Blog

I heart Market with Artisan Market for Kids Saturday, 1 July: 08:30 to 2pm Sugar Rush Park , Ballito

Just in time for the July holidays, the  I heart Market introduces an exciting addition to their fare  - it’s I heart Artisan Market for Kids - Homegrown and Handmade on Saturday, 1 July from 08:30 to 14:00 at Sugar Rush Park , Ballito, North Coast

“We are excited to be introducing this new addition to the I heart Market,” enthuses Anna Savage, owner of the Market. “This is a chance to give our children the opportunity to be creative - come up with a product to sell and then make, bake, create or grow their own items and sell them to the public. No store-bought items will be on sales. Here is an opportunity for youngsters to learn the art of making, selling and budgeting.”

“There are some fun and innovative creations for sale in the Kids Market. Of course, there are a lot of sweet treats (cookies, vegan confection, baked goods, pancakes, candy floss) and homemade Lemonade. We have bags, clay creations, 3D toys, various beaded creations, painted rocks, playdough, messy crafts, and watercolour paints. Our usual monthly market fare will be there too. We urge folk to come support these youngsters and enjoy a fun day out.”

This is the holidays, so take advantage of the great kids activities on offer at Sugar Rush Park with its big play area, Jump Park, Putt Putt, Scratch Patch, Ndlondlo Snake Park, adrenaline-driving Tree Tails and the obstacle course in the tree canopy plus a craft area from We Paint Africa. There are plenty of food and refreshment stalls with delicious offerings.

The Market is situated at Sugar Rush, next to Collisheen Estate in Ballito. The I heart Artisan Market for Kids - Homegrown and Handmade will close at 12noon while the main market will continue until it usual 2pm. 

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

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

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


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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

-ends

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

-ends

Realness Institute announces participants for the 2023 Episodic Lab and Development Executive Traineeship in partnership with Netflix

Realness Institute has announced 12 participants from five African countries for the 2023 Episodic Lab and Development Executive Traineeship (DET) programmes in partnership with Netflix, which began on Sunday, 30 April, and runs for three months.

The two cohorts each comprise six participants who hail from Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Botswana, and Zimbabwe.  Episodic Lab participants include Amanda Gicharu and Juma Adero (Kenya), Emil Garuba (Nigeria), Gabe Gabriel, Jason Staggie and Vanishia Kisten (South Africa). 

These participants will work towards refining their skills as episodic screenwriters and develop their story ideas. At the end of the programme they will have the opportunity to pitch their stories to Netflix Content executives.

The DET cohort includes Damilola Aleje and Mimi Bartels (Nigeria), Sphe Dlulu and Tshenolo Mabale (South Africa), Sue-Ellen Chitunya (Zimbabwe), and Tricia L. Sello (Botswana).

In the DET Traineeship, participants will obtain a more profound comprehension of the process of story development and be guided through a holistic approach to supporting writers in their creative process. Working in teams to support the creative development of the Episodic Lab Participants' projects, they will ultimately help them transfer their story concept into polished pitch decks to be able to pitch their projects to Netflix for a first look deal.

This cohort will be mentored by Elias Ribeiro (Executive Director of Realness and Founder and Creative Producer at Urucu Media), Mehret Mandefro (Director of Development and Partnerships at Realness and Founder and Creative Producer at Truth Aid (USA) and A51 (Ethiopia)), Selina Ukwuoma (an independent Story Expert) and Thandeka Zwana (Development Executive at Indigenous Film Distribution. Twelve international guest speakers will present to the participants including Anna Winger, Showrunner of Unorthodox and Creator of Transatlantic, and Christopher Mack, Director, Grow Creative at Netflix. Content executives from Netflix will also engage with the participants in the 12-week programme.

“Now in its third edition the Episodic Lab and DET Traineeship has not only empowered screenwriters and creative producers by gaining profound experience in the creative process but has also produced some exciting outcomes,” says Elias Ribeiro. “It is very rewarding to see that each year of the incubator has led to a green light for alumni Kudi Maradzika (South Africa) and Voline Ogutu (Kenya) whose projects are currently in different stages of development following their pitches.

