18th JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience 24 August to 4 September 2016

MEDIA RELEASE

18th JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience

The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Centre for Creative Arts, presents its 18th annual JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience, at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre, Pieter Scholtz Open Air Theatre and KZNSA Gallery from 24 August  to 4 September.

This year’s JOMBA! is an international and national delight for dance and theatre lovers with dancers, dance companies and choreographers making their way to Durban from all corners of the globe for 12 full days of some of the world’s best dance theatre work that promises to provoke, entertain, delight, challenge and leave audiences breathless with the sheer joy of dance in all its various contemporary manifestations. This year’s festival hosts dancers and dance companies from Switzerland, Austria, India, Madagascar, Mozambique, Reunion Island, France and South Africa. 

JOMBA! opening night in partnership with the Swiss Arts Council, Pro Helvetia, features one of Europe’s hot tickets in the form of a duet created by MAMAZA; a young Swiss company that are winning awards throughout the world. They bring a tender and viscerally challenging duet that places these two ex-Forsythe dancers in a reflecting stage space that sees their lives connect and re-connect in an endless algorithm of what two people can be with visions and echoes of themselves.

France’s Company Ex Nihilo, also features on opening night, offering a site responsive dance work for the audience as they leave the theatre. Ex Nihilo, based in Marseille, create dance ‘interventions’ around a desire to regard shared public spaces as a work place, as they embrace spatial history, never excluding the passer-by and  spectator. “We are particularly proud to host dance companies like Ex Nihilo who are breaking down the traditional barriers that often exist in theatre spaces,” says Artistic Director of JOMBA!, Lliane Loots.

Honouring the long term vision of JOMBA! to shine a light on the African continent and to make artistic connection with the rest of Africa, this 2016 festival will premiere a collaboration between three exceptional Southern African female dance-makers who come together to share their vision in dance. Desiré Davids (South Africa), Gabi Saranouffi (Madagascar) and Edna Jaime (Mozambique) present a work called “Lady, Lady” that is a result of various short residences over 2015/16 where they were able to meet and work together. These artists share, explore and exchange their realities in order to give voice to various commonalities, challenges and images as they move towards a commentary on current issues facing women in the African context. Full of wit, irony and spirited dance this is sure to be a talking point of the festival. 

Continuing the festival’s connection to its continental history, Reunion Island’s Company Soul City returns to JOMBA! to present their newest work “Priyèr Si Priyèr” (fresh from a sold out tour in Germany). The company is best known for the innovative ways in which it uses the genre of Hip Hop and its confluence into contemporary dance. “Priyèr Si Priyèr” is a quest of the sacred through ritual. Based on Hip Hop’s unique energy, this dance work uses Reunion Island and its people as the source of inspirations.

Hip-Hop and the power of the urban dance Bboyz and BGirlz is further highlighted at the festival with the collaboration between Austrian choreographer Daniel Renner and Durban’s inimitable Flatfoot Dance Company. Renner comes to Durban with two of Europe’s most prolific breakdancers, Bilal Bachir (Germany) and Maarten Krielen (Holland), to join forces with Durban’s Preston ‘Kayzo’ Kyd, as they meet the fluid grace and technical prowess of Flatfoot Dance Company in a new creation. Titled “IDHRA/breath”, Renner returns to the sanctity of the “in and out breath”, the life force of all of us, and the very essence of dance, to create a mesmerising invocation to beauty.  “This is Renner’s third collaboration with Flatfoot (all have premiered at the JOMBA! festivals) and he comes to Durban not as a guest but as family as he shares his unique dance vision with us.” explains Loots.Over his 4 week residency, Renner will also spend time training and choreographing with the Flatfoot trainees to create a small new work for the JOMBA! Fringe programme. Break-dancers Bachir and Kreilen will also spend time exchanging and skills sharing with various eThekwini dance development programmes in Umlazi, Newlands, KwaMashu and Waterloo. 

Another coup of JOMBA! 2016 is the African premiere of acclaimed South African born dancer/choreographer Vincent Mantsoe’s new solo work, “KonKoriti”. Meaning “a state of being”, “KonKorti” returnsto the original solo format of Mantsoe’s award-winning and globally acclaimed style of dance making. Enthralling audiences with his vision of African contemporary dance and the meeting of Asian, African and contemporary styles, Mantsoe’s solo is a prayer to the power of self and is inspired by Mantsoe’s own physical, spiritual and emotional growth as both a dance maker and as an African. “Mantsoe performed at the very first JOMBA! festival in 1997 and it is an honour for Durban to play host to him again,” says Loots. “As part of the festival, he will also be teaching a master class while in Durban so I would advise that interested dancers book early to learn from one of our continent’s great artists!”

JOMBA! 2016 will also present a programme at the KZNSA Gallery in Bulwer Road, Glenwood on Monday, August 29. “The gallery space offers an alternate kind of challenge to dance makers and for artists who work outside of the traditions of the proscenium arch,” says Loots.  France’s Ex Nihilo continue their exploitation of everyday open space at this event with a dance performance work called “Calle Obrapia #4”. JOMBA! @ KZNSA Gallery will also host to one of India’s most controversial contemporary dance makers Preethi Athreya. Moving away from the classism and over-romaticisation of tradition, Athreya has created a solo that explores the reframing of notions of classism and beauty. Her solo, “Across, not Over” is created for, and performed by, Kathak dancer Vikram Iyengar and is, in the end, a tender and evocative meeting of two incredible dance talents and two dance styles; Baratha Natayam and Kathak. 

JOMBA! @ KZNSA Gallery is rounded off with a new work by Durban’s Lliane Loots, who partners again with spoken word maestro, Iain ewok Robinson, Durban’s Kathak expert Manesh Maharaj, filmmaker Karen Logan, and the ADD Flatfoot dancers. Loots has crated “MIGRATIONS (at the feet of Kali)” for the main gallery space. This is the second part of Loots’s newest trilogy that looks at issues of ‘home’. The work can be viewed independently or in context to the first part “HOMELAND (security)” which was performed in April 2016 by Flatfoot Dance Company. It is an ‘in situ’ physical journey into the heart of colonial and post-colonial rememberings around the movements and/or migrations of people. Using personal memory as the starting point, this work interfaces with the convergence of Indian and South African histories, and will tackle some challenging notions around issues that will no doubt stir some controversy.

New to JOMBA! this year is “KZN ON THE EDGE” a curated platform that seeks to support fresh and innovative contemporary dance work coming out of the KZN region. For this inaugural “KZN ON THE EDGE”, three innovative selections have been made. The first is a collaboration between lighting designer Michael Broderick and David Gouldie called “one man, one light”, the second is the consistent excellence of past JOMBA! Fringe work being made by Tegan Peacok and her Pietermartizburg based ReRouted Dance Company. They will premiere a new work called the “Paraphernalia of suffering”. The final performance place has been given to the newest “kids on the block”, Phakama Dance Company. Choreographer Sandile Mkhize will also premier a new work called “take me back home”. “This platform ensures that JOMBA! continues to mentor and support new and established KZN-based dance makers who are proving their mettle by consistently putting work of excellence into the public domain despite funding cuts,” says Loots.

JOMBA! hosts its Fringe on Tuesday 30 August with 10 new works of 10 to 15 minute each, and the Youth Fringe on Sunday 28 August. With over 40 entries for a coveted place in this year’s JOMBA! Fringe, the selection of only 10 works was a difficult task but means that the final selection offers a standard of dance theatre that is growing. The JOMBA! Youth Fringe takes place at the UKZN Open Air Theatre (entrance is free!) and is a celebration of over 20 KZN based youth dance groups and the incredible dance work that they are doing. 

JOMBA! also offers a full programme of workshops and master classes by all of the participating dancers and choreographers. For a full listing go to www.cca.ukzn.ac.za and go to the JOMBA! page. These workshops and classes are offered free of charge (dancers must be 16 years and older) but booking is essential.

Performances are from 24 to 27 August, and 30 August to 4 September at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre at 7.30pm, at the Pieter Scholtz Open Air Theatre is on 28 August at 2pm and the @KZNSA Gallery on 29 August at 6pm.

Tickets are R60 or R45 (scholars/students/pensioners) for the Sneddon Theatre and bookings can be done through Computicket (or at venue from one hour before). Tickets for the KZNSA Gallery are R50 (no concessions) and available at venue only – from one hour before the performance . The JOMBA! Youth Fringe at the Pieter Scholtz Open air Theatre is free.

For more information, please go to www.cca.ukzn.ac.za and join us on Facebook (JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience) and Twitter (Twitter@Jomba_dance).

The 18th JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience is under the artistic direction of Lliane Loots and is organised and hosted by the Centre for Creative Arts (University of KwaZulu-Natal), and is supported primarily by the eThekwini Municipality. 

Media Enquiries

For more Information, interviews and pictures please contact:

Sharlene Versfeld / Ayanda Mabanga

Maritzburg SPAR Women's 10/5km Race: Sunday 7 August - Road Closures and Race Route

Media Release

Pietermaritzburg: Sunday 7 August - ROAD CLOSURES AND RACE ROUTE

 

The running of the annual Maritzburg SPAR Women’s 10/5km race will be taking place in and around The Oval on Sunday 7 August.

With an expected field of 4,000 athletes that will take to the roads at 8.00am, the following roads will be affected for the duration of the race. 

Balmoral                                                                                           – closed from 04:00 – 11:00

Princess Margaret                                                                            – closed from 04:00 – 11: 00

Park Drive between Princess Margaret and Princess Elizabeth   - closed from 04:00 – 11:00

Princess Elizabeth                                                                              - closed from 04:00 – 11:00

Park Drive from College Rd to Princess Elizabeth                   - closed from 07:30 – 11:00

Alexandra Road from Cross Rd to Alan Paton Ave - closed (inbound only) from 07:30 – 10:00

Alan Paton Ave from Alexandra Rd to Burger St    - closed (inbound only) from 07:30 – 08:30

Alexandra Road will be closed in both directions from 08:00 until approximately 08:45 to accommodate the large field.

The race route is:

10km ROUTE

Start in Princess Margaret Drive outside Maritzburg College main rugby field (the full road width) 

Turn left into Alexandra Road (with the flow) 

Turn left into Alan Paton Avenue (with the flow) 

Turn left into Burger Street (with the flow)

Turn right into Peter Kerchhoff Street

Turn left into Jabu Ndlovu Street (on the left of the wall) 

Turn left into West Street (with the flow) 

Turn left into Park Drive (with the flow) 

Turn right through the Mayors garden (first gate) 

Turn right into Balmoral Drive

Turn right into Princess Margaret Drive

Turn left into Park Drive (with the flow)

Turn left into College Road (with the flow) 

Turn right into Topham Road (with the flow) 

Turn left into John Barker (with the flow) 

Turn left into Alexandra Road (with the flow) 

Turn left into Princess Margaret Drive

Turn right into Princess Elizabeth Drive

Turn left into Park Drive

Turn right into The Oval Cricket Stadium

5km Fun Run/Walk ROUTE

Start in Princess Margaret Drive outside Maritzburg College main rugby field (the full road width) 

Turn left into Alexandra Road (with the flow) 

Turn left into Alan Paton Avenue (with the flow) 

Turn left into Burger Street (with the flow) 

Turn right into Peter Kerchhoff Street

Turn left into Jabu Ndlovu Street (on the left of the wall) 

Turn left into West Street (with the flow) 

Turn left into Park Drive (with the flow) 

Turn left into The Oval Cricket Stadium

Entries can only be done now at Race Registration on Friday 5 August from 10am to 5pm and Saturday 6 August from 10am to 3pm at the Oval. 

