Meet the Cowies Hill Estate Management Team

Ivor Daniel – Chairman of the Cowies Hill Estate NPC Board.

Background
Ivor was a practicing architect from 1977 and amalgamated with a national practice in 1985. His experience includes Managing Director of a local Durban office and National Design & Marketing Director. Ivor currently practices at Daniel and Associates Architects, since 2008, with a studio based at 31 Hillside Road, Cowies Hill. He was also the past President of the KwaZulu-Natal Institute of Architects and Chairman of the Durban Botanic Gardens Trust since 1998. Ivor is involved as chairman of the resuscitated Cowies Hill Security Management Association. He is also, currently spearheading a public-private initiative to improve the public environment of Central Westville by forming “Keep Westville Beautiful NPC”, which addresses urban design & landscaping.

Family Bio
Ivor was born & raised in Port St Johns. He moved to Durban in 1964 and married his wife, Margaret in 1968. They moved as a family to Cowies Hill in 1994 where their son & daughter’s family now all live in Cowies Hill.

“ I believe that there is no better place in the greater Durban area, to live in than Cowies Hill.
There are many facets, which make up the unique qualities of the area. These quantities include location and environment. The green qualities, as well as the sense of community, makes Cowies Hill an environment for families of all ages. There is a strong community spirit of working together and building a community who care and enjoy the security of their investment in property and lifestyle”

Barry East – Board member of Cowies Hill Estate and Heads up the Security and Technology Sub-committee for the Estate.

Background
Barry spent 17 years in the access control and identification industry working for a local company, Impro Technologies. In 2017 Barry left Impro to start his company BeSecure (Pty) Ltd which has designed a system to manage retirement villages, frail care facilities, in-home assisted care and personal panic systems for retirees and the frail. Barry has a heart for the community and believes that a united community is a safe and strong community.

Family Bio
Barry was born and raised in Westville and returned to Cowies Hill in 2010 with his wife and two children.

“I have lived abroad and outside of the area in South Africa and believe Cowies Hill to be one of the most beautiful and conveniently located suburbs in eThekwini. We have an amazing community of families living here and I am constantly impressed by the level of care and thoughtfulness shown by fellow neighbours. It has been amazing to watch this diverse community come together and collectively look at ways that we can proactively better the lives of everyone that lives and works in our area. I am proud and privileged to be a part of what we are all doing and, despite the many challenges, feel energised by the unwavering commitment of this community to build for the better.”

Michael Woods – Board member of Cowies Hill Estate and heads up the Events and Fund Raising Committee.

Background
After obtaining a BSc degree, he served in the SAPS for 3 years. Thereafter he spent 35 years in the medical device industry which included 15 years on the Board of Smith and Nephew (Pty) Ltd as well as a number of years on the Board of SAMED (South African Medical Technology Industry Association). He is currently a stakeholder in a local company providing world-leading sustainable energy solutions.

Family Bio
Mike was born and raised in Durban. He is married to Lynette who is a school teacher at St Henry’s Marist College and they have 2 sons.

“We moved to Cowies Hill some 25 years ago and soon realised what a special place it was. So central yet with a country feel and a caring community. I believe in ‘giving back’ by helping to further cultivate a safe and harmonious community environment and started by creating the Woodside Ave street patrol for the 30 houses – between Ernest Whitcutt and Hopson Rd, 10 years ago. This then led to bigger and better things and I’m now extremely excited to be actively involved in taking this to the next level by the formation of Cowies Hill Estate”.

Kenneth Martin – Board member of Cowies Hill Estate and heads up the Environmental and Conservation Committee.

Background
After completing his BCom degree Kenneth spent 4 years working in the financial sector in London before returning to S.A. Upon returning he has worked in sales and marketing and is currently running his Ice manufacturing and distribution business which has been operating for the last 10 years.

Family Bio
Kenneth was raised in Westville. He has a wife and 2 kids.

“Since moving to Westville with my family I have always been passionate about community upliftment. I have been involved in creating the East Cowies Hill neighbourhood watch and am excited to see this develop into an even larger initiative by means of the Cowies Hill Estate. It has been a wonderful experience getting to know our neighbours and to see community spirit coming alive again.”

John Charter – Board member of the Cowies Hill Estate and heads up the Communications Sub-committee.

Background
Educated at Highbury, Hilton and Stellenbosch University. John was in the advertising business for 37 years in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Toronto, and Durban, where he founded and ran Matthews and Charter, Ogilvy and Mather for 16 years. In 2002 he founded Black Egret Corporate Dynamics which is a business consultancy encompassing business strategy, people development, and branding.

Family Bio
John grew up in KZN speaking Zulu before he spoke English. He is married to Tyna, retired headmistress of St Mary’s School in Kloof. They have 5 children, three boys, and two girls and 10 grandchildren.

“Having been intimately involved in the Hillcrest, Kloof and Westville communities over many years I felt that I should make myself available to play whatever role I can in the development of the Cowies Hill environment, primarily from the point of view of security but on a number of other levels as well. We have a fantastic precinct and together we can work as a community to upgrade the environment and maximise its potential and in-so-doing improve property values and create a happy, contented and rewarding way of life for all.”

Dijon Nortje – Board member of Cowies Hill Estate and a member of the Security Sub-committee.

Background
Schooled at Port Natal in Durban, Dijon is a Town Planning Technician and has
been employed at a town planning company in Westville for nearly 20 years.

Family Bio
Dijon was born and raised in Durban and moved to Cowies Hill in 2013 with his wife, Janine, and their 5 children.

“I love Cowies Hill! I love everything about it, the people, the leafiness, the
beautiful homes, and the central location. I, like most of the current Board, have
been involved in this process for a couple of years now and the dedication and commitment shown by these gents has just been amazing. It has been awesome to see the community involvement in this initiative and I believe we are in the process of making an incredible community even better. I look forward to seeing what the future holds for us.”

Gavin Bacon – Director, Board member and on the Financial Sub-committee.

Background
Gavin moved to Hillside Road 15 months ago. He previously lived in Kloof, for 5 years, but prior to that, lived on Cowies Hill for 12 years. Gavin is a qualified Accountant and Tax Professional and has a practice (PATC www.patc.co.za) in Pinetown. He has lived in Pinetown since 1993.

Family Bio
Gavin is married and has two adult daughters that live in the UK.

“I am extremely motivated and driven to maintain and assist our area and our community to live happy, safe, clean and productive lives. I adore Cowies Hill and the peace and tranquillity it provides.”