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CaribbeanTales and Durban FilmMart Join Forces to Support African Women Filmmakers

CaribbeanTales and the Durban FilmMart present CineFAM - Africa, an accelerator program for African women filmmakers. 

CaribbeanTales Media Group (CTMG) and the Durban FilmMart (DFM) today announce a new partnership to support the development of original serialized television content created by women from Africa and the African Diaspora. 

 CineFAM is an initiative of CaribbeanTales to support bold original films by women of colour worldwide. “Cinefam” in the Haitian-Creole language means “films by women”. This Accelerator aims to build capacity and creative leadership among women of colour who are underrepresented in leadership roles.  

 “We are absolutely thrilled to embark on this new partnership with CaribbeanTales. The Accelerator Incubator Program will provide an exciting new platform to support the development of women-led audio-visual content in Africa, and promote more representational narratives. Through this partnership, we hope to build a bridge between the two organisations that will raise the voices of African women filmmakers,” said Toni Monty, Head of Durban Film Office and DFM the co-production and finance market, which is a joint programme of the eThekwini Municipality’s industry development unit the Durban Film Office (DFO) and the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF), South Africa.

 “CaribbeanTales was founded and run by women of color from the Caribbean and African Diaspora so this initiative is close to our hearts. This partnership provides an unprecedented platform and opportunities for South African, African and African Diaspora women film producers,” says CaribbeanTales CEO Frances-Anne Solomon. “Africa is a natural partner for us in the Caribbean and we couldn’t be more pleased to be building a relationship with DFM to bring our Incubator Accelerator program to Africa!” 

 CineFAM - Africa, which will be led by CaribbeanTales Vice-President Nicole Brooks, is a two-day program that will take place during the Durban FilmMart July 14 to 17, 2017.

 For this first edition of CineFAM - Africa, South African women producers and African women producers living in South Africa are invited to submit their film projects of original serialized television content for consideration. A total of five projects will be selected, and entered into the program to be held at DFM exposing participants to CaribbeanTales’ accelerator unique process including a great overview and guide on how to create the basis of story, marketing, pitching and financing.

 The accelerator will culminate in a Mini-Pitch. The winner will qualify to participate in the renowned CaribbeanTales Incubator (CTI), in Toronto, Canada. CTI is a year-round development and production hub for Caribbean and Caribbean Diaspora Producers that aims to create strong, compelling and sustainable content for the global market. The CTI's goal will increase the pool of world-class indigenous film and television content and build the Region’s audio-visual capacity.

 Submissions are now open. To submit a project USE THIS LINK TO APPLY or visit www.caribbeantalesincubator.com. Submissions close on 16 June 2017.

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SPAR KZN School Girls' Hockey Challenge - Grantleigh College

The Northern Coastal KZN Regional of the SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge, will take place at Grantleigh College in Richards Bay on Sunday, May 28.

This regional, the last in the series of ten in this year’s Challenge, features eight schools playing pool games with the top scoring teams of each pool facing off in a regional final on Grantleigh’s astroturf. Pool games will be 20 minutes one way, and the finals 30 minutes, with 15 minutes played each way.

Richardsbaai Hoërskool, Felixton, Richards Bay Christian School, John Ross College and Eshowe High School will play in Pool A, while Grantleigh College, St Catherine’s School, Empangeni High School and Mandini College in Pool B.

Hosts and defending champs, Grantleigh College has twice represented this regional at the Grand Finals, the first in the inaugural tournament in 2011 and then again last year. They snapped the regional title away from four time winners, Empangeni High, who no doubt will be eager to reprise their victory once more. Last year’s regional although ended with a show-down between Richardsbaai Hoërskool and Grantleigh, so it remains to be seen who will dominate this time.

Speaking ahead of the tournament, Grantleigh coach Garth Bishop says “The team is quietly confident however the competition will be tough and it is going to take lots of hard work to try defend the title.”

“Last year was a really tough year, we performed really well against the bigger schools, but unfortunately couldn’t sustain the performances later in the tournament. It has just shown how we need to play at a consistent level if we want to achieve again this year.” 

“We participated at the Nedstar Hockey clinic in Pretoria, and although not all the results went according to plan we managed to take significant strides forward as a team. The Irish Men’s hockey coach, Craig Fulton, also gave the girls some areas to think about while playing if they want to achieve at a higher level.”

“We expect that this will probably be one of the toughest years as there are a number of schools who have really improved over the past few seasons and it is probably the most open competition in the last few years,”  continues Bishop. “It would be great to win the regionals again as the finals in Durban is definitely a highlight of the season for all the players.”

Winners will meet nine other teams from around KZN at the Grand Finals at St Mary’s DSG in Kloof on 29th and 30th July. They will join Wartburg Kirchdorf, winners of the PMB Inland Regional, St Mary’s DSG winner of the Highway Regional, King Edward, winners of the Ugu and Sisonke Regional, Ferrum Skool (Newcastle), St Anne’s College (PMB North), St John’s DSG (PMB Central), Amanzimtoti High School (Durban South), Our Lady of Fatima (Durban North) and Durban Girls College (Durban Central).

For more information like the Facebook page.

 

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SPAR KZN School Girls' Hockey Challenge - Wartburg Kirchdorf claims their victory - May 13

Wartburg Kirchdorf claimed their fifth consecutive victory at the Umvoti, uThukela and Umzinyathi Regional of the SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge at Wembley College in Greytown this Saturday.

The cold, rainy and blustery weather did not dampen the spirits of the five first schoolgirls’ hockey teams, as they took to the astro. But is was the defending champions, Wartburg Kirchdorf who owned the day despite all the teams having had a tough time in the conditions. As the weather was less than ideal, games were shortened to 20 minutes one way instead of 30 minutes as originally planned for this regional. 

In the final game, Wartburg psychologically worked some magic asthey scored the game’s three goals within the first four minutes. Michelle Engelbrecht, managed to score the first and third goals, while her cousin Elona Engelbrecht,  who plays for KZN U19 Inland Kites Team (although she is only U17), the second – with all three goals secured with skillful reverse stick precision. 