“This year’s selection of writers and development trainees once again shows the caliber of talent we have in our African creatives,” says Thandeka Zwana. “We are thrilled to welcome them to the third iteration of the Episodic Lab and DET.”

For more information on Realness Institute programmes go to https://www.realness.institute

-ends

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge uMvoti and oThukela Regional Fixtures

The eighth regional in the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge is set to tip off at Wartburg Kirchdorf School on Saturday 13 May when they host the uMvoti and oThukela Regional. 

Seven teams will be running onto the field at Wartburg Kirchdorf School. Joining hosts are Hermannsburg School, defending champions Domino Servite, Greytown High School and Wembley College. This regional also welcomes back Estcourt High School and Ladysmith High School. 

The games get underway early, with hosts Wartburg Kirchdorf meeting Hermannsburg in the first game of the day that gets rolling at 7.30am. This regional follows a round robin format with all seven teams getting twenty minutes to shine, with play only running one way. 

A victorious team earns their school 4 points, a goalless draw will only earn the two teams one point each for their efforts, but if both teams manage to net the same amount of goals, they will share 2 points each. A loss won’t register on the overall log with teams accumulating zero points if they go down. The top two teams on the scorecard will then play each other in the regional final. 

In the thirteen years since the tournament’s inception, five teams have raised the trophy in this region. Host school, Wartburg Kirchdorf has represented the area six times at the Grand Finals. Wembley College won the inaugural regional in 2011, and again were winners in 2021. Ladysmith High School was the second named engraved on the trophy while both Greytown High School and Domino Servite – the defending champions, have both won once. 

The uMvoti and oThukela Regional is followed by the Pietermaritzburg Central Regional, hosted by Epworth School on Sunday 14 May. Thereafter, the final tournament, the Northern KZN Coastal Regional takes place at Grantleigh College on Saturday 20 May.

Six victorious teams representing their regions have already earned a spot at the Grand Finals that takes place at St Mary’s DSG in Kloof in July. The winner of the uMvoti and oThukela Regional will join Danville Park Girls High School (Durban North Regional); St Mary’s DSG (Highway Regional); Kuswag Hoërskool (Durban South Regional), Durban Girls’ College (Durban Central Regional); The Wykeham Collegiate (Pietermaritzburg North Regional) and Hoërskool Suid Natal (Sisonke and uGu Regional). (The seventh team representing the Northern KZN Region will be decided on 6 May in Newcastle.)

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

For more info like the tournament's Facebook page (SparSchoolGirlsHockeyTournament) or follow on Instagram (sparkznhockey) 

ENDS

 

2011 Wembley

2012 Ladysmith

2013 Wartburg

2014 Wartburg

2015 Wartburg

2016 Wartburg

2017 Wartburg

2018 Greytown

2019 Wartburg

2020 COVID

2021 Wembley

2022 Domino

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge Pietermaritzburg Central Regional Fixtures

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ENDS

 

 

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls Hockey Challenge Northern KZN Regional Results

Host school, St Dominics Newcastle hoisted the trophy for the first time in the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge’s Northern KZN Regional on Saturday 6 May.

In a highly competitive regional final, St Dominics met local rivals, Ferrum Hoërskool who have dominated this regional with eight victories since the tournament’s inception in 2011. The two teams topped their pools with convincing wins throughout the day, and both won their respective Semi-Finals. 

In the 18 minutes of the final, both teams were evenly matched, with nothing between the two. The action-packed game glided all around the park. 3 minutes in, Ferrum found some space and took play up to St Doms in the games’ first real surge but an alert backline defended boldly, sending the game out of their danger zone, back up to midway. A few minutes later, it was the turn of the hosts, who ran the ball up to the other end, but in a similar fashion, Ferrum’s defence didn’t falter. 

