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INDEX Work with our founder - Pg 1. Meet our team - Pg 2. Get In Touch - Pg 3. Farewell - Pg 5. Editors Note - Pg 6. Talk to us - Pg 7 - 11 Karoo Sisters Magazine l Page 4 Free Listing - Pg 12 Business Listings - Pg 13 - 19. Story Time - Truth or Dare Pg 20- 29. Guest Article - Pg 30 - 33. Human Trafficking Article - Pg 34 -38. End Quote Pg 51. Health & Wellness Tips - Pg 39 -40. NPO Article - Marshman Foundation Pg 41- 50.
FAREWELL Karoo Sisters Magazine l Page 5 Thank you! Cameryn It has been a pleasure to work with you, and we at KSM would like to wish you all the best on your journey ahead.
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Story time Truth or Dare Karoo Sisters Magazine l Page 20
Lacy turns her head to look at the phone that has just chimed on the oak coffee table, her hand moves between the space where she lies on the soft brown leather sofa and the coffee table where her cell phone has been lying face down for the last two hours. Her hand hovers for a moment about the pink cover, she sighs before looking at the text that just disturbed her ranting into the small innocent white scatter cushion. Her bright pink lips spread into a smile that could bowl most over with its brilliance, a smile that she reserves for her Andrew only. The text that brought on this smile is a simple text, one that contains only five characters: “T or D?” Truth or dare, a game her mother has never approved of and a game that Lacy at 24 years is too old for, in her mother’s opinion. This game of truth or dare between Lacy and Andrew began 7 years ago when they first became friends and over the years there have been many hilarious consequences to their dares and some shocking truths. Lacy contemplates her answer before replying with a single letter: “D” Karoo Sisters Magazine l Page 21
Lacy is quick to reply: “What if that next person is my boss??? ” Andrew doesn’t respond and Lacy wanders what he is thinking, he knows at this time of day she is usually about to leave work. She decides that it’s time for a glass of smooth red wine but doesn’t make it to the kitchen as Andrew is standing in the doorway with a smirk. Lacy can’t help but give him her brilliant smile before jumping into his arms and following through with his dare. Unaware that Andrew had carried her over to the couch until he sits down with her still in his arms, Lacy decides to deepen their kiss. She kisses him with passion and fire like she hasn’t kissed him before and although she does not want to stop kissing him she eventually has to pull away to allow them both a chance to breathe. She holds her phone waiting for Andrew’s reply, when it arrives she can’t help but laugh aloud: “I dare you to kiss the next person you see for at least a minute.” Karoo Sisters Magazine l Page 22
Lacy begins to move away from her best friend, only just realizing what her kiss just told him. Andrew smiles at her gently and tightens his hold on her. “Ask me!” he whispers and Lacy shakes her head. She fears his answer, it is the only reason why she has never asked him how he feels about her. “Fine then I will show you how I feel.” Andrew says before his lips find hers once more. Today is not their first kiss, they had kissed a few times before today, their first kiss had been a dare from a friend and a few times over the years they had kissed each other to ward off unwanted attention. But none of their kisses revealed how they truly felt about each other, none of their kisses were passionate like these kisses were and not a single kiss over the years had left them breathless. Their eyes meet, both are filled with lust that they have yet to act upon. Andrew is the first to break the silence, his voice husky and only just loud enough for her to hear. “If I had known that was how you’d kiss me I would have dared you to kiss me years ago.” Karoo Sisters Magazine l Page 23
They are both breathless when they finally pull apart again gazing into each other’s eyes. Andrew doesn’t let the silence last long as he states aloud what his kiss already told her. “I love you Lace. With all my being I love you, I always have and always will.” Tears fill Lacy’s eyes and she whispers back. “I love you too.” They continue to gaze into each others eyes as the silence stretches, they don’t need words in this moment because their hearts are talking to each other loud and clear. Andrew lifts an eyebrow in question as the first tear rolls down her beautiful face. She shrugs and moves to get up. Andrew shakes his head; “You not going anywhere Lace, it’s me. You can tell me, please talk to me.” Lacy wipes her tears and rests her head on his broad shoulder. She takes a deep breath before she lets it all out, everything that is in her heart comes pouring out. Andrew is not holding anything back this time as he kisses Lacy, he needs her to know without a shadow of a doubt in her mind on that he is completely and utterly head over hills madly, truly and deeply in love with her. Karoo Sisters Magazine l Page 24