Wembley fought back bravely, and managed to keep the decisive opponents out of the goals for the rest of the game, but, this resulted in them having to play a more defensive game. Goalie Ashleigh Mason was not going to allow any more passages into her goal, and valiantly defended it backed up by some rather determined Wembley defence.

An elated Wartburg Kirchdorf coach Lisa Misselhorn said “We are thrilled to have once again taken the honours. This was initially a very tough regional for us, as we were not playing with our heads. I knew all along that the bodies would not give up, they are strong, but we needed to pull together to play a more strategic team game. In the end this all seemed to come together and I think they worked extremely well as a team in the final game against Wembley.”Kevin Engelbrecht, a relative of the Engelbrecht girls, was acknowledged as the most promising umpire for this regional.

Wartburg Kirchdorf join winners from the Ugu and Sisonke Regional, King Edward, Ferrum Skool (Newcastle), St Anne’s College (PMB North), St John’s DSG (PMB Central), Amanzimtoti High School (Durban South), Our Lady of Fatima (Durban North) and Durban Girls College (Durban Central). The remaining two regionals are to be played later this month.

The Grand Finals takes place at St Mary’s DSG on 28 and 29 July.

For more info like the Facebook page.

Results:

1 Wartburg Kirchdorf, 2Wembley College, 3 Greytown High School,  4 Deutsche Schule Hermannsburg, 5 Domino Servite.

 

SPAR KZN School Girl's Hockey Challenge - Highway Regional hosted by Curro Hillcrest - May 21

In one of the most fiercely contested regionals of the SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge, seven west Durban schools will battle it out at Curro Hillcrest on May 21, in an attempt to claim the Highway title.

 

Schools participating in this regional include Westville Girls’ High School, Hillcrest High, Curro Hillcrest, Kloof High, Thomas More College and current overall challenge champs and five times winners of this regional, St Mary’s DSG.

 

Last year, in one of the most enthralling regional finals which could have ended either way, St Mary’s DSG just managed to edge out Westville Girls’ High School, who have claimed victory in this challenge. No doubt Westville, will be going all out in attempt to take top honours, and St. Mary’s will be eager to hang on to their title, promising some riveting hockey along the way together with the other strong teams from this area.

 

This regional tournament, hosted by Curro Hillcrest, will be played in a round-robin format, with 30 minute one-way matches. The two teams with the most points tallied at the end, face each other in a final to determine who will go through to meet nine other regional winners at the Grand Finals at St Mary’s DSG in Kloof in July.

 

Coach for St Mary’s DSG Kelly Reed says, “I am 100% confident in the team’s ability to qualify for the finals, however sport is sport and anything can happen and that’s why we all love it so much. The format of the regionals with only 30 minute games always makes it competitive and any team on their good day can be difficult to beat.”

 

Speaking about last year’s finals, Reed says that they were “intense but amazing – a really nice experience for the girls to play teams from all over and to learn from their different styles of play. These short format games and playing in pressure situations have taught the girls a lot about patience and how important it is to take your chances – so we look forward to the tournament and what it holds.”

 

The winners of this regional will join nine regional winners at the Grand Finals at St Mary’s in Durban on July 29 and 30. Regional winners include King Edward High School, winners of the Ugu and Sisonke Regional, Ferrum Skool (Newcastle), St Anne’s College (PMB North), St John’s DSG (PMB Central), Amanzimtoti High School (Durban South), Our Lady of Fatima (Durban North) and Durban Girls College (Durban Central) and a team from the Umvoti, uThukela and Umzinyathi Regional which will be played on May 13 and another from the Northern Coastal regional to be played on May 28 at Grantleigh in Richards Bay. 

 

For more info like the Facebook page.

8th Durban FilmMart announces Official Project Selection for 2017 edition

A record 22 fiction feature films and documentaries projects in development from around Africa have been selected for the 8th edition of the Durban FilmMart (DFM) which takes place in Durban, South Africa from July 14 to 17. 

 

A joint programme of the eThekwini Municipality’s film industry development unit, the Durban Film Office (DFO) and the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF), the DFM aims to showcase and increase awareness of African cinema through stimulating film production on the continent by encouraging collaborations amongst African filmmakers. 

 

The projects this year have been selected from across Africa, including Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, Benin, DRC, Namibia, Somalia, Mozambique and South Africa. 

 

"We are more than delighted with this year’s submissions and selection of projects," says Toni Monty, Head of the DFO. "We have a range of countries represented as well as an interesting selection of topics and themes, which we are sure will engage and pique the interest of the visiting experts and peers. With 12 feature films and 10 documentaries, this promises to be a bumper edition and we look forward to welcoming and engaging with the film-makers on these projects in the hope that the DFM will act as a facilitator and catalyst for the further development of these films.”

 

“Ultimately the proof is when we see the projects come to life and get produced, distributed and screened,” Monty goes on to say. “Many of the projects selected from the DFM go on to be granted further opportunities to develop at other markets and incubators around the world. We have seen them doing well at festivals or picking up good distribution deals for cinema release. In the past we have seen many of these projects come to life and premiere at the Durban International Film Festival – a wonderful testimony to the value of the Durban FilmMart.”

 

The DFM provides a platform for African filmmakers, industry professionals, broadcasters and potential financiers, to come connect, network and engage in important conversations around projects. Over the years it has become an important networking space for film-makers and a solid springboard for new thinking and collaboration between African and other international film-makers.

 

The selected fiction and documentary film-makers will attend the DFM and will be meeting one-on-one with possible co-producers and financiers in the Finance Forum. They will also pitch their work to a panel of commissioning editors from local and international funders and financiers, and meet and network with a wide range of industry experts and possible collaborators during the four-day event.