Nearing 7 minutes, St Doms shone with some great skills, working the ball up with players passing quickly to one another as they rapidly made their way up the middle towards the Ferrum circle. The magic and momentum was abruptly halted as the ball carrier lost concentration and frustratingly stepped on the ball. 

An indication of how equal the two teams were, it took 9 minutes and 9 seconds for the first shot to be fired. Ferrum was gifted an opportunity, running the ball into the circle and wasting no time, smashing in their attempt, only to watch the ball whisk past the righthand post. Both teams played with tremendous discipline, not giving away any short corners, and only one long corner was given to St Dom’s. 

In the final quarter, St Doms kicked up a gear. The home team mounted several attacks on the Ferrum goal, with two close calls but the savvy Ferrum defenders stood strong as St Dominics grew in confidence. Time expired with the score sitting level at zero zero. The regional final would be decided in a penalty shootout. 

Three players from both teams made their way to the spot. Ferrum took first charge, with Annerie Roos netting her team’s first goal. Both Abongile Masondo from St Doms and Ferrums’ Annemie Rautenbach turns ended with keepers Colbe Le Breton and Sanri van Rhyn respectively shutting down their shots. Second up for St Dom’s, Andiswa Mhlungu was unfortunately fouled by FERRUM and was awarded a penalty stroke which was taken by a brave Xoliswa Sithole. Sithole sent her flick dead centre of goals but Le Breton easily stopped the shot. 

Third up for Ferrum, Joey du Preez took the ball up, drifting right and pulling van Rhyn out of the box. As she was nearing the base line, she slipped the ball past the keeper but sadly, her shot was off target and the ball skidded right of goal. With the score still on 1 nil, Ciana Captain, Captain for St Domnics stepped up to the spot. She too drifted right and tapped the ball in. Le Breton got a foot on the ball, slowing it down but luck was on Captains side, as the ball trickled over the line just in time to level the score at 1 all. 

With all three players having had their chance, the final progressed to a sudden death. A cool calm and collected Captain Courageous began, lifting the ball up for a few skillful bounces on her stick as she entered the circle, she let the ball drop and proceeded in similar fashion to run right, pulling the ball further right, away from an advancing Le Breton, with a bit more force, she tapped the ball beyond the reach of Le Breton and netting her and her teams’ second goal. A previously successful Roos went first for Ferrum. Following the trend of taking play to their right, she advanced rapidly to within a few meters from the baseline, realising her angle had been cut down dramatically by a charging van Rhyn, she knocked in her shot that flew wide. An eruption of emotions followed suit, with St Dom’s taking the win by the narrowest of margins, with two successful penalties, to Ferrum’s one. 

Recognised for his efforts with the whistle, head boy and First team goal keeper for St Dominics Newcastle, Mvelo Mashinini shone as the Most Promising Umpire.

St Dominics Newcastle is the seventh team who will be representing their region at the Grand Finals that takes place at St Mary’s DSG in Kloof in July. They join Danville Park Girls High School (Durban North Regional); St Mary’s DSG (Highway Regional); Kuswag Hoërskool (Durban South Regional), Durban Girls’ College (Durban Central Regional); The Wykeham Collegiate (Pietermaritzburg North Regional) and Suid Natal Hoërskool (Sisonke and uGu Regional).

The challenge heads to Wartburg Kirchdorf School this weekend, on Saturday for the uMvoti and oThukela Regional, followed by the Pietermaritzburg Central Regional at Epworth School on Sunday. The tenth regional takes place at Grantleigh College the following weekend, wrapping up the ten regionals around KZN. 

