Umhlanga Women Enjoy Makeovers
The Beverly Hills Hotel was the perfect venue for Umhlanga Tourism’s recent
Women’s Day High Tea. Beautiful women from all corners of the north coast
(with designer, Sandy Day, among them) attended the tea and fashion show,
hosted by the flamboyant style guru, Kevin Ellis. Six svelte models wowed
the audience with Kevin’s ‘reconstructed’ creations. The reconstructavist,
as he terms himself, described how each outfit was transformed from a plain
beginning to its outlandish and stunning conclusion. Tassles, feathers,
cuts, patches, paint, buttons and, yes, even a car seat cover, were all used
in the process! Male model Alain Rijnvis, a show-stopper all by himself,
showed off his dancing skills with partner, Melloney De Beer, to the delight
of the crowd. While all the ladies enjoyed excellent tea treats and
giveaways, many won prizes, including a R3000 diamond, courtesy of Sasseen’s
Diamond Legacy, and accommodation at the Drakensberg Southern Sun Hotel,
courtesy of Southern Sun. With ladies calling for more, next year’s event
looks set to be even bigger and better!
Also hosted by Umhlanga Tourism, a ladies’ brunch took place on the same day at the Breakers Resort in Umhlanga. Tanya Visser, editor of The Gardener Magazine, entertained the audience with tips and the latest fashions from the gardening world. While she entranced listeners with her down-to-earth style, two ladies had a makeover courtesy of ‘Make up your Mind’.
So, from garments to facials, the women of Umhlanga enjoyed a full day of makeovers this Women’s Day.
Click here for photos of the Women's Day events
Umhlanga Cook-Off Draws the Crowds
Restaurants in Umhlanga were filled to overflowing at the recent Cook-Off and jazz evening. The event drew hundreds of enthusiastic supporters who participated with relish, cheering loudly for their favourite restrauteurs. The Cook-Off formed part of Umhlanga Tourism’s Winter Sunshine Festival which included five days of fun beach events.
Compèred by East Coast Radio’s Celebrity Chef, Jono, contestants were given identical ingredients (sponsored by Pick ‘n Pay) and only 20 minutes to make the winning dish. Myles MacLarty of Butcher Boys and Marshal Bel-Cross of Bangkok Wok set to work with their bacon, mushroom, onion, chicken and other goodies and concocted two fabulous-looking meals in the allotted time. Although a close call, Myles was declared the winner with his version of stuffed breasts. Despite losing, Marshall of Bangkok Wok was more than happy to return to his restaurant which was bustling with over 200 guests, some of whom were seated on extra chairs brought in for the occasion.
Young children loved the holiday beach events which ran from 4 to 8 July and happily took part in egg-throwing, beach soccer, musical statues, hamburger eating and treasure hunts. Braver kids, with proud parents watching, participated in the fun and entertaining talent show which was hosted by singer Jo Rowlands.
Sponsored by Durban Tourism and Bonaqua and organised by Makulu Event Producers and Umhlanga Tourism the Umhlanga Winter Sunshine Festival provided all-round fun for holidaymakers of all ages.
Click here for pictures of the Cook-off
Umhlanga Jazz Night a Success
Umhlanga rocked on Friday night 9th May to the smooth sounds of jazz and blues. A talented band comprising Evan Roberts on keyboard, Jerry Kunene on saxophone, Shaun Petersen on drums and Philani Ngidi on bass guitar kept the patrons of crowded pavement cafés entertained for hours. Passersby settled onto the sidewalks, which were safely cordoned off from traffic, and clapped along to the music. But it was when Cape Town singer, Jo Rowlands, joined the musicians, that visitors began dancing with enthusiasm and shouting for more. Favourites such as ‘Fever’, ‘I’ve got you under my skin’, ‘Bourbon Street’ and ‘My Baby just cares’ were enjoyed by all, as were ‘Fly me to the moon’ and the rock number ‘Goodness gracious great balls of fire’. Sax player, Jerry Kunene, delighted the audience when he ambled through their midst while effortlessly singing ‘I think to myself what a wonderful world’. The sound was excellent, the ambience mellow, the food exquisite, the weather mild and the crowd charming. Although the purpose of ‘Jazz in the Street’ was to showcase Umhlanga’s attractions to the many Indaba delegates in town for the weekend, it is hoped that the event will be the first of many for locals and visitors alike. Sponsored by Coca-Cola and Durban Africa, and arranged by Umhlanga Tourism and Makulu Event Producers, ‘Jazz in the Street’ was a wonderful late-night entertainment success.