Entries are open to all from ages of 15 going up, in both the 5km and 10km races. Entry fees are R70 for the 10km licensed athletes and for the 5km runners. R80 is the entry fee for the Non-licensed athletes; the extra R10 includes a temporary licence for the day. 

For more info contact the race organisers on maritzburg@sparwomensrace.co.za or visit the official race on www.sparwomensrace.co.za or like the Facebook page.

-ends

CHOC: The official charity of Pietermaritzburg SPAR Women's Race

CHOC: The official charity of Maritzburg SPAR Women’s Race

The Pietermaritzburg branch of CHOC, the Childhood Cancer Foundation, is once again the official race charity of the Maritzburg SPAR Women’s 10/5km which take place around Alexandra Park on Sunday, August 7.

Two rand from every entry will go to the foundation, which essentially is a support group of parents with children with cancer who support fellow parents and children with cancer.

“We rely heavily on donations and financial support from the public and other sources so we can provide free board and lodge and other invaluable services to children with cancer and their families,” says Agie Govender, Regional Manager for CHOC KZN. “We are really grateful to everyone who participates in this race for the contribution they are making to this service."

‘We are pleased to be able to support CHOC as they provide an incredible support for parents and children,” says Rob Philipson MD of SPAR KZN. “Thank you to all of you involved in providing this support."

The 10km race is open to entrants 14 years and older and the 5km to 9 years and older. 

Entries are limited to 4,000 and the 10km distance is open from age 14 and to the 5km from age 9, the age restrictions being applicable on the day of the competition. Entry fees are R90 for the 10km licensed athletes and for the 5km runners. The entry fee for the Non-licensed athletes is R100; the extra R10 includes a temporary licence for the day. 

EFT entries have now closed and only Credit Card can be taken online until Saturday 30 July. Thereafter participants can enter at the Oval on Friday 5 (10am to 5pm) and Saturday, 6 August (10am to 3pm).

For more info contact the race organisers on maritzburg@sparwomensrace.co.za or visit the official race on www.sparwomensrace.co.za or like the Facebook page.

ENDS

SPAR KZN School Girls' Hockey Wrap Up for Grand Finals

SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey

Wrap Up for Grand Finals

St Mary’s DSG: 23 & 24 July

The wet weather didn’t dampen the spirits, or the action at the Grand Finals of this year’s SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge with St Mary’s DSG taking the win in determined fashion on their home turf.

Meeting the defending champions, the host school St Mary’s took on Durban Girls’ College in the gold silver game. After thirty minutes of superb flowing play, with both teams sharing equal possession, the score was level on nil nil with the 2016 winner being decided in a penalty shoot-out. 

First to go were College, missing their 8 second penalty. Leah Piggott representing Saints was first in line for her team and didn’t manage to capitalise on College’s miss. The final four rolling penalties went Saints way, with College unable to penetrate Sarah Cromie’s solid presence in goals in their two attempts. Vice-Captain for St Mary’s DSG, Tegan Fourie put the first points up on the board, followed up by Kiana Cormack slotting in her team’s second.  The final score was 2-0 to Saints. 

The two giants of the tournament had met earlier in the pool games with Saints managing to win that game 1-0 with their feisty Vice-Captain netting the all-important goal. In their fifth appearance of the tournament, this is the second time St Mary’s DSG have won. Their first time was in 2012, also tallying up a bronze in 2011 and 2013 and a fourth place last year.

It was not to be for Durban Girls’ College. In their sixth appearance, College were hoping to make this their fourth title in a row, with gold in 2013, 2014 and 2015. The team representing the Durban Central Regional ended their pool games second behind St Mary’s, but tied on points with the hard-working team from King Edward High School. Both College and King Edward finished the pool games on 9points with College advancing to the final having scored more goals. 

In the bronze medal game, it was a Pietermaritzburg derby with St Anne’s and Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High duelling it out on the astro. In their second meeting of the tournament, St Anne’s managed to clinch the win to claim bronze. In their first meeting, captain for St Anne’s, Julia Saulez found the back of the net to put her team 1-0 up in an exciting conclusion to the Pool B games. 

After half an hour in the bronze final, the whistle went for full time with the score sitting on nil nil. Both teams first attempts didn’t manage to find the back of the net, with Girls’ High second attempt also not troubling the scorers. St Anne’s Daniella Rhodes put her team one up with her penalty shot. Levelling the scores for Girls’ High, Nandi Ngubane gave her team a chance. With the pressure on, St Anne’s Steph Wenke got shut down by goalie, Nox Manele with the score now level. 

The game moved on to sudden death with St Anne’s Captain Julia Saulez leading by example and scoring. Then vibrant keeper for St Anne’s, Megan Rebstein-Dovey rose to the occasion, not allowing the first and final shot in the sudden death to pass her, giving her team the title of bronze winners.

Rob Philipson, MD for SPAR KZN stated, “After 29 games this weekend, 160 young ladies can be extremely proud of themselves for their achievement. Each and every one of the players battled the chilly weather and did so superbly. They not only represented their school, but their region with great pride and grace. Well done ladies to your successes at this wonderful tournament.”

A new initiative this year was the inclusion of a hockey bursary by Varsity College. With the decision being extremely difficult this year, the college awarded two bursaries. The announcement was made at the prize giving, with the recipients being invited to study and play for Varsity College. The two bursary winners were Tegan Fourie from St Mary’s DSG and Courtney Slaney from Westville Girls’ High School.

At the prize-giving, Tournament Director, Les Galloway said, “Ladies, you entertained us this weekend with a display of phenomenal skill and talent on the turf. To St Mary’s DSG, well done on your win. I believe, looking at the score lines, the standard of hockey is certainly improving in our province. A team like King Edward played impressively keeping hockey playing school, College to a draw. Another outlying school, Wartburg also impressed, giving it their absolute all this year. It is a joy to see our great game of hockey winning at the end of the day!”

Results

1 St Mary’s DSG, 2 Durban Girls’ College, 3 St Anne’s College, 4 Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High, 5 Wartburg Kirchdorf School, 6 King Edward High School, 7 Ashton International College, 8 Grantleigh College, 9 Sarel Cilliers High School, 10 Amanzimtoti High School.

Scores

Pool Games

St Mary’s DSG 2 vs Grantleigh School 0

Sarel Cilliers High School 0 – King Edward High School 2

St Anne’s DSG 4 – Amanzimtoti High School 0

Wartburg Kirchdorf School 0 – Ashton International College 0

Grantleigh School 0 – Durban Girls’ College 2

St Mary’s DSG 5 – Sarel Cilliers High School 0

Amanzimtoti High School 0 – Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School 1

St Anne’s College 4 – Wartburg Kirchdorf School 0

Durban Girls’ College 0 – King Edward High School 0

Grantleigh School 0 – Sarel Cilliers High School 0

Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High 0 – Ashton International College 0

Amanzimtoti High School 0 – Wartburg Kirchdorf School 2

Sarel Cilliers High School 0 – Durban Girls’ College 5

King Edward High School 0 – St Mary’s DSG 2

Wartburg Kirchdorf School 0 – Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School 1

Ashton International College 1 – St Anne’s College 3

Durban Girls’ College 0 – St Mary’s DSG 1

King Edward High School 2 – Grantleigh School 1

Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School 0 – St Anne’s College 1

Ashton International College 0 – Amanzimtoti High School 0

Play-Offs

Grantleigh 0 – Wartburg Kirchdorf School 6

King Edward High School 1 (3) – Ashton International College 1 (2)

Durban Girls’ College 0 (3) – St Anne’s College 0 (2)

St Mary’s DSG 2 – Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School 1

Sarel Cilliers High School 2 – Amanzimtoti High School 0

Grantleigh School 0 – Ashton International College 1

Wartburg Kirchdorf School 1 – King Edward High School 0

St Anne’s DSG 0 (2) – Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School 0 (1)

Durban Girls’ College 0 (0) – St Mary’s DSG 0 (2)

ENDS

18th JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience

MEDIA RELEASE

18th JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience

The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Centre for Creative Arts, presents its 18th annual JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience, at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre, Pieter Scholtz Open Air Theatre and KZNSA Gallery from 24 August  to 4 September.

This year’s JOMBA! is an international and national delight for dance and theatre lovers with dancers, dance companies and choreographers making their way to Durban from all corners of the globe for 12 full days of some of the world’s best dance theatre work that promises to provoke, entertain, delight, challenge and leave audiences breathless with the sheer joy of dance in all its various contemporary manifestations. This year’s festival hosts dancers and dance companies from Switzerland, Austria, India, Madagascar, Mozambique, Reunion Island, France and South Africa. 

JOMBA! opening night in partnership with the Swiss Arts Council, Pro Helvetia, features one of Europe’s hot tickets in the form of a duet created by MAMAZA; a young Swiss company that are winning awards throughout the world. They bring a tender and viscerally challenging duet that places these two ex-Forsythe dancers in a reflecting stage space that sees their lives connect and re-connect in an endless algorithm of what two people can be with visions and echoes of themselves.

France’s Company Ex Nihilo, also features on opening night, offering a site responsive dance work for the audience as they leave the theatre. Ex Nihilo, based in Marseille, create dance ‘interventions’ around a desire to regard shared public spaces as a work place, as they embrace spatial history, never excluding the passer-by and  spectator. “We are particularly proud to host dance companies like Ex Nihilo who are breaking down the traditional barriers that often exist in theatre spaces,” says Artistic Director of JOMBA!, Lliane Loots.

Honouring the long term vision of JOMBA! to shine a light on the African continent and to make artistic connection with the rest of Africa, this 2016 festival will premiere a collaboration between three exceptional Southern African female dance-makers who come together to share their vision in dance. Desiré Davids (South Africa), Gabi Saranouffi (Madagascar) and Edna Jaime (Mozambique) present a work called “Lady, Lady” that is a result of various short residences over 2015/16 where they were able to meet and work together. These artists share, explore and exchange their realities in order to give voice to various commonalities, challenges and images as they move towards a commentary on current issues facing women in the African context. Full of wit, irony and spirited dance this is sure to be a talking point of the festival. 

Continuing the festival’s connection to its continental history, Reunion Island’s Company Soul City returns to JOMBA! to present their newest work “Priyèr Si Priyèr” (fresh from a sold out tour in Germany). The company is best known for the innovative ways in which it uses the genre of Hip Hop and its confluence into contemporary dance. “Priyèr Si Priyèr” is a quest of the sacred through ritual. Based on Hip Hop’s unique energy, this dance work uses Reunion Island and its people as the source of inspirations.