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

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

Pool Results

Pool A

1 Ferrum Hoërskool 16pts; 2 Sarel Cilliers High School 9 pts; 3 Newcastle High School 9pts; 4= Vryheid Landbou; 4= Pongola Akademie

Pool B

1 St Dominics Newcastle 16pts; 2 Vryheid High School; 3 Dundee High School; 4= Utrecht High School; 4= Amajuba High School

Regional Final Results

St Dominics Newcastle 0 (2) vs Ferrum Hoërskool 0 (1) 

ENDS

PAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge Northern KZN Regional Fixtures

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ENDS

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge Sisonke and uGu Regional Results

Christening the new astro turf at Creston College, ten teams gave it their all when they converged for an action-packed Sisonke and uGu Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls Hockey Challenge on Sunday 23 April.

 

The strongest two teams of the day, Suid Natal and Kokstad College met in the regional final and played their hearts out, leaving everything on the turf. There was nothing in it between the two schools who entertained the large crowds from start to finish, keeping everyone riveted and on the edge of their seats. In an epic conclusion, Suid Natal managed to hold strong and go one up on Kokstad College, winning their very first title since the tournament’s inception in 2011. 

Suid Natal claimed most of the possession throughout the final, with several magnificent runs at the Kokstad box but just lacked the all important finishing touches to convert their fine attacks into goals. In the 20 minutes of play, they were awarded six short corners, five of which were in a row with four immediate retakes being blown for various Kokstad infringements. Kokstad only had one chance for a set piece in the Suid Natal circle, but similar to their counterparts, were unable to find a hole in the hard-working defense. 

Kokstad didn’t have much time down at their oppositions goals but when an opportunity did present itself, Kokstad looked dangerous but also were unable to slot in a triumphant trophy-lifting goal. At full time, the scoreline sat at nil nil, with the match heading to the penalty spot. Three players each faced their competitor’s keeper in a deciding penalty shootout. In the three rounds, Suid Natal knocked in their first round and Kokstad leveled in their second round. At the conclusion of the three sequences, the nail-biting final moved onto a sudden death. The shootout would continue until one team missed.

Both Suid Natal and Kokstad netted their first attempts, leveling on two all. Suid Natal’s Luca Meyer set off directly goalwards, nearing the keeper she pulled the ball left and then right, wrong footing Kokstad’s Lulutho Dalawana and neatly punched in her shot taking the score to 3-2. Kokstad’s Esha Desai was next to go, she also charged directly goalwards. As she neared the goal, an unmoving Anrika Badenhorst eyed her efforts. Desai slowed her run and slapped the ball in but an eagle-eyed Badenhorst pounced on the ball managing to deflect it well out of danger and in so doing, earning her team victory. 

A bright talent in the world of umpiring, Kiolin Gouws from Kokstad College was acknowledged as the Most Promising Umpire. 

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

The tournament takes a week break before travelling up to Newcastle for the Northern KZN Regional hosted by St Dominic’s School on Saturday 6 May.

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

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

Pool Results

Pool A

1 Kokstad College 10pts; 2 Creston College 9pts; 3 St Patrick’s College 7pts; 4 King Edward High School 3pts; 5 Scottburgh High School 1pts

Pool B

1 Suid Natal Hoërskool 12pts; 2 Southcity Christian School 9pts; 3 Port Shepstone High School 5pts; 4 Bergview 3pts; 5 Ixopo High School 1pt

Cross Pool Results

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

Final Score

Suid Natal Hoërskool 0 (3) vs Kokstad College 0 (2) 

 ENDS

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge  Pietermaritzburg North Regional Results

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Round Robin Results

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

Regional Final

St Anne’s College 0 vs The Wykeham Collegiate 1

-ends

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge Durban Central Regional Sunday 16 April

Continuing on their phenomenal winning streak, Durban Girls’ College hoisted the Durban Central Regional trophy of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge for the thirteenth time at 3 Schools Trust on Sunday 16 April. 

The only team in the KZN Challenge to have won 100% of their regionals, College took on host school, Durban Girls’ High School in a magnificently action-packed final that flowed all around the field from the first whistle. 

