Snakes in the City Team Encounters Intriguing World of Snake Mating and Fighting Rituals

Snakes in the City Team Encounters Intriguing World of Snake Mating and Fighting Rituals 

Simon Keys and Siouxsie Gillett - stars of Snakes in the City - the internationally acclaimed National Geographic Wild series, are feeling “lucky”. Not the same way an average person would feel lucky. But lucky nevertheless. And the reason? They arrived a month earlier than usual in Durban to film the next season, which means they are here for snake mating season, and along with that, the intriguing rituals and fighting associated with it. 

Snakes in the City TV star Siouxsie Gillett at a recent capture, with 3 entwined male Spotted Bush Snakes that were fighting to mate with a female that escaped.

“Usually we begin in October/November when the weather has warmed up and snakes are more active, which is post-mating season. Now, because we are here earlier, we are coming across some rather amazing sights,” explains Siouxsie Gillett, a qualified herpetologist. “This is a time of the year that you are likely to see more than one snake together – as they are usually solitary creatures. Often people see two or more snakes together and think it may be snakes mating – but it is more than likely two males fighting for dominance.”

“The world of snake mating and reproduction is quite a fascinating one,” says Simon Keys. “For example, female snakes produce a strong scent to attract males, leaving a scent trail so males can find her. And during the mating season could attract a whole mass of snakes who have followed her scent, who all end up fighting for her. Quite a scary sight for an untrained eye!”

“Intriguing too, is that the male snake has spent the winter in hibernation not eating, and is hungry, but would rather mate at this point than find food!” says Siouxsie. “Surprisingly, some species like our famous Black Mamba will combat in a non-violent way for the female, by attempting to dominate the other male by almost entwining around, and laying on top of the other male, often misunderstood as two snakes mating.”

“Most female snakes lay their eggs and leave them. Some snakes (pythons - including the Rock Python - and King Cobras) incubate their eggs, and King Cobras even build a nest for them! Some even give birth to live young like Adders.

“So now’s the time to watch out for the fighting and mating, and soon for the babies to be out and about. And we are happy to come help out to remove them and place them in a safe natural environment.”

Simon and Siouxsie are available to capture and relocate snakes free of charge whilst filming the series. All filming is done using strict SA Government CoViD-19 guidelines and regulations. The caller, with permission and depending on the conditions of the call-out, may end up in the TV series

The Snakes in the City hotline for snake removals is 063 234 6932.

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Durban Link for European Film Festival - Fernando Pessoa, celebrated Portuguese Poet

Local Durban link to Portuguese film at European Film Festival 

One of the films showing at the 8th European Film Festival,  which is online and free between 14 and 24 October, is the Portuguese film The Year of the Death of Ricardo Reis – which has an interesting connection to Durban. 

It’s a beautifully shot black and white film, based on the novel by Jose Saramago, who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1998. The character - Ricardo Reis -  is a persona created by Fernando Pessoa, and Pessoa's ghost is a central part of the film.  Fernando Pessoa was one of the greatest of Portuguese poets and is, not everybody knows, an alumni of Durban High School – there is a bust of Pessoa in the Durban CBD.

Film Synopsis for The Year of the Death of Ricardo Reis: 

Fernando Pessoa, one of the greatest writers of the Portuguese language, established a gigantic parallel universe creating a series of heteronyms to survive his loneliness of genius. Nobel laureate of literature José Saramago wrote this novel about one of these heteronymous characters, Ricardo Reis, a fictitious author, with unique personality and style, who returns to Portugal, after 16 years of exile in Brazil. 1936 is the year of all danger, Mussolini's fascism, Hitler's Nazism, the terrible Spanish civil war and Salazar's Estado Novo in Portugal, but this is all a delicate backcloth to Ricardo's dalliances with women and his mysterious encounters with the ghost of Fernando Pessoa.

"The Year of the Death of Ricardo Reis is a unique and magnificent work by José Saramago, but if there is another way of telling this novel, equally unique and magnificent, it is this film unravelling by veteran director João Botelho.Botelho's screenplay and direction is crucially supported by João Ribeiro's beautiful black and white cinematography, fostering a unique aesthetic-narrative construction for the telling of this story.’ . Carolina Alves, C7nema

Reviews

In a perfect filmology of sensations, the small gestures, looks, intimate close shots, tell us of memories, thoughts, and secrets in a visually poetic manner that is transcendent of text or dialogue. Carolina Alves, C7nema

Botelho films exquisitely between light and shadow, with a visual richness reminiscent of the best of French impressionism and a tempo that sways the senses.  Seville Festival

This film adaptation treats characters and circumstances with a solemnity reverent to the Nobel prize-winners book, enveloping the celebration of the word with a framework that is close to meta-language. Marcello Muller, Papo de Cinema

Visit www.eurofilmfest.co.za for more on the free online festival of 18 new films and to access the screenings.

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EbonyLife and Sony Pictures Television announce ÀLÓ, a brand-new African writers initiative

EBONYLIFE AND SONY PICTURES TELEVISION ANNOUNCE ÀLÓ – A NEW AFRICAN WRITERS INITIATIVE

EbonyLife and Sony Pictures Television (“SPT”) have announced ÀLÓ, a brand-new writers initiative offering a unique platform for writers of African heritage.

The word “ÀLÓ” is from the Yoruba language and translates as ‘once upon a time’. Just like with those words which have opened countless stories for hundreds of years, this is the beginning of an exciting journey to discover the best authentic African story ideas which will inspire and resonate with viewers across the globe.

The ÀLÓ Initiative website will open for fixed periods beginning this Friday (24th) when writers can submit their television scripts and story documents, which will then be reviewed and shortlisted by the ÀLÓ team which is comprised of creative executives from both EbonyLife and SPT. 

Entrants can reside outside Africa but must be of African heritage, born in any of the continent’s fifty-four countries or have proven citizenship as a native of the country, or be first generation children. The initiative is open to professionals, freelancers as well as up-and-coming writers, and there are no limitations to the story ideas or scripts. Any theme or story is welcome, but submissions must pay homage to Africa’s unique cultures, diversity, heritage and people.

Successful candidates will have the opportunity to enter into a series pilot development agreement with SPT and EbonyLife under the ÀLÓ Initiative to create and write a pilot script. Once completed, the projects will be pitched to major international broadcasters for their consideration. 

Mo Abudu, Chief Executive Officer, EbonyLife Media, says, "I am really excited about our growing partnership with Sony Pictures Television; from our deal for three scripted series, to our first-look agreement, and now the ÀLÓ Writers’ Initiative. The name of this initiative inspires me, as we chose a word which holds so much personal meaning for me. I am particularly thrilled about the Writers’ Initiative because it is in line with our continent-wide vision to harness and grow our creative economy. It is focused on global storytelling that is authentically African and that gives African writers access to the biggest international broadcasters in the world.  It is a dream come true for me.”

Nina Lederman, EVP Global Scripted Development for Sony Pictures Television, says “The ÀLÓ initiative is born out of SPT and EbonyLife’s shared passion for great storytelling. We know from our many, many conversations developing this initiative with Mo and her team at EbonyLife that there are countless stories from across the African continent yet to be told. We hope that this provides a unique platform to writers of African heritage with a story they want to bring to the world."

The ÀLÓ Initiative will first open for submissions between September 24th and November 5th 2021, with a further six-week period to be confirmed at a later date. Internationally, the initiative it is open to submissions from the US, Canada, the UK and EU, Australia and New Zealand, and Africa. It hopes to expand to include further regions for future submission periods. 

