Durban North’s Roadhouse Crescent (Connaught Bridge underpass) for Major Clean-Up on 29 and 30 November

Green Corridors and TriEcoEmvelo, are facilitating a major clean-up of the Roadhouse Crescent recycling area at the Connaught Bridge underpass in Durban North, on Wednesday, 29 and Thursday 30 November, with the aim of removing 500 bags of waste.

(Left to right) Siphiwe Mthabela from Tricomvelo and Siphiwe Rakgabale from Tricomvelo and Green Corridors, with Jonathan Welch technical consultant and project manager of the Green Corridors’ KMBC in front of the plastic baler brought in to help streamline the recycling collection process at the Roadhouse Crescent collection area under Connaught Bridge in Durban North. A major clean up is planned for Wednesday, 29 and Thursday 30 November, with the aim of removing 500 bags of waste.

This area has been used for a long time as an illegal dumping ground and has been “adopted” by Green Corridors in an endeavour to clean it up and support the informal recyclers to derive an income from their collections by formalising the area as a recycling collection point, and discouraging illegal dumping.

Members of the public and community organisations are invited to join in the clean-up from 8am until 2pm on 29 and 30 November together with the Green Corridors and WESSA and the Roadhouse Recyclers teams. eThewkini Municipality Cleansing and Solid Waste will be removing the non-recyclable waste. Volunteers should wear closed shoes and hats. 

“This clean-up marks our adoption of the area, formalising the collection of waste as a materials recycling facility (MRF), supporting these area recyclers with their efforts to earn an income, and ensuring the site is no longer used to dump,” explains Musa Shange, Green Corridors Project Officer. “Through a joint project between eThekwini Municipality, Green Corridors, TriEcomvelo and Safripol we have installed a plastic baler that compresses recyclable plastics which enables the local recyclers to densify the materials derived benefit from the increased value. We are also erecting a fence around the area to stop the illegal dumping.”

The Connaught Bridge Roadhouse Crescent Recycling project has been a combined effort between a number of civil society organisations, government structures, businesses and informal recyclers, that have worked together to do clean-ups, recycle and repurpose waste material. Green Corridors has facilitated the purchase of materials by formal recycling enterprises, and taking materials to sites where they can be beneficiated, such as Green Corridors’ KwaMashu Materials Beneficiation Centre.

"We want to help these recyclers set up a solid cooperative that they can eventually run themselves,” enthuses Siphiwe Rakgabale, Green Corridors Litterbooms Co-ordinator and owner of TriEcoEmvelo. “They are a crucial part of the value chain that recycles waste materials and can make a significant contribution to a sustainable circular economy."-ends

I heart Market - Saturday 2 December and Saturday 16 December - Durban North

The ever-popular I heart Market returns to Durban, finding a new home at Northlands Primary School, 20 Gleneagles Drive Durban North, in time for its magical festive season markets on Saturday 2 and 16 December from 9am to 2pm.

Saving the dates ! L-R Getting ready to welcome shoppers to the I heeart Market which has moved to Northlands Primary School in Durban North are from left to right : Jane Frew - Owner: JellyPickle Paintings (calendar is her work), Tanith Molliere - Market Manager:  I heart Market, Caroline Hockly – Marketing Manager:  Northlands Primary School, Nicola Savage - Owner:  Savage Jewellery, Sara Trickett - Owner:   The Thrift Collection and Tracy Galloway - Owner:  Coffee Guys

“Northlands Primary School is very excited to be partnering with the I heart team as their new venue,” says Caroline Hockly, Marketing Manager at the School. “As a community-centred school in the heart of Durban North, we know that this is going to be welcomed by the local community at large. They have been sorely missed on the local calendar as a beautifully curated, top-quality market. We are honoured to be able to provide them with a new home and hope for a long-lasting association.”

Renowned for its excellent quality artisanal products, supporting local small businesses, and offering an exceptional retail experience, the I heart Market boasts an exquisite array of handcrafted goods, including jewellery, accessories, leather items, ceramics, visual art, home decor, plants, clothing, condiments, cured meats, as well as a delectable selection of bakery items from bread and pastries to cookies, and cakes, plus a mouth-wateringly delicious range of food truck eats – catering for all tastes. In keeping with its name, the Market’s curated offerings are lovingly crafted, reflecting a deep commitment to the craft and a strong sense of personal integrity. 

These two December markets will offer a broad range of fine festive fare from Christmas decorations to gift ideas and more, for the whole family. This is an opportunity to shop away from the usual season rush, and at a leisurely pace, where there is something for everyone to enjoy.

The Market takes place from 9am to 2pm in the school hall and surrounding gardens. There is plenty of parking available in designated school parking, with security guards in attendance.

The I heart Market is always on the lookout for fresh talent - anyone interested in becoming a vendor can contact the market directly on info@iheartmkt.com.

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“Great or Small, CROW Loves Them All” - World Animal Day on 4 October

With 355 animals currently in their sanctuary, and with an impressive 164 998 animals, rescued over their 43 years in existence providing a life-giving service to the country’s wildlife, the Centre for Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) calls on South Africans to join in commemorating Word Animal Day on Wednesday, 4 October, and appeals for financial support for the astonishing work they do.

“The theme for World Animal Day 2023 is “Great or Small, Love Them All”,” explains Clint Halkett-Siddall, Operations Director of CROW. ‘This is exactly what we do –we take in all manner of wildlife that have been injured, displaced, or abandoned, nurse them back to health, rehabilitate them, and release them back into their natural habitats. We love them all!”

“Our challenge is now to galvanize some serious financial support to enable us to continue to do this important work.”

CROW was adversely affected by COVID, which resulted in the loss of two years of international volunteer income – which contributed to a sizeable portion of their running costs. This together with the repercussions of the floods and riots, and increased overheads especially on animal feed and fuel, means that the centre has almost depleted its financial reserves. 

 “We are appealing for a renewed burst of financial support from individuals and companies, to enable us to keep our doors open and help the 3000-4000 indigenous wild animals that we care for each year. Without this support these animals will be left without assistance, with no chance of being nursed back to health, and released back into the wild,” says Halkett-Siddall. 

CROW is Durban’s only registered and fully permitted wildlife rehabilitation centre providing indigenous wildlife with a second chance at a free, safe, and sustainable life in the wild. They also work with Threatened or Protected Species (TOPS) Terrestrial and Marine species.

The Centre works with all indigenous mammal species, reptile species, and bird species. Some of the animals currently on property include TOPs Nile crocodile, blue duiker, and Blesbok, as well as grey duiker, genet, scrub hare, rock hyrax, banded mongoose, water mongoose, spotted eagle owl, wood owl, spurwing goose, Egyptian geese, egret, terrapin, garden variety birds, bush baby, vervet monkeys, leopard tortoise, eastern hinge tortoise, labots tortoise and specs tortoise. 