College got out of the starting blocks quickly with a reverse stick attempt in the first minute on the Girls’ High’s goals that sailed wide. Their next probe two minutes later was an attack down the right, with play being run quickly along the baseline but Girls’ High’s sturdy marking stopped the flashy maneuver, giving themselves a breather by clearing the ball. 

Less than a minute later, College was on the prowl again, with a free hit outside the circle. Swiftly College surged forward but the hosts stood firm and again did not allow the visitors any gaps to get off a shot. 

Just under 5 minutes, College earned their first short corner, the ball rocketed to the second castle and then bolted goalwards where a vigilant Divine Arinze, who was having a grand day in goals, firmly booted the shot out of danger. College’s attack pounced on the loose ball and pushed play back into the circle but Girls’ High’s defense prevented any success. 

For the next four minutes, the defending champs continuously put pressure on the Girls High goals with determined, orchestrated advances. Still the local team didn’t falter, turning away each endeavor. Girls High worked hard giving their backline a reprieve as they took the game up to College’s end penetrating into the uncharted waters of College’s circle with a stab of an effort.  

Growing in confidence, Girls High started to weave some magical movements together taking play up into Colleges half. An undeterred College attack replied earning their second short corner of the game just after 12 minutes. In a carbon copy of the first corner, the ball was injected to the second castle, and Emily Macquet sent in a low flying flick that was stopped on the line but in a lapse of concentration by the Girls’ High’s last line, the balls momentum from the flick saw it trickle over the line notching up College’s first goal. 

Seconds later, College took full advantage of Girls’ High being on the back foot after having conceded a goal, with a blitz down the middle netting their second. Hannah Hargroves achieved a superb goal, slapping the ball out of the defenders reach. 

With less than five minutes remaining College got into some space on the left, as they dashed down the sideline. In a well-choreographed crusade, first goal scorer, Macquet had a rare moment of freedom in the Girls’ High circle as she fired off a shot. The missile whizzed towards the box, Arinze managed to get a nick on the ball that ricocheted off her pads into the goals, taking the final score now to 3 nil victory. 

College join three other regional finalists who have already secured their place at the Grand Finals. Making their eleventh appearance at the main event of the Challenge, they are the defending champs having won gold last year and on four previous occasions. They join Danville Park Girls High School (Durban North Regional); St Mary’s DSG (Highway Regional) and Kuswag Hoërskool (Durban South Regional). 

The tournament heads to St Anne’s School on Saturday 22 April for the Pietermaritzburg North Regional, followed by the uGu and Sisonke Regional at Creston College on Sunday 23 April.

All remaining regionals and the Grand Finals will be livestreamed on the SuperSport Schools’ mobile app or website. 

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

Round Robin Results

1 Durban Girls’ College 24pts; 2 Durban Girls’ High School 17pts; 3 Maris Stella 14pts; 4 St Henry’s 13pts; 5 Inanda Seminary School 8pts; 6 INK Schools 4pts; 7 Port Natal School 0pts

Regional Final Result 

Durban Girls College 3 vs Durban Girls’ High School 0

ENDS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Round Robin Results

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

 

Regional Final Result

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

 

ENDS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

-ends

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

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

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

Oraaba Gals

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

Polka Dot Coco

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

Savage Jewellery

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

 -ends

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge Pietermaritzburg North Regional at St Anne’s College: 22 April

Midway through the fixtures of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge, St Anne’s College hosts the fifth regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge on their astros on Saturday 22 April. 

The action at the Pietermaritzburg North Regional will unfold on the two astros at St Anne’s College, with teams meeting in high energy 25 minute games that will only run one way. Six teams will be taking each other on in a round robin format. They are Grace College; Howick High School; host school and defending champs, St Anne’s College; The Wykeham Collegiate; Treverton College and Voortrekker High School. 

Featuring in the first and last round robin games, St Anne’s meets Grace College at 8am and then Treverton College in the game before the regional final. The regional final gets underway at 12.15, where the two top placed teams will meet for the second time that day. 