Full terms and conditions and eligibility criteria can be found on the ÀLÓ Initiative website here https://www.alowritersinitiative.com

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About EbonyLife Media

EbonyLife Media, headed by CEO Mo Abudu, is Nigeria’s premium media conglomerate comprising EbonyLife TV, EbonyLife Films, EbonyLife Studios, EbonyLife Creative Academy and EbonyLife Place (a luxury entertainment resort). EbonyLife Media believes in creating original and inspiring content that showcases a pioneering and progressive Africa. The content is strongly rooted in Africa and connected to a global audience, through a shared identity and common values. EbonyLife Media’s vision is to be the most influential storyteller of a new Africa.

About Sony Pictures Television

Sony Pictures Television (SPT) is one of the television industry’s leading content providers, producing, distributing and carrying programming worldwide in every genre and for every platform. In addition to managing one of the industry’s largest libraries of award-winning feature films, television shows and formats, SPT is home to a thriving global content business, operating a robust portfolio of wholly-owned and joint-venture production companies across the U.S., Europe, Latin America, and Asia Pacific, as well as linear and digital channels around the world. SPT is a Sony Pictures Entertainment Company, a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Group Corporation.

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Award-winning Cape Town Choreographer Yaseen Manuel to create work for CCA’S JOMBA!

Award-winning Cape Town Choreographer  Yaseen Manuel to create work for CCA’S JOMBA!

The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s School of the Arts, in partnership with the Mellon Foundation’s Artist in Residence programme, is delighted to welcome Cape Town dancer and choreographer Yaseen Manuel who will be spending 3 months working in conjunction with the Centre for Creative Arts’ 23rd JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience, and the Drama and Performance Studies Programme. 

Yaseen Manuel with Flatfoot Dance Company’s Sifiso Khumalo rehearsing for the 2019 JOMBA fest.

In a really difficult time for any embodied practice, with the need for social distancing and safe ways of working, Manuel will be using the Mellon residency to create two screen dance films that will premiere at JOMBA!’s second digital iteration of its festival in late August. For this, he will be working with Durban’s much-loved FLATFOOT DANCE COMPANY – and in an interesting interplay of digital on-line engagements. He will also be hosting workshops and discussion sessions/seminars via zoom with UKZN’s dance students over his three-month residency. 

Manuel’’ own Cape Town history and personal Muslim spirituality and legacy features prominently in his work. The South African dance community sat up and took notice of his work when he began a series of solos in 2016/17 that connected race, religion and ideas of masculinity in choreographed evocations of deeply neglected stories and identities in the South African landscape. His recent 2019 dance work “ASLAMA”, linked the Syrian massacre to a more internal battle for self and identity that was both terrifying and beautiful!

He is a skilled dancer and teacher and while he works as an independent artist, he is also a member of the ground-breaking integrated dance company UNMUTE DANCE COMPANY. Dr Lliane Loots, artistic director and curator of the CCA’s JOMBA! festival says that she is “delighted – at this very difficult time for dance – to open space to feature one of South Africa’s most original dance-making voices and the reminder he offers, of yet still untold and underrepresented stories in our country”.

Catch the premiere of Yaseen Manuel’s screen dance films at JOMBA! which will take place on-line from 24 August to 5 September. Access to on-line viewing is free. Subscribe to the JOMBA Youtube channel here : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN9cM0WFw5j2QnYSbk1Zu6Q

Fun Outdoor (Social Distancing) Activities at Mnini Dam for the Holidays - south of Durban

Fun Outdoor (Social Distancing) Activities at Mnini Dam for the Holidays 

Just 30 minutes south of Durban’s CBD, in the heart of quiet rural uMgababa area alongside the Mnini Dam there are a number of fun outdoor leisure activities hosted all-year-round by Green Corridors and its partners.

With the COVID-19 pandemic expected to reach its peak during the July holidays, and with citizens being urged not to travel unnecessarily for leisure, there are many healthy and safe outdoor options close to home which allow families to have some good old-fashioned fun.

Calm and quiet at Mnini Dam

 Activities on offer include fishing, canoeing, boating, hiking and birding. There is also a network of trails that allow for exploring, birding, mountain biking and hiking - all enabling safe social distancing for groups in their own “bubbles.”  There are accommodation choices too for overnight and mini-break stays.

The dam itself boasts largemouth bass, tilapia and an abundance of bird life.

Thulas' Adventures, with host Thulas Luthuli, an accredited guide, gives insightful and engaging guided walks and cycling tours around the area including a visit to the local Sangoma. For bird-lovers, there is also great birding, and for the more adventurous canoeing, and a spectacular walk up the Nsingizane River to a waterfall and pool, where, in hotter months, you can enjoy a leisurely swim.  Join him as he expands on the cultural history of the area, as well as allowing you to just enjoy being outdoors and in nature. Thulas, together with partners Green Corridors, also offers accommodation in the form of the pop-up camps – with up to eight two-man tents, a communal catering area (fully catered or self-catered), ablutions, and security. All these are booked via Green Corridors.

Thulas Luthuli - your tour guide is ready to welcome you.

Pop up camps - should you want to stay over night.

Spectacular walk up the Nsingizane River

 Mnini Dam Tourist Resort, hosts, Mlu and Sphiwe Shezi-Mqadi welcome guests all week, offering catch and release bass fishing, canoeing, picnicking and trail options. Permanent gazebos with braai facilities, a jungle gym, and grassy lawns overlooking the dam, make it a safe and fun space to relax.

Canoes for hire

Gazebos, braai facilities, lawns and a jungle gym at Mnini Dam Tourist Resort

Your hosts Mlu and Sphiwe Shezi-Mqadi are ready to welcome you to their Mnini Dam Tourist Resort

 Mlu and Sphiwe offer boat hire and launch facilities, a bar and grill, frozen braai packs, and bait, and overnight camping. When lockdown regulations allow, they also cater regularly for special events such as weddings and birthday parties.

They have recently built four warmly appointed rooms with en-suites, which they offer at a BnB rate with a full English breakfast, for those wanting a more comfortable overnight stay away from the city.

Mnini Dam Tourist Resort offers 4 double rooms with ensuite bathrooms as well as camping options should you want to stay overnight.

Mnini Dam Tourist Resort offers BnB with a full English Breakfast

Both sites enjoy committed involvement from their communities and the well-being  and security of guests is important to them. Take time to stop and chat to people on the roads,  and expect yells of delight and joyous laughter from children, as you are welcomed with open arms to this small slice of paradise.

Bookings for Thulas' Adventures activities and pop-up camp can be done via reservations@durbangreencorridor.co.za or call 031 322 6026/7.

Bookings for overnight accommodation at Mini Resort can be done via +27 83 514 1685 or piyoyomi@gmail.com

Youth Day Start for 500km cycle/run for Sport for Lives in partnership with the Kolisi Foundation

Hilton College teacher Kwanda Sibiya leads Sport for Lives, Manguzi Edition –500km cycle /run from Hilton to Manguzi

On 16 June, National Youth Day, Sport for Lives together with the Kolisi Foundation will launch the Sport for Lives, Manguzi Edition. Led by Kwanda Sibiya, a team of 6 participants will leave Hilton College to cycle and run a distance of 500km to reach Manguzi in eight days (16 -23 June 2021).