“Due to financial constraints, we have had to cease after-hours services and if funding does not improve we will have to put on hold on rescues and collections,” he explains. ‘We now also have to limit the intake of Egyptian Geese and vervet monkeys which are robust urban dwellers but very expensive to feed.”

CROW gets no government funding and relies solely on public support. “We are appealing to people who care about wildlife and our environment to assist us by donating to Hope for Our Wildlife – CROW’s Emergency Appeal. Any donation in any form is most welcome to keep our doors open to animals in need.”

Donations can be made from the CROW website or using one of the many options to support listed there:  https://crowkzn.co.za/donate/

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Going Wild With Hope – Kingsley Holgate Sets Off On Legendary 41st Expedition.

Africa’s renowned explorer Kingsley Holgate and his expedition team set off on a challenging new humanitarian and geographic odyssey on Wednesday 21 June, this time to reach some of the wildest and most isolated regions on the African continent.

Less than a year after completing the gruelling 35,000-kilometre, 30-country ‘Hot Cape – Cold Cape’ transcontinental journey from Cape Agulhas on the southern tip of Africa to Nordkapp in Norway’s Arctic Circle, the 77-year-old explorer is stil not ready to hang up his expedition boots. Instead, he and his team are on a quest to highlight the importance of conserving Africa’s iconic wildlife and remaining natural landscapes and draw attention to the needs of local communities living alongside these remote protected areas.

“During 40 expeditions to all 55 countries in Africa over the past 30 years, we’ve grown to deeply appreciate Africa’s unique biodiversity and iconic wildlife, which are now under immense threat,” said Kingsley. “The continent-wide decimation of endangered animals such as elephant and rhino and the destruction of vast tracts of pristine forests, wetlands and grasslands that are home to thousands of other wildlife species don’t make the headlines anymore; it’s become too much doom and gloom.”

“For many years, we’ve been asking the question: where can one find hope for Africa’s critically needed wild spaces and irreplaceable fauna and flora, as well as the communities that depend on them? Thankfully, there are powerful and positive stories emerging from across the African continent – uplifting narratives that need to be told. Through this new expedition, we hope to draw attention to the incredible work that’s being done.”

In a unique collaboration with the conservation NGO African Parks, Afrika Odyssey – the 41st Kingsley Holgate geographic and humanitarian expedition – is a legacy journey-of-purpose with a ‘conservation, culture and community’ theme. Estimated to take 18 months, the expedition will follow an adventure-filled, chapter-by-chapter route on a challenging journey into the wild heart of 12 diverse African countries.  

Departing from South Africa on 21 June after a vibrant African send-off from the Lesedi Cultural Village in the Cradle of Humankind, the Afrika Odyssey expedition aims to showcase the inspiring revival of 22 national parks under the management of African Parks and encompassing 20million hectares under protected area status, which form the backbone of the continent’s biodiversity and benefits many thousands of people. 

It will also be the first, real-life test on African soil for Land Rover’s new Defender 130. The expedition’s two long-wheel-base expedition Defender 130s will be tackling an estimated 30,000 kilometres over some of the harshest terrain and off-road routes on the African continent. 

“This expedition is going to be one of our most challenging journeys ever attempted,” said Ross Holgate, Kingsley’s son and the expedition’s leader, who has also explored every country in Africa and beyond, including a round-the-world expedition to track the Tropic of Capricorn and a world-first journey from Cape Town to Kathmandu in Nepal across the deserts and high Himalayan mountain ranges of Asia.”

“It’s not just the long distances we’ll be travelling on dirt roads, goat tracks and probably no tracks to reach all of the Parks that are, understandably, in very isolated regions and in difficult-to-reach terrain,” Ross explained. “We’ll also be tackling dense Congo forests, heart-in-mouth, seat-of-your-pants river crossings, vast desert and rocky mountain terrain where water and fuel will be hard to come by, and wetlands that are near-impassable, especially in rainy seasons. The logistical issues of this expedition are extreme, to say the least.”

Starting in the ancient Namib desert of Iona National Park in the south-west corner of Angola, the journey will encompass Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique, Rwanda, DRC, the Republic of Congo and Central African Republic, South Sudan and Chad in north Africa, and conclude in Benin, west Africa. 

The Afrika Odyssey expedition will document ancient indigenous cultures, traditions and historic places of interest on its continent-wide journey. And, in the words of often unheard indigenous communities who depend on the survival of Africa’s natural landscapes, the expedition will record authentic and powerful stories of hope to create an enduring archive of positive, grassroots narratives in support of conservation from across Africa.

The expedition team will also provide humanitarian support to communities alongside all 22 African Parks through malaria prevention and education for pregnant women and mothers with young children in high-risk malaria areas; eye-tests and reading glasses for poor-sighted, mostly elderly people; and conservation-focussed education for school children to instill a passion for protecting Africa’s iconic wildlife.

Carrying a Scroll of Peace and Goodwill for Conservation to all 22 parks in 12 countries, the team will collect messages of support from traditional leaders, local community beneficiaries, park rangers, conservation partners, government envoys, VIPs and other supporters met all along the way. 

“Thriving and dynamic wild spaces have always been the genesis of life-giving water, clean air, food, health and income for humanity. Without them, millions of people are destined to lives of poverty, malnutrition, sickness and inequality,” said Kingsley. “But it doesn’t have to be this way and this expedition aims to showcase the inspirational potential of Africa’s wild places and people.” 

The expedition’s name ‘Afrika Odyssey’ and logo has special significance, as it is a revival of the very first big expedition undertaken by the Kingsley Holgate family in 1993, when they became the first South African expedition team to travel from Cape Agulhas to Alexandria in Egypt along the wild waterways of Africa. 30 years later, they’ve been revived to celebrate this 41st geographic and humanitarian journey for Kingsley Holgate, Africa’s renowned and much-loved modern-day explorer. 

To keep abreast of the expedition’s journey, follow the Kingsley Holgate Foundation Facebook page, as well as updates and stories published by Africa Geographic and African Parks.  

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KwaMashu School of Dance Theatre performs at Green Corridors’ Green Hub as part of the Global Water Dance Festival 10 June

KwaMashu School of Dance Theatre will perform at the Green Corridors’ Green Hub near Durban’s Blue Lagoon on Saturday 10 June at 2pm as part of the Global Water Dance Festival, during World Oceans Week.

The 150 children from Durban and surrounding areas will perform a work called Waiting for Water as part of a global experience with other communities worldwide who will be participating in the Global Water Dance Festival.

The event is free and audiences are invited to bring their camp chairs or blankets and enjoy a picnic while joining communities in 180 worldwide locations in this international initiative to promote water and environment protection. 

Director of the KwaMashu School of Dance Theatre, Vusi Makhanya elaborates on the event: “The community of Durban is suffering from water cut-offs from time to time due to water loss, we wait for water for hours in long queues. Our work is called “Waiting for water” and is a Site-Specific Performance that highlights water conversation, safe water, and clean water for all.”