Teams will score 4 points if they are victorious, 2 points each if they tie their game with both teams netting the same amount of goals, 1 point each if the game concludes in a goalless draw and zero points for a loss.

Two teams have represented this region at the Grand Finals, they are one-time winners, The Wykeham Collegiate and St Anne’s College who have their school’s name engraved on the regional trophy nine times. 

The winner of the Pietermaritzburg North Regional will be the fifth team to earn a spot at the Grand Finals this year, they join Danville Park Girls’ High School (DBN North Regional), St Mary’s DSG (Highway Regional), together with two teams who will be crowned in the upcoming Durban South Regional (15 April) and Durban Central Regional (16 April), at the concluding tournament that will take place at St Mary’s DSG in Kloof on the 22nd and 23rd of July.

For more info like the tournament's Facebook page (SparSchoolGirlsHockeyTournament) or follow on Instagram (sparkznhockey)

ENDS




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

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

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

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

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

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

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

-ends

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls Hockey Challenge Durban South - Saturday 15 April

Hockey teams participating in the Durban South Regional will head to 3 Schools’ Trust for the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge on Saturday 15 April.

Hosted by defending champions, Kuswag Hoërskool, five other teams will join them on the astro. Amanzimtoti, who have hoisted the trophy a handful of times, will be leading the charge to reclaim the title, together with a highly competitive line up including Kingsway High School, New Forest High School, Queensburgh Girls’ High School and Werda Skool. 

Ready to bounce into the third regional, Kuswag players Silke Bester and Maya Pretorious look forward to welcoming teams at the Durban South Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge that they will host at 3 Schools Trust Astro on Saturday 15 April. Pic by Val Adamson

The format for the day has the six teams squaring off in a round robin tournament, with the games lasting 25 minutes one way. The winning team will notch up 4 points for their efforts. In a case where the teams drew with goals, they will both earn 2 points, while a goalless draw sees their scores increase by one point. A loss will register zero point on the scorecard. 

Getting the tournament underway, New Forest will take on Amanzimtoti who have represented this region five times (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019), in the first game of the day at 8am. Followed by Queensburgh versus Kingsway. Host school, Kuswag have won the title twice in 2011 and 2022 take on Werda in their third round of the tournament. The top two performing teams will meet each other in the regional final just before 2pm. 

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

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

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

ENDS

 

 

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge Durban Centrals Sunday 16 April

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 ENDS



Ethekwini Enviro Week – activities in and about nature to inspire, inform and celebrate 18 - 25 March 2023

The inaugural eThekwini Enviro Week is a call to action for everyone in eThekwini to work together to care for the environment. Hosted by the eThekwini Municipality with partners Green Corridors and the City of Bremen (Germany), Enviro Week offers a packed programme of fun and insightful activities at venues in and around Durban from 18 to 25 March.

Looking forward to Ethekwini Enviro Week: Green Corridors team members Jonathan Welch (left) from the KwaMashu Materials Beneficiation Centre, Musa Shange (Coastal and Waste Management Project Officer), Nomfundo Phewa (Agro-Ecology Green Spaces Project Officer) and Siphiwe Mthabela (Green Hub Office Manager) check out a paver made from recycled plastic and glass.

The eThekwini Enviro Week is a collective of events, happenings, and activations packaged together to make them accessible to the public and increase the impact being made by organisations and individuals working in the environment and conservation sector.

“The devastating floods of 2022, hit home for all of us living in Durban,” says Nomfundo Phewa, of Green Corridors. “Everyone has some touchpoint with these floods, which we now know were a result of the climate crisis. There are over 150 different organisations working in Durban to help educate and inspire people to take action and make the change we need, and this eThekwini Enviro Week collective is one way we can begin to work collaboratively towards the same goal.”