Fiction

An African Tale (Kenya) – produced by Shirleen Wangar and directed by Gilbert Lukalia

Border (Benin) – produced by Idrissou Mora Kpai and directed by Arouna Sacca Mora Kpai

Borderlines (South Africa) – produced Kim Williams and Paul Egan and directed by Meg Rickards 

Dabulaphu (Short Cut) (South Africa) - produced Kethiwe Ngcobo and David Max Brown and directed by Norman Maake

Matigari (Congo) – produced by Dilima Luzuko, Balufu Bakupa Kanyinda, Fidelis  Duker, Cathy Muigai and directed by Balufu Bakupa Kanyinda

Miles from Nowhere (South Africa) – produced by Bongiwe Selane and directed by Samantha Nel

Rainbows Don’t Last Long (Egypt) – produced by Halina Dyrschka and directed by Mayye Zayed

Richard was Here (South Africa) – produced by Akona Matyila and Jack Chiang and directed by Akona Matyila 

The Girl from Wereldend (Namibia) – produced by Dylan Voogt and directed by Jana Brückner

The Lotus (South Africa) – produced by Bonita Sithebe and directed by Philani Sithebe

The Sovereign (South Africa) – produced by Gary King, Cait Pansegrouw and Elias Ribeiro and directed by Wim Steytler

The Woods (South Africa) - produced and directed by Kofi Zwane 

Documentaries

As I Want (Zay Mana Aiyza) (Egypt) – produced by Karim El Hakim and directed by Samaher Alqadi

Behind Closed Doors (Morocco) – produced by Cyriac Auriol, Hind Saih, Karoline Henkel and directed by Yakhout Elhabibi

Better Sundays (Kenya) – produced by Kelvin Kimathi and directed by Lydia Matata

Desterrados (Mozambique) – produced by Fabio Ribeiro and directed by Yara Costa

Encore (working title) (South Africa) – produced by Liesel Priem, Jolynn Minnaar and directed by Jessie Zinn and Jethro Westraad

Lobola, A Bride's True Price (South Africa) – produced by Sarah Basyouny and directed by Sihle Hlophe

Rajada Dalka (Nation’s Hope) (Somalia) – produced by Andy Jones, Cynthia Kane, and Lyric R Cabraland directed by Hana Mire

Softie (Kenya) – produced by Matrid Nyagah and Linda Ogeda and directed by Soko Sam

Working Womxn (South Africa) – produced by Tiny Mungwe and directed by Shanelle Jewnarain

Y Revolution (South Africa) – produced and directed by Suzanne du Toit 

“Of course filmmakers who do not have projects selected for the market are also invited to attend as delegates as there is a full programme of masterclasses, forums and networking events during the DFM..”

For more information on the Durban FilmMart and to register as a delegate visit www.durbanfilmmart.com

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Start them young at the European Film Festival

Enjoy the European Film Festival with your little ones! For the first time the European Film Festival, which opens nationwide on Friday, May 5, offers a film which is sure to appeal to young and old. This is a great opportunity to enjoy the annual film festival together with your children, your friends’ children, your children’s friends and their parents too!

 

Suitable for children aged 8 and over, Zip & Zap is a madcap adventure in Spanish with English subtitles. When your parents feel overbearing, the idea of playing the whole day without them or any other adult telling you what to do might seem like a good idea. Twin brothers Zip and Zap thought so too, but soon discover that what seemed like total freedom at first, cannot trump your parents’ love. Together with two newfound friends, they set out to find their mom and dad.

 

“We are delighted that this year’s selection includes a family movie”, says the festival director Katarina Hedrén. “The Spanish entry Zip & Zap and the Captain’s Island by Oskar Santos, is the second filmic adventure based on a comic book series about two naughty brothers. Funny and visually stunning, the film makes for a perfect outing.”

 

Scheduled to make it possible for as many children, parents, uncles and aunties as possible to catch it, Zip & Zap is showing one Saturday afternoon and one Sunday afternoon in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Pretoria. The Durban screening happens early on Saturday evening (6 May) in Durban.

 

Book now.”

The film, which has charmed audiences at film festivals, including the BFI London Film Festival, offers a great opportunity to open children’s hearts and minds to film and magic storytelling from other parts of the world. 

 

For more information, visit www.eurofilmfest.co.za or join the conversation on Twitter and Facebook: #EuroFilmFestSA.

Bookings priced at R64. For booking information, visitwww.cinemanouveau.co.za or www.sterkinekor.com. 

For queries, contact Ticketline on 0861 Movies (668 437). Normal benefits and ticket discounts apply to members of SK Club, Discovery Vitality and Edgars Club.

 

Venues and screening of Zip & Zap and the Captains Island:

Johannesburg: Cinema Nouveau - Rosebank Mall

Rosebank Mall (Level 1), cnr Bath & Baker Streets, Rosebank

Saturday 6 May @ 2:30pm

Sunday 14 May @ 2:30PM

 

Pretoria: Cinema Nouveau - Brooklyn

Brooklyn Mall (Lower Level Shop 12), Bronkhorst Street, New Muckleneuk

Sunday 7 May @ 2:30pm

Saturday 13 May @ 2:30pm

 

Cape Town: Cinema Nouveau - V&A

King Warehouse, Red Shed, Victoria and Alfred Waterfront

Saturday 6 May @ 2:30PM

Sunday 14 May @ 2:30pm

 

 

Durban: Cinema Nouveau - Gateway

Gateway Theatre of Shopping (Expo/Explore Floor), 1 Palm Blvd, Umhlanga Rocks

Saturday 6 May @ 2:30pm

MEDIA QUERIES:

BUZ PR 

BRIDGET VAN OERLE/ SNEZIWE DUBE

011 673 0264 / 477 0923

buz@buz.co.za / info@buz.co.za

SPAR KZN School Girls' Hockey Challenge, Umvoti uThukela and Umzinyathi Regional at Wembley College -Greytown - May 13

The Umvoti, uThukela and Umzinyathi Regional of the SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge will take place at Wembley College in Greytown next Saturday, May 13.

 

The small, yet traditionally very festive regional, sees five schools participating this year in a round-robin format with four times winners Wartburg Kirchdorf defending their title against host school Wembley College, Greytown High School, Deutsche Schule Hermannsburg and Domino Servite. Games will last 30 minutes, with 15 minutes play each way.

 

The defending champs Wartburg Kirchdorf have been hard at work in preparation for next week’s tournament, “We  hosted our own pre-season hockey tournament last term ending in the final against Carter High which ended in a draw,” explains coach Lisa Misselhorn. “And we attended the annual Voortrekker festival in which we won our pool and lost in the final to KEHS. It was a very pleasing result given that we have seven new players on the team.”