“We would love to see Durbanites out in full force,” says Makhanya. “Participants and audiences of all ages are invited to learn some dance choreography that’s being taught around the globe and will feature as our grand finale of the day.”

Green Corridors will have representatives at the event to talk about environmental issues Durban citizens face and how this relates to water, and the urgent need to put interventions in place to preserve and conserve our water resources.

The Dance Theatre is funded by Tänzer ohne Grenzen e.V. (Dancers Without Boarders) in German with partners and collaborators are Global Water Dance Creatives, LABAN/Bartenieff Institute of Movement Studies, LIMS in New York, with endorsements from the Green Corridors and it’s Green Hub and the eThekwini Municipality’s Parks, Recreation & Cemeteries, Arts and Living Cultures and associates are ASSITEJ Theatre for Youth's Social Empowerment Fund Project (SEF).

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SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge Pietermaritzburg Central Regional Fixtures

The penultimate tournament that travels to ten regions for the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge, heads to Epworth School where they will host schools from the area for the Pietermaritzburg Central Regional on Sunday 14 May.

Seven schools will participate in a fun filled day of hockey that tips off at 8am. Epworth School is joined by Alexander High School; Carter High School; Maritzburg Christian School; Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School; Russel High School and defending champs St John’s D.S.G.

The seven teams look forward to six quick fire games each, having 18 minutes of play running one way in a round robin formatted tournament. A winning team will notch up four points on the overall log, while if two teams knock in an equal amount of goals for a draw, they will each earn two points. A goalless draw will nett a single point for both teams and a loss, zero points. After the 21 round robin games, the top two teams will meet each other for a second time that day, this time for the trophy-lifting regional final. 

The Pietermaritzburg Central Regional has produced three teams that have gone on to represent their area at the main event for the competitive teams, the Grand Finals. Both hosts, Epworth School and defending champs, St John’s D.S.G. have appeared twice at the Grand Finals, while Epworth also won in 2020, the disrupted CoViD year. Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School dominated the region with six successive victories in a row when the tournament began in 2011. 

Eight victorious teams representing their regions will have already secured a berth at the Grand Finals that takes place at St Mary’s DSG in Kloof in July. The top team at the Pietermaritzburg Central Regional will join Danville Park Girls High School (Durban North Regional); St Mary’s DSG (Highway Regional); Kuswag Hoërskool (Durban South Regional), Durban Girls’ College (Durban Central Regional); The Wykeham Collegiate (Pietermaritzburg North Regional); Suid Natal Hoërskool (Sisonke and uGu Regional) and St Dominics Newcastle (Northern KZN Regional). The eighth team from the uMvoti and oThukela Regional will be decided the day before the action-packed day at Epworth. 

The final challenge heads to Grantleigh College on Saturday 20 May for the Northern KZN Coastal Regional.

For spectators that are unable to get to the side of the pitch, the ten regionals and the Grand Finals will be live streamed by SuperSport Schools on their mobile app or website.

For more info like the tournaments’ Facebook page (SparSchoolGirlsHockeyTournament) or follow on Instagram (sparkznhockey). 

ENDS

PAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge Northern KZN Regional Fixtures

The seventh SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge heads north to St Dominics Newcastle for the Northern KZN Regional on Saturday 6 May. 

Ten schools will be eagerly stepping onto the St Dominics' astro. The format for the day will see the teams divided into two pools. Pool A sees Ferrum High School; Sarel Cilliers High School; Vryheid Landbou; Newcastle High School and Pongola Akademie. Joining host school, St Dominic’s in Pool B are Dundee High School; Utrecht High School; Vryheid High School and Amajuba High School.

All games will run one way for 18 minutes, with a 2 minute change over for the teams between games. The overall log will be calculated with a win earning the victorious team 4 points; a draw with goals, 2 points; a goalless draw only a single point and a loss tallying up zero points.

At the end of the 20 pool games, the two log leaders from Pool A and Pool B will meet in a cross-pool playoff, followed by the regional decider revealing who will represent the area at the illustrious wrap up of the ten regionals that took place around KZN, at the Grand Finals that is being held in July at St Mary’s DSG, Kloof.

Three teams have hoisted the trophy in this area, of the three, two are back in the hopes of reclaiming the title. Ferrum High School have dominated this area with ten appearances at the Grand Finals since the tournament commenced in 2011. Sarel Cilliers travelled down to Durban for the 2016 main event. 

The successful champs from the Northern KZN Regional will join six other teams that have already reserved their ticket to the distinguished conclusion, they are Danville Park Girls’ High School (DBN North Regional), St Mary’s DSG (Highway Regional), Kuswag Hoërskool (Durban South Regional) and Durban Girls’ College (Durban Central Regional); The Wykeham Collegiate (Pietermaritzburg North Regional) and Suid Natal Hoërskool (Sisonke and uGu Regional).

The eighth tournament heads to Wartburg Kirchdorf School on Saturday 13 May for the uMvoti and oThukela Regional. The penultimate challenge gets rolling at Epworth School on Sunday 14 May for the Pietermaritzburg Central Regional. And the final fixture, Grantleigh College rounds off the 2023 Challenge with teams from around Richards Bay and Empangeni partaking in the Northern KZN Coastal Regional on Saturday 20 May.

For more info like the tournaments’ Facebook page (SparSchoolGirlsHockeyTournament) or follow on Instagram (sparkznhockey).

All games will be livestreamed on SuperSport Schools website or their mobile app. 

ENDS

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge Pietermaritzburg North Regional Results

In a momentous victory, The Wykeham Collegiate toppled host school, St Anne’s College in the Pietermaritzburg North Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge that took place on Saturday 22 April.

As soon as play got underway in the regional final, Wykeham pushed up into Saint’s circle, with the visitor’s first attempt at goal coming just 49 seconds into the match with a flashy reverse stick shot fired wide. An intrepid Wykeham team mounted on the pressure as they sent wave after wave of assaults, earning themselves a second chance two minutes into play, with a reverse stick tomahawk lifting off and flying right over the cross bar. 

Nearing three minutes into the game, Saints got possession of the ball and launched their first run down into Wykeham territory, but a synchronized defense calmly snuffed out the home teams’ effort, sending the ball back up to their forwards who led a bold counter-attack. The Wykeham Collegiate’s front line got into some space entering the circle and managed to send off a low rocket, their first threatening shot that Imi Somhlahlo, the brave keeper from St Anne’s comfortably defended. 

A burst from St Anne’s found a hole in the Wykeham defense just after 19 minutes into the final, presenting a rare opportunity with a one on one chance. Steaming for the first time into the TWC circle, the charge forward got sidetracked by nifty tackle, with the defender hitting the gas and motoring away with a sharp u-turn dousing the defending champs first possibility. 