Passionate about where he comes from, Kwanda Sibiya, the initiator of this drive, is himself a story of perseverance and hope, bringing opportunity and tangible change back to his community. The son of a cabbage farmer, Kwanda’s family struggled to make ends meet. But Kwanda was inspired by a clipping of a Mark Shuttleworth story and dreamed of a career in science. Today, after a long road of perseverance and hard work, Kwanda is a Science teacher and Housemaster at Hilton College. Through this Sport for Lives – Manguzi Edition, he hopes to raise enough money to support, educate and mentor two Manguzi orphaned children, ages 5 and 6, for one year. Additional funds raised will be directed to the Kolisi Foundation.

“The partnership between the Kolisi Foundation and Sport for Lives is driven by our shared desire to change the narratives around inequality in South Africa,” said Sport for Lives co-founder Chris Kingsley. “Our purpose is to activate generosity through the vehicle of sport and we are honoured to be partnering with the Kolisi Foundation, because we are both a platform through which Kwanda's voice and personal hope for his community can be amplified.” 

The Manguzi Edition will mark the first of an annual event forming part of a campaign series. This inaugural year the team consists of: Kwanda Sibiya (Hilton College and Manguzi), Chris Kingsley (Sport for Lives and Hilton College), Ncedo Koyana (Kolisi Foundation), Peter Storrar (Hilton College Director of Marketing), Caroline Storrar (Hilton physiotherapist and former resident of Manguzi), Rod Spencer (Falcon House and Hilton College old boy, Founder of Deep Rural).

“Remember the one, one by one encompasses the power of the ripple effect that one individual can bring about. Kwanda is a reminder of the impact that one story can bring about. Through Kwanda’s changed narrative and learnings, he is now changing the narrative of inequality, one by one,” added Ncedo Koyana, Programme Coordinator for Education and Sports Development at the Kolisi Foundation.  

To support Sport for Lives, Manguzi Edition together with the Kolisi Foundation or to pledge an amount, no matter how small, please visit www.sportforlives.org or the direct campaign link www.sportforlives.org/campaigns/sport-for-lives-manguzi-edition/

Watch the official Sport for Lives, Manguzi Edition clip - https://youtu.be/1orZmwv6i0g

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Film - Deliver Me - poetic meditation on the migration of a Malawian man for Encounters Film Fest

Deliver Me screening at Encounters Documentary Film Festival

Paper Cranes Collective and Ctrl Alt Shift are proud to announce that their first collaboration, Deliver Me, has been selected to screen at this year’s Encounters South African International Documentary Film Festival where it will have its world premiere.  Directed by Jannous Aukema (Until The Silence Comes and The Jaguars Daughter), the film was conceived, filmed, and edited during South Africa’s LockDown level 4. Made for under R20,000 and a four-man crew, the project is a unique take on the documentary storytelling format.  

“We are honoured and very pleased to have our project Deliver Me, screen at such a prestigious festival such as Encounters, a festival that plays such a key role not only in the continental festival calendar but also for documentaries in our local industry,” said Mitchell Harper, Ctrl Alt Shift producer of the film. “The film’s collaborative nature, along with its unusual approach to story-telling and financing will hopefully readjust many to how we approach not only filmmaking but help shift our understanding of what trials many go through in a bid to survive everyday life.” 

Co-produced by companies in Durban and Cape Town, Deliver Me is a 25-minute film, a poetic meditation on the migration of a Malawian man, who has come to South Africa to find a future for himself and his family. We follow Paul Mwasi through the evening streets, restaurants, and suburbs he navigates as an Uber delivery bike rider, during the coronavirus hard lockdown in Cape Town, South Africa. We come to see that he is a man driven by love for his family, whom he remains in contact with through his cellphone, his digital lifeline to those he has left behind. His work and the conditions he toils in are solitary. In many ways, Paulʼs journey as witnessed in the film is a signifier not only of the struggles of isolation in an unknown place but more generally of the lonesome months of a world pandemic.  

The film will be available to view free at Encounters on their digital platform from 10-20 June, and is available on the African continent throughout the festival period as part of their 24/7 section. 

To find out how to watch Deliver Me, go  to Encounters South African International Documentary Film Festival, https://encounters.co.za/film/deliver-me/

You can see the teaser of the film through this link: https://vimeo.com/558692412

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SPAR Women's Virtual Challenge 4 September 2021

SOUTH AFRICA’S MOST BEAUTIFUL VIRTUAL CHALLENGE GOES LIMITLESS

SPAR ANNOUNCE R1 MILLION INVITATIONAL SPAR GRAND PRIX SERIES

Johannesburg, South Africa: The SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge is back for 2021 and this year, the challenge is going limitless with entries open nationwide. Along with the virtual challenge, SPAR is also bringing back the prestigious SPAR Grand Prix series, giving some much-needed support to South Africa’s professional women runners.

Online entries are now open for the 2021 SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge. SPAR is inviting women across the country to join in on Saturday, 4th September 2021, anytime between 06h00 and 18h00 (subject to government lockdown regulations). Participants can run, jog, or walk their own virtual challenge, at their own pace, anywhere in South Africa.

The 2021 SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge is set to be the ultimate antidote to Covid-19 fatigue and the lockdown blues that many South Africans are feeling. The 2021 challenge theme, #LiveLimitless calls on women to recognise how many obstacles they have overcome in spite of the restrictions and limitations that we have been faced with in the past year. 

“Following the first ever SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge held in 2020, the challenge participants could never have anticipated that almost a year later, the nation would still be living with lockdown restrictions as the world continues to grapple with the Covid-19 pandemic. #LiveLimitless recognises that we have done and coped with so much in the past year that we never thought we would be able to,” says Alison Zweers, SPAR Managing Director Western Cape and Namibia. 

Every year thousands of women look forward to taking part in the SPAR Women’s Challenge races and their associated fun runs. Due to the lockdown imposed in 2020, SPAR changed the game by launching their first ever virtual challenge. “By hosting the second virtual challenge in 2021, we are once again giving women something to look forward to and we are really excited that no one will have to miss out this year. The fact that we have managed to find a way for our challenge community to keep coming together is really a testament to what #LiveLimitless is all about,” SPAR Group Marketing Executive, Mike Prentice enthuses.

Ensuring a limitless future for all, the SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge 2021 event will benefit the SPAR Petal’s Project. Proceeds from this year’s entry fee will be used to help the Petals project donate packs of sanitary pads to underprivileged girls who often stay away from school when they are on their periods as they lack these basic necessities. SPAR Petals donations help keep these girls in school, giving them an equal chance to compete and lead a full life. Your contribution will help to remove the limitations that girls feel during menstruation and show them that there is no area in their life in which they cannot #LiveLimitless.

“This contribution would not be possible without the support of the women across South Africa who will be joining in or without the support of our sponsors. I would like to thank Asics, Garmin and Athletics South Africa for sticking with us and making this challenge possible,” Prentice acknowledges. “Our brand ambassadors, several of whom have been involved with our events for years, also play a huge part in making the virtual challenges a success and we are so excited about the group we have on board this year.”

