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Symphonic Choir promises
stage songs, soaring spirituals
Classical and show tunes are on the bill at a Durban Symphonic Choir concert in Umhlanga.
Houston, we don’t have a problem: concert to aid ABH
An internationally acclaimed tribute singer and two of the country’s best loved comediennes are on the bill for I’m Every Woman, a Sibiya Casino and Entertainment Kingdom fundraising concert in aid of the Aryan Benevolent Home (ABH). The Friday (July 26) iZulu Theatre concert stars Belinda Davids, a South African singer who has carved out…
Who killed whatshisname?
Doccie digs dirt on
UN diplomat’s murder
Who killed the second secretary-general of the United Nations and why after nearly 58 years should we even care? Two questions at the heart of Cold Case Hammarskjöld, an intriguing documentary showing at Ster Kinekor Gateway as part of the Durban International Film Festival. Swede Dag Hammarskjöld perished when his plane crashed in September 1961,…
Cornubia turns petrolhead’s playground as Farmtruck comes to town
US reality television street racing car personalities Murder Nova, Farmtruck and AZN will be topping the bill at the Gas Motorshow, which runs at Cornubia Mall from 15 to 17 June. Showgoers can expect a glimpse into American car culture and a few of the men who build or race some of the United State’s…
Jemma to give local talent a jump-start
Having a torn tendon followed by surgery was not about to slow down dancer, choreographer and innovator Jemma van Breda of La Lucia. Although the operation and recovery phase meant she was on crutches for a while, her creativeness knew no bounds. Jemma, 21, is the brains behind the cultural and tourism one-of-a-kind platform, called…
An Awesome South African Gift Shop
In the spacious Pearls Shopping Mall in Umhlanga Rocks is a bright and colourful gift shop called AWESOME AFRICA. African – or more precisely South African – it definitely is. Most of the gifts on display are sourced and proudly made in South Africa. Now that really is awesome! ‘Supporting South African-made products should be…
The Taste of Summer
La Cremosa is an Italian gelateria in Umhlanga. Well situated in the land of eternal summer (Umhlanga) La Cremosa occupies space next door to News Café on Palm Boulevard opposite the main entrance to Gateway Shopping Centre. This genuine Italian gelateria, run by Italians Mauro and Sandro, offers a typical Italian experience. Coffee and bakery…
Snakepharm: Researching Antivenom
Hluhluwe, and Zululand in general, is home to some of the most varied landscape, ecology and wildlife on the East Coast of South Africa. It is also the base for Snakepharm, an NPO that is researching interesting new antivenom products and methods. Donald Schultz is a herpetologist who works for Snakepharm. He was born and…
Food to Drool Over
The winner of the Waitronathon held as part of Umhlanga Tourism December 2018 Festival was Nhlanhla Khoza of Beach Garden Café & Events. See more about this fun event here: https://bit.ly/2T6bfqz. Nhlanhla’s prize included R1000 cash for the speedster himself. The restaurant he represented also won a prize: a free half-page advert in the 2019…
Bliss on the Doorstep
I arrived at the Beverly Hills’ Mangwanani Boutique Spa just before 4pm on a Tuesday afternoon. I had booked a foot massage – one of my favourite types of treatment. There was a venue choice: either indoors in the airconditioned, fragranced shop, or outdoors in the gently billowing tented area. I chose outdoors. The outlook…
Culture Shines at the Umhlanga Tourism Summer Festival
Thanks to the Department of Arts & Culture the Umhlanga Tourism Summer Festival of 2018 hosted two surprise entertainment pieces: Young Mbazo on Reconciliation Day 16 December, and The Linda Vargas Flamenco Dancy Company on Monday 17 December. Young Mbazo – get this – are the grandchildren of musician Joseph Shabalala, founder of the hugely…
The Umhlanga Summer Festival 2018: It’s Cool to Care – About People
The annual Umhlanga Summer Festival brings a host of family-centred holiday activities to Umhlanga for the 2018 festive season for visitors and locals alike, from 14 – 23 December. Understanding that the season is about goodwill, family and community, the theme for this year’s festival is It’s Cool to Care – with all aspects of…
Umhlanga Summer Festival – Carols Under the Stars
Always a crowd favourite, the annual al-fresco Umhlanga Carols Under the Stars, takes place at the Granada Square in Umhlanga Rocks on Thursday 20 December from 6pm in the courtyard of the favourite shopping and dining destinations on the Umhlanga Strip. The concert is co-ordinated by Shelley McLean featuring a myriad special guests. The evening…
Barnyard Returns to Durban at Suncoast