Midway through the final, Wykeham were awarded the first short corner, an eager defender from St Anne’s was blown for an early break leaving only three players and Somhlahlo for the retake. The second short corner was sent to the castle with the striker wasting no time and fiercely knocking in her shot, but agonizingly the ball hurtled past the left post and out, resulting in a 16 and a breather for Saints. 

With time waning, Wykeham won their third short corner. The ball was ejected to the castle, trapped and then flicked goalwards. Somhlahlo reacted with cat-like reflexes putting her right paw out and evaded letting the ball beyond her and into her goals. Play ensued with the umpire halting the messy action, signaling for Wykeham’s fourth short corner. In similar fashion the ball was sent to the castle, and flicked but Saints’ first wave stormed towards the impending shooter and shielded the strike, quickly sending the play up to her forwards. 

Continuing their phenomenal form, Wykeham closed down any opportunity Saints had, not giving them any room to settle or find their feet, constantly barraging them and dominating possession. With less than three minutes on the scoreboard, the visitors flew down the right, with a magical break, running into the circle and letting rip of a swift missile that whizzed across the goal mouth. 

Thirty seconds later, back on the hunt, Wykeham’s Emily Wilson and Amy Macaskill had an awesome breakaway run. With only one defender to beat, Wilson drew them to her as she curved right and then timed her pass to Macaskill perfectly. Now in mid-circle, Macaskill with only Somhlahlo to beat balanced herself and slapped the ball right, just out of reach from the hard working Somhlahlo, netting their regional winning goal. 

The scoreline remained on 1 nil, with Wykeham being the deserved winners after a fantastic display of skills throughout the 25 minutes in the final. Earlier that day in the round robin stages, Saints were victorious in all of their games, including the dress rehearsal for the main game, beating Wykeham 2-1. But the locals ran out of steam, with the visitors digging deep wanting the win more. 

This is the second time that The Wykeham Collegiate have lifted the trophy since the tournament’s inception in 2011. The first time they were crowned champions was in 2012, and this win dethrones St Anne’s after dominating this area after a nine year winning streak, and a win in the inaugural year. 

Recognised for his efforts with the whistle, Nkanyiso Masinga from St Anne’s College was announced as the Umpire of the Day. 

The Wykeham Collegiate is the fifth team to earn a spot at the Grand Finals this year, they join Danville Park Girls’ High School (DBN North Regional), St Mary’s DSG (Highway Regional), Kuswag Hoërskool (Durban South Regional) and Durban Girls’ College (Durban Central Regional) at the concluding tournament that will take place at St Mary’s DSG in Kloof on 22 and 23 July.

The tournament moved down to Creston College the next day (Sunday 23 April) for the Sisonke and uGu Regional. Then a week’s break before travelling up to Newcastle for the Northern KZN Regional hosted by St Dominic’s School on Saturday 6 May.

For more info like the tournaments’ Facebook page (SparSchoolGirlsHockeyTournament) or follow on Instagram (sparkznhockey).

All games will be livestreamed on the SuperSport Schools app or on their website. 

Round Robin Results

1 St Anne’s College 20pts; 2 The Wykeham Collegiate 16pts; 3 Howick High School 8pts; 4 Treverton College 8pts; 5 Voortrekker High School 4pts; 6 Grace College 0pts

Regional Final

St Anne’s College 0 vs The Wykeham Collegiate 1

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SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge Durban South Regional 15 April Results

Kuswag Hoërskool defended their title in a gutsy display where they met a determined Kingsway High School team in the final of the Durban South Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge that took place at 3 Schools Trust on Saturday 15 April. 

It took the hosts, Kuswag, a few minutes to settle into their stride in an action packed Toti derby. Kingsway got off to a cracker of a start pushing play up to Kuswag’s defence almost immediately after the whistle but were unable to find their players to finish off their attacks with Kuswag’s players marking well at the back. 

After 4 minutes of play, Kuswag had a glimmer of hope as they broke into the Kingsway circle, but it didn’t last long as the Kingsway defence turned play around quickly, fizzling out Kuswag’s first real attempt.

With their momentum building, Kuswag managed to turn possession in their favour, with more threatening runs down into Kingsway’s territory but the last line of Kingsway’s defence stood firm through every surge, not allowing the ball into their box. Kuswag earned two short corners in quick succession mid-way through the final but both golden opportunities sputtered allowing Kingsway time to compose themselves and continue persevering at the other end. 

Kingsway in turn found space as they stretched their legs with beautiful runs up the side lines but were just missing the magical conclusion as they got nearer the Kuswag goal line.

The final whistle blasted with both teams been unable to net any chances during the twenty minutes. The game progressed to a penalty shoot out with three players from each team stepping up to the spot with the objective of outsmarting the oppositions goalie. 

Kuswag got the ball rolling, with captain Maya Pretorius setting off first charging in and firing off her attempt that was confidently blocked by Kingsway’s Ayanda Mpila. Siphokazi Ndutshungu was first to go for Kingsway, in her attempt she also entered the circle and sent the ball goalwards but the shot was skilfully stopped and ushered away by Kuswag’s Diante Cremer’s outstretched stick. 

In the second round, Shyloh van Zyl met the boisterous advances of Mpila as she ran the ball into the circle for Kuswag but didn’t get far as the fearless keeper snubbed out her effort as soon as she got into the D. Kingsway’s second round was taken by a focused Keiyona Achary who speedily fired off her shot that agonisingly shaved past the right upright. 

An assertive Kingsway’s Mpila again bolted out of goals at the start of the third round, hindering Kuswag’s Zahnre de Beer’s attack and not allowing play to advance beyond the top of the D. Lauren Schoeman stepped up for Kingsway’s third penalty shot and similar to Achary, rolled the ball into the circle and sent the ball flying, with the same result as Achary as the ball blasted right of goal. 

The regional final moved to sudden death, Achary bravely went first and opted to change up her strategy, running play to the left as she drew Cremer off her line. With time dwindling fast, Achary now alongside the baseline, snuck the ball past Cremer. With centimeters to go before the ball crossed over the goal line, the dreaded 8 second whistle blew ending Kingsway glimmer of the all-important goal. 

Captain courageous was first to go for her team, savvy to Mpila’s enthusiasm a calm Pretorius rounded the keepers advances and continued running the ball firmly into the back of Kingsway box, clinching the game and the final in spectacular fashion. 

At the conclusion of the round robin games, both Kuswag and Kingsway were neck and neck, ending level on 14 points each. In their five games, both teams drew two and won three, with their round robin game concluding in a nil nil draw. Kuswag took pole position having scored eight goals to Kingsway’s seven in their five games. 

Two umpires were acknowledged for their hard work with the whistle, Chris Clark from Kingsway earned the title of Umpire of the Day award while New Forest High Schools Nonhlanhla Shezi was recognised as the Most Promising Umpire at the challenge.

Kuswag joins two other teams who have already secured their berth at the Grand Finals that will take place on the weekend of the 22 and 23 July at St Mary’s DSG. Danville Park Girls High School (Durban North Regional) and St Mary’s DSG (Highway Regional) were the first two teams to earn their spot out of the ten regions in this challenge. 

