South Africa Blog

The Phinda Private Game Reserve is an exclusive retreat at the foot of the majestic Lebombo Mountain Range in KwaZulu Natal. This exquisite reserve is home to an abundance of plant and animal species, making it a very rewarding South African experience for nature-lovers and those visiting the country, wanting to taste and touch its natural appeal.

Some of the wildest residents of the Phinda Private Game Reserve include the Big 5, as well as a number of other mammals and more than 400 bird species. Reptiles and insects abound to create the perfect balance of predators and prey. This reserve boasts seven ecosystems, each of which achieves a delicate balance in which a different combination of plants and animals can co-habit. This creates a truly African experience, with all of the splendour and variety that characterises this magnificent land.

There is also a conference centre at Phinda, catering to large corporate groups that want to incorporate the natural beauty of Kwa-Zulu Natal with their business-related discussions or events. Teambuilding initiatives at Phinda Private Game Reserve are sure to be memorable and effective. Morning and evening game drives showcase animals that are more active during the warmth and light of day as well as nocturnal ones that prefer to hunt under the cover of night.

Durban is 350 kilometres away from Phinda, and is home to the new King Shaka International Airport. This means that the reserve is accessible, even to international tourists.

Other attractions that are located within close proximity to the Phinda Private Game Reserve include:

•    The St Lucia Wetland Park (with the largest estuarine system in all of Africa), now known as the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
•    Zulu villages in which traditional arts, crafts, music and culture are showcased to visitors.
•    The Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Park, which is home to about 1 600 White Rhino and 370 Black Rhino. This park is just an hour’s drive from Phinda Private Game Reserve.
•    Sodwana Bay, a coastal park about 30 kilometres from Phinda, is popular for its many watersport opportunities.

Kwa-Zulu Natal is humid and warm to hot along the coast, with slightly cooler temperatures as you head further away from the coast and more inland. Summers at Phinda can experience soaring daytime highs in the mid- to late-30’s, but usually average around 30 degrees Celsius. Winters can get very cold inland, with night-time lows plummeting to zero. Therefore, visitors to the reserve should be prepared for weather extremes, depending on what time of year they visit. To find a place to stay for your cvisit to Phinda see KwaZulu Natal accommodation for a variety of hotels, guest houses and self catering options.

A number of top artists from around the country are set to perform at this year’s White Mountain Festival, which is coming up from September 29 to October 2 and once again promises a weekend of great live music in an awesome setting.

Included on the bill for this gem of a festival held at White Mountain Lodge near Giant’s Castle in the scenic Central Drakensberg are melodic rockers aKING, the platinum-selling Jesse Clegg Band, Plush frontman Rory Eliot and SAMA-nominated singer-songwriter Josie Field.

Other must-see acts include Habit To, Margaret’s Daughter, Allan John Band, Naming James, Shotgun Tori, Rooibaardt, The Hinds Brothers, Nate Maingard, Holly, Nosi and The Zulus, The Kickstands, Asleep in Transit, Kaiti Faul, as well as 2010 SA Idols finalist Jess Yallup, among others.

A special treat for guitar enthusiasts is that acoustic fingerstyle guru Guy Buttery and blues maestro Dan Patlansky will also join forces in a rare unplugged collaboration, combining their contrasting styles in what is sure to be a showcase of true guitar wizardry!

Also on offer are fun outdoor activities for the whole family, arts and crafts, assorted food outlets and a beer market featuring several local breweries.  Festival-goers can also make full use of the lodge’s facilities, including a restaurant, rustic 150-year-old pub, children’s playground, swimming pool and satellite TV.

Now in its sixth year, White Mountain is KwaZulu-Natal’s only acoustic music festival and is known for its relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere, plentiful amenities and beautiful surroundings.  Situated less than 200km from Durban, 400km from Johannesburg and only 25km off the N3 on tarred roads, it makes for the ideal weekend getaway and also provides easy access to a number of nearby tourist attractions, including the Midlands Meander.

Tickets cost R500 at Computicket and include camping for the entire festival.  For more information, visit http://www.whitemountain.co.za or contact 031 563 0824.

Need a place to stay? Find accommodation in the Drakensberg for this event!

It’s out with the old and in with the new in typical Decorex Durban style. And yet, this time around it’s with a sensational new twist!

From 18 – 21 March 2011, at the Durban Exhibition Centre, Decorex SA in collaboration with the KSA Kitchen & Bathroom Faire will play proud hosts to an all new and totally fabulous décor, design and lifestyle exhibition. With the launch of Trends & Tastes 2011 Durban’s décor and design fundis can look forward to a veritable feast of design trends, delightful décor and the very best in good living.