“It was just a hard day today Andrew, well it’s actually been a hard month. Everything that can is going wrong at work, I keep messing stuff up and it’s all because of that creep.” Andrew’s body stiffens beneath her but she ignores it and continues. “He just won’t leave me alone, he keeps bringing me flowers and chocolates and trinkets and even though all I want to do is punch him in the throat I can’t because he is my boss’s, boss’s son. And yes I know I should have told you about it when it started but I didn’t want you to worry about it and I was so sure the jerk would get tired and move on to someone else. And every time he comes into the office I get so nervous and make stupid mistakes. Today in a meeting I gave the wrong presentation and then the creep pushed me into an empty office and I just lost it…” Lacy pauses, taking a deep breath before she continues with words that make Andrew ready to commit murder. Karoo Sisters Magazine l Page 25
“The jerk had me in this office and I didn’t notice that he was backing me into a corner while I was telling him to leave me the hell alone, then he grabs my ass and tries to kiss me. I kneed him so hard that I swear he will never reproduce, but the worst part is his father walks in at this point. He tells his father that I am some psycho chick that won’t leave him alone, he spins a story to his father making me look like some deranged, desperate gold digger. I was speech less I didn’t know what to say to defend myself so I just left. I grabbed my stuff and came home. And now I don’t even know where I stand with you, oh please tell me that I haven’t made a mess of us as well. Please tell me that we okay.” Andrew takes a deep breath, “First off, why Lacy? Why on God’s green earth would you not tell me this? I could have helped you. Don’t you trust me?” Lacy sits upright new tears spilling down her face, her voice small and pleading. “Don’t say that Andrew, please don’t. You know that you the only one that I do trust. You the…” Andrew pulls her head to his and kisses her gently. Karoo Sisters Magazine l Page 26
“I didn’t mean it like that Lace, I meant did you not tell me because you thought I might do something to the jerk? I meant did you not trust how I would react? But forget about that for now, right now what is important is that no we are not okay…” Andrew is unable to hold onto Lacy as she jumps free from the arms, a loud sob escapes her as she runs to her room. Andrew smiles and slowly gets up, he walks to the kitchen and fills two glasses of Lacy’s favourite wine, then he walks to her room and gently knocks on her door grateful that their rooms cannot lock because if they could he would have to break her door down to get to her. Lacy doesn’t answer, but Andrew already knew that she wouldn’t, he let’s himself in and walks to where she lies sobbing into her pillows. “Lace, you didn’t let me finish. You always so quick to jump to a conclusion that you missing out on the most important information.” Karoo Sisters Magazine l Page 27
Lacy doesn’t move, but Andrew knows her better than anyone else and he knows that he has her full attention. He places the wine glasses on her bedside table and then with a single sift motion he has her in his arms firmly on his lap. Andrew holds her chin so that their eyes can meet. “My darling Lace, we are not okay for the simple fact that we cannot go on like this anymore. I cannot be just your best friend anymore because just like you, I need more. Just like you, I have always feared being more then friends because just like you, I am not prepared to lose you if anything went wrong. But unlike you my angel, I believe with all my heart that we can and will make us work for the simple reason that neither you nor I will ever stop fighting for us to survive. So you see my Angel the problem with us is that you are not yet my girlfriend. So I have a question for you, Lacy, Truth or dare?” Lacy can barely believe the direction that her day has taken, “Wasn’t it my turn?” she asks in a whisper. Andrew shakes his head, “No, remember you didn’t ask out loud but you did ask me to show you how I feel about you and I did. So what’s it going to be Lace?” Lacy’s lips, still a little swollen from their kiss, curve into a smile before she answers, Karoo Sisters Magazine l Page 28
“Truth.” Andrew’s arms wrap a little tighter around her, his voice husky once more when he whispers. “Lace do you want to be my girlfriend?” Lacy nods her head new tears, happy tears, escape her grey eyes. “So will you be my girlfriend then?” Andrew asks. “Yes.” Lacy whispers before his lips claims hers for the second time today. Karoo Sisters Magazine l Page 29
WE SAT DOWN WITH TRUDIE VAN DYK FROM TRUDIE VAN DYK HEALTH AND SKINCARE. GUEST ARTICLE .... Karoo Sisters Magazine l Page 30