All games will be livestreamed on the SuperSport Schools’ mobile app or website. 

For more info like the tournaments’ Facebook page (SparSchoolGirlsHockeyTournament) or follow on Instagram (sparkznhockey)

Round Robin Results

1 Kuswag Hoërskool 14pts; 2 Kingsway High School 14pts; 3 Amanzimtoti High School 10pts; 4 New Forest High School 7pts; 5 Werda School 5pts; 6 Queensburgh Girls’ High School 0pts

Regional Final Result

Kuswag Hoërskool 0 (1) vs Kingsway High School 0 (0)

ENDS

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge Sisonke and Ugu Regional Creston College: Sunday 23 April

Passing halfway in the ten regional KZN contest, the sixth tournament of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge gets underway at Creston College which hosts schools for the Sisonke and Ugu Regional on Sunday 23 April.

Ten schools will be participating in this regional, with host school Creston leading five teams in Pool A. Joining them are St Patrick’s College, Scottburgh High School, King Edward High School and Kokstad High School. In Pool B Southcity Christian School takes on Port Shepstone High School, Ixopo High School, Suid Natal Hoërskool and Bergview College. 

Exciting news for this Southern KZN regional is that the teams will be stepping onto the recently installed astro turf at Creston College. Since the inception of the tournament in 2011, the growth of schoolgirls’ hockey has boomed in all the regions of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge. With the unveiling of Creston College’s new turf, this means that all ten regions in the Challenge now have access to an astro, giving them all opportunities to play a faster and more accurate game, in line with international standards.

Games get underway at 8am where Creston will take on defending champs, King Edward High School. Scores will be calculated with the winning team notching up 4 points, a draw with equal goals netting 2 points, a goalless draw only 1 point and a loss zero points. 

Once the pool games are completed, the competitive cross pool playoffs will reveal the placings in this region. The gold silver game concludes a fun filled hockey day at just before 3pm. 

The Sisonke and Ugu Regional has had three winners since the tournament’s inception in 2011. Creston College has raised the trophy twice in 2021 and 2013, while Kokstad College has represented the region three times in 2011, 2014 and 2019 and the defending champs, King Edward College has won the tournament five times in the years 2015 – 2018 and 2022. 

Five teams would have confirmed their spots at the Grand Finals that will be taking place at St Mary’s DSG in Kloof on 22 and 23 July. The winner of the Southern KZN Regional will meet Danville Park Girls’ High School (DBN North Regional Winner), St Mary’s DSG (Highway Regional Winner), the Durban South Regional winner, the Durban Central Regional Winner, and the victorious team from the PMB North Regional that takes place the day before the Creston Clash. 

All games will be livestreamed on the SuperSport Schools’ mobile app or website. 

For more info like the tournaments’ Facebook page (SparSchoolGirlsHockeyTournament) or follow on Instagram (sparkznhockey)

-ends

heart Market Saturday, 6 May Sugar Rush Park , Ballito, North Coast

The start of autumn, means milder weather and balmier days in KZN and great reasons to shop for winter as the I heart Market, warms up for its next market that will take place on Saturday 6 May at Sugar Rush Park in Ballito from 08:30 to 14:00.

The traders have been spending time stocking up for the autumnal and winter months to offer an array of artisanal wares made with care and love for their crafts. Shoppers can once again expect a variety of exceptional crafted goods from leather and décor, ceramics, visual arts, home décor, kiddies and adult clothing including a delicious rage of sauces and condiments, cured meats and cheeses, as well as mouth-watering eat-in options at the market.

Oraaba Gals

Since moving to the popular venue in Ballito in December last year, the I heart Market has enjoyed increasing popularity, and has been a welcome addition to the Sugar Rush Park according to Kim Perry - Operations Manager of the Park. “The Market has certainly added a dynamic and robust shopping experience to the Park, which is geared up to provide a fantastic outing for all. Together with our exciting adventure experiences, kiddies fun offerings and restaurant – the I heart Market really provides a once a month family event to look forward to on the North Coast away from the hustle and bustle of a mall.”

Polka Dot Coco

The Market is situated at Sugar Rush, next to Collisheen Estate in Ballito. There is restaurant at the venue, a kids’ play area, mini-train, a reptile park, Jump Park, the Tree Trails obstacle course, and a Park Run every Saturday morning. 

Savage Jewellery

For more information, or to enquire about possible trading contact info@iheartmkt.com 

 -ends

JOMBA! celebrates historic new partnership with The Market Theatre in Johannesburg

In 2023, the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Centre for Creative Art’s JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience reaches its 25th anniversary year and as part of celebrating this longevity as South Africa’s longest-running dance festival has formed a partnership with the Market Theatre to collaborate in sharing, a smaller and carefully curated “JOMBA! @ THE MARKET” following the Durban festival which takes place from 29 August - 10 September 2023.

Mamela Nyamza, who has been named the JOMBA! 2023 Legacy Artist

Selected local and international dance companies will travel onto Johannesburg and the Market Theatre and will feature in a week-long celebration of some of the world’s most profound and provoking dance makers and dance companies. Gauteng and Market Theatre audiences will have an opportunity to revel in the performance excellence of this carefully curated contemporary dance platform between 12 – 17 September 2023. The 2023 JOMBA! festival curatorial theme (or provocation) is “(in)tangible heritages” and of special interest will be new work by Mamela Nyamza, who has been named the JOMBA! 2023 Legacy Artist.

JOMBA! curator, Dr Lliane Loots says, “Nyamza’s cutting edge and deeply interrogated dance work spans over two decades of dance making in South Africa and internationally, and as JOMBA! hits its iconic 25th year, we can think of no better artist to celebrate as our JOMBA! Legacy Artist. We celebrate Mamela for her vision and practice, and for significantly contributing to our country's rich critical contemporary dance history and legacy”. 

Alongside a fascinating special bouquet of dance work on offer, “JOMBA! @ THE MARKET” will also be offering a series of workshops and masterclasses that will be offered to support dance skills development and training, and will include a special focus on workshops/masterclasses for lighting dance. 

For more information about JOMBA! go to https://jomba.ukzn.ac.za/

-ends

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge Durban Centrals Sunday 16 April

A full day of hockey gets underway at the Durban Central Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge at 3 Schools’ Trust Astro on Sunday 16 April.

Durban Girls’ High School will host the regional that features seven schools, including the hosts. The programme tips off at 8am, with 21 action packed games expected in a round robin format. Games will last 18 minutes one way, with a win netting the victorious team 4 points, a draw with goals ups their scorecard by 2 points, a goalless draw increases their tally by 1 point and a loss registering zero points. 

Eye firmly on the ball, Durban Girls’ College players Georgina Stephenson and Jenna Reardon are eager to participate in the upcoming Durban Central Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge that Durban Girls’ High School will be hosting at 3 Schools Trust Astro on Sunday 16 April.