 

“We still have a number of players who have been in the team for a year or two and know the expectations of the tournament,” she continues. “And we are delighted that one of our players Elona Engelbrecht, who is U17, was chosen for the KZN U19 Inland Kites Team, which has been a major boost for the team’s morale.”

 

“Having won the regional tournament for four consecutive years, we are very aware that the other schools would like to have a turn in winning but we will not go down without giving of our best,” she says. “So, we would like to say good luck to everyone playing, and we look forward to a great day of hockey.”

 

The victorious team of this eighth regional will join winners from the Ugu and Sisonke Regional,  King Edward, Ferrum Skool (Newcastle), St Anne’s College (PMB North), St John’s DSG (PMB Central), Amanzimtoti High School (Durban South), Our Lady of Fatima (Durban North) and Durban Girls College (Durban Central). The remaining two regionals are to be played later this month.

21st anniversary of The Route of the Prince Impérial, Louis Napoleon, A Franco-Zulu Cultural Celebration and Commemoration

This year marks the 21st Anniversary of the establishment of La Route du Prince Impérial, Louis Napoléon (The Route of the Prince Impérial, Louis Napoleon), a bold tourism initiative that follows the scenic pilgrimage route through KwaZulu-Natal, taken by a mother in mourning as she followed the footsteps of her son to where he was killed during the Anglo-Zulu War in 1879. 

 

The Prince Impérial, Louis Napoléon was killed in an ambush at uQweqwe, near Nqutu, on 1 June 1879. The following year on the anniversary of his death, his mother, the Empress Eugenie, spent the night in vigil at the very spot, which is now marked as a monument to him.

 

Who would have thought that 138 years later, the monument would play an important role driving a small, but vital tourism injection into the community at uQweqwe.

 

This year, the Alliance Francaise, Pietermaritzburg and the French Presence in KwaZulu-Natal cultural tourism research development project, present a programme of engaging activities with a number of partners during the month of May – Africa month. Both associations play a valuable networking function in connecting France, Reunion Island and other Francophone countries with South Africa.

 

Early May sees a call to action for people to support Art in the Park. The Pietermaritzburg Amateur Music Society then sets the tone for French week with its Musique Sacrée concert of French Sacred music at the Lutheran Church, Hayfields at 14H30 Sunday 21 May 2017.

 

A week later, on The Midlands Amble, a Sunday gathering at Albert Falls commemorates the first night’s “camp” of the Empress Eugénie, when she came on her sorrowful pilgrimage.

 

On Monday May 28, a guided visit to the Msunduzi Museum will see a programme of school activities which includes a history presentation on the Anglo-Zulu war as well as readings and worksheets on related topics.

 

The Empress Eugénie and The Prince Imperial wines produced by Domaine des Dieux ofthe Hemel-en-Aarde Valley in Hermanus are celebrated during this week, and on Africa Day, Wednesday May 31 at 13H00, the annual Prince Imperial lunchtime concert takes place at The Old Prison / Project Gateway in Pietermaritzburg. The concert features the Sobantu School Choir, the Sobantu acapella group, the dance performers from Chistlehurst Arts & Academics, as well as the Impisi Emnyama Zulu dancers, and Exquiniqué Fashion that will present its own unique brand!

 

That night a Franco-Italian pizza evening at Pizzology further celebrates the historical genealogy of the Bonapartes and the present day entente cordiale that exists in our country.

 

Dr Andrew-John Bethke will be giving a special anniversary organ recital at 19H00 in the Lutheran Church, Hayfields on Thursday evening 1 June - the commemoration day of the Prince’s death and the anniversary day of the Route.

 

On Friday 2 June, The Embassy of France, the French Institute, the Alliance and the Napoleon Foundation, Paris present a concert at the Tatham Art Gallery to celebrate local talent and welcome His Excellency the Ambassador of France, Mr Christophe Farnaud and other international guests.

 

The evening starts with the launch of the publication by Otterley Press of The French Prince: Tragedy to Transformation by Glenn Flanagan followed by the award ceremony of Les Palmes Académiques to Heather Peel, Head of French at Hilton College for her contribution to the teaching of French. A concert follows featuring Sandile Mabaso, a celebrated opera singer from KwaZulu Natal, the Sobantu Secondary School isiscathamiya performers, the Impisi Emnyama Zulu Dancers and the Chistlehurst Academics and Arts Dance group, who promise a finale with great French flair.

 

A memorial mass will be celebrated on June 3 at 09H30 at the Allard House Chapel, KZN’s first Roman Catholic Church (built in 1852) performed in association with the memorial mass in the Imperial Chapel in Biarritz, France. Well known choral leader Michael Lambert, will be directing the Scola Musicae Sanctae choir.

 

Following this mass the dignitaries will depart for Dundee along the Prince Imperial Route pausing for tea with the French Augustinian Sisters in Pomeroy, culminating in a French soirée at Elisabeth Durham’s Chez Nous B ‘n B in Dundee. At the soirée the convener and project leader of La Route du Prince Impérial, Louis Napoléon, Glenn Flanagan will present a visual résumé of highlights of the past 21 years of Route development.

 

The next day the delegation will visit the Jojosini Primary School in the community where the monument is situated, to inspect the sponsorship of rain tanks and library donated by Panteix /Antalis and local donors.

 

The ceremony to commemorate the 138th anniversary of the death of the Prince begins at 10H15.

 

The Ambassador of France will lay a wreath on the Prince Imperial memorial; inkosi Mdlalose and Induna Mbatha will lay wreathes on the tombs of Trooper Abel and Trooper Rogers and Gugu Buthelezi (voluntary site guide) will lay a wreathe for the nameless Zulu guide killed in the same ambush on 1 June 1879.

 

After the ceremonies, sporting events organized by Nathi Sibisi of the uQweqwe community will take place.

 

“We have an exciting line-up of Franco-Zulu related activities in Pietermaritzburg, in Dundee and the uQweqwe community during May and the first weekend in June,’ says Glenn Flanagan. “We welcome Francophiles and everyone who enjoys a slice of history, as well as those who are keen to experience the value of creating and developing fascinating historical and cultural links between different cultures and how this can benefit our communities – both rural and urban.”

