Mataffin Macadamia Lifestyle and Assisted Living Village

17/11/2025

MAKE ROOM FOR JOY, NOT JUST CHORES!
With a headline like that, who could resist reading this article filled with savvy tips for organising your daily household routines to free up time to do the things you love doing?

"Time isn’t only minutes on a clock; it’s friction. Every drawer you rummage, every list you rewrite, every key you misplace is energy you could spend on a hobby. Remove friction and the minutes reappear, almost cheekily.

Start light: one wall calendar by the kettle, one repeating alarm on your phone for tablets, one “Sunday basket” for paperwork. Go with your habits, not against them. Put the remote where you actually drop it, then make that the official spot. Let’s be honest: nobody does that every single day."

Read on for more ideas here:
https://www.spraymastersgrimsby.co.uk/30-10-2025/164676-smart-household-tips-for-seniors-to-stay-organised-and-free-up-time-for-hobbies/

Routines slip. Paper piles multiply. Time goes missing in five‑minute chunks you never see coming. Some days the home feels like a puzzle you didn’t

13/11/2025

THE FILLING IN THE SANDWICH
Forget Gen Z, Gen Alpha or the onset of Gen Beta, Gen Xs (born 1965 - 1980) are finding themselves squeezed between caring for ageing parents while still supporting their own children.

Emotionally, financially, and logistically, being the sandwich filling can feel relentless.

Buying one of Mataffin Macadamia Village's Senior Living freehold homes for Plus 45s provides massive benefits for the whole family. Elderly parents gain independent living in a safe, secure village with on-site 24/7 medical facilities on hand through our care centre. Companionship and activity with their agemates, with peace of mind pop-in care from Lily Care by arrangement should it be required as time passes.

Best of all, as Mpumalanga's ONLY multigenerational village, our senior lifestyle residents live amongst younger generations, sharing the community centre, library, swimming pool and village green. Surrounded by family activity and everything that makes a village a true community.

Call Sam on 083 675 8272 for an info pack containing floor plans, pricing, village regulations including pet rules (yes, Mataffin Macadamia allows certain pets in our senior lifestyle section).

10/11/2025

WE HAVE EXCITING NEWS TO SHARE!
Our sales agent whiz Sam le Grange has sold not one, but BOTH of our showhouses! Congratulations, Sam. We look forward to welcoming new residents to the village and are sure they'll quickly find themselves at home.

No rest for the wicked, though. Sam and the developer are busy putting the finishing touches to a new showhouse; if you would like to view it please give her a call on 083 675 8272 or email: info@mataffinmacadamia.co.za.

Visit our website www.mataffinmacadamia.co.za for more information; Sam has a fully-inclusive info pack with floorplans, pricing, pet rules and all you need to know about purchasing a senior lifestyle home in Mataffin Macadamia Lifestyle and Assisted Living Village.

06/11/2025

NOVEMBER IN THE GARDEN
One of the benefits of downsizing into our Senior Lifestyle section is the joy of a small, easy to maintain garden. The Lowveld climate offers mild winters with no frost, warm summers with plenty of rain and lots (and lots!) of sunshine. Which means when you have chosen the right plants for your new garden, you can expect abundant growth and a lush space in which to sit and daydream.

But all gardens and homes need a bit of work, and November is a good time to ensure gutters and drains and clean and unblocked ahead of the coming summer rains. And when the rains come, this is your chance to scatter fertiliser over your garden and allow nature to water it in.

November planting advice from Life is a Garden:
"To colour up your patch of perennials, plant some gauras, agapanthus and cupheas. For colour in the shade try impatiens, begonias and browallia. For colour in the sun choose vincas, marigolds, dianthus and salvias."

https://www.lifeisagarden.co.za/november-in-the-garden/

If your lawn isn’t dark emerald green by now, fertilise it and water and mow regularly. The holidays are coming and you are going to be spending lots of time […]

03/11/2025

DOWNSIZING YOUR GARAGE
We've shared lots of advice about downsizing your home, but possibly one of the biggest, and toughest, spaces to downsize is your garage / workshop. We like the sage advice and encouragement from Richard Farrell on the South African Retirement Advice and Tips page (see link below).

In short, start with an overview to ascertain the scope of the job. Take your time, this is an emotional and practical task you've embarked upon.

1. Factor in where you are downsizing to, sectional title and life-right living have different home-maintenance needs. If you are likely to be doing some home or garden maintenance, keep those tools.
2. With oodles of extra time on your hands, are you likely to pick up a hobby that could involve using some of your tools? If so, those are packed up to go with you.
3. Review the size of the 'keep' tools - is there space in your new garage for these? If not, go through everything again to w**d out excess, or come up with a storage plan.
3. Call the kids, and then your friends, to go through what is left and to take items they will use. The rest can go to local charities or second-hand shops.

Clearing out a garage involves as much sentiment as clearing out the living area of your home, so be gentle with yourself, take your time, enjoy the memories and when you are ready, pass the tools you no longer have a use for to a new home where they will be greatly appreciated and used. You've done good!

https://web.facebook.com/groups/retirementadviceandtips/permalink/2100361320455099/?_rdc=1&_rdr #

30/10/2025

TWO SOUTH AFRICAN FAVOURITES ROLLED INTO ONE
When it comes to sweet eats, what could be more South African than milk tart and fudge? As we ease into summer with family visits on the horizon, it might be a good idea to have a tin of fudge in your pantry, ready for an occasion.

https://www.thesouthafrican.com/lifestyle/food/recipes/milk-tart-fudge/

Combine a South African dessert with a world-famous treat. Make yourself some melktert fudge to enjoy with your whole family.