This region has been dominated by one school, Durban Girls’ College, which is the only team in the ten regions and in the history of the tournament to have a 100% regional winning streak. Not only is College the defending regional champions, but they also hoisted the trophy at the Grand Finals last year. They will come up against tough competition in this regional where they will face host Durban Girls’ High School.

In the quest for the title, joining the two Durban Girls’ teams are Inanda Seminary School; INK Schools; Maris Stella College; Port Natal School and St Henry’s Marist College. 

The winner of the Durban Central Regional will join Danville Park Girls’ High School (DBN North Regional), St Mary’s DSG (Highway Regional) and the winner of the Durban South Regional that is being played the day before the Durban Central Regional, at the Grand Finals that will take place at St Mary’s DSG in Kloof on the 22nd and 23rd of July.

For more info like the tournaments’ Facebook page (SparSchoolGirlsHockeyTournament) or follow on Instagram (sparkznhockey)

 ENDS

A Night To Remember with Renowned Wilderness Guide, Author and Coach, Sicelo Mbatha

Green Corridors will begin  eThekwini Enviro Week with a Pop Up Camp and Campfire Stories hosted by Matata Adventures and renowned wilderness guide, author and coach, Sicelo Mbatha on Saturday 18 March.

This is a rare evening of campfire stories and experiences from the wilderness at Matata Adventures, a Green Corridors Wild Camping area in the Valley of 1000 Hills, managed by Mlu Mthembu, a highly experienced Durban-based nature guide.

Mlu Mthembu - nature guide and manager of Matata Adventures

Sicelo Mbatha has devoted his life to fostering deep connections between humans and nature, he grew up alongside the Hluhluwe/Imfolozi nature reserve, and nature has always been his medicine, his teacher and his spiritual home. His teachings and wisdom are world-renowned and this is an evening not to be missed.

Sicelo Mbatha

“I invite you to connect with the indigenous wisdom of my people and find your soul through the spirit of our collective humanness, or ubuntu. I am the black lion who helps people discover the wild animal within. I am the black lion who roars for peace and harmony on the great mother earth. I am the black lion, alive in the wilderness,” says Mbatha.

Matata is about a 45-minute drive from Durban and perched at the top of a beautiful mountain waterfall, overlooking some of Durban’s most wild areas. All catering (except alcoholic drinks) guides, tents and camping equipment will be provided. Max 8 participants. Fee is R1200 per person

The experience includes a Pick up by Green Corridors, at Durban’s Green Hub (near Blue Lagoon) at 13h00 OR meet and drive to Matata Adventures in convoy with guides. Depart Sunday after breakfast and a morning guided hike through the forest to experience the breath-taking views over Durban from Inanda Mountain.

To book contact reservations@durbangreencorridor.co.za or frontdesk@greencorridors.africa

 -ends

Danville Park Girls High scoops regional trophy of SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge

Top honours went to Danville Park Girls’ High School in the Durban North Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge after their tightly fought duel against host school, Our Lady of Fatima at the Riverside Hockey Club on Saturday 11 March.

Up until the final whistle, spectators were kept on the edge of their seats, as the game shot from one end of the field to the other. Defending champs, Fatima fought valiantly up until the last second, throwing all of the arsenal into the all-important equaliser but Danville didn’t allow them any room or opportunity, courageously clinching onto their 1 nil lead. 

Fatima ignited their final with a first minute charge up to the Danville circle but were unable to capitalise on their early break. The hosts dominated the first quarter of the game, with a variety of attacks being thwarted by a steadfast and solid Danville defense. 

After five minutes of play, Danville’s first run up to the Fatima goal ended with a determined shot being comfortably blocked. Four minutes later, Danville earned two back to back short corners that Fatima fearlessly prevented, retaliating with a good charge up into the Danville half. 

With the countdown ticking down, and less than 8 minutes of play remaining, captain for Danville, Anqobile Nkayi was rewarded with a free hit after her solid run two thirds of the way down the right-hand side of the pitch. She swiftly got play under way, passing the ball quickly to team mate, Savanah Ferreira who managed to hot foot it into the circle around two hard working Fatima defenders. Finding herself with a bit of space, and being on the wrong foot, she niftily tapped the ball in, sneaking it beyond the right outstretched pad of the Fatima keeper.

Fatima’s flair-filled day fizzled out after they tried everything to level the score, searching over heads, quick fire passes or solid searching knocks frustratingly went amiss as a calm Danville backline sent play back up to midway, only for Fatima to try again. 

Talking after the game, Nkayi enthused, “We had such fun today. We set the tone in our first game with a 5 nil win and that flowed through the rest of our tournament. Even after our one bad game, our team were unruffled. We didn’t concede a goal throughout the day and I am delighted with our performance.”

Leading up to the regional final, both teams had good runs in their pool games. In Fatima’s four games, they won three and drew against Ashton International College, while Danville were victorious in all of their games. Both teams didn’t allow any goals in in their build up to the regional final, with only the tournament winning goal slipping past Fatima.

Coaching the Danville team for the second year, an extremely happy Matthew Smith said, “The final was a composed and simple game, I think it was the best game of the tournament for the girls. They played magnificently and deserved that win.”

No stranger to the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge, Ashton International College’s Gareth Bishop was presented with the Umpire of the Day award for the third time. 

This is the fourth time that Danville have hoisted the regional trophy in the 13 years since the tournament was launched. They are the first team to earn their spot at the 2023 Grand Finals that will be taking place in July at St Mary’s DSG in Kloof. 

For more info like the Facebook page or follow the tournament on Instagram. 

Results

1 Danville Park Girls’ High School, 2 Our Lady of Fatima

Pool Game Results

Pool A

1 Danville Park Girls’ High School 16 points, 2 Reddam uMhlanga 6 points , 3 Crawford La Lucia 6 points , 4 Curro Salt Rock 6 points, 5 Durban North College 0 points

Pool B

1 Our Lady of Fatima 13 points, 2 Ashton International College 13 points 3 Northlands Girls’ High School 5 points, 4 Reddam Ballito 2 points, Crawford North Coast 1 point

ENDS

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge - Highway Regional Sunday 12 March

In the second tournament of the 2023 SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge, Thomas More College host the Highway Regional on Sunday 12 March.

Seven teams will be going head to head in this highly competitive regional, with the day’s feisty action following a round robin format. In a familiar scheduling, the quick-fire games will last 20 minutes with play running only one way.

St Mary’s DSG, Kloof first hockey team captain Kelly Jansens ter laeck  (left) and vice-captain Zakira Jamaloodeen (right) look forward to their team defending its title in the Highway Regional of the 2023 SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge at Thomas More College on Sunday 12 March. Photo Val Adamson

The tech desk will be awarding four points to the victorious team, if there is a draw but both teams managed to find the back of the net, they will earn themselves 2 points each. If the result was a goalless draw, both teams will notch up a single point. An unsuccessful team will register zero points on their scorecard for their loss.

