little stronger. A little lighter. A little calmer. A little more curious.
You will not remember this Wednesday. Memory is selective like that. You probably will not remember what you had for breakfast either. What you will notice is how easily you climb a flight of stairs, how your clothes fit and whether your shoulders have finally migrated back to where nature intended them to live.
Thirteen Wednesdays. That is the entire assignment. It is a surprisingly small slice of life and more than enough time to become someone your summer self quietly admires.
“Check out what’s been made public and the links to all the articles and websites that cover the latest shit show to hit the area..” Trevor Hansen and the nuclear threat to JBay and St Francis Bay.
At Client Care, we’re always glad to meet new people. We love what we do, and there’s a particular kind of satisfaction that comes from helping someone retire comfortably, with dignity, and then go on to live their best life, by choice, rather than by chance.
After more than thirty years in this business, we’re fortunate that most of our new clients find us through referrals – from existing clients, and even from people who’ve never worked with us but know, through others, that we can be trusted.
We recently met a new couple, referred by a mutual friend. They’ve been together since their early twenties, and over the last twenty-five years, they’ve built a successful business from scratch and raised a family. They’re now at the stage where they can save more meaningfully and start thinking properly about the next chapter of their lives.
Many people, looking at what this couple has achieved, might assume that planning out their last working decade should come naturally to them. After all, how hard can it be?
The truth is, they could certainly try to go it alone. But their years in business have taught them something valuable: asking for help is usually cheaper, in the end, than wandering into territory you don’t fully understand.
We see this pattern often. People come to us out of a quiet fear that they’ve left things too late. In our experience, it very seldom is.
Our process starts by helping clients understand exactly where they stand today, and then mapping out how to get to where they want to be. Every person walks their own road, so every financial plan should speak to their life and their particular story.
Yes, the numbers have to add up. But over a retirement that might stretch across thirty-five years, there are many levers that can be pulled to shape the outcome someone wants. And that outcome needs to reflect personal values – the things that matter most to them. Some people live for travel. Others live for their sport. Almost everyone will do anything for their family.
These softer questions are, in truth, the most important part of the plan. It’s easy to miss this if you’re working with an adviser who only does the numbers. The numbers, honestly, are the easy part. Good retirement planning gets that right, but it also pays close attention to the human side.
If your numbers look fine but something still feels like it’s missing, chances are we can help. Pop in for a chat.
Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute financial advice in any way or form. It is important to consult a financial planner to receive financial advice before acting on any information contained herein. Client Care and PWM and its directors, officers, and employees shall not be responsible and disclaim all liability for any loss, damage (whether direct, indirect, special or consequential) and/or expense of any nature whatsoever, which may be suffered as a result of, or which may be attributable, directly or indirectly, to the use of, or reliance upon any information contained in this article.
The early 2000s were, in retrospect, an incredible time for professional surfing. The great Andy Irons was at the top of his game, Reef launched Mick Fanning’s now-iconic beer opening sandal and Kelly Slater, who would go on to become the winningest professional surfer of all time, was the face of the Xbox video game Kelly Slater Pro Surfer wherein dreamers could slip into the skin of the titular character or Lisa Anderson, Tom Carroll, Tom Curren, Nathan Fletcher, Donavon Frankenreiter, Bruce Irons, Rob Machado, Kalani Robb or, with super special skill, Tony Hawk, Travis Pastrana, Tiki God or Surfreak and surf Bells, Kirra, G-Land, Pipeline, Jaws, Mavericks, Cortez Bank, Sebastian Inlet, Trestles, Teahupoo, Curren’s Point, Mundaka, J-Bay, and with super special skill, Wave House, Antarctica, Cosmos and the Bermuda Triangle.
Thanks to the Xbox Nostalgia X account, Kelly Slater Pro Surfer is back in a big way.
One of the strongest voices yet in the debate over the proposed Thyspunt Nuclear Power Station came from the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) during a public meeting on Saturday.
Full credit to Kouga News for both the original reporting and the outstanding video coverage of the presentation. Their report captures the discussion in detail, while the video allows residents to hear Dr Gary Koekemoer’s comments in full and provides valuable context for one of the region’s most significant environmental debates.
WESSA Raises Concerns About Thyspunt
Speaking at an Earthlife Africa Johannesburg community meeting at Newton Hall, Dr Gary Koekemoer, Chairperson of WESSA’s Eastern Cape branch, explained why the organisation opposes the proposed nuclear development.
According to Koekemoer, WESSA believes Thyspunt is not an appropriate location for a nuclear power station. The organisation also argues that modern South Africa has access to better energy solutions than nuclear power.
He said the project could place enormous pressure on the Kouga region by attracting an estimated 15,000 people to Humansdorp. In his view, local infrastructure, water supplies, schools and accommodation are simply not equipped for that level of growth.
Koekemoer also warned that the development could permanently alter the character of the Kouga region.
“If we bring a nuclear plant here, your community will change forever. It is going to be fundamentally different.”
He said the proposal could also have implications for key local industries, including tourism and the Eastern Cape’s valuable chokka squid fishery.