Hip-Hop and the power of the urban dance Bboyz and BGirlz is further highlighted at the festival with the collaboration between Austrian choreographer Daniel Renner and Durban’s inimitable Flatfoot Dance Company. Renner comes to Durban with two of Europe’s most prolific breakdancers, Bilal Bachir (Germany) and Maarten Krielen (Holland), to join forces with Durban’s Preston ‘Kayzo’ Kyd, as they meet the fluid grace and technical prowess of Flatfoot Dance Company in a new creation. Titled “IDHRA/breath”, Renner returns to the sanctity of the “in and out breath”, the life force of all of us, and the very essence of dance, to create a mesmerising invocation to beauty.  “This is Renner’s third collaboration with Flatfoot (all have premiered at the JOMBA! festivals) and he comes to Durban not as a guest but as family as he shares his unique dance vision with us.” explains Loots.Over his 4 week residency, Renner will also spend time training and choreographing with the Flatfoot trainees to create a small new work for the JOMBA! Fringe programme. Break-dancers Bachir and Kreilen will also spend time exchanging and skills sharing with various eThekwini dance development programmes in Umlazi, Newlands, KwaMashu and Waterloo. 

Another coup of JOMBA! 2016 is the African premiere of acclaimed South African born dancer/choreographer Vincent Mantsoe’s new solo work, “KonKoriti”. Meaning “a state of being”, “KonKorti” returnsto the original solo format of Mantsoe’s award-winning and globally acclaimed style of dance making. Enthralling audiences with his vision of African contemporary dance and the meeting of Asian, African and contemporary styles, Mantsoe’s solo is a prayer to the power of self and is inspired by Mantsoe’s own physical, spiritual and emotional growth as both a dance maker and as an African. “Mantsoe performed at the very first JOMBA! festival in 1997 and it is an honour for Durban to play host to him again,” says Loots. “As part of the festival, he will also be teaching a master class while in Durban so I would advise that interested dancers book early to learn from one of our continent’s great artists!”

JOMBA! 2016 will also present a programme at the KZNSA Gallery in Bulwer Road, Glenwood on Monday, August 29. “The gallery space offers an alternate kind of challenge to dance makers and for artists who work outside of the traditions of the proscenium arch,” says Loots.  France’s Ex Nihilo continue their exploitation of everyday open space at this event with a dance performance work called “Calle Obrapia #4”. JOMBA! @ KZNSA Gallery will also host to one of India’s most controversial contemporary dance makers Preethi Athreya. Moving away from the classism and over-romaticisation of tradition, Athreya has created a solo that explores the reframing of notions of classism and beauty. Her solo, “Across, not Over” is created for, and performed by, Kathak dancer Vikram Iyengar and is, in the end, a tender and evocative meeting of two incredible dance talents and two dance styles; Baratha Natayam and Kathak. 

JOMBA! @ KZNSA Gallery is rounded off with a new work by Durban’s Lliane Loots, who partners again with spoken word maestro, Iain ewok Robinson, Durban’s Kathak expert Manesh Maharaj, filmmaker Karen Logan, and the ADD Flatfoot dancers. Loots has crated “MIGRATIONS (at the feet of Kali)” for the main gallery space. This is the second part of Loots’s newest trilogy that looks at issues of ‘home’. The work can be viewed independently or in context to the first part “HOMELAND (security)” which was performed in April 2016 by Flatfoot Dance Company. It is an ‘in situ’ physical journey into the heart of colonial and post-colonial rememberings around the movements and/or migrations of people. Using personal memory as the starting point, this work interfaces with the convergence of Indian and South African histories, and will tackle some challenging notions around issues that will no doubt stir some controversy.

New to JOMBA! this year is “KZN ON THE EDGE” a curated platform that seeks to support fresh and innovative contemporary dance work coming out of the KZN region. For this inaugural “KZN ON THE EDGE”, three innovative selections have been made. The first is a collaboration between lighting designer Michael Broderick and David Gouldie called “one man, one light”, the second is the consistent excellence of past JOMBA! Fringe work being made by Tegan Peacok and her Pietermartizburg based ReRouted Dance Company. They will premiere a new work called the “Paraphernalia of suffering”. The final performance place has been given to the newest “kids on the block”, Phakama Dance Company. Choreographer Sandile Mkhize will also premier a new work called “take me back home”. “This platform ensures that JOMBA! continues to mentor and support new and established KZN-based dance makers who are proving their mettle by consistently putting work of excellence into the public domain despite funding cuts,” says Loots.

JOMBA! hosts its Fringe on Tuesday 30 August with 10 new works of 10 to 15 minute each, and the Youth Fringe on Sunday 28 August. With over 40 entries for a coveted place in this year’s JOMBA! Fringe, the selection of only 10 works was a difficult task but means that the final selection offers a standard of dance theatre that is growing. The JOMBA! Youth Fringe takes place at the UKZN Open Air Theatre (entrance is free!) and is a celebration of over 20 KZN based youth dance groups and the incredible dance work that they are doing. 

JOMBA! also offers a full programme of workshops and master classes by all of the participating dancers and choreographers. For a full listing go to www.cca.ukzn.ac.za and go to the JOMBA! page. These workshops and classes are offered free of charge (dancers must be 16 years and older) but booking is essential.

Performances are from 24 to 27 August, and 30 August to 4 September at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre at 7.30pm, at the Pieter Scholtz Open Air Theatre is on 28 August at 2pm and the @KZNSA Gallery on 29 August at 6pm.

Tickets are R60 or R45 (scholars/students/pensioners) for the Sneddon Theatre and bookings can be done through Computicket (or at venue from one hour before). Tickets for the KZNSA Gallery are R50 (no concessions) and available at venue only – from one hour before the performance . The JOMBA! Youth Fringe at the Pieter Scholtz Open air Theatre is free.

For more information, please go to www.cca.ukzn.ac.za and join us on Facebook (JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience) and Twitter (Twitter@Jomba_dance).

The 18th JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience is under the artistic direction of Lliane Loots and is organised and hosted by the Centre for Creative Arts (University of KwaZulu-Natal), and is supported primarily by the eThekwini Municipality. 

Media Enquiries

For more Information, interviews and pictures please contact:

Sharlene Versfeld / Ayanda Mabanga

What's Happening in Durban & KZN

KZN Theatre, Arts & Events Diary

Week of Thursday 14 July, 2016

Prepared by Publicity Matters (see all their details at end of this listing for interviews and queries)

Family Holiday Theatre:

Buddy Holly

Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre: 23 July – 7 August

This July, Durban audiences can enjoy the story of pioneering rock legend, Buddy: the Buddy Holly Story at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre from 23 July – 7 August

Catalina UnLtd, continuing in the great tradition, presents the smash-hit musical, Buddy: the Buddy Holly Story. This production, under the capable direction of Themi Venturas, brings together a top professional team. The show is filled with toe tapping hits including Buddy Holly classics like That’ll be the day, Everyday, Oh Boy! Maybe Baby, Peggy Sue, Big Bopper’s Chantilly Lace, Ritchie Valens’ smash hit La Bamba and Chuck Berry’s Johnny B Goode. Audiences can expect a rocking and rollicking fun show that tells the story of an amazing music industry legend whose life was tragically cut short. 

Bookings are through Computicket with discounted performances at 02.30pm and 07.00pm Sat 23 and 2.30pm Sun 24 July at R70. General public performances at R120 are from 26 July – 7 August at 07.00pm. Schools performances (R50 per learner) are at 02.30pm on 29 July and 2 & 4 August. Booking for schools can be done through the company, email info@catalinatheatre.com for more information.

Theatre:

Lenny

Playhouse Drama Theatre: 21 - 31 July

A powerful new play commemorating the life of former political activist Lenny Naidu is to be staged in the Playhouse Drama theatre this month. Written and narrated by Jayshree Parasuramen and starring Rahul Brijnath, Lenny tells a moving human story about a man who gave his life for to the struggle for freedom of the people of South Africa. Directed by Themi Venturas, the production’s world premiere season takes place in the Playhouse Drama Theatre in Durban from 21 to 31 July 2016.

“Whilst Lenny is a story based in the history and facts of the ANC stalwart Lenny Naidu who was killed during the latter years of apartheid by the Third Force based at Vlakplaas, the story is also universal. It is about families who are torn apart by history unfolding, and those that are left behind. It is about chance, but most of all it is about one human’s propensity for brutality on another - the sort of brutality that was inflicted by the apartheid era, or the holocaust, or the Russian pogroms, or the killing fields of Cambodia,” said Jayshree Parasuramen

Show times in the Playhouse Drama are as follows: 21 July at 7.30pm (opening); 22 July at 7.30pm; 23 July at 3pm and 7.30pm; 27 and 28 July at 11am (schools performances); 30 July at 3pm and 7.30pm; with a final performance on Sunday 31 July at 3pm. Tickets are R120 for the public performances of Lenny. Booking is through Computicket on 0861 915 8000 or online at www.computicket.com. Alternatively call the Playhouse Box Office on 031-369 9540 or 369 9596 (office hours). Tickets for the school performances are R30 per learner.   To secure school bookings, call 072 9260692 or 083 610 9931 or 031 826 5585 (o/h).

Sweetie Darling

Playhouse Loft Theatre: 19 - 24 July

Copy Dog in association with The Playhouse Company proudly presents Sweetie Darling, a new one-man stage comedy by multiple award-winning playwright-director Clinton Marius (Lollipop Lane, The Fantastical Flea Circus, B!*ch Stole My Doek). Starring the popular Durban actor, Bongani Mbatha, Sweetie Darling will play in The Loft Theatre from 19 to 24 July 2016.

Sweetie Darling is a romantic comedy about a young man who goes all out to prove himself.  While he sets up a picnic in the park for his sweetheart, he recounts the ups and downs of his journey to happiness.  As he finds himself, and love, he also finds his path to spiritual growth. 

Performances of Sweetie Darling in the Loft Theatre will be at 7.30pm from Tuesday to Saturday, 19 to 23 July, and at 2.30pm on Sunday 24 July. Tickets are R50 (Tuesday and Wednesday performances) and R85 (Friday to Sunday). Booking is through Computicket on 0861 915 8000 or at www.computicket.com. Bookings can also be made via the Playhouse Box Office on 031-369 9540 (office hours). 

“Sometimes, life isn’t simply black and white.”

Waiting for Nelson

Courtyard Theatre: Sat 23 July at 6pm

East London born and Johannesburg based actor, writer and director Mbasa Tsetsana will be bringing his award winning production, Waiting for Nelson, to the DUT’s Department of Drama and Production Studies to the Courtyard theatre at Saturday 23 July at 7pm. 

This professional staging will be doubled billed with a student version of Waiting for Nelson under the direction of DUT directing student Sphephelo Dlamini. Audiences will have the rare opportunity to see two versions of the same production performed one after the other with an interval in-between. The second version will be followed by a Q&A with writer, directors and cast.

For more information contact the Departmental Secretary, Lebohang Sibisi on (031) 3732194 / lebohangs@dut.ac.za. Tickets are R30 at the door, students R20. 