This year’s challenge ambassador list includes familiar fan favourites and some new ambassadors who are eager to get SA excited about the challenge. Helping spread the #LiveLimitless message online will be; Bonang Gwampi, Siphokazi Menziwa, Nolo Skiti, Nomvuzo Zongo , Mimi Mahlasela, Leilani Kuter, Rene Kalmer, Bongi Msomi, Elana Afrika – Bredenkamp, Warrior Ric, Sarina Bosman, Charné Bosman, Willem Botha, Ouma Tema, Tauné Block, Lucille Slade, Dianne Broodryk, Sophia Matlou, Philicity Reeken, Martin Bester, Chantel Struwig, Donnalee Roberts, Ivan Botha, Lindie Strydom, Robbie Kruse, Zizipho Soldati, Kesa Molotsoane, Shirnell Swartz, Khutso Theledi, Izelle Hoffman, Jo-Dee Butler, Suga, Gino Fabbri, Yolanda Bukani, Jeanie Steyn, Faith Motau, Zinhle Twala and Precious Mthembu.

“We are looking forward to seeing everyone posting online on 4 September as they complete their routes,” says Zweers urging participants to enter and take some time for themselves and reflect on the tenacity we have all shown since the start of the pandemic. “Take this opportunity to #LiveLimitless, whatever that means to you, and do not be defined by the limitations you face. To #LiveLimitless is about answering the call to adventure, and instead of being defined by your limits, changing the narrative to be inspired by them.”

Entry to the SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge is R60 and as part of the entry fee, every participant will receive a virtual race pack. The race pack includes an official virtual challenge t-shirt, access to the My Virtual Challenge digital magazine, a face buff and a medal.

This year there are even more ways to join in the fun online. Participants can visit the official race website, sparvirtualchallenge.co.za to generate their own race number and finish line certificate – perfect for pre and post-race selfies! Use #LiveLimitless and #SPARVirtualChallenge when posting to join the challenge community online!

For more information and to find out how to enter, visit www.sparvirtualchallenge.co.za. Entries are limited to 75 000 participants – enter now to avoid disappointment.

EVENT DIARY DETAILS: 

Date: 4 September 2021 

Time: 06h00 – 18h00 (subject to current lockdown restrictions) 

Location: Virtual Event (participants can select own route and distance) 

Entries+Website: https://sparvirtualchallenge.co.za/  

UKZN’s CCA & JOMBA! presents JOMBA! 2021 Masihambisane Dialogues

The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Centre for Creative Arts and the

JOMBA! CONTEMPORARY DANCE EXPERIENCE presents

JOMBA! 2021 Masihambisane Dialogues

2 – 4 June 2021

An open three-day dance colloquium hosted by the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Centre for Creative Arts and the JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Festival with support funding from the NIHSS, on Youtube, will focus on new ways of engaging dance/performance scholarship, practice, and practice-led research in innovative, provocative and interesting ways from 2 to 4 June 2021.

JOMBA! Masihambisane Dialogues aims to support South African and African (and Diaspora) dance and performance scholarship and research in an accessible and community-driven manner. An international community of dance/performance scholars have curated what promises to be an engaging dialogue around dance.

This year’s curatorial committee include Mr. David Thatanelo April - University of Pretoria (SA), Ms. Clare Craighead - Durban University of Technology (SA), Mr. Gift Marovatsanga - University of Zululand (SA), Dr. Lliane Loots - University of KwaZulu-Natal CCA (SA) [chair and organiser], Dr. Sarahleigh Castelyn - University of East London (UK), Ms. Thobile Maphanga - Centre for Creative Arts (UKZN - SA)[postgraduate student representative and colloquium administrator] and Dr. Yvette Hutchison - Warwick University (UK).

Keynote speakers include award-winning and prolific South African choreographers Boyzie Cekwana, Nelisiwe Xaba and PJ Sabbagha. Sessions includes prepared papers as well as conversations, a workshop and performances. 

A panel entitled BOXED and Its Inspirations for the Future, based on Dr. Anita Ratnam (Chennai, India) 2020 work Boxed, which was created during COVID and has become a template of how an existing crisis can inspire original dance art. Panelists include  Dr. Ratnam, Producer/Presenter, Chitra Sundaram, Series Consultant .

Choreographing violence and intimacies: exploring choreography, screendance and scenography as artistic mediums for choreographing intimacies through a performance lecture titled In the shadow of his fist, is the paper to be presented by Kamogelo Molobye, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, SA

Tammy Ballantyne Webber (Johannesburg, SA), Ntshadi Mofokeng (Johannesburg, SA), Thobile Maphanga (Durban, SA); with contribution from Kivithra Naicker (Seoul/Durban, KOREA/SA) join a conversation around “the role of the dance writer as dance goes digital”.

Dr. Sarahleigh Castelyn, University of East London, United Kingdom presents a paper entitled Intimacy as a Political Act: Contemporary Dance in South Africa 

[DE]TACH presented by Lucky Karabo Moeketsi (Gauteng, SA), explores the environmental habits that became a Black society’s norm against the spectre of the COVID pandemic and the required social distancing.

Hannah Ma (Luxembourg, Germany)  presents Why intimacy is the sphere where embodiment and integration becomes evident in the evolution of humankind in a globalised, capitalist world with contributions by respondents Nai Ni Chen (New Jersey, USA) and Nora Amin (Cairo, Egypt).

Digital Dance and domesticity: the work of female East African choreographers in a time of COVID is the paper presented by Charlie Ely (University of Leeds, UK) which looks at how the new realities of the pandemic have shaped the work of female East African choreographers, including Diana Gaya, Catherine Nakawesa and Pili Maguzo.

Mlondiwethu Dubazane (Cape Town, SA) and Nomcebisi Moyikwa (Durban, SA - University of KwaZulu-Natal) present Language is a breathable place: “that words must get out of the way for something else to come through’’ (Klonaris, 2011) in which they re-think ideas around language and the embodied self.

A workshop and paper entitled ‘When I slam my body into a wall, I know that it’s there’ authored and facilitated by  Kristina Johnstone (University of Pretoria & WITS, Gauteng, SA) reflects on the facilitation of embodied practice in a virtual space of teaching, learning and creation, specifically looking at ways of facilitating touch and the importance of creating moments of synchronicity (shared time). 

JC Zondi (China/South Africa) and Simphiwe "Fiddy" Ngcobo (Durban, SA) present Performing Uncertainties which open discussion around the relationship of film to dance making and, significantly the role of the audience/viewer in all of this.

Lorin Sookool (Cape Town, SA) in conversation with Thobile Maphanga (Durban, SA) speaks around her experience of creating her work Prayer Room (2020). She will discuss the processes and possibilities of engagement in art making during the times of COVID-19 in a session titled De-Snubbing the ‘Jack of All Trades’.

The full programme can be accessed on this link:  http://bit.ly/JombaColloquiumProgramme

It will be livestreamed to the JOMBA! YouTube Chanel and can be accessed free of charge on www.YouTube.com/Jomba_Dance  

The Dialogues will also have a closed ZOOM link for direct participants and for those who wish to apply to join and be present in the “room”.  Access to this is limited and participants need to apply to Thobile Maphanga on thobimaphanga@gmail.com.

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SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge Grantleigh College Results: Saturday 15 May

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge

Grantleigh College: Saturday 15 May

After a two year break, Grantleigh College reclaimed the North Coast Regional title of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge for the fourth time on Saturday 15 May.

Host school, Grantleigh met defending champs, Felixton College in the regional final. Felixton dominated the opening period of play but never quite got into the Grantleigh circle to fire off a shot. After 5 minutes of defense, Grantleigh managed, for the first time, to get into Felixton’s half but the surge was short lived as a number of infringements allowed Felixton back into the Grantleigh 22. 