Taking to the turf on the day are Curro Hillcrest, Gelofte High School, Hillcrest High School, Kloof High School, St Mary’s DSG, hosts Thomas More with Westville Girls’ High School.

In the thirteen years since the tournament’s inception, St Mary’s DSG have dominated the region claiming all but one victory in the Highway area. One-time winners Westville Girls’ High School will be eager to release Saints firm grip on this region.

There is a five week break until another two back to back weekends of fabulous hockey expected in April, with the first fixture in April seeing schools from around Durban South taking to the field at 3 Schools’ Trust Astro which will be hosted by Kuswag Hoërskool.

All the games from all the regionals will be livestreamed on the SuperSport Schools’ Mobile App or their website.

For more info, like the tournament’s Facebook page or follow on their Instagram account.

 ENDS

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge Durban North Regional - Saturday 11 March

An early start, Northlands Girls’ High School will meet Ashton International College in the first game of the 2023 SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge as they take each other on in the Durban North Regional hosted by Our Lady of Fatima at Riverside Hockey Club on Saturday 11 March.

The first of 21 games tips off just after 7am with ten local teams heading to Riverside to participate in one of the most tightly fought regionals in this challenge. The tournament will have the ten teams split up into two pools. Pool A has Danville Park Girls’ High School joined by Curro Salt Rock, Crawford La Lucia, Durban North College and Reddam House uMhlanga and Pool B is led by hosts Fatima, with Ashton International College, Northlands Girls’ High, Crawford North Coast and Reddam Ballito.

Our Lady of Fatima first team hockey Captain Mia Liebenberg (left) and Vice-Captain Courtney Veenstra (right) are keen to get the balling rolling as the school will host the first regional of the 2023 SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge at Riverside Hockey Club on Saturday 11 March.

All the games will last 20 minutes with play only running one way. A win earns the successful team 4 points, a draw with goals sees both teams notch up 2 points, a goalless draw only a single point for both teams and finally, a loss registering zero points for the unsuccessful team.

Four teams have raised the Durban North Regional trophy, with hosts Fatima featuring the most at the Grand Finals, with their name engraved four times on the trophy. They are also the defending champs in this year’s regional. Danville Park Girls’ High has made three appearances at the conclusion to the ten regional tournament. Ashton International College dominated this region in the early days, and every year is a livewire of a threat on the turf, and most recently, Crawford La Lucia wowed fans with their fantastic flair.

In a weekend filled with exciting hockey action, the following day (12 March) the challenge heads to Thomas More College for the highly competitive Highway Regional.

All action will be streamed live on either the SuperSport Schools’ Mobile App or their website.

For more info like the tournament’s Facebook page or follow their Instagram account.

 ENDS

SPAR Women's Challenge Back with a Bang

Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa: The SPAR Women’s Challenge series is back with a bang and changes to the rules and prizes in the associated SPAR Grand Prix offer local runners massive new financial incentives.

For the first time since 2019, the SPAR Women’s Challenge races will be open to thousands of women in each of the six cities nationwide.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, no races were run in 2020. In 2021, SPAR came to the rescue of the elite runners by hosting six races in a limited format. This was done in accordance with Covid-19 protocols giving the top runners an opportunity to compete and to earn money. 

Social runners were able to take part in a SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge, running on their own and sharing their experiences online.

In 2022, the six races were spread out over six months, but numbers remained limited, with social runners once again taking part in a Virtual Challenge. 

The 2023 SPAR Women’s Challenge will return to its original format and will again be open to thousands of women runners and walkers of all ages and abilities. The popular 5km Fun Run is back and will be staged alongside the classic SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge, which incorporates the prestigious SPAR Grand Prix.

Former SPAR Grand Prix winner, Kesa Molotsane, is thrilled that the races are once again open to all.  “The SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge was a brilliant idea, but there is nothing quite like a real SPAR Women’s Challenge event,’ she said. ‘It’s so exciting to encounter the different cultures and personalities at these races.  We were very grateful to SPAR that we were able to compete during the pandemic, but I think we all missed the festive atmosphere that always surrounds the SPAR Women’s Challenges.”

Kesa added, “I am looking forward to seeing new, exciting talent that always emerges every year. There may have been runners who couldn’t run in the restricted races but now have the chance to show what they can do.”

SPAR Group’s National Sponsorship and Events Manager, Charlene Subbarayan, is also delighted that the SPAR Women’s Challenges will once again involve thousands of women. “SPAR is all about promoting healthy living and good health means a healthy lifestyle so what better way, than to get everyone out in the open air, training for the SPAR Women’s Challenge series. The SPAR Women’s Challenge offers us a way of thanking our customers by providing them with a day of fun and entertainment, with plenty of spot prizes at all the races,” she said. 

“We are so happy that we can once again welcome thousands of women of all ages to our 10km races and 5km Fun Runs. Our target national entry is 70 000 women in 2023,” added Subbarayan.    

The President of Athletics South Africa (ASA), James Moloi, said the SPAR Women’s Challenge series is an important part of the South African athletics calendar. “Many women get a taste for running after training to take part in these unique women-only races. The SPAR Grand Prix races also offer the elite runners an opportunity to test themselves and the presence of international athletes, who are drawn to the race by the lucrative prize money. This has spurred our domestic runners to improve their times,” he said.    

In the SPAR Grand Prix, there are several exciting developments. In recent years, the dominance of athletes from Ethiopia and Namibia has made it difficult for the South Africans to earn the top prizes. This year, local athletes will win prizes in addition to the overall prize pool. In the 6 races, the first 2 South Africans across the finish line will win R10 000 and R5 000 respectively. They are eligible to collect the overall prizes as well, starting at R30 000 for a win, R25 000 for second place and R21 000 for third.

The prize pool for the overall SPAR Grand Prix has been similarly structured. The winner will receive R200 000, second place R100 000 and the prizes go down to tenth place. This year there will also be a separate ‘competition within a competition’ for South African athletes, with the 5 top local runners taking home a total of R185 000 in addition to the money they win in the overall SPAR Grand Prix. First place will score a handsome R75 000.

The total prize purse across the SPAR Grand Prix is now R1.9 million, 14% up on 2022.

Another important change comes in the number of races to count for the final points table. In previous years, the total points scored by an athlete over the 6 races counted. This, however, placed runners who had to miss 1 or 2 races because of international commitments or injury at a disadvantage. This year, a runner’s four best performances in the SPAR Grand Prix races will count for points. This means that a runner can miss two races and still be competitive.

The SPAR Women’s Challenge series incorporating the SPAR Grand Prix 10km races will be held in Cape Town, Gqeberha, Durban, Mbombela, Tshwane and Johannesburg.

Ends.