 

The 21st Anniversary celebrations of La Route du Prince Impérial, Louis Napoléon is supported by the Embassy of France, the Alliance Française, TKZN, SA TOURISM, local municipalities, local tourism authorities and the Napoleon Foundation, Paris.

 

For the full programme go to the Facebook Page: French Presence in KZN: La Route du Prince Impérial, Louis Napoléon.

Durban dancer, choreographer, and arts activist receives a coveted Ordre des arts et des Lettres from the French Government

In a glamorous event hosted at Durban’s Alliance Française on Tuesday 25 April, Durban’s Lliane Loots was awarded the honour of Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Order of Arts and Letter  by the Ambassador of France to South Africa, Mr Christophe Farnaud.

 

In a moving acknowledgement and celebration of Loots lifes work in growing, making and supporting dance in South Africa, and in conjunction with the support she has offed to French artists visiting and working in South Africa, this Knighthood was gently and beautifully bestowed by Ambassador Farnaud on his very first visit to Durban.

 

The Ordre des Arts et des Lettres is a medal of honour that is bestowed by the French government in recognition of significant contributions to the arts and the propagation of the arts and in significant connection to also enriching the French cultural inheritance. It is an award that was established in 1957 by the French government and, in 2017 three South African – all in the dance sector - will be receiving it; Lliane Loots, Gregory Maqoma and Georgina Thompson.

 

Loots presently holds the positions of Dance Lecturer in the Drama and Performance Studies Programme at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (Howard College Campus). She has a Master’s degree in Gender Studies and is presently completing her PhD looking at contemporary dance histories on the African continent. She is delighted to hold the founding position of Artistic Director for the Centre for Creative Arts’s annual JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience (a festival that will make its historic 20th edition in 2018). She has also recently been invited onto the Grahamstown National Arts Festival’s Artistic Committee (for dance).

 

Loots founded FLATFOOT DANCE COMPANY as a professional dance company in 2003 when it grew out of a dance training programme that originally began in 1995. As the artistic director and resident choreographer for FLATFOOT DANCE COMPANY (now the longest surviving professional dance company in Durban), she has won numerous national choreographic awards and commissions and has travelled quite extensively in Europe, America and the African continent with her dance work. Loots and FLATFOOT are also known for the vast amount of youth dance education and development work done in KZN, and, through JOMBA!, for putting Durban on the global dance map. 

 

This award has honoured all of these divergent parts of Loots’s life as a cultural worker in Durban and her award was accompanied by support from the FLATFOOT company as they stood by her to receive the medal of honour.

Durban SPAR Women’s 10/5km Challenge – Sunday, June 11

Durban SPAR Women’s 10/5km Challenge – Sunday, June 11

 

Online entries are now open for this year’s Durban SPAR Women’s 10/5km Challenge, which takes place on Sunday, June 11.

 

The race, which is now in it’s 28th year, is a firm fixture on the KZN event calendar in KZN and annually draws a field of around 17 500 runners and walkers, along with countless supporters that come to enjoy the camaraderie and fun along the route and at the finish.

 

The theme for the challenge this year is “SHEroes” celebrating the “Superhero” status of women. “Every woman has a unique story to tell about their own inner beauty, strength and determination. In short, every woman is a Super Hero in their own way,” says Max Oliva, Managing Director of SPAR KZN, “We look forward to welcoming these wonderful “SHEroes” to this year’s race where they can showcase their determination and collective energy in one of the most talked about, and certainly the most beautiful, running and walking events in town.”

 

Once again participants have an option of taking part in the more competitive 10km distance starting at 8am or can enjoy the shorter, half distance 5km at 9:30am.  The challenge starts in Masabalala Yengwa Avenue outside the finish venue at the Growthpoint Kings Park outer fields, where there will be live music to entertain finishers and supporters.

 

Entries are limited to the first 17 500 ladies and can be done either online; by using the bulk entry process, or at the race registration venue at the Durban Exhibition Centre three days prior to the event.

 

Prize money for the first position in the open category is R10 000, second position R7 500 and third R5 000, and there are also various other category prizes across the board.  For the professional athletes participating in the challenge as part of the nationwide SPAR Grand Prix Series, the stakes are much higher as the prize money for the series sits at an impressive R173 000 this year.

 

For the first time, non-South African athletes are eligible to accumulate Grand Prix points which means that the field now includes those elite non-South African athletes. Currently Louisa Leballo (Nedbank) leads the Grand Prix log having taken the honours in Cape Town on April 2 in a time of 32.58 minutes. The next race takes place in May in Port Elizabeth, followed by Durban in June.

 

A donation of R2 will be made per entry to this year’s official race charity CANSA Mkhuhla Care Home in Durban, a “home-away-from-home” for cancer patients receiving treatment.

 

Entrants for the 10km challenge are required to be 14 years or older and for the 5km must be 9 years or older on the day of the competition.

 

Race Registration takes place at Hall 6 at the Durban Exhibition Centre on:

•   Thursday, 8 June from 10:00 to 17:00,

•   Friday, 9 June from 10:00 to 17:00 and

•   Saturday, 10 June from 10:00 to 15:00.

 

All female entrants will receive a promo bag at race registration and on race day, all those who complete the race will receive a breakfast pack.

 

Entry fees are R110 for a 10km non-licensed entrant, which will include a temp licence, R100 for a 10km licensed entrant and R100 for all 5km entrants. 

 

For all the relevant race information, as well as to enter online go to www.sparwomensrace.co.za/durban 

 

For more information like the SPAR Women’s Race KZN Facebook page.

 

Realness Pan African Screenwriters' Residency - update on progress

Following an exciting first year of searching for, identifying and nurturing groundbreaking African stories, Realness Pan African Screenwriters’ Residency reflects proudly on their inaugural year of championing African film and putting focus on story development.

Presented by pioneering film company Urucu Media, Realness was established in 2016 with the aim of providing the best talent on the continent with the space, time and support necessary to create and develop their vision.