With majority of the action in the first period taking place in the midfield, Grantleigh managed to break the defensive shackles and make a run for the Felixton goal. Nearing 8 minutes of play, Grantleigh earned a long corner. A Felixton defender didn’t manage to keep her distance from the start of the set piece and was directed to the sin bin for 2 minutes. This resulted in the first short corner of the game. 

Grantleigh’s first short corner attempt went to the castle, with a thundering shot being fired in but only going as far as a dashing first wave’s right boot. In the re-take of the short corner, Grantleigh changed up their attack, with the ball pinballing around the top of the circle, but were unable to capitalize.  

Felixton had a slight breather after 90 seconds of play in their danger zone, the ball was cleared for the host’s second long corner. Grantleigh took advantage of the last few seconds of a 10 strong Felixton team, rocketing in the ball from just outside the circle in the hopes of finding a team-mate’s stick along the way. A lucky Josie Reilly was in the right place at the right time and managed to ricochet the shot into the Felixton net taking her team 1-0 up. 

Captain for Grantleigh, Jessica du Plessis attempted to increase the lead 5 minutes later but an alert Senamile Mhlaba from Felixton magnificently charged down the shot. With 3 and a half minutes left of play, Grantleigh was awarded their third short corner but the Felixton defenders didn’t allow them any room, getting the ball out neatly. 

As the game neared full time, Carla Janse van Rensburg found herself on the Felixton post with no defender marking her. Receiving the ball, she tried to chip in a sneaky shot, but an on-her-toes Mhlaba hugging the post, punched it away easily. 

In the earlier Round Robin game between the two teams, the hosts netted two goals with Josie Reilly and Michaela Hagemeier scoring for Grantleigh.

This is the fourth Regional in the Take Two of the celebratory tenth year of the tournament. Grantleigh join Danville Park Girls’ High who won the first tournament in the Durban North Regional. Second regional winners from the uMvoti, uThukela and uMzinyathi Regional were Wembley College, followed by St Mary’s DSG in the Highway Regional. The fifth tournament, played the following day, was hosted by Durban Girls High School with teams from around Durban CBD taking part in the Durban Central Regional with Durban Girls’ College taking the title.

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

Results

1 Grantleigh College, 2 Felixton College, 3 St Catherine’s, 4 Empangeni High School, 5 Richards Bay Christian School, 6 John Ross College

ENDS

JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience Call for Submissions for New Digital Platform - “Open Horizons”

JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience

Call for Submissions for New Digital Platform - “Open Horizons”

The Centre for Creative Arts (UKZN) presents the 2021 JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience as a virtual event with performance, workshops, and online engagements from 24 August to 5 September. Applications are now open for JOMBA! “Open Horizons”, formerly known as the “Fringe”, which now offers a long and a short form platform for the submission of screen dance/digital dance work.

From the 2019 Something's not right choreographed by Carla Mostert and Rafe Green pictured here

“This remains an open access platform for any and all contemporary dance makers to apply and showcase their work at the festival,” explains Lliane Loots, Artistic Director of the Festival. “We invite professional, experimental, and young choreographers, dancers and dance companies to apply for participation on either (or both) with digital dance or screen dance work.”

The festival is looking for work that is located within the broad spectrum of contemporary dance, with preference being given to South African and African submissions. 

The Long Form welcome works between 5 and 8 minutes long, which will be streamed on the JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience’s YouTube channel.

The Short Form welcomes works that are 1 to 3 minutes long and will be streamed on Youtube as well as its social media channels, in a lower res format, to enable wider accessibility, and can be shared across various social media platforms.

For both these platforms a panel will select three “Pick of the Open Horizons” which sees three Long Form dance-makers being awarded after the festival, R3 500, R2 500, and R1 500 respectively, and three Short Form being awarded R2 000, R1 500 and R1 000 respectively.

All criteria and information about submissions as well as application forms can be found on this link: https://jomba.ukzn.ac.za/open-horizons/

Submission closes on Friday 9 July at 4pm (SAST).

Queries can be submitted via email to jombafestival@gmail.com.

Ends

Fixtures for the North Coast Regional Grantleigh College: Saturday 15 May

Fixtures for the North Coast Regional Grantleigh College: Saturday 15 May

The fourth regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge heads to the picturesque pitch of Grantleigh College for the North Coast Regional on Saturday 15 May. 

With hometown advantage, Grantleigh hopes to reclaim their title in this regional that sees six schools taking to the turf. Joining them on the day are defending champs, Felixton College, John Ross College, Richards Bay Christian School, St Catherine’s and Empangeni High School.

Half of the teams taking to the astro have been crowned in this region. Empangeni High School have four wins to their name in the early days of the tournament, with hosts Grantleigh winning three times and most recently, Felixton College lifting the trophy twice. 

Each school will get a good run after a year’s break, with five games in total in the round robin format. After the fifteen games, the two teams topping the leaderboard will get a chance to play for the honour of regional champion in the Take Two of the tournament’s milestone celebratory ‘tenth’ year.  

The games will be 20 minutes long, with play running one way only. Successful teams will earn themselves 4 points for a win, if teams draw with both teams slotting goals, they will get 2 points, and for a goalless draw only 1 point will be added to their scorecard. In the final, if the games are level, both teams will head to the spot for a three player penalty shoot out. 

So far, three tournaments have rolled out in quick succession with Danville Park Girls’ High taking the first win in the Durban North Regional. Wembley College from took the uMvoti, uThukela and uMzinyathi Regional, St Mary’s D.S.G. from the Highway Regional. The following day Durban Girls’ High School hosts schools for the Durban Central Regional. The remaining tournaments all play out in the next month.

Please note, no supporters are allowed pitch-side under the current government regulations.

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

ENDS

Results Highway Regional SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge- 9 May

Wrap Up for Highway Regional

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge

Curro Hillcrest: Sunday 9 May

St Mary’s D.S.G. have done it again, claiming the Highway Regional title for the ninth time after a spectacular display at the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge at Curro Hillcrest on Sunday 9 May.

Photo by Val Adamson

Throughout the day, Saints played a magnificent flowing and controlled game, dominating all of their games and knocking in 27 goals in their six games. In the regional final, they met host school, Curro Hillcrest, who played out of their boots in the round robin stages, earning themselves a berth against the defending champs. 

Heading into the final, both teams went head to head in their last round robin game. St Mary’s camped out for majority of the game in the Curro half, and peppered Curro’s keeper with wave after wave of attacks. Asanda Makhunga stood tall in the goals, denying Saints surges. Four fantastic goals did manage to sneak beyond Makhunga giving the visitors a 4-0 win in the game. 

In the final, Saints continued their relentless advances but Curro’s defenders held strong. The first charge at goal was 31 seconds into the game, two St Mary’s players drove downfield, with a powered pass gliding just out of reach of the support player running onto the ball, and rolling out of play. 

Nearing 4 minutes, Gemma Wood confidently strode into the Curro circle, stepping into a perfectly crafted reverse stick shot that flew into the net, giving Saints their first goal. Curro knuckled down, and with their sticks to the turf pushed back for over 8 minutes, not allowing any of the constant barrages through. In the period of Curro’s resistance, home team defender, Karla Roberts was a wizard with her stick on the baseline, magically stopping, not one but three rockets smacked in during three consecutive short corners. Roberts, situated on the baseline, quietly halted the balls flight, controlling and clearing it quickly out of the danger zone.

With the clock on 12 and a half minutes, Louisa Combrink hit the ball in for their sixth short corner, from the castle, they shifted play wide, with a quick tap pass finding Combrink who was now posted in front of goals. The wily player, finding a hole in the defense, slapped the ball in for St Mary’s second. 