2023 SPAR GRAND PRIX CALENDAR

Cape Town – Sunday, 23 April 2023 – Green Point Common

Gqeberha – Saturday, 27 May 2023 – Pollok Beach, Summerstrand

Durban – Sunday, 25 June 2023 – Kings Park Stadium

Mbombela – Saturday, 15 July 2023 – Mbombela Stadium

Tshwane – Saturday, 5 August 2023 – SuperSport Park

Joburg – Sunday, 1 October 2023 – Marks Park Sporting Club

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge 2023 Dates Announced

Having a ball. Dates for the 2023 SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge have been drawn up with the tournament travelling to ten regions in KZN beginning in the first week in March.

The tournament that began in 2011 has fast become a highlight fixture in the schoolgirls’ hockey calendar. Close to 75 high school girls’ first teams will be taking to the various hockey fields around KZN in the tournament’s 13th year. 

Launching the 2023 SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge that tips off next month (March) are Nozipho Mkhize (SPAR KZN’s Advertising & Sponsorship Manager) and Les Galloway (Director of SchoolGirl Sport and Tournament Director). Pic by Val Adamson

The ten regionals will take place over three months early in the year, with a two-month break before the highly contested Grand Finals that will take place at St Mary’s DSG on the weekend of 22 and 23 July. The ten crowned 2023 regional champions will head to Kloof to duel it out on the astro for the highly coveted winning title of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge. The trophy has only three names engraved on it over the ten years that it has been played. They are Durban Girls’ College - Durban Central Regional Winner -2013, 2014, 2015, 2022; St Anne’s College – Pietermaritzburg North Regional Winner – 2011 and St Mary’s D.S.G. – Highway Regional Winner - 2012, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019. 

Building momentum to the Grand Finals, the first regional tournament tips off with defending champions in the Durban North Regional, Our Lady of Fatima welcoming teams on Saturday 11 March at their ‘home turf’, the Riverside Sports Club. Thomas More College hosts the fierce and fiery Highway Regional on Sunday 12 March at their grounds. 

Kuswag Hoërskool opens up the April diary with the Durban South Regional that they will host at the 3 Schools Trust Astro in Glenwood on Saturday 15 April. The following day – Sunday 16 April - Durban Girls’ High School welcomes teams from the Durban Central Regional back to their home ground at the 3 Schools Trust Astro. Heading up the road, teams around Hilton will converge at St Anne’s College for the Pietermaritzburg North Regional on Saturday 22 April. And in the final back-to-back weekend in 2023, the challenge heads down the South Coast to Creston College for the Sisonke and Ugu Regional on Sunday 23 April. 

On Saturday 6 May, St Dominic’s School will see teams from around Newcastle and surrounds taking to their astro for the KZN Northern Regional. The tournament heads inland to Wartburg Kirchdorf School on Saturday 13 May for the uMvoti and oThukela Regional. For the penultimate regional Epworth School hosts the Pietermaritzburg Central Regional on Sunday 14 May. And in its familiar spot, Grantleigh College in Empangeni rounds off the 2023 Challenge with teams partaking in the Northern KZN Coastal Regional on Saturday 20 May. 

For spectators that are unable to get to the side of the pitch, the ten regionals and the Grand Finals will be live streamed by SuperSport Schools on their mobile app or website.

For more info on the tournaments, like the Facebook page, or follow on Instagram. 

ENDS

Online Film Facilitation Course Highlights the Power of Film to Drive Change

“Change is possible. And a well-crafted film with a powerful message shown to a relevant audience can be a catalyst for positive change in society.” This is the big take-out from alumni of the inaugural online Film Impact Screening Facilitation Course offered by Cape Town-based media organisation Sunshine Cinema and the UCT Centre for Film and Media Studies in 2022.

Its success, along with the growing need for societal shifts, has resulted in the course becoming an annual feature on the film and social justice landscape.  The 2023 online course will run from June 1 to December 8, 2023. It will equip participants with the skills and knowledge needed to use film as a tool to initiate meaningful discussions and have a positive impact on societal issues.

Sihle Hlophe

South African Sihle Hlophe, graduate of the course who is Executive Producer at Passion Seed Communications, a film-driven social enterprise said, “The course…affirmed what I have always believed – that film is an effective tool for social change. I am inspired by the filmmakers who are using their films to create paradigm shifts, influence changes in policy, hold people in power accountable, and change the lives of their documentary subjects. Through the course, I had the privilege of meeting some of these filmmakers such as Rehad Desai, Anita Khanna, and Emily Wanja.”

Hlophe hopes that her recent award-winning film “Lobola, A Bride's True Price?" will bear the fruits of the course having secured five impact screenings around the country with Sunshine Cinema: “The impact campaign of “Lobola”  is aimed at empowering women with important information about their marital rights, men too. This course has helped tremendously in developing a strategy for this.” 

Le Roux Schoeman,

Le Roux Schoeman, a video journalist and editor working for the faith-based NGO Kerkbode, and an alumnus of the course said that he had “very little understanding of how content "lands" in real life ... in the communities where it was shot, for instance. So the course concept (How to facilitate screenings) appealed to me as a natural extension of working with video on social impact and human interest stories.”

Debbie Walters

Another alumni  New York-based producer Debbie Walters said “A powerful takeaway for me was that change is brought about by ordinary people every day. When we look at change as a process rather than an event and position ourselves as part of the solution rather than just restating the problem, there is great power in what we can do even as one person.  When it comes to the change I'd like to inspire within the film production community itself., I'm looking forward to sparking conversation about what is happening within my own community by creating safe spaces to encourage dialogue.”

Denis Onyodi

Ugandan creative Denis Onyodi, whose vision is to impact his “world through creative and relevant visual content” did the course in 2022 and said that the overall take-out for him was that he got an understanding of the impact eco-system and how he could have a lot of control over this to achieve the greatest impact for his work.

A highlight for Denis was “meeting like-minded professionals from Kenya, South Africa, and South America and being able to discuss areas of shared interests.”

Joan Njeri

Kenyan producer, Joan Njeri said, “Figuring out how to do an impact campaign and the practical side was really interesting for me. Anyone who has a goal to work in a community should do this course.”

“The course is open to anyone wanting to learn more about how to use film as a means to make change,” explains Sydelle Willow Smith Sunshine Cinema co-founder, and lecturer. “These could be locally-based issues for example service delivery or gangsterism, or bigger global issues such as climate change, and food security. But what is vital is that people, once having watched a film, are able to have robust and open discussions with a facilitator, with the aim to help or galvanize a community into positive action.”

Well-known story-tellers, film producers and directors, activists, writers, community leaders and university lecturers who have used their skills to effectively make change will be lecturing the course.

Participants will learn the methods and processes for hosting impactful screenings and will leave with a toolkit and a network of peers and mentors to support their future efforts.

There is a fee for the course, but several scholarships are available to participants who merit the opportunity. 

Applications must be in by 31 March 2023.

For more information or to enroll visit 

https://sunshinecinema.org/2023-uct-impact-course-application/