She worked with Inge Kruger, finalist in the Mrs. Globe SA 2022 competition, as a makeup artist. Although makeup is a passion for Trudie, it is not all she does. As a qualified somatologist, aromatherapist and makeup artist Trudie takes a holistic and wellness orientated approach to health and skincare. Her range of products include DermaFIX, Sh'zen and Tweenology, with all product prescriptions being bespoke to your unique skin and wellness needs. Offering products to assist and support all ages, her range assists with sensitive skins, acne, anti-ageing, environmental damage, hyperpigmentation, and scarring. Trudie also caters for the tween and early teen market, offering an amazing selection of products. She promotes and cultivates good skincare habits from an early age. A wellness approach is always incorporated with prescription of fantastic supplements, to further support healthy skin function and overall health and well-being. She offers a variety of makeup packages too, everything from school dances, matric farewells, functions, and bridal makeup. Karoo Sisters Magazine l Page 31
Here is some of what Trudie had to say: “I love what I do! I see myself as one of the luckiest girls, I get to help people change their lives. Be it through skincare and clearing up acne or scarring, or body care where you are able to use products that make a real difference, or essential oils and supplement to help with health and wellbeing, or through transforming your look with makeup, I love it all! I especially love seeing my clients and how their skin change and improve with the correct product prescriptions and supplements. I’ve had huge successes with scar improvement and healing as well as with acne and antiageing needs of my clients. I absolutely love doing makeup and especially loved my matric farewell makeup clients I had last year. It is such a privilege sharing this special day with these lovely young ladies. It was a also a huge honour to see my makeup work on the beautiful Inge Kruger on the cover of Karoo Sisters a few months back! Karoo Sisters Magazine l Page 32
Trudie is based in Durbanville, in the Northern Suburbs of Cape Town. You can follow her on the following platforms: Facebook: TrudieVanDykHealthAndSkincare Instagram: TrudieVanDykHealthAndSkincare Cellphone number: 0714030219 I stock only the best quality products that provide real life results, no empty promises! I also offer different makeup packages as well as makeup lessons, helping you to look your best with what you have in your own makeup bag and to help you with future makeup purchases. I can create a bespoke makeup lesson specific to your needs. If you would like to book a consultation over a good cup of coffee to see how any of these products can benefit you, please contact me, I would love to work out a prescription for your unique skin and wellness needs.” Karoo Sisters Magazine l Page 33
Karoo Sisters Magazine l Page 34 From the pen of Elmarie Pretorius founder of Touch of Hope Search and Rescue & Family Child Community Restorative Services Denise JV Rensburg. We work with variety of organisations, including the National Prosecuting Authority’s anti-trafficking task team. Human trafficking, sexual exploitation and gender-based violence is a reality that is creeping up in our community and is not something that can go unnoticed. Human Trafficking is a serious crime that pray and feeds on inequalities, instability and conflict. This is an article from an amazing woman who works undetected, seeks no fame or recognition but has saved 1000's of children. She works at the highest levels with all divisions, departments and members. Proudly I can say, a friend. HUMAN TRAFFIKING ARTICLE .... Trafficking in Person is a crime that profit from peoples and it prey on the vulnerable and take away the fundamental rights of a person.
Karoo Sisters Magazine l Page 35 Human Trafficking target young woman living in poverty with children, offer jobs to migrants and refugees under false pretences and before they know they are in the sex trade and are placed in debt bondage. The preparator has taken their passports or SA Citizens Identity documents, you are in debt the minute your got involved in the sex trade even for one day. Women and girls are not the only ones targeted young boys and men has become targets of the trade as well. We see brutal sexual exploitation, including involuntary prostitution, forced marriage and sexual slavery, a new trend that came under our attention is babies born in public hospitals that became part of child trafficking, young moms been told their child has passed during the night and unfortunately, they do not know the reason and has cremated the baby already. (Investigation on this allegation are currently investigated) We see the appalling trade in human organs. Human trafficking takes many forms and knows no borders. Let us come together around the key issues of prevention, protection and prosecution to build a future where this crime cannot exist.” Elmarie Pretorius and Denise created a level of trust in different community members so they can also gain the “trust” relationship once broken with various government organisations.