“Five screenwriter/directors were selected to participate in 2016 and each were in different stages of development with their feature fiction projects which, combined with their diversity of backgrounds, made the residency an invigorating and stimulating experience,”  says Realness founder Elias Riberio.

“We will do everything within our reach to see these projects transition from the concept, to the page and finally to the screen.”

After attending Durban FilmMart (DFM) as Durban Talents in 2016, the Realness residents worked at Nirox in the Cradle of Humankind for 6 weeks under the mentorship of Nadja Dumochel and Selina Ukwuoma. Following this they had a further 6 weeks to polish their work from home and submit the drafts to the awards committees.

Kenyan writer/director Amira Tajdin’s script for Hawa Hawaii (in fourth draft when selected for the residency)  was awarded three invitations from her participation. Her producer Wafa Tajdin attended Torino Meetings Event, a financing market in Turin, Italy where she secured international co-producers. They have been invited to attend La Fabrique des Cinemas du Monde in Cannes this year followed by a pre-production and financing workshop at MIDPOINT in Macedonia (June) and Prague in October.

South African writer/ director Wim Steytler’s project Uitlander, which was in first draft on selection , went on to be invited to three international platforms including the NFVF/CNC co-production workshop in Paris, EAVE Producer’s Workshop and more recently La Fabrique des Cinémas du Monde in Cannes.

Steytler says “I have new hope for the South African film industry where auteur driven films can be celebrated locally and reach an international audience.  Realness is tangibly facilitating a new wave in African cinema.”

Madagascar, writer/director Luck Razanajaona who brought his film Disco Afrika to the residency at third draftsays that participation in the residency gave him an opportunity to develop a clear structure and characters. Through the partnership between DFM and Realness, Luck also took his project to Cinemart in Rotterdam and won a cash award from Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie

Ethiopian filmmaker Hiwot Admasu, whose project A Fool of God was in its treatment phase upon coming to Realness, used the time in the residency to further develop the central themes and begin the screenwriting process. She was awarded participation to the Locarno Filmmakers Academy in Switzerland and upon arrival won another residency award; she had another three months of writingin Wintitour.

Finally, South African filmmaker Sheetal Magan participated in Realness with her feature film concept The Day and Night of Brahma, which also came into the residency as a treatment. “Gaining exposure to the script consultants took me to a deeper and more considered exploration of my film,” says Magan.

Looking ahead, the Realness team is assessing applications to the second edition. Over a hundred submissions were made with applications coming in from twenty-five countries across the continent including Angola, Côte d’Ivoire, DRC, Morocco, Togo, Nigeria and Rwanda.

“We worked hard to encourage more applications from the rest of the continent and are proud to have achieved this.” says co-founder Cait Pansegrouw “Over 70% of our applications came from outside of South Africa this year.

The 2017 edition of Realness takes place in June and July 2017 at the Nirox Foundation, culminating in participation in the Durban FilmMart at the Durban International Film Festival. Announcement of this year’s participants will take place at the Cannes Film Festival.

 

Realness is an initiative founded and curated by Urucu Media, under the mentorship of Berlinale Talents and in partnership with the Nirox Foundation, Durban Filmmart, The Durban International Film Festival, Durban Talents, Ten10 Films, The French Institute of South Africa and Institute Français, Torino Film Lab, EAVE Producer's Workshop, Midpoint Feature Launch, Locarno Filmmaker's Academy, Produire Au Sud, Fairbridges Wertheim Becker and Le Centre National du Cinéma et de L'image Animée (CNC).

Realness is an initiative founded and curated by Urucu Media, under the mentorship of Berlinale Talents and in partnership with the Nirox Foundation, Durban Filmmart, The Durban International Film Festival, Durban Talents, Ten10 Films, The French Institute of South Africa and Institute Français, Torino Film Lab, EAVE Producer's Workshop, Midpoint Feature Launch and Locarno Filmmaker's Academy.

 

For more information on Realness, African Screenwriters residency  contact realness@urucumedia.com

SPAR KZN School Girls' Hockey

Ugu and Sisonke Regional

Suid Natal Hoërskool: Saturday 22 April

 

King Edward High School (KEHS) made a convincing third consecutive victory, winning the Ugu and Sisonke Regional in the SPAR KZN School Girls' Hockey Challenge after a commanding final against Creston College on Saturday 22 April.

 

The final between the defending champs, KEHS and previous winners, Creston, got off to a gentle start with KEHS slowly building momentum. Spearheading the offensive, star-forward Zhanique Sissing capitalised on camping out in front of the Creston goals bysuccessfully knocking in the first two goals for her team. The third goal came courtesy of Azisa Cokoto, who in the semi-final secured her teams position by scoring the only goal in the game against Kokstad College. 

 

In a show of gutsy determination, Matatiele’s finest had pummelled in 15 goals after their pool games, leaving them with 13 points, four points ahead of second placed, Southcity. The two top teams drew nil nil when they met in the pool games. King Edward won their other games, while Southcity was held to their second draw in a Sheppie derby against Port Shepstone High School.

 

In the second pool, Creston College ended their endeavour with ten points, three points ahead of Kokstad College. Both Creston and Kokstad drew when they took each other on in the pool game but unlike KEHS and Southcity, their scoreline was 1 all. Kokstad was held to a goalless draw against host school, Suid-Natal.

 

Top goal scorer for King Edward High School was the skillful centre striker, Lukhona Ndumndum who was cool as a cucumber when in the circle, showing off fantastic stick work and when one-on-one with the goalie, she beat them most times.

 

Coach for King Edward, Deidre Duminy said, “It was a good outcome! Some games better than others. The game against Southcity was hard, they did a really good job marking us and kept a tight lid on us.”

 

Continuing, she said, “The Kokstad game was frustrating as always, they play a very physical game, and the girls end up losing discipline and play a bit of a hit and hope game.”

 

“Things came together nicely in the Creston game though and I was proud of their composure in the circle and general discipline. They played with huge hearts and have a never say die attitude. We have a lot of young players with huge potential.”

 

In the playoff for third place, Kokstad College were surprised by a focused and hard-working outfit from Southcity. Only one goal was netted and for the first time in this regional, Southcity landed up on the podium, claiming the bronze.