Expertly conceptualised and created to offer a fusion of the finest in everything about the home, living and lifestyle, Trends & Tastes 2011 will look to provide the answers to those in search of ultimate sophistication. Give insight into what defines uber-chic and open doors to preciously guarded, exquisite pieces. All within a sophisticated yet relaxed environment that gives you the time and space to indulge the senses and defy sensibility – even if for a moment.

Cairey Slater, Decorex SA General Manager Exhibitions & Events is confident and excited about the launch of this all new show for Durban, “Trends & Tastes 2011 is an original offering that will bring a fashionable mix of home, décor, design and living under one very glam roof. We are super-excited about the variety and uniqueness on offer and we’re aiming to rock Durban by creating a relaxed yet cosmopolitan and forward-thinking experience. The beauty of Trends & Tastes 2011 has to be that there will be something for everyone. It’s all about a great day out and an opportunity to find the way of creating the space and life that you love.”

Here’s a sneak peak into what Durbanites [and those wanting to visit SA’s newest and hottest show!] can expect from Trends & Tastes 2011:

Trendy Décor & Design: A showcase of top décor and design talent from Durban’s amazing gene-pool and the promise of impressive heavy weights’ is on the cards. If it’s décor you’re into this is one show you don’t want to miss! From decorators and designers, to inspiring room settings, furniture, stylish accessories and fabric houses we’ve got the trendiest décor and design line-up in town!

Kitchens & Bathrooms: Our range of kitchens will make even the novice want to whip out their wok and our bathrooms will provide pure inspiration! The KSA are back in full force and Trend’s & Tastes promises to showcase the country’s largest, leading collaboration of specialist spaces!

Tantalising Tastes: Enjoy our organic food market and all things delectable in District Delicious. For foodies and those that love to roll up their sleeves, keep an eye out for an awesome schedule of free sessions and be sure to make a date with our line-up of big name stars and international guests. We’ll also be featuring a range of Durban’s top restaurants and a feast of delish delights to savour while at the show, so make sure you come hungry!

Expert Advice: From Plascon’s launch of their ‘love’ inspired 2011 colour forecast to the Living Green House – where an entire home is created and everything from frames to flooring ease our environmental footprint make sure you get the most of out of the free consultation you need to get you on track with your interior project. Make a date to spend time in our DStv Theatre of Ideas or Ask the Experts area and come away with all the tools, insights and inspiration that you need for your very own home. Whether your creation is gourmet artwork on a plate or a tastefully recycled ‘Louis’, a paradise of demonstrations and interactive sessions awaits!

A Great Day Out: The Good Living Pavilion incorporating a range of attractive options for lifestyle estates as well as an invigorating wellness arena promise to make it an entertaining and fabulous day for the family. Live entertainment, with food and drinks from some of Durban’s best restaurateurs further add to this great day out. Keep an eye out for amazing prizes and competitions that we’ll be running during the show and stand a chance of winning thousands in trendy home décor, design and lifestyle items!

With a line-up of show-stopping fashionable ‘home-wear’, the best in design and décor talent, a twist of lifestyle enablers, all things trendy and tasteful and a splash of fabulous family entertainment, Durban’s new show Trends & Tastes 2011 is set to top even its predecessor is certainly one not to be missed! Visit www.decorex.co.za for more. Trends and Tastes is proudly sponsored by Plascon, with DStv as media partner.

Links: To find a place to stay see Durban Accommodation.

Supported by Tourism KwaZulu-Natal, Splashy Fen will mark its coming of age this Easter from 1-5 April with its most exciting line-up yet, rumours of which have been causing a stir around the country for the last couple of months. Many of the faces who have helped to make Splashy a world-class festival will be there, joined by the cream of South Africa’s rising new talent as over 80 artists play on two stages.

Splashy’s line-up this year is set to raise the bar in its breadth and variety, with the likes of all-girl vamp-rock band Cortina Whiplash, the show-stealing progressive Celtic fusion outfit Haggis and Bong (bagpipes and all), and Joburg rockers The Shadowclub performing on the Grant Erskine Marquee stage. Other acts to look out for are Straatligkinders, the multi-award winning rock powerhouse from Potchefstroom, as well as Indie pop sensations New Holland, ska-punk veterans Hog Hoggidy Hog and fellow Capetonian skankers, Captain Stu.