Karoo Sisters Magazine l Page 36 This in order to meet the community’s needs so they feel safe again to work with them. “Human trafficking and sexual exploitation are serious crimes specially on the East Rand regions. The problem on the East Rand are all victims or people living in poverty and drug abuse, ” “We have received several calls of cases dealing with sexual exploitation but again the community is too scared to talk. We are also busy with parental abduction cases and several child abuse and neglect cases.” This happens often that teenagers who have gone missing and young women end up being exposed to drugs and sexual exploitation to make a living to feed their children. “Community members prefer to stay silent about violence and crimes, because they are scared. “The hotels and abandoned buildings on the East Rand are hot spots for all kinds of illicit activities. If you open the door at the one hotel you will see young girls of all races. Men are also targets of such crime. “As a team we have a 98 per cent success rate in finding missing persons, helping trafficking victims and placing abuse or neglected children in places of safety and fostering.”
Karoo Sisters Magazine l Page 37 “It needs to be reiterated that parents need to be extremely aware and careful when it comes to their children, ” it is of paramount importance to conducts awareness talks at schools and churches. “Parents need to educate their children on stranger danger. Know the dangers of social platforms, which are often used by predators. “At the end of the day, report if you hear or suspect a child is being abused, neglected or mistreated. Rather be safe than sorry, ” The following factors put children at risk of abduction or human trafficking: • Lack of personal safety • Homelessness • Malnourishment • Commuting without guardians • Social isolation • Active prostitution • Financial desperation (personal debt, poverty) • Dysfunctional family or conflict • Emotional distress or mental illness
Karoo Sisters Magazine l Page 38 What can be done to prevent human trafficking, sexual exploitation and gender-based violence? • Teach your children your phone number. • Teach your children to not accept gifts (sweets, flowers, toys) from a stranger, not even there best friend. • Teach your children to not go home with anyone from school. • Do not walk in dark allies. • Do not open the door to strangers. • Know your children’s friends (parents/numbers/address) • Do not keep secrets. Contact Touch of Hope with information by sending “HELP” to 33903 or by sending an email to [email protected]
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7 Ways to boost your wellness this fall Karoo Sisters Magazine l Page 40 1. Schedule a check-up with your family doctor. 2. Get outside and enjoy the autumn weather. 3. Make healthy food choices. 4. Stay active. 5. Be prepared for cold and flu season. 6. Focus on your mental health. 7. Improve your health through hygiene.
Karoo Sisters Magazine l Page 41 OUR NPO ARTICLE FOR THIS MONTH NPO.Reg No. 257-039NPO Faeeza Marshman
Karoo Sisters Magazine l Page 42 I grew up in a so-called coloured, township, Bosmont, located in Johannesburg, South Africa. During the early 1990’s, my family endured great trauma with the death of my beloved and eldest sister in the prime of her life. This was the initial phase in my life that triggered a passion to care for the well-being of women in general. I am a mom of 3 kids and grandmother to 4 beautiful healthy grandsons. A couple of years ago I lost my husband, and this encouraged me to become more involved in the community. How did it all start? In my personal space, I found myself residing across a home for the aged, where I witnessed how the aged, members of our community were neglected without any support or care from family members and loved ones. This compelled me to provide a caregiving role to the aged which included providing meals at my own expense. In addition to this, the scourge of drug abuse and widespread domestic violence found its way to my doorstep all this coupled with the murder of my beloved sister at the hands of her husband in October 1992 made me
Karoo Sisters Magazine l Page 43 passionate about making a difference in others’ lives. Then a few years ago I returned to the neighbourhood of my birth, Bosmont, to reside there with my family. Within days of being there I came across a group of kids aged between 5 and 12 years old. As I drew closer to them, to my horror, I realised that they get drugged out and high on the glue that they sniff. They were roaming the streets looking for food and money. Sadly, they advised they use glue to take away the hunger and keep them warm during the cold nights. With the help of friends and family we now manage to provide hot meals. My heart and soul were immediately arrested with a deep sadness, concern, and compassion for them. Right then I decided to commit myself to caring for, guiding, and counselling these children. What motivates me? Giving back to the community fulfils my needs of wanting to make a change in people’s lives, bringing people together, giving people hope for a better future and quality of life. Helping those who cannot help themselves is both a humbling and rewarding experience