Early Bird tickets for Tim Plewman’s

Defending the Caveman

Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre: 6 – 17 Sept

There are early bird specials for tickets to Tim Plewman’s fabulous one man show:  Defending the Caveman – with 20% off the ticket price throughout July

Tim Plewman, by public demand, once again dons the Caveman’s skins and steps onto stage to add to his record breaking slew of sold out performances of the longest-running and most successful solo comedy in South African theatre history. The Broadway production still holds the record of the longest running non- musical solo comedy of all time. What more can be said about this wonderful show that so humorously exposes the hunter and gatherer in us all and has played to over a million people?

Tickets through Computicket, with 20% off the ticket price throughout July.

AIDS2016:

HIV/AIDS Creatives for AIDS2016

AIDS2016: the world's largest global health conference, now significantly in its 21st year, returns to our shores, monopolising the public spaces, media and mind-set of Durban from 18 – 22 July. At that time, the global creative community, taking the lead from Durban creatives, will be hosting a myriad project, events, exhibitions and engagements which talk to an HIV/AIDS theme.

Through Positive Eyes

Durban Art Gallery: from 17 July

Award-winning photographer Gideon Mendel and UCLA professor David Gere have, for the last 10 years, been building Through Positive Eyes, a participatory photography project in which people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) share their stories in the form of photos, video, and narrative. 

The project has now culminated in a multi-faceted Through Positive Eyes exhibition, to be shown throughout the southern African region, the European Union, and the United States, beginning in July 2016 and continuing through 2020. 

The exhibition in its current form has been curated by David Gere (Los Angeles), Stan Pressner (New York) and Carol Brown (Durban).

Artivist

Durban Art Gallery: from 17 July

Complementing Through Positive Eyes, there will be additional artworks on display at DAG: artists include artists Daniel Goldstein (San Francisco) whose sculptural Medicine Man is an iconic image and will be included with mandala-like presentations of photographs.   Gordon Mundie (London) has created a “bag of shame” and an interactive stigma installation using UV light and invisible ink and New Delhi-based curator Parthiv Shah’s contribution is a beautiful series of hand-made books displayed as artworks.  The team of artivists have chosen favorite images from the project and included other works giving these images their own individualistic spin. The exhibition culminates in a gallery transformed into a small theater, in which a sophisticated sound-and-light show, designed by New York theatrical designer Stan Pressner, is enacted, entiled “Banishing Stigma.” 

The exhibition in its current form has been curated by David Gere (Los Angeles), Stan Pressner (New York) and Carol Brown (Durban).

The Butterfly Project

Denis Hurley Centre: for Aids2016

The Butterfly Project is a project initiative of the US Consulate Durban, the Denis Hurley Centre and the office of the Premier, funded by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), aimed at getting KZNs teenagers involved in AIDS2016 to envision an AIDS free generation. 

100 young people a day, over six days, have created butterflies out of recyled plastic in workshops at the Denis Hurley Centre in the heart of Durban working towards a huge public art installation which is now on display at the DHC over AIDS2016 before being dismantled and elements sent for display at participating communities. Alongside the butterfly-making workshops, DramAidE and facilitators affirmed the health education message that behavioural change is necessary to work towards an AIDS free generation. 

For more info, contact Seth Pyoos on tel: 031 301 2240 or seth@denishurleycentre.org.

South African Voices: 

Towards a Museum of HIV Memory and Learning

KwaMuhle Museum: now open

South African Voices: Towards a Museum of HIV Memory and Learning is a collection of artefacts, artistic, historic and photographic items that pay tribute to those who suffered and succumbed, and those who live with HIV every day in South Africa.

South African Voices is a partnership project between eThekwini Municipality, Avacarehealth and info4africa. It will be situated at KwaMuhle Local History Museum, on Bram Fischer Road. This is adjacent to the AIDS2016 Conference parking.

“Created as a legacy project of AIDS2016, South African Voices documents a critical and defining chapter in our collective history in South Africa.  It offers all people space to celebrate the achievements and reflect on the journey we have taken from the dark days of denialism and calls to "Break the Silence" at AIDS2000, to having the largest HIV treatment programme in the world,” says project director, info4africa’s Debbie Heustice.

Make a Plan: 

Possibility and Empowerment in a Time of AIDS

South African Voices: Thursday 21 July at 6.30pm

David Patient and partner Neil Orr will be launching their eighth book: Make a Plan: Possibility and Empowerment in a Time of AIDS, in Durban on Thursday 21 July as one of the events which form part of the opening season of South African Voices: Towards a Museum of HIV Memory and Learning at KwaMuhle Museum.

David Patient is well known throughout southern Africa for education and wellness programmes addressing HIV and AIDS. His work with partner Neil Orr has gone beyond teaching people how to get and stay healthy. Through personal interface and eight books, Patient and Orr have taught millions that the path to long-term health is travelled best through living a life of purpose and meaning. Positive Health has sold 20 million copies. They have trained tens of thousands in workshops and reached millions through popular broadcast media programmes. 

David’s personal story also features in South African Voices: Towards a Museum of HIV Memory and Learning. Also available will be the seventh revised edition of their best seller, Positive Health.

In My Own Voice

Playhouse Opera: 21 – 24 July   

In My Own Voice, a courageous new musical by Musa Njoko chronicling her challenges of living with and surviving HIV Aids for 22 years, is to be staged in the Playhouse Opera theatre in Durban. Presented by Musa Njoko Music and Entertainment in association with the Playhouse Company, and supported by Ethekwini Municipality, the production runs from 21 – 24 July.   

Veteran AIDS Activist Musa Njoko who in 1994 was one of the first people to consciously and publicly disclose her HIV status, has crafted an original musical theatre production which chronicles her astonishing life. In her production, In My Own Voice, she shares her triumphs and challenging personal journey as one of the country’s earliest AIDS activists. 

Show times for In My Own Voice in the Playhouse Opera Theatre are at 7pm on Thursday and Friday, 21 and 22 July, at 3pm and 7pm on Saturday 23 July, with a final matinee performance on Sunday 24 July at 3pm. Tickets are R120 per person (R60 pensioners and students). Booking is through Computicket outlets at branches of Shoprite Checkers, or telephonically on 0861 915 8000, or online at www.computicket.com. Alternatively, bookings can be made by callingthe Playhouse Box Office on 031-369 9540 or 031-369 9596 (office hours).

Music:

Kloof Musical Pops

St Agnes Church Hall, Kloof: Friday, 29 July

On Friday, 29 July, at St Agnes Auditorium in Kloof , the Rotary club of Kloof will present the Kloof Musical Pops. The first half of the programme will feature The KZN Youth Orchestra conducted by Lyk Temmingh performing symphonic greats such as Handel's La Rejouissance, Brahms' Hungarian Dance no 5, The Radetsky March, and some popular tunes such as Sway, Can't Take my eyes off you and  New York New York . 

The second half of the programme will get yourhands clapping and toes tapping as Platform Jazz puts a swing on the evening andpresents big band greats such as Mack the Knife, What a wonderful world and In the Mood . Led by Cathy “Hotlips” Peacock, the band will also feature Melvin Peters, Bruce Baker, Duncan Wooldridge, Kirsten Sayers, Andreas Kappen, Jeff Judge and Shelley McLean.

The evening will start at 6.30pm and will be set up in supper theatre style for patrons to bring picnics and drinks. Ticket prices are R150 and R130 for pensioners and students. Booking is through Computicket. Proceeds of the evening will go to the 110 year old Kloof Rest Home which is in urgent need of repair.

Quark: Friday 15 July

Alliance Française de Durban Activities: Fri 15 July  
The Alliance Française will also be hosting Quark on Friday 15 July at 7pm. Quark is collaboration between two musicians from very different backgrounds, Fiona Tozer (guitar) and Dan Wilson (bass). The duo will be bringing the Jazz and Folk genres together to create an eclectic sound with lyrical content relating to the story of the human race and its place in the cosmos Quark is a unique experience that will leave you wanting more. 

For more info: Alliance Française de Durban : 22 Sutton Crescent, Corner Lilian Ngoyi (Windermere) Road, Morningside / Tel : 031 312 9582 / Contact Denise (Administrator) at afdbn@global.co.za or Frédérique (Course Coordinator) at courses.afdbn@alliance.org.za
Website: http://www.alliance.org.za/durban/

Rowan Stuart embarks on national Winter Tour

In association with Concerts SA, Durban's Soul Folk singer-songwriter-guitarist Rowan Stuart will be embarking on a multi-province tour this month, with performances in Gauteng, the Free State, the Northern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, joined by Andy Turrell on bass guitar.

Rowan has created an inimitable brand of Soul Folk music, with pop and world influences. Recalling Sting's imaginative storytelling, Death Cab for Cutie's sense of space and beauty, and John Mayer's tight grooves, Rowan uses his notable prowess on the guitar as the foundation for his creativity.

Artist Links

Website: www.rowanstuart.com

Reverbnation: www.reverbnation.com/rowanstuart

YouTube: www.youtube.com/rowanstuartvideo  

Facebook: www.facebook.com/rowanstuartmusic  

iTunes: www.itunes.com/rowanstuart  

Instagram: www.instagram.com/rowanstuartmusic  

Events Listing

Port Shepstone – South Coast Lions Show

Friday 15 July – 6pm –R50 (adults) / R25 (under 18’s and pensioners) / Free (under 12’s)

Address: Port Shepstone Country Club, Old Saint Faiths Rd

Bookings: lionsshow@sheppielions.co.za / 083 301 2883

Community:

Get Involved: IBV Children’s VIP Day

Durban Exhibition Centre: 13 August

The seventh annual Children’s VIP Day hosted by the International Bank Vaults at the Durban Exhibition Centre on Saturday 13 August. The special day invites over 3,000 less privileged children from Durban and surrounds to the DEC where they will be treated to a day of interactive fun, treats, games and pampering in the company of sports stars and entertainment celebrities as part of IBV, through their IBV Humanities Division. 

The organisers are encouraging businesses of all sizes to get involved, donate! If it is stock or even your time, there are 3,000 children that will truly appreciate it! A little will sincerely go a long way! They are setting up book and stationary drop off stations so members of the public can donate their learning materials, books etc. The two venues will be IBV International Vaults at Gateway and at the Pavilion Hotel near North Beach.

To get involved, contact Shivani Gosai on 031 566 3984 / shivani@ibvglobal.com.

For more info: Visit www.ibvinternationalvaults.com. Or watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tToRlHdYW9s

Art:

There Are Places I Remember

Durban Art Gallery: now open

There Are Places I Remember (Hidden memory: Places of our city) is an exhibition art project between the sister cities Bremen/Germany and Durban/South Africa

Working with the subject of art and memory, 11 visual artists from Bremen focus on places in Bremen, each of which –apart from the tourist attractions in the city– has a special meaning for the corresponding artist. The involved artists had previously taken part in various ways in the Culture-Exchange project The Designing of the Concordia Tunnel 2012 realized between the two cities. The artists’ work on the theme by utilizing various media: painting, photography, printing, installation, collage and video. The results are on currently on an exhibition at the Durban Art Gallery. 

Supper Theatre / Musical Revues:

All of Me

Rhumbelow Durban: 15, 16, 17 July

A show with Melanie Roberts in her inimitable diva style. Shemual Mahabeer on piano. At last! Melanie performs her first ever solo show in 33 years of being in showbiz. 4 countries, 200 shows some devised and written by herself and over 400 corporates has brought her to now...go solo.