A must-see is one of Splashy’s favourite sons, world-renowned folk guitarist Syd Kitchen, who was honoured last year for performing at every Splashy since the fest’s inception in 1990. In contrast, Afrikaans comedic rapper Jack Parow, the moustached godfather of zef from Bellville in the Cape whose hit single “Cooler as Ekke” has taken YouTube by storm, will be making his much-anticipated Splashy debut. Also hailing from Bellville and pushing the boundaries of Afrikaans music to new limits are the notorious Fokofpolisiekar and electro-rock outfit Die Heuwels Fantasties, both of which are sure to make their mark on this year’s festival.

For fans of African-influenced roots music, there is plenty on offer as revered Jozi reggae-rock stalwarts Tidal Waves stir it up, and Capetonians Hot Water bring their cross-cultural fusion of funky, bluesy Afro-rock and a dynamic stage show. David Jenkins, hailing from Empangeni in KwaZulu-Natal, plays a fusion of maskandi and bluegrass, and Bongeziwe and The Fridge offers urban folk music diversely influenced by soul, hip hop and mbaqanga. Splashy also presents the Underberg Community Showcase, featuring local choirs and dancers from the Kwa Sani area.

Tree Houses On The Sea (T.H.O.T.S.) from Durban will also be making an appearance with their engaging experimental hip hop, while acclaimed singer/songwriter Ard Matthews will perform a rare solo set. Also not to be missed are heavyweights Prime Circle, melodic rockers Plush, featuring the talents of front man Rory Eliot and the boys, as well as the wildly popular dance trio Goodluck, who will debut their fusion of sounds at Splashy in a late-night set.

For those who love a bit of blues in their rock, get ready: the Redhand Blues Band, PE’s Jack Rabbit Slims, the Albert Frost Trio and Dan Patlansky will be on hand with some smoking blues to get you grooving. There won’t be any rest for the wicked though, because Southern Gypsy Queen, one of the hardest-working bands in the country, will also be treating the audience to their signature style of rock.

An exciting development at this year’s festival is the expansion of the second stage, dubbed the Splashy Fen Stage, which will now also be covered with a marquee and offer more space for bands and fans. In addition to hosting a selection of musicians’ clubs from around the country during the day, the evenings will offer a blistering line-up that includes Zoe, Sheep Down, funk ‘n soul monsters Voodoo Child, the hard rocking Catlike Thieves, Dimeshift, and pop-punkers Holly and The Woods.

Definitely not to be missed is California-based rock outfit, Horse the Band, performing on Sunday, 4 April as part of their upcoming Reigns in Africa tour. Other bands to watch out for are Dead Cat Bounce, Kissed by Katie, True To Adopted, Nonchalant, Outbreak, and Joburg indie-pop stars The Sick Leaves, hot on the heels of the release of their new album.

Held on a farm near Underberg in KZN, Splashy Fen is geared up to present one of its strongest and most diverse line-ups to date. In addition to awesome music, a wide variety of food and drink outlets, arts and crafts, and a range of outdoor activities for the whole family, it will also feature an Eco Village powered by the elements – all in the midst of the breathtaking natural beauty which makes Splashy Fen so unique. To find a place to stay why not see Drakensberg Accommodation, for those of you who are not into camping.

Tickets cost R425 at Computicket and selected Game stores or R550 at the gate. The price includes camping for the entire festival. For more information, visit www.splashyfen.co.za or contact 031 563 0824.

Splashy Fen celebrates its 21st festival this Easter and with the coming of age, comes greater awareness and responsibility. With this in mind, the organisers of South Africa’s longest-running annual music festival have joined forces with The Green Depot and the Corner Café in Durban to create an eco village that will give festival-goers an opportunity to see green initiatives in action and encourage a more sustainable lifestyle.

Powered solely by wind, water and solar energy, the village will offer zero-waste, eco-friendly camping, product displays, an environmental film festival, as well as the cool cuisine and fabulous coffee of the Corner Café eco-restaurant.

All food prepared by the Corner Café will be purchased from farmers in the community and eaten using 100% biodegradable utensils. Organic waste will be fed into a giant worm farm, while other recyclable matter will be disposed of by YES (Your Environment Spotless), a waste collection and recycling company that aims to create a culture of environmentally responsible South Africans.

“We’re very excited at the prospect of having an eco village at Splashy, where people can either camp or come in as day visitors to experience practical, everyday ways of protecting the environment,” says Andrew Payne of The Green Depot.

“We’re also fortunate to have the support of suppliers and sponsors like Freight Max, which has kindly provided an 8-ton truck to transport the wind turbines and other equipment to the festival in one load, as opposed to many smaller vehicles doing multiple trips. This will help reduce our carbon footprint.”