Their third goal was also a set piece during a short corner. Combrink sent the ball to the castle, and again, they shifted the ball wide and then the ball moved into the centre of the circle, finding Dominque Carbonel who neatly pocketed in another goal. Concluding the game, the fourth goal pinballed around the circle until landing with Daniella De Oliveria who managed to gently tap in out of Makhunga’s reach.

Coach for St Mary’s Nolwazi ‘Chicken’ Nkabinde stated after the game, “It is really good to be back. We missed the action, and this tournament. My girls displayed fantastic skills today, something they can be proud of after the break. And we want to say thank you to our competitors, without them today would not have been possible. Well done to all for a brilliant day of hockey.”

Highway’s St Mary’s join Danville Park Girls High School from the Durban North Regional and Wembley College from Umvoti, uThukela and Umzinyathi Regional as regional winners.

This weekend the tournament heads to Richards Bay where Grantleigh hosts the North Coast Regional, and then back to Durban for the Durban Central Regional where Durban Girls High School hosts teams at their 3 Schools Trust. 

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

ENDS

Highway Regional

Curro Hillcrest: Sunday 9 May

1 St Mary’s DSG, 2 Curro Hillcrest, 3 Thomas More College, 4 Hillcrest High School , 5 Westville Girls High School, 6 Kloof High School

Results Umvoti, uThukela and Umzinyathi Regional Wembley College: Saturday 8 May

Media Release

Wrap Up for the Umvoti, uThukela and Umzinyathi Regional

Wembley College: Saturday 8 May

A joyous performance by host school, Wembley College saw them winning the Umvoti, uThukela and Umzinyathi Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge on Saturday 8 May.

Photo by Rogan Ward

Wembley College’s Captain Sarah Barber (right) takes a shot at goals as Wartburg Kirchdorf is Lisa Lea Engelbrecht defends, during the finals of the Umvoti, uThukela and Umzinyathi Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge that took place at Wembley College in Greytown on Saturday 8 May. Wembley claimed their 1-0 victory in an exciting penalty shootout.

Wembley College won the inaugural tournament in 2011 but have since not managed to top the podium. In the regional final they took on the 2019 Defending Champs, a young Wartburg Kirchdorf team. Wartburg who have dominated this region with six wins, were luckily to have advanced through to the regional final after a spectacular performance by Domino Servite on the turf, the Tech Officials did the counting for goal differences to see who would be the team to feature against Wembley.

At the whistle, Wembley showed their intention as they charged from the middle into Wartubrg territory. A revitalised and focused Wartburg then got into gear and turned over the play and took the game straight down to Wembley’s circle. 40 seconds into the game, and the umpire blew the first short corner, for Wartburg. Wartburg’s first attack was not successful, with the keeper booting out a soft attempt. Two minutes later, Wartburg had their second short corner, but again were unable to capitalise. 

Play pivoted Wembley’s way with a few chances up at the Wartburg goals, but a Wartburg solid defence, and missed Wembley opportunities meant the scoreline was still on zero each. Nearing ten minutes of play, a fast solo-break by Ncuthukazi Dlatu from Wartburg chasing towards the Wembley keeper, with only one player to beat, agonising watched as the ball got away from her and shot out of play over the line. 

The remainder of play bounced between the two teams 22s, with Wembley claiming more possession than Wartburg. Both teams were unable to net any of their chances in their opponent’s circles until Wembley desperately knocked the ball from close to the 22 and managed to find a Wartburg foot. As the clock ticked to zero, the umpire signalled a Wembley short corner. With pressure mounting, Wembley pushed the ball out to the top of the D and fired off a hurried flick that was easily defended and cleared. Full time with the scoreboard not having moved.

The game moved to a three-person penalty shootout. First to go was Dlatu for Wartburg who fired off her shot as soon as she set foot into the circle, with the ball whizzing past the right post not giving much work for Wembley’s keeper, Sinegugu ‘Sne’ Ngcobo. Next to go was Wembley’s Vice Captain, Leah Tedder who tried valiantly but was unable to shake Wartburg’s Marissa van der Spuy defence.  Wartburg’s Lise-Lea Engelbrecht was unable to bypass the brave charge of Ngcobo who determinedly booted the ball well out of play. Kristen Steyn kept her ball close to her as she advanced for Wembley, just managing to skirt around van der Spuy and with a tight angle tapped the ball into the Wartburg goal, giving her team the big break. Wartburg’s Khanya Mhlophe’s attempt went much the way of Dlatu, as she stepped into the circle, fired off a shot that was easily deflected by a waiting Ngcobo. 

“The girls came into the tournament with the desire to win today, and they did it. It is a really good feeling. And this is the first time since 2011, so makes it very special for us!” said a delighted Wembley coach, Gareth Larkan. 

Wembley earning the win, 1-0 and the Regional Title for the second time in the Take Two of the Milestone celebratory tenth year. They are the second team this year to be crowned, joining Danville Park Girls’ High School from the Durban North Regional. 

The highly contested Highway Regional followed the Umvoti, uThukela and Umzinyathi Regional on Sunday at Curro Hillcrest where St Mary’s D.S.G. took the honours, with another five more regionals rolling out in May, and the final two taking place in early June. 

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

ENDS

Results for SPAR KZN Schoolgirls Hockey Challenge

Umvoti 

Wembley College: Saturday 8 May

1 Wembley College, 2 Wartburg High School, 3 Domino Servite 4 Greytown High School

Fixtures: uMvoti, uThukela and uMzinyathi Regional of SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge

Media Release

Fixtures for Second SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge

Wembley College; Greytown: Saturday 8 May

Fixtures for the second tournament of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge have been announced for the uMvoti, uThukela and uMzinyathi Regional on Saturday 8 May.

A fabulous four teams will take to the turf at host school, Wembley College this year. Joining Wembley are Domino Servite and previous regional winners Greytown High School and Wartburg Kirchdorf School.

A round robin format sees six games being played, each game lasting 30 minutes with a five minute break between matches. Following on from the round robin, the top two teams will meet to reveal the overall regional winner.

Of the four teams featured on the day, three have ventured to the Grand Finals in previous years with Wartburg Kirchdorf dominating this area in the ten year history of this SPAR KZN hockey tournament. Greytown High School technically are the defending champs, having lifted the trophy in 2019. 

In an action-filled month of hockey, Danville Park Girls’ High from the Durban North Regional took the top honours in the first tournament this past weekend, and teams from the Highway area take to the turf on Sunday 9 May. Five more tournaments take place around KZN on the remaining weekends in May, and the final two of the ten regions rolling out in early June.

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

ENDS

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls' Hockey - Fixtures for Highway Regional Sunday 9 May

Looking forward to the upcoming SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge, Curro Hillcrest’s Nikita Gironi (Captain) and Asanda Makhunga (Vice Captain) look forward to welcoming teams for the Highway Regional on their turf this Sunday (9 May).

Pic by Rogan Ward

Fixtures for Highway Regional

Curro Hillcrest: Sunday 9 May

In the third of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge, teams from around the Highway area will congregate at Curro Hillcrest on Sunday 9 May.

Host school, Curro Hillcrest will get the ball rolling in the first game of their tournament where they face Kloof High School. Joining them on the turf on the day are Hillcrest High School, St Mary’s DSG, Thomas More College and Westville Girls’ High School.