Karoo Sisters Magazine l Page 44 Doing good for others and the community provides a natural sense of accomplishment, it builds empathy in a person. It gave me an identity and a sense of pride, boosted my selfconfidence, and improved my self-esteem. It brings a lot of joy into one’s life. I made plenty of friends who also became family. What are my goals or objectives? The goal is to see change in the community. To assist and help people, recover from addiction, and rehabilitate abused and addicted victims for them to lead a normal lifestyle. To provide the afflicted with a new start to life and simultaneously change the communities in a positive light to create a safe and drug free community empowered to live good and healthy lives. To provide for the needs of the elderly and less fortunate with an ongoing feeding scheme/soup kitchen
How long is it since I got involved with all these projects? The volunteering happened in stages over several years. The feeding and taking care of the elderly, started around 1997. As the years went by, I addressed various issues that presented itself to me. In 2000 we started the feeding scheme on a small scale restricting it to the old age homes. As from December 2012, I ventured into drug addiction. - This is when the scourge of drugs affected me personally and I had to research and get involved with the rehabilitation center's. In 2018 we moved from the South to the West, and this is where I discovered that there were serious issues regarding, poverty, unemployment, drug abuse and neglect of children. I then got involved in the community partnering with organisations active in the area and provided my services wherever there was need. Karoo Sisters Magazine l Page 45
Karoo Sisters Magazine l Page 46 What are my needs Funding is always needed for the daily running of all the projects. Sponsorship of groceries and toiletries from the large chain stores would be nice. The biggest challenge I face is to get sponsors on board to fund the rehabilitation centre/ safe house and soup kitchen. My aim is to approach international companies with my business plan for funding in the new year. I do the volunteering from my pocket and with the help of family and friends and partnering with other organisation from time to time. Having support from organisations on an ongoing basis will make an enormous difference - I could do so much more for my community Faeeza Marshman Foundation – Registered in 2021 The work I do in the community includes: Attending to all needs of the elderly, providing food parcels when possible and spoiling them with, lotions/ soaps/ vitamins … when sponsored with products. Periodically, I’ll pay casual visits to them which usually light up their faces with a smile. Also, giving the elderly time makes an enormous difference to their lives. I’ve also devised Feeding Schemes where I partner with various organizations, and we serve hot meals to the community.
Karoo Sisters Magazine l Page 47 Other activities of my volunteer work include: • Assisting the poor- providing grocery parcels • Assisting Abused woman and children, by arranging for assistance and safe place to stay • Assisting the Drug addict who wants to be clean - to be placed in a reputable Rehabilitation centre with the help of our local Drug action group. I Take the families and the addict to the interviews and give them moral support throughout the program. • The patients battling with our Public Health Service is another battleground I fight to ensure said services are rendered to the needy. • I am also involved with Local Government to help resolve community issues. • I am part of a group called OB Patrollers “Old Bosmont” - we keep our community safe and assist wherever there is a need “we are all vetted with SAPS.
Karoo Sisters Magazine l Page 48 Lesedi Awards The Word Lesedi is a Sesotho word meaning “ Light”. Bringing ease and comfort to those less fortunate. Momentum Metropolitan established this award to recognise employees who undertake charitable, volunteer work in their communities, this award celebrates those employees who go above and beyond in their charitable efforts to show their appreciation and support for what we do. I am the Momentum “Lesedi Individual Award winner” for 2022 as well as the Overall winner of the Prestigious “ Lesedi Spirit of Volunteering Award” for 2022. I am so humbled to have received this award and I am very grateful for the prize money as some of it will be used to set up a school to provide some of the unemployed ladies with a skill to enable them to become self-sustainable
Karoo Sisters Magazine l Page 49 My Motto: Anybody can turn a challenge, a problem, an unpleasant situation for someone into a happy ending or bring relief to their situation – and know that You do not always need money to make that difference. A quote from Churchill: We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. Let us live by our values and give light to those who need it.