 

In the first semi-final, King Edward met Kokstad College Cokoto successfully slotted in the only goal. In the second semi-final, Southcity and Creston ended full time with the goal line level on nil nil. Creston College’s Fezeka Nzama and Lara Bounverie both scored while their keeper Daniella Horn kept an impressively clean sheet in the penalty shoot-out.

 

Nine schools participated in the Ugu Sisonke Regional, one of the biggest regionals in the tournament. Games were 23 minutes long, with the teams only playing one way in perfect warm autumn conditions.

 

King Edward is now the seventh team to make it through to the Grand Final in July, they join Ferrum Skool (Newcastle), St Anne’s College (PMB North), St John’s DSG (PMB Central), Amanzimtoti High School (Durban South), Our Lady of Fatima (Durban North) and Durban Girls College (Durban Central).

 

The next regional will be hosted by Wembley College, in Greytown on Saturday 13 May.

 

For more info like the tournament’s Facebook page.

 

Results

1 King Edward High School, 2 Creston College, 3 Southcity Christian Schools, 4 Kokstad College, 5 Port Shepstone High School, 6 Suid-Natal Hoërskool, 7 St Patrick’s College, 8 Ixopo High School, 9 Scottburgh High School

 

 

ENDS

 


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

Action in Autism's Annual Red Carpet Fundraiser

Action in Autism is gearing up for what promises to be an evening of magical entertainment this Saturday, 22 April, at the St John Hall in Rippon Road, Sydenham. Organised by Michelle de Quintal, the event aims to raise much-needed funds for the Action in Autism Centre, based in Sydenham.

 

The Action in Autism Centre houses an early learning intervention centre for children ages 2 to 6 years, and provides free support, advice, research and information to people with autism and their families. A free monthly diagnostic clinic is offered to families who do not have access to medical aid. Action in Autism also runs bi-annual training workshops, hosted by a team of professionals, that aims to share information and transfer skills and techniques for communication to parents and professionals. Action in Autism is committed to supporting autistic people and the people that support them.

 

To attend the Red Carpet Fundraiser, or to make a donation to the organisation, please call 031 2074858, or email info@actioninautism.org.za.

For more information about Action in Autism and the support offered by the organisation, or other services offered by the organisation, please call 031 207 4858, email info@actioninautism.org.za, or visit the website at www.actioninautism.org.za.

 

-ends

 

Further information:

Kirsten Miller

ACTION IN AUTISM

031 207 4858/083 7774468

info@actioninautism.org.za

Autism Awareness and Acceptance Campaign in Inanda, Ntuzuma and KwaMashu

Action in Autism calls on all families who have children with autism, autistic people and caregivers of those with autism to join us at an autism knowledge sharing and acceptance drive in G Hall, KwaMashu on 29 April from 8am-12noon.

The Inanda, Ntuzuma and KwaMashu (INK) area is situated 30km north of Durban central. It is a distance for people in the INK area to access the support and services Action in Autism provides at their offices.  The INK area has approximately 510 000 residents. It is the second largest agglomeration of poor neighbourhoods in South Africa.  It is also a place where approximately 15000 people with autism spectrum disorders reside.

Action in Autism is committed to ‘support autistic people and the people that support them, wherever they may live’ – the organisation has partnered with the local Area Based Management team, under the management of Linda Mbonambi to host its annual Autism Awareness and Acceptance Day in the INK area.

“We recognise the scarcity of services available to people with autism and their families,. To fast track service delivery and draw attention to the plight of people with autism and their families, we will bring a host of expertise into the area to share knowledge, create partnerships and hopefully initiate a longstanding support group in the area.  This initiative would not have been possible without the support of the INK ABM”

The programme of events will comprise of presentations in isiZulu on Autism, a parental perspective, a perspective from an adult with autism, and a presentation from an educational specialist on accessing education.  In addition, Action in Autism will host a free diagnostic and screening clinic with three experts in the field of Autism. This is in line with the INK ABM focus area on Living Environment Improvement which seeks to promote healthy living and lifestyle.

To RSVP for this event or volunteer your services for this event, please call Action in Autism on 031 207 4858 or emailinfo@actioninautism.org.za.

Please join us in celebrating these two incredible milestones. 

SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge Southern KZN Regional Suid Natal Skool: Saturday 22 April

 

SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge

Southern KZN Regional

Suid Natal Skool: Saturday 22 April

 

Ardent first team hockey teams are heading to Suid-Natal Hoërskool to partake in the seventh SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge on Saturday 22 April. 

 

The zealous participants will be taking part in the Southern KZN Regional. A combination of nine teams from Sisonke and Ugu areas will be taking to the fields in the hopes of being crowned champion of this region. Back to defend their title, the versatile team, King Edward High School from Matatiele are enthusiastic to retain the title for the third concurrent year. 

 

King Edward, having progressed to the Grand Finals held hockey giants Durban Girls’ College to a goalless draw in their pool match last year.  After being level on points in the pool stage, College had an edge on them on goal difference.

 

The respected and quiet giant slayers will be taking on their feisty neighbours, Kokstad College and the hard working Creston College, both previous winners at this regional. Joining them on the day will be host team, Suid-Natal Hoerskool, travelling teams Ixopo High School, Scottburgh High School and St Patrick’s College from Kokstad and local teams Port Shepstone and Southcity Christian School. 


The duration of the games will be 23 minutes with a 2 minute change over. The nine teams will be separated into two pools. Pool A will have five teams battling it out with Southcity, KEHS, Ixopo, Scottburgh and Sheppie High taking each other on. In Pool B, previous champs Creston and Kokstad meet early on, with Suid-Natal and St Patricks rounding off the four teams. 

 

At the conclusion of the pool games, the top two teams from each pool will meet in a cross pool playoff.  Points for the day are four points for a win, two for a draw with goals, or 1 point for a goalless draw and zero points for a loss. Two fields will be the scene for all the action, with the top field, Field A having the final on it.

 

Thereafter, the top eight teams will be revealed according to their points, they will all compete in the cross-pool playoffs and saving the best for last, the regional final as the decisive game of the day.