In one of the most competitive regions in KZN, the six teams will battle it out in the hopes of dethroning St Mary’s DSG who have had a stronghold raising the regional trophy on all but one occasion over the last nine years. Fifteen quick-fire games, with a duration of 20 minutes, will result in the two top teams meeting to conclude the round robin tournament.

Scoring points on the day, a win will earn a team 4 points, a draw with goals 2 points, a goalless draw only 1 point. In the final, if the game ends with a draw, three players from each team will head to the circle for a deciding 8 second penalty shoot-out.

Danville Park Girls’ HIgh from the Durban North Regional lifted the trophy victoriously in the first tournament in the milestone celebratory tenth year. Teams from the uMvoti, uThukela and uMzinyathi Regional meet the day before the Highway Regional at Wembely College and then the remaining seven regionals roll out in quick succession around KZN in the next five weeks.

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

ENDS

Results of Durban North Regional Crawford La Lucia: Sunday 2 May

Wrap up for Durban North Regional Crawford La Lucia: Sunday 2 May

A victorious Danville Park Girls’ High School claimed their third title in the Durban North Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge on Sunday (2 May) at Crawford La Lucia.

In the concluding game of the regional finals, they met local rival Our Lady of Fatima in a close final. Danville got out of the starting blocks eagerly taking the play up to Fatima’s 22 a few times but were not able to find holes in the Fatima defense. Five minutes into the game a chance shot was a result from a run up the left for Fatima but the attempt met the determined gloved hand of the Danville keeper, Chelsea Steyn. With Fatima now in Danville’s danger zone, a second attempt got close to goals but whizzed past with no blue stick able to punch it goal-wards.

Mid-way through the final, Paige Horn from Fatima burst free of her defender and had a blistering dash into the circle but was unable to capitliase.

Nearing the final whistle both teams dished out loads of turn over passes and both managed to intercept plenty of wayward passes. Danville managed an impressive passage of play up the left, with short sharp passes bouncing between open players but again they didn’t manage to penetrate the Fatima 22. 

Fatima’s response was a near fire by Sarah Bright who pounced on an opportunity on the line, right next to the post but was unable to avoid a diving Danville goalie. 

At the final whistle the score was level at nil nil, resulting in the game going to the deciding penalty shoot out. Danville was first up but Savanah Ferrier was unable to find the back of the net. Fatima’s Sarah Bright netted the first goal, taking her team 1 nil up. Danni Mumford from Danville then comfortably equalized. Horn was the second player for Fatima and dragged the ball left falling to her favourite reverse stick, slotting the ball in neatly for Fatima’s 2nd goal. Sian Davies leveled the scores with a no-nonsense slap sending the ball into the right corner of the box. With the pressure mounting, Chelsea Peterson from Fatima faded to her left, and released a superb reverse stick shot that flew wide of the goals. 

In sudden death, Horn went first for Fatima with her attempt running right this time getting smothered by the Danville keeper, resulting in a re-take. Horn then switched her attack and glided in to the circle, veering left and taking to her reverse stick shot that skidded unsuccessfully past the upright. Davies, in almost a repeat of her first attempt, cruised into the circle and sent the ball in to the right corner again for her second goal and earning her team the title.

Coach for Danville Park Girls’ High School, Calvin Price said after the game, “It is so good to be back. The objective of course is to win and today the luck went our way. One on ones are not our best but we managed to score when needed. The girls played so well the entire day and I am so proud of them with their win. And on behalf of our girls, I would like to say a big thank you to SPAR and Tournament Director Les Galloway for getting the tournament back on track this year.”

This coming weekend sees the tournament gather momentum for its second and third regional taking place. The first on Saturday 8 May at Wembley College for the uMvoti, uThukela and uMzinyathi Regional and then the Highway Regional taking place on Sunday 9 May at Curro Hillcrest. 

Results

1 Danville Park Girls’ High School, 2 Our Lady of Fatima, 3= Crawford La Lucia, 3= Reddam House uMhlanga, 5= Ashton International College, 5= Northlands Girls High, 5= Curro Mt Richmore, 8 Crawford North Coast 9 Reddam House Ballito

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

ENDS

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge - Durban North Regional Fixtures: 2 May

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge

Fixtures for Durban North Regional

Excitement mounts as the first regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge gets underway this Sunday (2 May) at Crawford La Lucia. 

Nine schools take to the turf for the Durban North Regional with the first whistle being blown at 07:25. The first fixture sees Our Lady of Fatima DCS taking on Reddam House uMhlanga. Fatima were the overall winners in the celebratory tenth year in 2020 and are out to reclaim and retain the title in the tournament’s ‘Take Two’ of their milestone year.

The nine schools will be split into two pools with Pool A consisting of Our Lady of Fatima, Ashton International College, Reddam House uMhlanga, Crawford North Coast and newcomers Reddam House Ballito. Pool B is led by host school, Crawford La Lucia, Danville Park Girls’ High School, Northlands Girls’ High School and Curro Mt Richmore. 

This regional is always enthralling with the competition being action packed on the turf. In previous years, four teams have progressed to the Grand Finals to take on the other nine regional winners. Over the ten years, the teams that hoisted the trophy are Our Lady of Fatima, Danville Park Girls’ High, Ashton International College and Crawford La Lucia. This year the challenge consists of only the regionals, with the Grand Finals returning next year. 

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

ENDS

Photo by Rogan Ward

Crawford La Lucia's Hockey team represented by left to right Alison Beck (Captain), Laikén Brisset (Vice Captain) and Janke Keyser (Vice Captain) are ready to welcome 9 teams for the Durban North Regional - the first since last year's lockdown, on Sunday 2 May.

World Autism Month: Silent Bring and Share

World Autism Month: Silent Bring and Share

“People with special needs should be accepted into society along with everyone else. The value of a person shouldn’t be solely fixed by his or her skills and talent or lack of them. It’s how you strive to live well that allows others to understand your awesomeness as a human being.”

Naoki Higashida, autistic non speaking author

April is World Autism Month. Life can be isolating and lonely for people who cannot express their basic needs or experiences in a way that the rest of the world understands. Over 50 % of autistic people are non speaking or partially speaking, and the Autistics Worldwide Facebook Group have put out an appeal that, as an Autistic or as an ally, this April should be about acceptance rather than awareness, and to leave out the puzzle pieces, burden talk, the colour blue and miracle cures from the dialogue.

Action in Autism, a non-profit organisation that strives to improve services and resources for autistic people and their families, is asking people to respect, acknowledge and accept neurological and communication differences, and to join Autistic people, their caregivers and families, educators and concerned professionals for a silent Bring and Share, from 10am to 12am at the Action in Autism Centre, 105 Haig Road, Park Hill, on Saturday 10 April. Those attending will be encouraged to use only alternative means of communication – signs, gestures, pointing, tapping or drawing – for the duration of the event. Following the two hours, Disability Rights Lawyer and Academic Willene Holness, as the keynote speaker for the day, will address those in attendance. There is no prescribed fee, but a donation of R50 per family would be highly appreciated. Action in Autism does not receive funding from government, and relies on donations and support from the community for the continuation of their Early Intervention programme, Adult Skills and Business Hub and support and advocacy services.

The central focus of Action in Autism is to improve the quality of life for people with Autism Spectrum Condition and their caregivers. The organisation builds partnerships between Autistic people, and provides information, services, learning and research to the community. The organisation’s flagship programmes are its Early Learning Intervention Centre and Walk-in Resource Centre, and the Shahumna Centre, a Skills Transfer and Business Hub for Autistic adults. Speaking is not the only form of communication. Honour and accept those who have communication and social difficulties, and join the Autistic community at the Action in Autism Centre on 10 April.