Click here for pictures of the Jazz Night
Umhlanga Tourism’s Easter Festival a Success (2008)
Beautiful weather, relaxed holidaymakers and clean beaches conspired to make Umhlanga Tourism’s Easter Festival (sponsored by Durban Africa), which ran from 22 to 24 April, an enjoyable and entertaining event. Although some hotels were not completely full for the duration of the long weekend, the atmosphere on the beaches was pleasant and the activities were fun for all who participated. Donna Roberts and her team kept youngsters occupied with daily treasure hunts, talent shows, tug-o’-war games, soccer and volleyball, and egg-throwing competitions. And Coke giveaways, together with loads of Easter eggs prizes, kept the competitors’ taste buds happy. Jazz on the Rocks with Shelley McLean & Friends was a wonderful event. Situated adjacent to the Lighthouse on Sunday the 24th the crowd was treated to all types of Jazz, from traditional, to Blues and everything in between. After such an enjoyable weekend, visitors and locals alike will no doubt be looking forward to Easter 2009!
Click here for Easter Festival Picture Gallery 2008
Umhlanga’s Summer Carnival 2007
Ten days of glorious blue skies in December set the scene for Umhlanga Tourism’s highly successful 2007 Summer Carnival. Loads of activities kept holidaymakers entertained daily and the sun and sea made for a fun filled and relaxing seaside break.
Daily competitions on the beach, such as beach soccer, egg-throwing, tug-o’-war, treasure hunt and volleyball made for great entertainment for all ages, whilst dozens of runners were sweating it out in the 10km Bonaqua beach race. Youngsters also enjoyed regular sing-along sessions on the Millenium Stage with Josephine & Goggles the Goose where other events such as the Wimpy hamburger eating competition took place.
In the Umhlanga village, the superb Carols by Candlelight charity evening gathered three trolley loads of Christmas gifts for the underprivileged children in the area. The ‘Lighthouse ladies Choir’ created a beautiful Christmas atmosphere with their wonderful carol singing, whilst nearly 40 Harley Davidson owners participated in a toy run for this charity event. Their beautifully prepared and glistening machines roared into the village bearing gifts for the children and joined in the carol singing with everyone else.
The annual, well attended Street Party, held on Friday 28th December, heralded the end of the ten-day Summer Carnival. And what a fitting finalé it was! Umhlanga’s CBD was the crowded scene of music and dancing, restaurants spilled out onto the sidewalks, a cheerful steel drum band played typical Caribbean music and thousands of visitors browsed through a number of street stalls. The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the beauty pageant and crowning of Miss Umhlanga and her princesses in the various age categories from under 6 years right through to Miss Mom. The lovely winners in each category were then paraded through the village in convertible vintage MG sports cars, supplied for the evening by the MG Car Club of South Africa. A music bus sponsored by Coca-Cola provided the stage and music for the evening, whilst the vibrant drum majorettes and jiving sea creatures kept the crowds entertained. The crowning was the culmination of daily heats on the beach as well as a glamorous final judging event the evening before. The congenial atmosphere in Chartwell Drive contributed to a relaxed and thoroughly enjoyable evening. Many of the local watering holes and restaurants did a roaring trade and are undoubtedly looking forward to the next event with bated breath!
Many hardworking people such as the staff of Makulu Events, contributed to the success of this wonderful Carnival organised by Umhlanga Tourism. Roll on Summer Carnival 2008 – we can’t wait!
Pictures of
the December 2007 Umhlanga Festival
Click here
for the Umhlanga Festival 2006 Gallery