Payne is quick to point out that while environmental issues are serious business, the eco village promises to be hip and happening, with live music, a wine bar and a host of other activities. For those willing to try something a little different, there’ll even be daily scuba workshops down at the river, presented by UKZN Underwater Club.

People wishing to camp in the eco village (situated on the riverbank, below the main festival site) can contact sales@thegreendepot.co.za or buy their tickets directly from the Corner Café at 197 Brand Road, Glenwood. The cost is R425 per person, which includes your Splashy Fen entrance ticket.

Alternatively, day visitor tickets will be available at the festival for only R10, which also secures you entry into a daily draw to win a range of great prizes like free coffee for a year and trips to eco-friendly holiday destinations. For more information about the eco village or if you’d like to get involved in the project, contact Andrew Payne at 083 263 3382.

Supported by Tourism KwaZulu-Natal, the Splashy Fen Music Festival is held on a farm near Underberg in the southern Drakensberg and runs from April 1-5. It offers a four-day line-up of some of the country’s hottest acts, as well as fun outdoor activities for the whole family, arts and crafts, a wide variety of food and drink outlets and various camping and accommodation options. Artists confirmed so far include the likes of Prime Circle, Hot Water, Fokofpolisiekar, Plush, Tidal Waves, Ard Matthews, the Albert Frost Trio, Haggis and Bong, New Holland and Syd Kitchen.

More details at www.splashyfen.co.za.
Find a place to stay at Drakensberg accommodation.

This is a unique expo as it brings together a combination of healthy living with an astrological twist. So many South Africans today are looking to live their lives in a more healthy manor and with this in mind The Body and Spirit Expo promises to have something for everyone, be it information, inspiration or inner peace or the latest in holistic health and fitness.

This expo will appeal to people from all walks of life and all enthic and cultural backgrounds. Satisfy that curious nature of yours. You will be able to purchase a number of products, watch demonstrations and participate in live readings as well as a host of other activites.

Venue: Ebandla Hotel
Times: 10h00 to 17h00
More Information: Telephone +27 (0)31 584-6856
When: Sunday, 20 December 2009
Accommodation: Ballito Accommodation

The Heritage Awards 2009: Sat 19 September @ 7pm: ICC Durban – The Heritage Awards, a high-profile annual event which sees six phenomenal South Africans honoured for their contribution towards the preservation and promotion of South African heritage and culture – takes place on Saturday 19 September at 7pm at the ICC Durban at a glittering function.

This significant elegant awards evening is believed to be the only major annual award to honour leaders in the field of Heritage specifically, and their contribution to the cultural traditions and legacy of this country. The awardees were carefully selected after contribution from The Premier’s Office; BASA; NAC; Independent Newspapers and Kizo.

Photograph: Centre for Fine Art, Animation and Design’s Nanda Soobben

This year the awards will be going to: Alfred Nokwe (late) for theatre; Johnny Clegg – music and social cohesion; Noria Mabasa – an accomplished sculptor and wood carver; Bheki Mseleku (late) for music; Nanda Soobben – Durban based animator and arts educator and Jay Pather for dance.

The Awards will be a glittering affair as part of the city’s Celebrate Durban heritage season and will be held for the first time at the ICC. The guest speaker at the awards will be Advocate Mancotywa (National Heritage Council CEO). MC is living treasure Gcina Mhlophe. Entertainment is co-ordinated by Mbongemi Ngema and Committed Artists.

The Gateway Theatre of Shopping and Kizo Art Gallery’s annual Heritage Art Festival is once again an ambitious multi-layered, forward-thinking festival of 20 art themed events which will be held throughout Heritage Month at the Kizo Art Gallery and the Gateway Theatre of Shopping. The Heritage Awards is one of the major events of the annual Heritage Arts Festival line up.

Kizo wishes to acknowledge its valuable partners for The Heritage Awards function: Provincial Government; Independent Newspapers; ICC; BASA; NAC; Celebrate Durban, SMG Durban, Beverley Hill Hotel, Paul Cluver Wines, and Committed Artists.

Contacts:
Nathi Gumede – Head Curator – Kizo Art Consultants or
Sharon Crampton – General Manager – Kizo Art Consultants
Tel: (031) 566 4322/4
Fax: (031) 566 2494

Heritage month – time for the eighth annual Celebrate Durban events showcase which features 40 plus eclectic participative events which are on offer this year during September in recognition of heritage / tourism month. The season once more sees a comprehensive calendar with a clever mix of social, family, heritage, sports, arts, culture, health, environmental and spiritual events to celebrate our city’s cultural diversity.