If you would like to support Action in Autism through donations in cash or kind or through volunteering, or if you would like to join the Silent picnic, please call 031 563 3039, or email info@actioninautism.org.za.

Ends.

‘Mission Accomplished’ for the Mzansi Edge Expedition

During these dark days of Covid, an expedition of hope to embrace the outline of South Africa and help those in need.

With adventures and exploits reminiscent of Jules Verne’s 1872 novel ‘Around the world in 80 days’, the Kingsley Holgate explorer team have completed the Mzansi Edge Expedition travelling in new Land Rover Defenders, by mountain bike and even on foot, on a marathon humanitarian mission that delivered over 250,000 nutritional meals to needy families still affected by the Covid-19 lockdown and clocking up more than 16,000 kilometres in 80 days.

Starting at Kosi Bay mouth in northern KwaZulu-Natal in mid-September with the filling of the Holgate’s traditional Zulu calabash that travels on every humanitarian and geographic journey, the expedition achieved the extraordinary feat of tracking South Africa’s total land borders with Mozambique, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia, circumnavigating land-locked Lesotho, and following the entire length of the Atlantic and Indian Ocean coastlines from Alexander Bay in the Northern Cape back to Kosi Bay. 

The expedition ended at Kosi Bay - where it all began 80 days earlier.

Geographic objectives of the expedition included staying as close to the land borders as possible and reaching South Africa’s most eastern, northern, western and southern geographic points. The team also erected symbolic ‘isivivanes’ (stone cairns) at the six points where South Africa’s border meets two other countries and collected thimblefuls of water from 50 important water sources on Mzansi’s Edge in the Zulu calabash. Staying true to the coastal edge of the expedition’s route, they also reached 50 lighthouses along South Africa’s shoreline.

“This expedition turned out to be one of the most exceptional journeys I’ve ever undertaken without leaving my home country,” said the world-renowned explorer and author Kingsley Holgate, who with his team has completed over 30 geographic and humanitarian expeditions in Africa and beyond, many of them world-firsts. “Every day was a new adventure, and we were constantly amazed at the spectacular beauty, geographic diversity and rich history to be found all along South Africa’s borders and coastline, as well as the kindness and hospitality of people who ‘live on the edge’ of our magnificent country, and who fully embraced the expedition’s mission and pushed us along.”

The challenging route was also the first long-distance test for the recently launched Land Rover Defender on South African soil, with Kingsley and his son Ross Holgate putting two expedition-kitted new Defenders through their paces over some of the most difficult conditions on the continent. This included following the entire length of the Kruger National Park’s fence line with Mozambique; tracking the 500-kilometre straight-edge border with Namibia from Union’s End in the north of the Kalagadi Transfrontier Park to the Orange River; steep ascents and descents along the Lubombo and Makhonjwa mountain ranges and the high-altitude Drakensberg border with Lesotho; and navigating the precipitous cliffs of the Wild Coast.

“As a family, we have had the incredible opportunity to have adventured in every country in Africa but we never expected this homegrown Mzansi Edge expedition to throw so much at man and machine,” said expedition leader Ross Holgate. “Following a fence line day after day and week after week, is not easy. The road conditions were a complete mishmash: deep sand ruts, sharp jagged rocks, high Kalahari dunes, overgrown tracks and wash-aways were part of our everyday journey. We also experienced intense heat up to 50 degrees Celsius and days of endless mud and torrential rain.” 

At the Kruger National Park Mozambique border

Joining the adventurous father and son duo were Kingsley’s partner Sheelagh, Ross’s wife Anna, Kingsley’s 19-year-old grandson Tristan who is learning the ‘expedition ropes’, and expedition veteran ‘Shova Mike’ Nixon, one of only four people in the world to have completed every Absa Cape Epic, said to be the toughest mountain bike race in the world. He cycled over 4,500-kilometres of the Mzansi Edge expedition route, including a gruelling, solo 300-kilometre journey along the beaches and cliffs of the Wild Coast from Cintsa to Port St Johns. Other South African adventurers who joined the expedition for short spells included Project Rhino ambassador Richard Mabanga and mountaineers Andre Bredenkamp and Sibusiso Vilane, the first African to successfully summit Mt Everest.

Staying so close to South Africa’s borders created some interesting moments for the team. “With travel bans still in place, some of the fence lines were heavily guarded by the SADF and we had to get permission from the top military brass beforehand,” recalled Ross. “They were always supportive of the expedition’s mission, but sometimes the message wouldn’t get all the way down the line and we’d have to do some fast talking.  On one occasion, Shova Mike on his mountain bike was nearly shot when he crested a hill ahead of the Defender team and surprised a patrol unit on the lookout for border jumpers and vehicle smugglers.”

The expedition witnessed the illegal cross-border trade, particularly along the Limpopo border with Zimbabwe, where innumerable holes in the fence, well-worn tracks and a busy bush-taxi service showed it was alive and kicking. They also saw first-hand the devastation that Covid-closed border posts have wrought on local communities who rely heavily on tourism and the continent-wide trucking industry. 

“It was disturbing to see border posts like ghost towns,” said Kingsley. “No business at all – from the empty shisanyama and fruit stalls lining the road, to short-stay motels and upmarket game lodges – everything closed. The loss of income must be terrifying; it really brought home the severity of the Covid-19 lockdown and how people in these outlying areas are still struggling to put food on the table.”

“Building on our motto of using our adventures to improve and save lives, this expedition wasn’t just a geographic mission – it also had a strong humanitarian focus,” explained Ross. “Supported by Land Rover, the DoMore Foundation and our partners at Goodbye Malaria and Project Rhino, we were able to distribute well over 250,000 meals-worth of vitamin-enriched DoMore nutritional porridge, as well as thousands of facemasks, sanitizing soap and digital thermometers to early childhood development centres, orphanages and needy families all along the route, especially to those living close to game reserves who have been particularly hard-hit by the loss of tourism. It was a mammoth team effort, and we were amazed at the inner strength of so many South Africans, who seem more determined than ever to improve the lives of others during these difficult Covid times.”

SA Adventurer Sibusiso Vilane helping with humanitarian work near Songimvelo NR on Eswatini border

On the final dash from Durban Harbour to Kosi Bay, the expedition’s well-travelled Zulu calabash was borne up the coast on the National Sea Rescue Institute’s state-of-the-art ‘Alick Rennie’ vessel to Umhlanga Rocks and then flown by microlight from Ballito to the Tugela River mouth. Reuniting with the Defender convoy, it journeyed up the KwaZulu-Natal north coast, still collecting water from key river mouths and lakes in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. To mark the end of its Mzansi Edge odyssey, expedition members then carried it on a 14-kilometre beach trek from Bhanga Nek to Kosi Bay Mouth, where it was symbolically emptied at the exact point where the expedition started from 80 days previously, in a jubilant end-of-expedition ceremony. 

The expedition’s Scroll of Peace and Goodwill is full of inspirational messages from hundreds of remarkable people we met all along Mzansi’s Edge,” said Kingsley. “Especially in these difficult times, it’s been good to be reminded of the unique diversity of nature, culture and community that make up our country. Wherever possible, let’s get out there and enjoy the incredible adventure destinations South Africa has to offer, staying Covid-safe of course.”

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