This year, we have had the pleasure of meeting some of the North Coast’s most inspiring people. We chatted to them about their plans for the festive season…
KIM NAIDOO AND PASHI REDDY
What’s the best thing that happened to you in 2023?
We tied the knot in an intimate ceremony!
Do you have anything special planned for Christmas?
We’re excited to gather around a beautiful harvest table and cherish the moments of this eventful year with our loved ones.
What’s on your Christmas wish list this year?
Our heartfelt prayers go out for global peace, especially for the children affected by conflict, wishing them a life free from fear and harm.
What are your plans for New Year’s Eve?
We’re considering spending New Year’s Eve with family or perhaps planning a small vacation to finally celebrate our postponed honeymoon.
What are your goals for 2024?
Amidst the hustle, we’ve adapted to challenges like loadshedding, shifting our focus from fine dining to cater to everyday South Africans. Our aim is to make food accessible and budget-friendly in this economic climate. With the launch of new products for the masses, we’re venturing into food manufacturing. Additionally, we’re revamping The Food Box. We’re also thrilled to be opening Koki Bo, a delightful boba and dessert haven.
JOE PIETERSEN
What’s the best thing that happened to you in 2023?
We spent our first full year back in Ballito after travelling overseas for six months of the year for the last seven or eight years.
Do you have anything special planned for Christmas?
We are heading to Mozambique for a week, then we are hosting family and friends from Christmas to New Year’s.
What’s on your Christmas wish list this year?
Corné knows she will be getting more coffee gadgets, despite other requests – probably more custom cups from The Pottery. I want more gadgets for my Landy. All gifts will probably end up being Joey-focussed – stuff for snorkelling and beach gear.
What are your plans for New Year’s Eve?
With grandmas around, we will be at Ballito Big Week. Mango Groove is high on the list!
What are your goals for 2024?
We would like to tick a new African country off the list. Egypt and Tanzania are highest on the list.
REBECCA WOODCOCK
What’s the best thing that happened to you in 2023?
Am I allowed to have two?! Welcoming my sweet niece, Grace into the family. And finding out that Sean and I will be adding another little boy to the mix in May 2024. I’m super grateful.
Do you have anything special planned for Christmas?
Just a relaxing time with family, lots of pool time and delicious food!
What’s on your Christmas wish list this year?
New Balance sneakers and a knife sharpener.
What are your plans for New Year’s Eve?
I honestly don’t think I will be awake at midnight, but ideally be somewhere beachy and with no signal to see in the New Year.
What are your goals for 2024?
To grow Delish Sisters Littles (our baby food brand, launched earlier this year) and hopefully welcome loads more feet through Delish Sisters Food Studio.
BONITA CHERRY
What’s the best thing that happened to you in 2023?
I met an old man for the first time in a coffee shop in Kloof and he looked at me with clarity and confidence and told me we would be buying his house… he was right, we are now buying his house and will move in on the 1st of December. It is a miracle story of blessing.
Do you have anything special planned for Christmas?
We will be spending time with our family in our new home and hosting our extended family for Christmas. I am most excited about “playing house” in my new home.
What’s on your Christmas wish list this year?
Precious time, fully present with my kids. Baking, swimming, playing instruments, and going to the beach and berg.
What are your plans for New Year’s Eve?
I will most likely be in bed by 21h00 and wake up early the next morning for a run and a swim in the sea.
What are your goals for 2024?
My goal is to relaunch my business “Take Heart”, a training business that equips and empowers women entrepreneurs to build significant businesses. I would also like to run a marathon and say “no” more. To clear the clutter and create margin for that which is most important.
PAT LAMBIE
What’s the best thing that happened to you in 2023?
We began building our dream home at Seaton Estate.
Do you have anything special planned for Christmas?
We will be spending Christmas at home for the first time since moving back to South Africa four years ago. We are excited to host the family lunch on Christmas Day – 30 people!
What’s on your Christmas wish list this year?
Baby number three in 2024!
What are your plans for New Year’s Eve?
Leg of lamb on the braai at home with some friends; and a sunrise surf on New Year’s Day to start 2024 off on the right foot.
What are your goals for 2024?
Deliver a new development – Annandale Country Estate in the KZN Midlands; get my golf handicap down to seven.
OLY BRAND
What’s the best thing that happened to you in 2023?
Making the finals in the SA surf champs and finishing third.
Do you have anything special planned for Christmas?
I don’t have much planned for Christmas because I am hoping that, God willing, I will be able to go to Mexico next year. I have been completing IV treatment with a little chemotherapy every couple of weeks to help combat my Epstein virus and Hashimoto’s. My focus is on resting and healing my body as much as possible in preparation for the New Year.