A kaleidescope of songs from the 40's to now, combined with her cabaret and musical theatre songs and into the pot an array of styles from pop to swing, jazz to ballads.....all woven together with her irreverent wit, conversations with the audience and anecdotes from 33 years of performing.  Expect to hear Elton John, Billy Joel, Elvis, Ed Sheeran, Gloria Gaynor, Turner, Bruno Mars, George Gershwin, Sting, Carpenters, Ella Fitzgerald, Carole King, James Brown, Cole Porter, Beatles....and much more.  

Gowns are by Karen Monk Klijnstra and hair by Faye @ Hoi Polloi. Book at Computicket or phone or email Roland for bookings. Email : roland@stansell.za.net / events.durbantheatre.com / Cell 0824998636.

Clive Scott in Warts and All

Rhumbelow Durban: 22, 23, 24 July

Clive Scott has always made people laugh, whether it was as Ted Dixon (aka “Hey Stupid!”) in The Villagers and Isidingo or in his various roles in “Oh George”, “Life Begins at 40”, “The John Ross Story” and “River Horse Lake”. You just have to look at him…

Now, this beloved South African veteran of stage and screen has gathered all his experience, wisdom, funniness and poignancy to bring you a one-man show encompassing all of it. 

Clive Scott stars in his autobiographical one man show, Warts and All, An iconictribute to some of South Africa’s best loved theatre moments, you had better bring the tissues – for the tears of laughter that are sure to roll.

Friday 22 – Sun 24 July. R 140-00 a ticket; Bring food picnic baskets; Discounts R 120-00 a ticket. Pensioners & Block Bookings 8 or more; Bar Available;  Book at Computicket or Phone or email Roland for bookings Cell 0824998636 / email roland@stansell.za.net /    events.durbantheatre.com.

Magical Mayhem

Rhumbelow Durban: 29, 30, 31 July

The South African Magical Society (S.A.M.S.) hosts its annual showcase highlighting the best of Durban’s magical talent. The show, titled Magical Mayhem has many brand new facets for patrons to enjoy. The show’s producer, Ricki Gray, already no stranger to Durban audiences, explains that the family friendly show is designed to attract audiences that have enjoyed previous shows hosted by S.A.M.S. as well as attract new audiences. “There are many new surprises in store,” explains Ricki. “For example, this year Roland Stansell, long-time member of the magical society, is hosting the show as Grand Panto Dame, Miss Direction.”

The show will feature both amateur and professional magicians and will include a variety of magical acts, from illusions to cards and from mentalism to comedy. By popular demand, once again, magicians will not only be performing on stage, but at the tables. This style of magic, called close-up or intimate magic will allow audiences to experience magic like never before; up close and personal.

R 140-00 a ticket; Pensioners and Block Bookings (8 or more) R 120-00;  Children (under 13) R 70-00

Bring food picnic baskets; Burgers & Chips etc on Sale; Bar Available;  Book at Computicket or Phone or email Roland for bookings Cell 0824998636 / email roland@stansell.za.net /    events.durbantheatre.com.

Ends

PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE ON REQUEST & FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Publicity Matters or visit www.pubmat.co.za

Information correct at time of distribution

Illa Thompson
Publicity Matters

arts, theatre, culture, festival, social justice, sports and events publicists

tel / fax 031 201 1638
mobile 083 326 3234
illa@pubmat.co.za

roaming pubmatgal@gmail.com

www.pubmat.co.za

twitter @pubmat

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Maritzburg SPAR Women’s 10 / 5km Pietermaritzburg: Sunday 7 August

Maritzburg SPAR Women’s 10 / 5km Pietermaritzburg: Sunday 7 August

The running of the Maritzburg leg of South Africa’s Most Beautiful Race will be taking to the roads of the KZN capital on Sunday 7 August for the annual SPAR Women’s 10/5km. 

Settling back into its usual winter date, the race will have a field of green flowing along the roads in and around The Oval where an expected 4,000 athletes will be taking the challenge of the two distances. The event is the biggest women’s athletic event and second biggest annual road running event to take place in the city aside from the Comrades Marathon. 

Both the routes will remain unchanged, with the start line set adjacent to Maritzburg College’s main rugby field, Goldstones, and the finish line in The Oval cricket stadium. 

Both races will start at 8.00am after the playing of the National Anthem. The 10km and 5km participants will set off together with the first half of the race looping around the outskirt of the CBD, with the 5km race turning into The Oval and the 10km athletes doing another loop around the schools’ precinct, before returning back to The Oval. 

A strong field of local runners is expected to compete this year with the defending champ, Tebogo Masehla rumoured to be back. The big names in this year’s SPAR Grand Prix will be flying the South African flag at the Rio Olympics which leaves a win and the R8,000 winner’s purse open to the remaining local contenders. 

Entries are open, with two options to enter. The first is online at www.sparwomensrace.co.za where you can either pay by Credit Card or by EFT. The second option is a Manual Entry at Race Registration on Friday 5 August and Saturday 6 August at The Oval cricket stadium in Alexandra Park. Companies, running clubs and groups of 10 or more can enter through the Bulk Entries option, simply email bulk@sparwomensrace.co.za for more information. 

Entries to the 10km distance are open from age 14 and to the 5km from age 9, the age restrictions being applicable on the day of the competition. Entry fees are R90 for the 10km licensed athletes and for the 5km runners. The entry fee for the Non-licensed athletes is R100; the extra R10 includes a temporary licence for the day. 

Once again the official race charity is CHOC (The Childhood Cancer Foundation) and R2 from every entry will be donated to them.

For more info contact the race organisers on maritzburg@sparwomensrace.co.za or visit the official race on www.sparwomensrace.co.za or like the Facebook page.

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SPAR KZN School Girls' Hockey Challenge on 23 and 24 July

SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge

Grand Finals at St Mary’s DSG: 23 & 24 July

With two weeks to go until the Grand Finals of the SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge, ten teams are hard at work preparing for the tournament on 23 and 24 July. 

The teams that have made it through to the Grand Finals, having won their regionals, are Amanzimtoti High School (Durban South); Ashton International College (Durban North); Durban Girls’ College (Durban Central); Grantleigh College (Northern Coastal); King Edward High School (Southern KZN); Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School (Pietermaritzburg Central); Sarel Cilliers (Newcastle); St Anne’s College (Pietermaritzburg North); St Mary’s DSG (Highway) and Wartburg Kirchdorf (Umvoti, uThukela and Umzinyathi).

“The fixtures for the finals have been consolidated into one venue i.e. St Mary’s DSG as opposed to two venues in previous years.” stated Tournament Director, Les Galloway.

Continuing, she said, “With only one venue being used, the vibe should be great with all the 10 teams being able to watch and support all matches and, together with all of their supporters, it should make for a very festive weekend!”

The finals will kick off with pool games on Saturday and cross pool games, play-offs and the medal games on Sunday. A new scoring system will be used to calculate positions on the logs. A win will be awarded four points, a draw with goals equates to two points, a goalless draw amounts to one point and a loss zero points. Pool games will be 20minutes long and the play-offs will be half an hour with a change of sides at fifteen minutes. 

In Pool A, defending champions Durban Girls’ College take on host school, St Mary’s DSG, newbies Sarel Cilliers High School, King Edward High School and Grantleigh High School. In Pool B, last year’s silver medalists Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School make their sixth appearance and this year will take on St Anne’s DSG; Ashton International College; Amanzimtoti High School and Wartburg Kirchdorf High School. 

MD for SPAR KZN, Rob Philipson said, “We look forward to the finals this year, welcoming both old and new players and teams. We are in for a cracker of a weekend, with some high quality skills being expected on the turf. I would like to officially wish all teams, coaches and umpires the very best of luck for the big weekend!”

Umpires who have been invited to officiate are Angelique Kellerman; Ansie Joubert; Grant Bowles; Nuduzo Martin Mchunu; Sibu Ndlovu; Marie-Lee Visser; Michelle Cogle; Nonhlanhla Shezi; Pam Daniel and Xolani Majola.

The first game is St Mary’s vs Grantleigh, followed by two out of towners with King Edward High School taking on newcomers, Sarel Cilliers High School. 

For more info like the Facebook page.

-end

​Audience Choice Awards at the 37th Durban International Film Festival

Audience Choice Awards at the 37th Durban International Film Festival

The Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) has announced the Audience Choice Awards for the best DIFF film and the top Wavescape film at this year’s festival.

Under the DIFF banner, the film Nakom (Ghana/USA) took the honours. Directed by Kelly Daniela Norris and Trav Pittman, the feature tells a story of a Ghanaian medical student named Iddrisu, played by Jacob Ayanaba, whose life comes to a halt when his father dies unexpectedly. As the eldest son, he is called to return to his family homestead to bury his father, only to discover family tensions between his mother and his father’s 'junior' wife. The film shows a dramatic portrayal of the enduring conflict between the modern and the traditional in which Iddrisu wishes to move forward without betraying his upbringing Nakom has been described as a window into a culture and language rarely shown on screen.

The Icelandic film No Country For Cold Men won the audience choice award in the Wavescape Surf Film Festival at the DIFF. Directed by Ryan Mattick, the film is based on a kneeboarder, bodyboarder and surfer who go on a surf trip to break free of the conflict among their ilk. The film challenges the notion of harmony in a humorous manner while taking a closer look at the surf society. 

-ends

Durban International Film Festival Announces Award Winners for 2016

Durban International Film Festival Announces Award Winners for 2016

The Durban International Film Festival announced its award-winners tonight (June 25) at the closing ceremony of the festival’s 37th edition at the Playhouse prior to the screening of the closing film, The Space in Between – Marina Abramovic and Brazil.

The award for the Best Feature Film went to The Violin Player directed by Bauddhayan Mukherji.

The jury’s citation said: “A seductive and mysterious tale of a violin player’s mundane life and an interesting take on how chance encounters are almost predestined. By successfully weaving offbeat editing, brave cinematography, simple screenplay, honest direction and a lot of surprising elements, the film shows us that art, no matter how unimportant it may seem, can change peoples lives. “

The award for Best South African Feature Film went to Tess (a 2013 Durban FilmMart project), directed by Meg Rickards, which the jury described as “a measured and uncompromising debut feature.”

The Best Documentary award went to Martha and Niki directed by Tora Mkandawire Martens, which the jury describes as “visual feast that skillfully intertwines a profound reflection on (an) art form with the inner journey of two compelling characters.”

The jury made a special mention of Action Commandante, also a former Durban FilmMart project, by Nadine Cloete, for “its exceptional quality and commitment to its subject matter.”

The Best SA Documentary went to The Journeymen, directed by Sean Metelerkamp. The citation from the jurors said “The Journeymen takes an unflinching look at who we are by holding up the proverbial mirror to South African society. The honesty, bravery and commitment of the film crew results in a mosaic picture of our country with warts and all. This is strong and uncompromising cinema that is simultaneously disturbing and life-affirming.”

Best Short Film went to Grandma's Day (Dzie'n Babci) directed by Milosz Sakowski. The jury also made special mention in this category of the film Ave Maria directed by Basil Khalil.