27/10/2025

COLLECTIVE NOUN FUN
Are you also fascinated by collective nouns? Some are perfect (stationary giraffes are a tower, for instance), while others, such as a parliament of owls, may raise a reflective 'ummm'. No disrespect to owls intended.

https://divebuddies4life.com/ has this cute poster of aquatic collective nouns - we're not sure why it's a gam of whales (please let us know if you do), and a smack of jellyfish seems a little harsh, but glinting goldfish, waddling penguins and turning turtles really work.

23/10/2025

CHRISTMAS IS FOR CHILDREN, BUT FOR SOME, THERE IS NO CHRISTMAS
Times are hard for us all, even more so for the children in poorer communities. Since 2006, Santa Shoebox Project has enabled South Africans from all walks of life to bring a little joy to a lot of children across South Africa.

A toothbrush, a set of pens, an article of clothing - items we take for granted, but for many, these are luxuries they rarely have. Visit https://santashoebox.org.za/ to find out how you could support Santa Shoebox this year, either virtually or build your own Santa Shoebox. Details of both options are on the site.

Mbombela residents building their own box/es can drop them off at the Halls Training centre between 12:00 – 16:00 on 31 October 2025, and 9:00 to 14:00 on Saturday 1 November 2025. The address is Mataffin Farm, Cnr Samora Machel Drive & Matsafeni Road (off N4).

We need about 180 to reach our 2025 target, and we are running out of time. Can you help? You could share the cost with others, perhaps your bookclub or knitting group could sponsor a box.

The details on what to do and how to do it, from a monetary donation or building a box of your own are easy to follow on the Santa Shoebox Project website, https://santashoebox.org.za/how-to-pledge-pack-a-shoebox/ or Lauren Renaud can be contacted on 082 561 4783 should you have any queries.

A previous recipient, Tanya, wrote the Santa Shoebox Project this lovely letter.

Thank you. Dankie. Siyabonga.

23/10/2025

ADAPTING YOUR PARENTING STYLE
From birth, our children are busy growing into independence which can be a hard fact for parents to swallow. Your adult children have busy lives of their own and your role in it has diminished.

'A Conscious Rethink' offers excellent advice on being the parent your grown children want to find time for and include in their independent lives. Adapt your parenting style to suit the adults your children have become - when grandchildren come along you'll be thankful for the valued relationship you have with your children.

https://www.aconsciousrethink.com/50028/10-ways-to-be-the-parent-your-adult-children-want-to-visit-not-have-to-visit/

The transition from having a house full of children to seeing them only occasionally can be jarring for many parents, especially those who don’t enjoy having an empty nest. You’ve spent decades with your identity wrapped up in being Mom or Dad, making lunches, attending school events, and provid...

20/10/2025

STYLISH RETIREMENT IN MBOMBELA, MPUMALANGA
Welcome to Mataffin Macadamia, a multi-generational lifestyle village on the outskirts of Mbombela, Mpumalanga. We have a limited number of Senior Lifestyle homes for Plus 45s to buy off-plan.

• Contemporary country style, single-storey homes
• 2- and 3-Bedroom options
• Sold off plan
• Gas hob, electric oven
• Dishwasher and double door fridge / freezer included
• Automated garage door/s
• DSTV dish
• Prepaid water and electricity
• No transfer or attorney fees
• Low levies
• Priced from R2 632 446
• Some pets allowed (call Sam for a copy of the HOA pet rules)

Within the Village, there is:
• A 24/7 onsite Care Centre for all residents
• State of the art security
• A communal area with a community centre, swimming pool, braai area and children’s play park.

Mataffin Macadamia Lifestyle and Assisted Living Village is:
• Located amongst litchi orchards on the outskirts of Mbombela
• Minutes away from shopping centres, medical facilities and all city amenities
• Home to heritage houses and trees.

Click on the link www.mataffinmacadamia.co.za for more information or speak to Samantha le Grange, our dedicated inhouse Sales Specialist 083 675 8272 / info@mataffinmacadamia.co.za.

16/10/2025

GET SET FOR THE ORIONID METEOR SHOWER NEXT WEEK
Calling all stargazers - the Orionid meteor shower will peak Oct. 20-21 and be exceptionally visible this year, due to the new moon and low light providing perfect viewing conditions. Stargazers and meteor watchers may spot up to 10-20 an hour, according to the American Meteor Society.

We're giving you a heads-up to make your viewing arrangements, however. The shower is best viewed between midnight and dawn. Look towards the constellation Orion for the brightest meteors, though they can appear anywhere in the sky. Find a dark, light-pollution-free area and allow your eyes about 30 minutes to adjust to the darkness.

So yes, this is probably an activity for avid skywatchers but what a spectacular sight to catch!

https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/meteors-meteorites/orionids/

The Orionids, which peak during mid-October each year, are considered to be one of the most beautiful showers of the year.

13/10/2025

ISN'T THIS THE FUNNIEST VIDEO EVER?

https://web.facebook.com/share/v/1BNcTQPknn/