What’s on your Christmas wish list this year?
My Christmas wish list includes a day of firing surf where I feel strong and healthy.
What are your plans for New Year’s Eve?
My New Year’s Eve usually involves family. I normally go to Plett but because of my IV treatment, I will probably do a get-together at home.
What are your goals for 2024?
My goals for 2024 include helping those in need in Mexico during my completion of YWAM surf and skate school. I also hope to be completely well and strong; and to live each day without fear finding my hope, peace and joy in God alone.
NOMBUSO MTHETHWA
What’s the best thing that happened to you in 2023?
Overcoming the emotions of my career changes and stepping out to re-invent my practice.
Do you have anything special planned for Christmas?
I would love to have a big stretched out Christmas lunch with my family and show gratitude for their love and support for this year.
What’s on your Christmas wish list this year?
A new set of golf clubs.
What are your plans for the New Year?
I would like to grow my practice, employ full time nurses, collaborate more and actively partner with colleagues.
What are your goals for 2024?
To finish my new studies in sexual health by June.
LEE KHUMALO
What’s the best thing that happened to you in 2023?
This year has been very rocky for many of us mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. To have had the strength to not give up and to persevere through the trials this far is what I’m most grateful for!
Do you have anything special planned for Christmas?
I’ll be spending as much time as I can surrounded by family. The festive season is usually a time for us to be surrounded by our loved ones and to show gratitude and give thanks for life.
What’s on your Christmas wish list this year?
I would like a new wine rack; an air fryer (I’m so late to hop onto this but I’ve been slowly seeing its convenience!); luxury jewellery; an Apple MacBook Air; and a vacation.
What are your plans for New Year’s Eve?
I plan to close off the year with my closest friends. I don’t have any solid plans yet but the wind always blows in something fun and memorable every year!
What are your goals for 2024?
My goals include growth in existing and new projects in regards to business and work; spiritual growth and constantly learning more about who I am and my purpose on this earth; and changing more lives through NPOs and charity work.
NICOLA STIRTON
What’s the best thing that happened to you in 2023?
It’s been a tough and busy year on many levels, emotional, physical and some added work pressures. I think I have learnt to rise up and face some of these challenges and believe in myself. So, I would say growth.
Do you have anything special planned for Christmas?
We are in the thick of renovations at home, and hope to be done by the 15th of December. My husband has not yet agreed, but I am hoping to have the whole family at our house for Christmas. We have a rather big family as I am one of four, so we are 23 on my side and 11 on my hubby’s side, so it will be a full house, which is what fills my cup!
What’s on your Christmas wish list this year?
For continued health for me, my family and friends. That our community would have a restful season filled with love and joy. That families that are hurting would be comforted in this time and families that are in need would be satisfied. I pray for peace over our precious community of Ballito.
What are your plans for New Year’s Eve?
We have very exciting plans for New Year’s Eve. My hubby and I are treating the kids to their first overseas experience. I have not travelled abroad for 12 years so I am also so excited. We will be in Dubai with my best friend, enjoying the fireworks and bright lights. We’ll hopefully enjoy a little trip to the desert and have a water world experience at Atlantis. We are then off to ski in Italy, so the excitement is real in our home. I think this will be the best part of 2023; I’m feeling so excited and spoilt at the opportunity.
What are your goals for 2024?
To see God move in ways we have never imagined, to see children healed, to see people healed from cancer and diseases and to see peace in our nation. We have some exciting plans and dreams for Bloom, so I pray that more doors open for our adolescents with special needs in the vocation work space.
JANICE CHETTY
What’s the best thing that happened to you in 2023?
The best thing that has happened to me in 2023 was being selected to be on the cover of the Get It magazine – it was the highlight of the year for me! I am very thankful for being blessed with this opportunity.
Do you have anything special planned for Christmas?
I will be spending Christmas in Durban with friends and family, and just enjoying my time with my loved ones.
What’s on your Christmas wish list this year?
Airpods and training gear. I’ll definitely need these items after the holidays because I will be hitting the gym and training more to lose all the holiday weight!
What are your plans for New Year’s Eve?
I generally have a tradition on New Years’ Eve where I declutter my cupboards and make space for new stuff for the new year. I write down all the things I would like to achieve for the new year. I also review my 2023 list and check what I ticked off for the year. I generally meet or visit all the people that made an impact on me for the year and thank them. I go to church, if possible, at night.
What are your goals for 2024?
To launch my new project Future-preneurs; travel abroad for a holiday; expand my current business clientele; and to be more physically fit by playing more sport.