An Alternative Vision For Thyspunt
Rather than industrial development, Koekemoer suggested Thyspunt offers an opportunity to recognise and celebrate Khoi Khoi history and heritage. He said WESSA believes the site could serve a very different purpose while protecting its environmental and cultural significance.
Before concluding, he thanked the Kouga community for its hospitality and for allowing WESSA to contribute to the ongoing discussion.
If you want the full context of Dr Koekemoer’s presentation, Kouga News has produced excellent coverage of both the meeting and the complete video. It is well worth watching to hear his comments in their entirety.
Source: Kouga News reporting and video coverage of the Earthlife Africa Johannesburg community meeting featuring Dr Gary Koekemoer, Chairperson of WESSA Eastern Cape.
The future of the Eastern Cape’s chokka squid industry depends on healthy chokka squid spawning grounds.
Unlike many marine species, chokka squid do not breed wherever conditions are favourable. Instead, they return to the same patches of seabed year after year. These established spawning grounds are essential to the survival of the species.
Their life cycle makes them particularly vulnerable. Chokka squid live for only 12 to 18 months. As a result, there is almost no buffer if a breeding season is disrupted. Two consecutive poor spawning seasons could dramatically reduce the population.
Dredging Raises Environmental Concerns
Eskom’s proposed Thyspunt nuclear development includes pumping up to 10 million cubic metres of dredged sand into the ocean. According to the South African Squid Management Industrial Association, the prevailing current flows from Oyster Bay towards Jeffreys Bay, directly across the chokka squid spawning grounds.
Industry spokesperson Greg Don Christy says the sediment is unlikely to remain where it is deposited. Instead, it could spread across the seabed and change the habitat that chokka squid have relied on for generations.
For the industry, this is one of the most important questions in the Environmental Impact Assessment. Any change to the spawning habitat could affect future breeding success and the long-term sustainability of the fishery.
Thousands Of Jobs Depend On Healthy Spawning Grounds
The importance of the chokka squid spawning grounds extends well beyond the marine environment.
The Eastern Cape’s squid industry supports approximately 2,500 jobs and generates around R500 million in wages. Between 50 and 55 vessels leave Port St Francis during the season, while hundreds of mechanics, engineers, refrigeration technicians, factory workers and other support staff in St Francis Bay, Humansdorp and Jeffreys Bay depend on the industry for their livelihoods.
For that reason, protecting the chokka squid spawning grounds is both an environmental and an economic priority. The Environmental Impact Assessment will need to determine whether the proposed dredging can proceed without causing irreversible damage to one of South Africa’s most valuable marine resources.
BALLITO, KwaDukuza – Brazil’s Ryan Kainalo and Australia’s Charli Hately claimed victory at the World Surf League (WSL) O’Neill SMTH Shapes Ballito Pro Junior, Stop No. 3 of the Africa Junior Qualifying Series, after an exciting finals day on the Dolphin Coast.
Glassy conditions and clean two-to-three-foot waves created excellent opportunities for performance surfing. Both champions overcame strong South African challenges to stand on top of the podium.
Kainalo Claims Third Ballito Title
Ryan Kainalo secured his third Ballito Pro Junior title after defeating Australia’s Dane Henry in an entertaining men’s final filled with aerial surfing and powerful rail work.
Kainalo, who previously won the event in 2022 and 2023, combined progressive airs with strong turns to post a winning heat total of 14.87 out of 20.
“I’m really happy. I think the final was the best heat of the whole event,” said Kainalo. “I tried to stay calm, look for the good waves and mix in some airs and big turns. I really love this place and just try to enjoy every moment.”
Kainalo now turns his attention to the Ballito Open presented by O’Neill QS 2,000 before competing in the Ballito Pro Challenger Series, which begins on Sunday.
Henry enjoyed an outstanding performance in the semifinals, producing the highest heat total of the event. His near-perfect 9.83 for a huge aerial, backed up by an 8.00, earned him a combined total of 17.83.
“It was great to get some fun waves,” said Henry. “Ryan surfed incredibly well in the final. I’m really looking forward to the next week.”
Hately Starts Ballito Campaign In Style
Seventeen-year-old Charli Hately used the Ballito Pro Junior as preparation for the upcoming Challenger Series and left with the event title.
The Australian impressed throughout the competition with smart wave selection and powerful backhand surfing. In the final, she opened with a 6.00 before using priority late in the heat to find the wave she needed. One strong turn into the critical section earned enough points to move into the lead after the buzzer.
“I left it a bit late, but I got it done, so I’m really stoked,” said Hately. “It was great to get some good practice before the next event. I’m happy to be back because I love it here.”
Strong Result For Louise Lepront
South Africa’s Louise Lepront produced an excellent performance to reach her first Ballito Pro Junior final.
After a convincing semifinal victory, Lepront finished runner-up and heads into the Ballito Open with valuable momentum. The result also lifts her to the top of the WSL Africa Junior rankings.
Simon Winter also moved into the No. 1 position in the men’s Africa Junior rankings following the conclusion of the event.
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