The authentic Barnyard Theatre returns to Durban and will be opening at Suncoast soon! The Barnyard Theatre is returning to Durban with the launch of its new venue at the renowned SUNCOAST Casino Hotels & Entertainment – a member of the prestigious Tsogo Sun Group. The planned opening date is 12 December 2018 and bookings…
Escape Hunt – Have Fun In (or Out)
WIN these super exciting prizes from The Escape Hunt Experience Durban – DUR, South Africa 1) 3 x GROUP experiences for 4 people 2) 2 x TEAM BUILDING experiences for 10 people. The Escape Hunt Experience is a fantastic global entertainment franchise offering unique ‘escape the room’ adventures with branches all over the world from Brussels…
Charming Farmers’ Market in Umhlanga
Did you know that tucked away on an open piece of ground in the busy precinct of Umhlanga Ridge is the Umhlanga Farmers’ Market? The market, depending on which stallholder we spoke to, has been in existence for 20 to 25 years. It convenes every Wednesday from 8am to 12pm in Autumn Drive, Prestondale (next…
Experience Korean
‘That’s it,’ I decided, ‘I’m going to become a vegetarian.’ I was enjoying my first taste of Korean food, at Glenashley-based restaurant, The Crazy Korean. The first course was a Pajeon, followed by a meatless Dol-sot Bi-bim-bap. The pajeon was a pancake about the size of a small dinner plate filled with spring onion, carrot and…
Umhlanga Tourism Festival Host is a Winner
Kevin Ellis is a champion! Pinetown-boy Kevin returned to South Africa as the reigning European and World, doubles and singles champion after competing in the 2018 World Dance Masters competition in Blackpool, England in August, and the European competition in Dublin, Ireland in March. His partner in the doubles category was Robyn Beck. Kevin’s speciality…
Say Yes to (Bamboo) Straws!
The Last Straw campaign is gaining ground with many restaurants in Umhlanga alone no longer offering plastic straws. Alternatives to plastic, too, are growing in popularity. One of these alternatives is bamboo. Carol Mackintosh from the Wilderness in the Cape has a company aptly named The Last Straw which makes reusable straws from bamboo. The…
Jukebox Hits
Jukebox Hits is a fun musical currently showing at the beautiful Rockwood Theatre at Sibaya Casino, just a few kilometres north of the Umhlanga CBD. The venue is a supper theatre and guests can either bring or order their own food. Drinks can only be purchased within the theatre. The term ‘jukebox’ became popular in…
Gandhis Pass on the Legacy of Nonviolence
The rainbow nation Madiba named is looking somewhat refracted; the seven colours of the rainbow are not shining as one. So said Tushar Gandhi on a recent visit to Umhlanga, Durban, South Africa. Tushar and his father Dr Arun Gandhi were part of a tour group that recently took American tourists to a number of…
Ant Man & The Wasp: Fun, Family Entertainment
Ant Man & The Wasp is the latest Marvel superhero movie to be released. A sort of an antihero, Ant Man (Paul Rudd) is full of foibles and weaknesses. His sidekick, the Wasp, definitely has things more together and Wasp’s quest to find her long-lost mother forms the plot of the film. There are several…
Good food, good restaurants, good company
Do you enjoy good food? Eating out? But have no-one to go with? Then sign up for a dining experience with DINE4SIX. I attended a DINE4SIX event recently and cannot recommend it highly enough. DINE4SIX is a platform through which people (six at a time) wanting to eat out can sign up for a restaurant…
It’s Almost Travel Indaba Time
Africa’s Travel Indaba is one of the largest tourism marketing events on the African calendar and one of the top three ‘must visit’ events of its kind on the global calendar. It showcases the widest variety of Southern Africa’s best tourism products and attracts international buyers and media from across the world. Africa’s Travel Indaba…
Culture & History on Umhlanga’s Doorstep
BY UMHLANGA TOURISM · 14TH OCTOBER 2017 Think Umhlanga is all about beach fun and sunshine? Well, yes, it is. But there’s also a great deal of cultural interest and GANDHI LEGACY TOUR LED BY DR ARUN GANDHI, FIFTH GRANDSON OF THE MAHATMA GANDHI. L – R: Mandla Nxumalo of Ohlange Institute, Greg Garson of…
Celebrate Gandhi’s Birthday with Nonviolence
BY UMHLANGA TOURISM · PUBLISHED 29TH SEPTEMBER 2017 · UPDATED 29TH SEPTEMBER 2017 Gandhi 1906 (via The Heritage Portal) In recognition of Gandhi’s 148th birth date on 2 October 2017, Durbanites and visitors to Umhlanga can take part in the International Day of Nonviolence and a prayer organised by the Counsel General of India at…
Imbizo Gallery to Celebrate African Art & Culture
BY UMHLANGA TOURISM · 25TH AUGUST 2017 In honour of Women’s Month… Ann Proksch (Art Director), left, and Pauline Oor (Manager) at Imbizo Gallery are flanked by a Marke Meyer Bronze called ‘Wayward Dreams of the Outside World’. Behind Ann and Pauline is Ngwenya recycled glass from Swaziland, and a painting by Diane Erasmus. Imbizo…