 

Coach for King Edward High School, Deidre Duminy shared, “We have a young, enthusiastic team that is raring to go! Our team is looking good. We have had a few games already and it has been going well, but we will be working hard through the holidays. The girls have huge hearts, and would love to make it three in a row, and get to travel to Durban again this year to take on the other finalists at the Grand Finals.”

 

The Southern KZN Regional for the SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge will converge at Suid-Natal Hoerskool for nine schools with the winner progressing to the Grand Finals that takes place in July in Durban.


For more info like the tournament’s Facebook page.


ENDS

 

April 2 is Autism Awareness Day: Pledge to be Non verbal

Action in Autism:

April 2 is Autism Awareness Day: Pledge to be Non verbal

People with autism experience difficulty with verbal and non-verbal communication and social interaction. Over 50 % of people with autism struggle with verbal communication and spoken language. For people who cannot express their basic needs or experiences in a way that the rest of the world understands, life can be isolating and extremely lonely. 

Action in Autism has committed to acknowledging World Autism Day on April 2 by asking people to make their pledge to be non-verbal for 2 hours – from 10am to 12pm. To respect, acknowledge and accept difference, the public is asked to join the organisation and thousands of our people with autism, and pledge to use an alternative means of communication – signs, gestures, pointing, typing or drawing – during this time. 

“The Action in Autism family will be at the Botanic Gardens in Durban from 10am to 12 noon on April 2, and we invite everyone interested to pack a picnic basket and blanket and join us,” says Chairperson of the organisation, Liza Aziz. “We invite people to be part of a meaningful activation that tangibly demonstrates that speaking is not the only form of communication. In this way we are able to honour those who experience their worlds and means of communication in a different way to most.”

Action in Autism, which does not receive any funding from government,  invites all people who would like to support the organization through cash or kind or through volunteering time. A fundraiser will be held on 22 April at 7pm at St. John’s Hall.  Tickets are only R80 and are available from their offices.  For more information about Action in Autism and the support to parents and families provided by the organisation, please call 031 207 4858 or email info@actioninautism.org.za.

Ends.

SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge Durban Central Regional 3 Schools Trust: Sunday 26 March

 

SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge

Durban Central Regional

3 Schools Trust: Sunday 26 March

 

Retaining their 100% record of the Durban Central Regional, Durban Girls College, raised the cup for the seventh time in the SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge which took place at the 3 Schools’ Trust astroturf in Glenwood today (March 26).

 

In a seamless display of exquisite hockey, College dominated from the get go showing off why they have owned this regional since the tournament’s inception. Advancing effortlessly through to the finals, they met St Henry’s Marist College for the second time, having met earlier in the pool games. College maintained possession in the crowning game, breaking St Henry’s defense three times and not allowing any opportunities to find the back of their goals. Goal scorers for DGC Emma Sharratt, Bulelwa Mzimela and Georgia Cloete respectively, all were in the right spot at the right time to convert the field goals enabling them to determinedly claim victory over St Henry’s.

 

DCG Captain Lori Niemand, who was ecstatic with the win, said “We always love the SPAR tournament as it is loads of fun and there is great sportsmanship shown on and off the field.  Today we worked hard as a team, and kept passing to each other and communicating well, leading to the final outcome.”

 

The tournament, which was hosted by Durban Girls High School, had nine Durban schools participating including Durban Girls’ College; Durban Girls’ High School; Hoërskool Port Natal; Inanda High School; the INK team comprising of players from the Inanda, Ntumzuma and KwaMashu districts; Maris Stella and St Henry’s and newcomers to the tourney Durban Girls Secondary and Rossburgh High School.

 

St Henry’s quietly advanced through their pool games and finished second on the log, behind College. Durban Girls High and Maris Stella ended their efforts at the top of their pool. The four teams proceeded to a cross pool play off. Durban Girls College’s centre forward Georgia Cloete landed her teams two solid goals to Maris Stella’s nil sadly knocking them out of play.

 

In St Henry’s semi-final, they took on hosts Durban Girls’ High, with the final whistle revealing a one all scoreline. Five players from each side lined up for the deciding penalty shootout. After each team had five attempts, the scores still were level on three all. The game then advanced to a golden goal or sudden death. Melissa Calitz for St Henry’s eased her way to the right, going around DGHS’s Demi Tait to go one up. Latoya Boon then set off for DGHS and followed a similar path to Calitz trying to round Unathi Sibeko, but her attempt scared off by the diving keeper scraped agonizingly past the right-hand goal post which meant St Henry’s were through to the regional final.

  

A delighted coach for Durban Girls’ College, Bell Meek said after the prize giving, “I was impressed with the girls, they played with a really good spirit in everything they did. Throughout the course of the day, College showed great improvement, and built on that with every game. I was very happy with their progress.”

 

Complimenting her opposition, Meek stated, “I would also like to commend St Henry’s, they are playing fantastic hockey and with every year that passes, they get better and better!”

 

Talking about her team, Meek enthused, “We have a young team, with only two matrics. The youngsters stepped up and supported the experienced players rounding off the team nicely. I coached the U16 team last year, and a number of the youngsters have come through to the first team, so they are familiar with my game plan. Adding to the mix is my assistant coach, Kerry Gaze who is an incredible help. It is nice to be able to bounce off ideas with her. This is her first year with College and I must say we are a good balance.”

 

Concluding, Meek said, “After our indoor season, where we finished off middle of the table, this is an encouraging start to our outdoor season. We are heading to the St Mary’s Waverly tournament next and our goal is to just play good hockey. We are aiming for a top ten, and if we achieve that I will be extremely chuffed!”

 

Durban Girls’ College is the sixth team to go through to the Grand Finals that takes place at St Mary’s in July, and will join Our Lady of Fatima, who won the Durban North Regionals on Saturday, March 25, and four other teams that have already secured their berth at the tournament, Ferrum High School (Northern KZN); St John’s DSG (PMB Central); St Anne’s College (PMB North) and Amanzimtoti High School (DBN South).

 

-ends

 

 

Pic by Jonathan Burton