The Best African Short Film Award, which is supported by the Gauteng Film Commission, went to New Eyes directed by Hiwot Admasu.

eKhaya (Home), directed by Shubham Mehta won the Best South African Short Film award, which is also supported by the Gauteng Film Commission.

The shorts jury also made special mention of two other films in this category - Amagugu directed by Ndududo Shandu and Discovery of Fire directed by Gerhard Pretorius.

The Best Actor Award went to Mohsen Namjoo for his performance in Radio Dream, directed by Babak Jalali. The award for Best Actress went to Christia Visser for her role as Tess in Tess directed by Meg Rickards.

The awards for Best Direction went to Ciro Guerra for Embrace Of The Serpent, Best Cinematography to  Chris Lotz for The Endless River and Best Screenplay went to Ciro Guerra and Thoedor Koch-Grunberg for Embrace of The Serpent.

A new award, the Best Editing , sponsored by SAGE (South Africa Guild of Editors), went to the to Tess which was edited by Linda Man. The award for Artistic Bravery was given to Neon Bull directed by Gabriel Mascaro for its unique portrayal of a little-known community of Brazilian Rodeo workers.

The Amnesty International Durban Human Rights Award for the film that best reflects human rights issues which comes with a cash prize  donated by the Artists for the Human Rights Trust went to Noma, directed by Pablo Pineda.

The international jury this year was made up of four jurors: Bianca Balbuena, an award-wining producer from the Philippines, Fibby Kioria, the programme director of Maisha Foundation, an initiative founded by Mira Nair to empower visionary filmmakers in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda, Sherif Awad  a film critic who currently works for the Luxor African Film Festival and Trevor Steele Taylor  a veteran of  festivals in South Africa, having programmed for the Cape Town International Film Festival, the Weekly Mail & Guardian Film Festival and DIFF and is the curator for film the National Arts Festival. 

The South African feature film jury consisted of film-makers Jahmil Qubeka and Melissa Parry while the documentary jurors were film-makers Rehad Desai, Omelga Mthiyane and Riaan Hendricks, and the short film jurors were film-makers Neil Coppen and Sumayya Rawat.

The Amnesty Jury consisted of Coral Vinsen, Nonhlanha Mkhize, Betty Rawheath and Mark Povall.

The audience choice awards for DIFF and for the Wavescape Film Festival will be announced on Monday.

Sunday is the last day of the festival. For more information go to www.durbanfilmfest.co.za for details of the remaining screenings.

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Durban FilmMart Awards 2016

Media Release

Durban FilmMart Awards 2016

The Durban FilmMart (DFM), the industry development programme of the Durban Film Office and the Durban International Film Festival, wrapped up  tonight (June 20) with an awards ceremony at the Tsogo Maharani Hotel in Durban, South Africa.

“DFM is considered one of Africa’s most important film finance platforms and industry gatherings, and this year around 550 film-makers from around the globe, with a significant representation from Africa, attended the festival for four days of pitching, forums and networking sessions,” says Toni Monty, Head of the Durban Film Office. “Over 600 meetings were held, in a robust and very engaging event this year.”

An integral part of the DFM is the finance and co-production forum, which this year had 10 features and nine documentary films selected for intense mentoring and pitch sessions to financiers and distributors, and other industry representatives.

Over the years the DFM has developed key relationships with a variety of industry partners that have seen the value of supporting and developing African content for both continental and global markets. These partners have engaged with projects over the four days, and a number of grants and awards were provided to projects with the aim to support their further development.

The Awards/Grants:

·      The Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program award for the documentary film project that demonstrated potential for strong storytelling craft, artistic use of visual language, originality, feasibility, and relevance went to Hatim’s Dream (Uganda - Producer: Nathan Magoola, Director: Matthew Bishanga). This projects receives a cash award of $5000 for further development.

·      Afridocs, the broadcast stream that sees African and other international documentaries screened across 49 countries of sub-Saharan Africa on a weekly basis, gave a €3000 grant toTestament (Kenya, Producer: Meena Nanji, Directors: Meena Nanji and Zippy Kimundu).

·      The CineMart Award, sponsored by the co-production market of the International Film Festival Rotterdam, went to the fiction project, Disco Afrika (Madagascar, Producer: Razanajaona Ambinintsoa Luck, Executive Producers: Herizo Rabary and Randriamantsoa, Director: Razanajaona Ambinintsoa Luck) which is given an opportunity to attend the Rotterdam Lab, a five-day training and networking event bringing together producers from all over the world.

·      The International Documentary Film Festival of Amsterdam (IDFA) awarded the most promising documentary project at the DFM, Wizard of Zim (South Africa, Producers: Lesedi Oluko Moche and Carolyn Carew, Director: Samora Sekhukhune) with an opportunity to attend theIDFA Forum, the largest and most influential meeting place for documentary filmmakers, producers, commissioning editors, funds, private financiers and other documentary stakeholders in Europe, in November.

·      Produire au Sud of Festival des 3 Continents (Nantes), awarded the fiction film Headland(South Africa, Producer: David Horler, Director: Elan Gamaker) an opportunity to attend its developmental workshop program, PAS, where they will be given tools, expertise, and opportunities to develop European networks.

·      The Restless Pitch award, is a one-on-one consultation for the project by Restless Talent Management, who provide development services such as image-building and positioning, project packaging, PR, and advises its clients on film sales, distribution and promotion. This was given to the project On the Bus by Nadine Cloete. Restless Talents also gave a special mention to the project Nama by Kelly-Eve Koopman. 

·      Videovision Entertainment awarded the “Best South African Film Project”  to Abnormal Loads (South Africa, Producer: Elias Ribeiro, Cait Panesgrouw. Director: Neil Coppen) a prize valued at R75 000, which guarantees its release once it is completed. The prize includes marketing and distribution support from Videovision Entertainment.

·      Versfeld & Associates, publicity consultants will develop publicity material and advise on publicity profiling through the development two projects – The Mango Tree that Danced with Sea Breeze (South Africa/ Kenya, Producer Lunghi Zondi and Philippa Ndisi-Hermann, Director Philippa Ndisi-Hermann) and Inga, Inge (Zimbabwe, Producer Veronique Doumbe, Director Tsitsi Dangarembga).

·  Sørfond awarded the project Un Fils (Tunisia, Producer: Habib Attia,Director: Mehdi M. Barsaoui) with an opportunity to pitch at the Sørfond Pitching Forum in Oslo later this year.

·      The International Organisation of La Francophonie awarded a grant of 5000 Euro for the Francophone project Disco Afrika (Madagascar, Producer: Razanajaona Ambinintsoa Luck, Executive Producers: Herizo Rabary and Randriamantsoa, Director: Razanajaona Ambinintsoa Luck).

“It is through these partnerships that DFM projects are able to develop further along the path to completion, so we would like to thank all our partners for their support,” says Toni Monty. “For independent filmmakers, the mentorship and support given by partners during the DFM, enables them to take their projects to the next level paving the way for the creation of a fully fledged product, which hopefully one day will return for exhibition at the Durban International Film Festival.”

For more information about the DFM go to www.durbanfilmmart.com.

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Dutch Delegation, Focus and Meetings at the DIFF & DFM

Media Release

Dutch Delegation, Focus and Meetings at the DIFF & DFM

The Durban International Film Festival this year hosts a Dutch focus at this year’s edition with five titles being screened, while the Durban FilmMart, welcomes a delegation from the Netherlands to meet South African film-makers to develop new networks in the country, and promote the treaty, which was signed earlier this year, between the two countries.

The Dutch film focus has been curated by Gertan Zuilhof of the Rotterdam Film Festival, in recognition of the Dutch-South African Co-production Treaty. Dutch feature films include the brilliant Schneider vs Bax, a contract-killer film with a difference, Full Contact about a remote drone operator who accidentally bombs a school, 12 Months in One Day which chronicles a bitter-sweet new year’s eve in Amsterdam, Prince, a powerful but nuanced coming-of-age story, and Zurich, which tells the story of Nina, a woman who attempts to lose herself in Europe’s motorways. The Dutch focus is rounded off with three short films that form part of the short film programme.

The delegation hosted by the NFVF, includes Frank Peijnenburg- Head of Screen at The Netherlands Film Fund, Laurette Schilling from Topkapi Films, Wilant Boekelman, from Dutch Muntain Movies, and Pieter van Hustee Film, met with South African producers at a brunch, and also presented a panel at the Durban FilmMart on Dutch co-production, funding and incentives.

The Netherlands Film Fund is the national agency responsible for supporting film production in the Netherlands and activities such as festivals and training. Its focus is to develop and strengthen Dutch cinema and film culture both domestically and internationally. The Film Fund also oversees the activities of the Netherlands Film Commission.

The Netherlands has treaties with Canada, France, Germany, China and South Africa and is now preparing a treaty with Wallonia Brussels Federation of Belgium.

“The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) congratulates Netherlands as the country of focus at this year’s edition of DIFF. “ says Head of Marketing & Communications, Peter Kwele. “In line with this and in recognition of the co-production treaty signed between two countries in December 2015, the NFVF have organised a few events involving Dutch filmmakers and their South African counterparts at the festival. These events are a means celebrate the treaty, MOU signed in May 2016 and encourage co-productions between Dutch and South African filmmakers.  “

For the full programmes go to www.durbanfilmmart.co.za and www.durbanfilmfest.co.za

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Camera roll on Khalo Matabane's 28's in KwaZulu Natal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Cameras roll on Khalo Matabane’s 28’s in KwaZulu Natal

Award-winning director, Khalo Matabane (State of Violence, Conversations on a Sunday Afternoon and Nelson Mandela: The Myth and Me), acknowledged as one of South Africa’s leading talents has begun shooting his latest feature, 28’s, a gritty exposé of life inside prison. The film, inspired by Jonny Steinberg's award-winning non-fiction novel, The Number, its big screen adaptation by Paul Ian Johnson reveals the origins of the fearsome numbers gangs that operate in prisons throughout South Africa.

Harking back to a sketchy 200-year-old tale, it's said that the 27s and 28s originate from group of highwaymen. These robbers, under the guidance of an elder, escaped the misery of the mines and white oppression only to roam the Zululand hills plundering colonial outposts and relieving travellers of their goods. Fast forward two centuries and we encounter Magadien, hardened repeat-offender whose life is his loyalty to his brothers in the 28’s. But something stirs his rebellion, a life-threatening move as there's no way out, of prison or from the sworn bloody oaths of his brotherhood.  This is a hard-hitting tale of the reality of South African prisons and near-impossible redemption.

Casting Director, Moonyeenn Lee and Matabane have assembled a strong cast which include Mothusi Magano (Of Good Report, Hotel Rwanda, Tsotsi) who leads as the conflicted Magadien, and is supported by Warren Masemola (Eye in the Sky, Machine Gun Preacher), and Sibusiso Msimang (Vaya); Presley Chwenegyagae (Tsotsi); Lemogang Tsipa (Eye in the Sky, Black Sails and Wallender); Kevin Smith (Isidingo, The Gospel According to St Matthew) and Deon Lotz (Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, Shepherds and Butchers, Skoonheid). Renowned South African story-teller Gcina Mhlophe plays Magadien’s mother. 