Getting ready for eThekwini Enviro Week are Mboniseni Ndimande (left) and Noxolo Sibiya (second from left) from eThekwini’s Transformative Riverine Management Programme (TRMP), Siphiwe Mthabela (centre) from Green Corridors and Alvin Dube (left), a Denis Hurley Centre Street Lit book vendor, with some of his enviro friendly books.

Taking place in a week of important world environmental days, eThekwini Enviro Week will celebrate Global Recycling Day (18 March), World Frog Day (20 March), Human Rights Day and International Day of Forests (21 March), World Water Day (22 March) and World Meteorological Day (22 March). During this week there is also National Water Week, National Library Week, and Earth Hour (25 March).

Activities will centre around these themes, and encourage participation and involvement from the public in working together to help support the idea of cleaning up the environment, recycling, reducing and reusing waste, with practical ideas on how to minimise the impact on the climate. There will be clean-ups in communities, beaches, riverine and other sites, with a focus on getting materials to recycling facilities.

The week also aims to celebrate the rich natural heritage in the City, considered one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots to enjoy and explore. Sites such as the Beachwood Mangroves will be open to the public with bird walks and beach walks hosted by experts in their fields. There are countless places to explore on one’s own, or with a guide, such as the Botanical Gardens, Green Corridors community tourism sites, uShaka Marine World, Umgeni Bird Park, the Umgeni Estuary, many of the conservancies, indigenous gardens, wetlands, green spaces, and many others. 

The City’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Culture offerings will also include displays at the Durban Natural Science Museum and various displays and activities at libraries to coincide with Library Week.

In some of the events, the public can learn how to grow vegetables, swap seeds, and help clear small pocket parks in communities to support local food security. 

With Human Rights Day and all it stands for, several organisations will have events that aim to raise awareness of the right to a safe and clean environment.

The week closes off on Saturday 25 March with a celebration at Green Hub at Blue Lagoon, where a range of  Environmental Education and Public Awareness (EE & PA) organisations that have been planning ways to collaborate will share updates on the plans to establish a formalised EE & PA Action Network.

“This is a week to celebrate, learn and find ways to forge a future together, in a remarkable demonstration of solidarity,” says Phewa. “It’s a perfect opportunity to experience the natural beauty of the city, and participate in how we can best care for it. Our campaign hashtag - #ourworldiswonderful – serves as a reminder of why we do what we do.”

All these events and activities will be published  in a full programme online with details and contact information  at: www.enviroweek.co.za, or follow on Facebook/ Instagram – enviroweek.

For general eThekwini Enviro Week  queries contact info@enviroweek.co.za 

 

-ends


 

Call for papers for third JOMBA! MASIHAMBISANE DIALOGUES – 24 to 26 May

The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Centre for Creative Arts in partnership with Warwick University (UK) and the African Dance Disability Network, calls for submissions of abstracts, papers and digital participation for the third annual JOMBA! MASIHAMBISANE DIALOGUES, a colloquium to engage in robust and meaningful conversations around contemporary dance, online from 24 to 26 May.

JOMBA!’s curator, Dr. Lliane Loots is working with Warwick’s Prof. Yvette Hutchison on a two-year UKRI – AHRC funded research project entitled Encountering disability through contemporary dance in Africa, and thus the colloquium will focus into the provocation of “Integrated dance practices: moving centres”. A host of dance, practitioners, academics and associates are expected to participate including Joseph Tebandeke, a Ugandan dancer and choreographer based in Kampala, who will be one of the key-note speakers at this edition. The actual colloquium will be presented online and open to public viewing.

Unmute Dance Company - photo by Val Adamson

This third annual JOMBA! MASIHAMBISANE DIALOGUES, hosted in the 25th anniversary year of the JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience, sets out to engage scholarship, pedagogy and practices into integrated dance as an embodied form with a particular African focus, without being exclusive.

The call out for papers, digital scholarship and any new integrated forms of knowledge sharing is open and closes on 4 April 2023. For more details or to download the official call-out frame of reference go to https://jomba.ukzn.ac.za/masihambisane-dialogues/

-ends