The production team is headed by award-winning producers Carolyn Carew and Tsholo Mashile (90 Plein Street and When We Were Black.)  Carolyn Carew says that the process of making this film has been long time in the making with Khalo spending the last few years with the real Magadien Wentzel in Cape Town and afterwards with ex-prisoners in KZN to fully grasp the language and culture of the gangs. 

Creative talents include Cinematographer Dewald Aukema (Skin, Angus Gibson & Jo Menell’s Mandela); Editor Megan Gill (Tsotsi, Miners Shot Down and Shepherds and Butchers);Production Designer Willie Botha (Kite; Art Director: Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom; Special Effects: Black Dahlia, The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency). 

Durban based Anant Singh's Videovision Entertainment are co-producers, and will also distribute the film. Anant Singh commented, “I have been an admirer of Khalo’s work for a long time and we are delighted to have the opportunity to work with him.  With his talent and creative vision for the project, he will certainly craft an amazing film.”

The production also marks the first co-production between South Africa and Reunion Island’s Tiktak Productions.  The film also received funding support from the KZN Film Commission, the National Film and Video Foundation and the Department of Trade and Industry.

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Caption to picture material attached:  Pictured in the prison courtyard China Boy (Presley Chweneyagae) and Buttons (Warren Masemola) decide on Magadien's (Mothusi Magano) fate in Khalo Matabane’s 28’s 

Notes for Editors

BORN FREE MEDIA    

BFM is an award winning South African film and television production-company specializing in fiction and non-fiction storytelling. They pride themselves on creating original and innovative content for the African continent and beyond. They have produced some of South Africa’s seminal documentaries and dramas. 

BFM was formed in January 2005, with three shareholders, Khalo Matabane as Creative Director, Carolyn Carew as Executive Producer and Tsholo Mashile as the Financial Manager.

KHALO MATABANE

Khalo Matabane is an award-winning director who directed and produced the part-doc part-fiction Conversations on a Sunday Afternoon which won the Lionel Ngakane Prize at Sithengi (Cape Town); Best South African Film at the Durban Film Festival; the Ecumenical Prize New York African Film Festival.  It screened in the Official Selection of the Toronto Film Festival, the Berlin International Film Festival, Miami Film Festival, Flaherty Film Seminar 2007 (NYC), and London Human Rights Film Festival. It was broadcast on the Sundance Channel (USA) and SABC (South Africa).

His documentary Nelson Mandela, the Myth and Me, a BC/Arte Germany co-production won the Jury Special Prize at the International Documentary Film Festival of Amsterdam (IDFA). His first dramatic feature film State of Violence was shown to critical acclaim at the Toronto and Berlin Film Festivals.

His television drama series When We Were Black, a coming-of-age story of a young boy on the eve of student uprisings in 1976, went on to win 7 awards including Best TV Drama Series and Best Director at 2007 SAFTAS; Best Drama at Fespaco and the Reims International Film Festival and had special screenings at INPUT 2007 in Switzerland and the Durban International Film Festival. It was broadcast on Canal+ and SABC 1.

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For further information please contact:

Joy Sapieka e- joyls@mweb.co.za  or Sharlene Versfeld  sharlene@versfeld.co.za c- 083 3263235

Durban FilmMart 2013 Finance Forum Winner 'Five Fingers for Marseilles' saddles up

Media Release

DURBAN FILMMART 2013 FINANCE FORUM WINNER ‘FIVE FINGERS FOR MARSEILLES’ SADDLES UP

Seven years after writer Sean Drummond and director Michael Matthews first set out on an 8000km research and development journey around the country, The Be Phat Motel Film Company and Game 7 Films’ Five Fingers for Marseilles, which was a project at the 2013 Durban FilmMart, is taking its next big step to the big screen.  The film, a contemporary South African thriller modelled on the western and played in Sesotho and isiXhosa, with a top-tier, fully local cast, begins production in the Eastern Cape in July 2016, in association with Stage 5 Films and Above the Clouds. 

Once, the young ‘Five Fingers’ fought for the rural town of Marseilles, against brutal police oppression. Now, twenty years after fleeing in disgrace, freedom-fighter-turned-‘outlaw’ Tau (Vuyo Dabula) returns, seeking only peaceful anonymity. Finding the town under vicious new threat, he must choose whether to run again or to reluctantly fight to free it.  Will the Five Fingers stand again?

Dabula heads an ensemble cast featuring Thishiwe Ziqubu, Kenneth Nkosi, Mduduzi Mabaso, Lizwi Vilakazi, Kenneth Fok, Anthony Oseyemi and Dean Fourie, with Jerry Mofokeng.  Cast by Moonyeenn Lee, the film will look to local Eastern Cape communities for a number of youth and supporting roles.

Five Fingers is Be Phat Motel’s first narrative feature, after international documentary and shorts success. Game 7 Films’ Yaron Schwartzman and Asger Hussain’s credits include Academy-Award-winning Precious, The Paperboy, and upcoming true-life crime-story 37.  Stage 5 Films’ credits include Silwerskermfees-winner Hollywood in my Huis, Unearthed, the upcoming The Whale Caller and DIFF opening film The Journeymen. 

The film was awarded DFM Finance Forum’s ‘Best South African Film in Development’ in 2013.  Indigenous Film Distribution will release in South Africa in 2017 and XYZ Films will represent for North American sales.  The film is made possible with the support of the NFVF and the DTI, with additional services from Dupa Films.

Five Fingers for Marseilles will premiere internationally in early 2017.

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Sharlene Versfeld
Versfeld & Associates
Public Relations and Communications
Mobile: +27 (0) 83 326 3235
Tel: +27 (0) 31 811 5628
Post: P O Box 30547, Mayville, 4058
Email: sharlene@versfeld.co.za
Twitter: sharlvers
Website: www.versfeld.co.za

DIFF and SAGE announce Editing Awards

Media Release

DIFF AND SAGE ANNOUNCE EDITING AWARDS

The South African Guild of Editors (SAGE) has announced that the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) has included an award for best editing this year. The American Cinema Editors (ACE) has over a number of years campaigned for the inclusion of a Film Editing awards category at international film festivals. In support of this initiative, SAGE consulted with the DIFF management team in early 2016, and the festival has decided to implement an award for Best Editor for this year’s festival.

"We appreciate everyone’s contribution to this success—most notably the American Cinema Editors for their petition for editors’ recognition at top-tier international film festivals. Further support came from the American Motion Picture Editors Guild, as well as several other international guilds and societies, presenting an unprecedented alliance for the recognition of the editor in the filmmaking process.” says SAGE Chairperson Marina du Toit.

In addition, DIFF has included Melissa Parry (Vice-chairperson) of SAGE as a judge on the South African jury, where she will be able to bring her considerable editing expertise to the judging process. "SAGE members’ contributions to the filmmaking process are recognised through the selection of their films at many international film festivals, including numerous films selected for DIFF,” says Parry. “We are pleased to recognise the work of two SAGE editors in this year’s festival,” says du Toit. “This year, three of the selected films at DIFF have SAGE editors: Khalid Shamis who, edited The Unseen and Action Commandant, which was a Durban FilmMart project and Nikki Comninos who edited Tarryn Crossman’s  Timelines."

SAGE has developed a close collaborative relationship with DIFF since 2012, aiming to further promote editors and the craft of editing at the festival. We value the huge contribution DIFF makes to our local film industry, and look forward to a fruitful relationship going forward.” says du Toit. "Advocating for editors’ recognition is an ongoing process and we urge our members to continue supporting our endeavours to obtain further recognition at other film festivals.”

“We are pleased to be able to offer an award this year for editing, which is a critical element of the whole creative process,” says Acting Festival Manager of DIFF, Peter Machen. “Sadly, editing is often overlooked in the filmmaking process, yet sensitive and astute editing is a vital part of the product.”

The Durban International Film Festival takes place from 16-26 June 2016. The Festival includes nearly 200 theatrical screenings, as well as the Wavescape Film Festival and various industry initiatives, including the 9th Talents Durban programme (in cooperation with the Berlin Talent Campus) and the 7th Durban FilmMart co-production market (in partnership with the Durban Film Office).

The 37th Durban International Film Festival is organised by the Centre for Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, with support from the National Film and Video Foundation, Durban Film Office, eThekwini Municipality, German Embassy, Goethe Institut, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Arts and Culture and a range of other valued partners. 

Sharlene Versfeld

Versfeld & Associates

Public Relations and Communications

Mobile: +27 (0) 83 326 3235

Tel: +27 (0) 31 811 5628

Post: P O Box 30547, Mayville, 4058

Email: sharlene@versfeld.co.za

Twitter: sharlvers

Website: www.versfeld.co.za

Oliver Hermanus' Latest Film Makes SA Debut at DIFF

Media Release

The Endless River 

Oliver Hermanus’ Latest Film Makes SA Debut at DIFF

Award-winning South African director Oliver Hermanus’ new film, The Endless River, will have its first South African screening at the Durban International Film Festival this month.

Having made history by being the first South African film to be invited to participate in competition at the Venice International Film Festival and picking up the Silver Tanit at the 25th Carthage International Film Festival in Tunisia, The Endless River will be screened for the first time in South Africa at the Durban International Film Festival at Ster-Kinekor Musgrave on 19 June at 18:30. It will also be screened at Nu Metro Pavilion on 22 June at 20:30 and at The Playhouse on 25 June at 12:00.

In The Endless River, a young waitress welcomes her husband home to Riviersonderend after his four-year jail sentence. At first it appears their plans for a new life together are finally being realized, but when the family of a foreigner living on a nearby farm is brutally murdered, the young woman and the grieving widower begin gravitating towards each other. Trapped in a cycle of violence and bloodshed, the two form an unlikely bond seeking to transcend their mutual anger, pain and loneliness.

The Endless River stars French actor Nicolas Duvauchelle and a strong South African cast in Crystal-Donna Roberts, (who will be attending the DIFF on June 19 an 20), Darren Kelfkens, Carel Nel and Denise Newman. It was produced by Swift Productions and Moonlighting Films.

Oliver Hermanus is a multi-award winning, South African-born film director, writer and photographer. He has written and directed three feature-length films since his debut in 2009. His first feature, Shirley Adams, premiered in competition at the 62nd Locarno Film Festival and his second, Skoonheid, in the Un Certain Regard competition at the 64th Cannes Film Festival. The Endless River is his third film.

Details of the screening schedule can be found at www.durbanfilmfest.co.za.

The Endless River will be released in South African cinema on 1 July by Black Sheep Films. For more about the film, visitfacebook.com/blacksheepfilms1.

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NOTE TO MEDIA: Crystal-Donna Roberts (Tiny) will be attending DIFF and available for interviews on 19 & 20 June.

Caption to supplied photo: The Endless River stars French actor Nicolas Duvauchelle with Crystal-Donna Roberts.

SA Release Date: 1 July

Rating: 16 S V, 110min

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybZQx_d38O4

Images: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/b0vqwo702r3sqwd/AAAsc7uwFWZkDxgbC-JMxfy2a?dl=0

Production Notes: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/5v35qft3wbxcuh2/AACNA6mJ-sWv7zQFdE-7EO5sa?dl=0

Issued on behalf of Black Sheep Films by:

Trevor Crighton

trevor@syntegrate.co.za

083 652 7713

 FOR DURBAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL/ DURBAN FILMMART

Sharlene Versfeld
Versfeld & Associates
Public Relations and Communications
Mobile: +27 (0) 83 326 3235
Tel: +27 (0) 31 811 5628
Post: P O Box 30547, Mayville, 4058
Email: sharlene@versfeld.co.za
Twitter: sharlvers
Website: www.versfeld.co.za

Award winning South African documentary at DIFF

Media Release

Award winning South African documentary at DIFF

The South African documentary Lost Tongue, winner of the Women Film Critics Circle Award, is set to screen at the 37th Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) which takes place from June 16 and 26.

The feature-length documentary film draws attention to the plight of South Africa’s indigenous and marginalized Khomani San people and their desperate efforts to save their almost extinct N/uu language, with only three elderly people still speaking it. Lost Tongue follows the journey of Helena Steenkamp in her efforts to learn and save the language culture and values.

The film, directed by Davison Mudzingwa and produced by Mvura Ya Afrika Productions, received the prestigious Women Film Critics Circle Award after its premiere at the SR Socially Relevant Film Festival New York in March this year, and has had sold out screenings at the Encounters South African International Documentary Film Festival. "We are excited to be part of DIFF,” said Mudzingwa. “We consider it to be the annual mecca for film in Africa and the fact that Lost Tongue is screening at DIFF is something we deeply cherish. The film that resonates with all of us as it speaks about the core aspects of our being as humans: identity, language and culture."

Lost Tongue, which is in competition at DIFF, will have three screenings during the festival. The opening screening will be on Friday, June 17, at 8.30pm at Musgrave Ster Kinekor, Wednesday, June 22, at 10pm at the Luthuli Museum in Groutville, and on Sunday, June 26, at8pm at Nu Metro Pavilion.

SAE Institute Cape Town, the world’s largest creative media educational institute, is partnering with MYA Productions to co-host the screening of the film. 

The film has been supported by Entrepreneurship Africa (EA) and the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF).

For more information about the DIFF go to www.durbanfilmfest.co.za.

The Durban International Film Festival takes place from 16-26 June 2016. The Festival includes more than 250 theatrical screenings, as well as the Wavescape Film Festival and various industry initiatives, including the 9th Talents Durban programme (in cooperation with the Berlin Talent Campus) and the 7th Durban FilmMart co-production market (in partnership with the Durban Film Office).

The 37th Durban International Film Festival is organised by the Centre for Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, with support from the National Film and Video Foundation, Durban Film Office, eThekwini Municipality, German Embassy, Goethe Institut, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Arts and Culture and a range of other valued partners.

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Durban's KZNSA Gallery Short Films Hub and Journeymen Exhibition

Media Release

Durban’s KZNSA Gallery Short Films Hub and Journeymen Exhibition

The KZNSA Gallery in Glenwood, Durban will once again be the Short Films Hub for the 37th Durban International Film Festival (DIFF). In addition, the gallery will be home to opening night film The Journeymen’s accompanying photographic exhibition entitled Twenty Journeyfrom June 18 to 24.

Twenty Journey is an exhibition that conveys the photographic journey of three South African photographers, the protagonists in the filmThe Journeymen - Sipho Mpongo, Wikus de Wet and Sean Metelerkamp. The trio travelled some 24 000 km around the country for over seven months, speaking to a fascinating array of different people that they came across, capturing images that represented those particular individuals and places. Collectively, these images tell a South African story in a captivating pictorial ensemble, shining a light on the intimate and interwoven nature of the people that make up a nation striving for identity and authentic restoration.

 “In their documentary, the frame is no longer still and installed in white gallery walls. The frame is moving through the mundane, the exciting, the discovered, the racial, the gendered, the rich, the poor, the educated, the illiterate, the intersections and the Journeymen,” says Khanyisile Mbongwa, curator of the Twenty Journey exhibition. “It is a project that, in its conception, questions the very existence of the horizon, set up within the context of a collapsing rainbow nation. It tasked itself to ask democracy questions about “Born-Frees”,“Land” and “Idiosyncrasies”.

Mbongwa is a Cape Town based award-winning curator and performative installation artist. She is the co-founding member of Gugulective, robust and innovative arts collective and co-founder of VASIKI Creative Citizens. Her work has been seen across South Africa, Germany, Spain, Sri Lanka, Scotland and New York among others.

The KZNSA Gallery in 166 Bulwer Road, Glenwood, will be the hub for the exhibition and short films that are part of DIFF. The gallery is open Tuesday to Friday 9am to 5pm, Saturday 9am to 4pm and Sundays 10am to 3pm. Screenings of the short films are at 6pm and 8pm.

For films in the shorts line-up see the DIFF programme booklet available at the DIFF venues, or the website. www.durbanfilmfest.co.za.

The Durban International Film Festival takes place from 16-26 June 2016. The Festival includes nearly 200 theatrical screenings, as well as the Wavescape Film Festival and various industry initiatives, including the 9th Talents Durban programme (in cooperation with the Berlin Talent Campus) and the 7th Durban FilmMart co-production market (in partnership with the Durban Film Office).

The 37th Durban International Film Festival is organised by the Centre for Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, with support from the National Film and Video Foundation, Durban Film Office, eThekwini Municipality, German Embassy, Goethe Institut, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Arts and Culture and a range of other valued partners.

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Captions to photo: Stills from the Twenty Journey Exhibition - each photo is labelled with each photographer’s name

37th Durban International Film Festival: Free Public Screenings

Media Release

37th Durban International Film Festival: Free Public Screenings

The Durban International Film Festival, which takes place from June 16 to 26, will host a series of free public screenings. The DIFF will travel to Clermont, Kwangcolosi, Inanda, Umlazi, KwaMashu and the city centre, where people will have the opportunity to watch this year’s opening night film The Journeymen as well as the comedy - Wonder Boy for President, starring Kagiso Lediga.

The Journeymen is a documentary filmed in 2014, the year in which South Africa celebrated 20 years of democracy and mourned Nelson Mandela’s death. The film chronicles the free-wheeling journey of three South African photographers (Sean Metelerkamp, Sipho Mpongo and Wikus De Wet) across the country as they explore the current state of South Africa with GoPro cameras strapped to their chests, feeling its pulse and asking the question: “Has Mandela’s vision of equality in a rainbow nation been achieved?” The film answers this question with a kaleidoscopic set of responses that is disturbing, beautiful, thought-provoking and, more than anything, movingly surreal. The film shows the underlying demons of our troubled national soul but also its deep and profound beauty. Made with technology that is widely accessible, the film is also a vibrant call to arms for new modes of filmmaking and fresh approaches to narrative. 

Directed by John Barker, Wonder Boy for President tells a story of Wonder Boy, a charismatic and authoritative young man from the Eastern Cape (played by master comedian Kagiso Lediga), who is coerced into running for president by two dubious and corrupt characters played by Ntosh Madlingozi and Tony Miyambo. Their aim is to mould him into a great politician and manufacture his down-fall at the right time, for the right price. It is a political satire that delves into political dynamics and the challenges that arise.

Programme – both films will be screened each day

Saturday, 18 June at 10:00am at Clermont Library

Monday, 20 June at 10:00am at Wushwini Arts Centre at Kwangcolosi

Tuesday, 21 June at 10:00am at Ohlange Library, Inanda

Thursday, 23 June at 10:00am Umlazi W Library W

Friday, 24 June at 10:00am at Creative Arts College on Dr Pixley Kasema Street (West Street)

Saturday, 25 June at 10:00am at KwaMashu Ekhaya Multi Arts Centre (KCAP)

For general enquiries call 031 260 2506, logon to www.durbanfilmfest.co.za, follow on Twitter @Diffest  and like the Facebook page Durbaninternationalfilmfestival.

The Durban International Film Festival takes place from 16-26 June 2016. The Festival includes nearly 200 theatrical screenings, as well as the Wavescape Film Festival and various industry initiatives, including the 9th Talents Durban programme (in cooperation with the Berlin Talent Campus) and the 7th Durban FilmMart co-production market (in partnership with the Durban Film Office).

The 37th Durban International Film Festival is organised by the Centre for Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, with support from the National Film and Video Foundation, Durban Film Office, eThekwini Municipality, German Embassy, Goethe Institut, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Arts and Culture and a range of other valued partners.

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Durban filmmaker returns to Durban International Film Festival with Radio Rats documentary

MEDIA RELEASE 

Durban filmmaker returns to Durban International Film Festival with Radio Rats documentary

“Jiving and Dying - The Radio Rats Story” sees Durban filmmaker Michael Cross return to the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) (16-26 June) with a documentary about a band he argues are so much more than one-hit wonders.

Almost forty years ago, in late-1970s South Africa, there was a song on the radio about a spaceman called ZX Dan.  It was by a noisy little band from Springs, near Johannesburg. That song and hundreds more songwriter Jonathan Handley has penned since then remain an important, if sometimes overlooked, part of South Africa’s musical landscape.

According to director Cross, this film, twenty-five years in the making, introduces the music of the Rats and the words of Jonathan Handley “in an attempt to afford them the place they deserve in the history of independent rock ’n’ roll in South Africa.”
 

The film reveals how Radio Rats were to influence one fellow resident of Springs, James Phillips (aka Bernoldus Niemand) to form a band and to write songs.   It was Phillips who went on to initiate the alternative Afrikaans music scene of the mid-80s, the Voëlvry “movement” and, indirectly perhaps, the Oppikoppi music festival where a stage still bears his name.

“Jiving and Dying” also shows Rats songwriter Jonathan Handley continues to record and archive music relentlessly. His sharply-observed characters form the basis for most of his songs and he's funny, he's witty and he's dedicated. He's disarmingly self-deprecating too. The filmmaker maintains Handley remains one of the unsung heroes of South African music.

Durban-based, Cross has attended DIFF since he was a teenager in the late-1970’s and has always been struck by the selection of music-documentaries featured over the years.  “Jiving and Dying” is his third music-documentary selected for the Durban International Film Festival.  “Bafo Bafo - What Kind?!” profiling the collaboration between guitarists Syd Kitchen and Madala Kunene, tpremiered in 2005 and “Rockstardom - The Journey of a Small-Town Songwriter" screened in 2012 following it’s premiere at the Encounters South African International Documentary Film Festival.  He has produced more than 50 music videos with artists including Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Busi Mhlongo.

This 37th edition of DIFF features several music-related films with “Jiving and Dying” joined by: “Songs of Lahore”, “Breaking a Monster”, “I Shot Bi Kidude” and “Shwabade”.  “Jiving and Dying” will premiere on Friday, 24 June 2016 at 8 pm at Ster-Kinekor Musgrave 5 and an additional screening will take place on Sunday, 26 June at 11:00, also at Ster-Kinekor Musgrave.

For more information about “Jiving and Dying” e-mail rogueproductions@mweb.co.za and for more information about DIFF go to www.durbanfilmfest.co.za.

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