Among the many highlights of the season is the anchor event: MMINO MusicMix “A Boundless Experience” to be held on 24 – 25 September in the ICC Arena. This musical extravaganza features Johnny Clegg, Zimbabwe’s Oliver Mtukudzi, Hugh Masekela, Thandiswa Mazwai, Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Ray Phiri. Musicians from nine SADC countries and Etran Finatawa (Niger) will collaborate with the MMINO Boundless All Star Band led by Neill Solomon to symbolically break down musical barriers and create music without frontiers. The festival includes free workshops.

The MusicMix festival marks the culmination of a four month Boundless Southern Africa Expedition, led by National Geographic explorer Kingsley Holgate to raise awareness of the nine SADC countries and transfrontier parks. An exhibition which showcases the nature, culture and communities encountered on their journey, will be held in the ICC foyer and includes a talk ‘around the camp fire’ with Holgate, beautiful photographs and video footage. The event also includes free workshops and Kingsley Holgate’s Boundless exhibition in the ICC Foyer. More info can be found www.musexchange.co.za.

Another key component of the season is the Heritage Arts Festival – an exciting ambitious festival of 23 art themed events which will be held throughout Heritage month of September primarily at the Kizo Art Gallery and the Gateway Theatre of Shopping. The Heritage Awards is one of the major events of the annual Heritage Arts Festival line up, which takes place at the ICC on 19 September. A major exhibition will be held at Kizo Art Gallery throughout the season, opening on 1 September and curated by resident Kizo curator Nathi Gumede. Entitled A Known Heritage it celebrates the region’s rich multicultural heritage.

The season sees favourites like the annual Coca-Cola Bunny Chow Barometer; the Flavours of Durban Sister Cities Cuisine Festival and the Independent on Saturday Design Durban’s Drink. There will be dance events (Vodacom Yebo Millionaires Ballroom and Latin American Dance Championships and Phansi Phezulu Dance Fest); theatre (What’s Funny in SA?; Freedom Valley and Red Eye: Ready?); literature (Creative Writing and Story Telling and Dancing Pencils Book Fest); fashion and beauty (Miss eThekwini and Durban Young Designers Fashion Extravaganza); sports (Celebrate Durban Ward Based Sports programme and MTN Coast to Coast Cycle Challenge); heritage (Living Legends Awards; Out of Step: ECC 25th Anniversary Commemorations; the Heritage Awards; Back To Africa; Heritage Day event for traditional healers and Separate is Not Equal exhibition)

Of course there will be festivals within festivals (Glenwood Community Festival; Shared Histories: The Indian Experience in SA; Healthy Lifestyle Expo; the Float Street Parade and Durban Blue Lagoon Indian Ocean Festival) and much music (KZN Music Imbizo; MMINO MusicMix “A Boundless Experience”; Emerging Sounds of Durban Festival; Isicathamiya Festival; Cell C Durban Music School Street Festival; Cardinal’s Concert; Renee Fleming in Concert; KZNPO Spring Season; SATMA Awards 2008 and Durban International Blues Festival).

A major component of the season is the eleventh SMME fair which takes place at the Durban Exhibition Centre provides a platform for small businesses to create linkages and networks with each other and with big businesses and service providers. Interspersed with the events will be a strong presence from the Clowns Without Borders.

DURBAN has once again put together a diverse, engaging and participative programme for September to which city residents and visitors are warmly invited to share.

Contacts:
For more information, contact the Department of International and Governance Relations in the eThekwini Municipality on tel 031 311 2104, or for the whole season visit www.durbanexperience.co.za

Related Links:
To book your accommodation for Heritage Month visit Durban Hotels or, if you prefer to stay at a Bed & Breakfast, Guest house or Self catering option see Durban Accommodation for hundreds of options.

Top band Prime Circle will lead the pack of homegrown music talent at this year’s Mr Price Pro Ballito music concert which takes place at Salt Rock beach for the first time. Music has always been associated with this world-class surfing event and this year Mr Price, Kwadukuza Municipality and East Coast Radio have teamed up to present an awesome line-up of true-blue South African sound.

On July 2 once the sun sets on another action-packed day of surfing, its time for the rock and pop heroes to take over from the surfing legends who will be in action in Ballito from June 26 to July 5. The good news is that the concert, which features nine varied acts, is completely free. The beach will reverberate to the sound of music from 4.30pm through to when Prime Circle take the stage at around 10.30pm.

It all kicks off with popular Durban band Rise (4.30pm to 4.50pm) which was launched in 2007 with a strong emphasis on vocals, guitar, catchy dance beats and uplifting songs. The song, All We Have Is Now, from their first album is currently play listed on East Coast Radio. From 5.40pm to 6pm Idols finalist Pixie Bennett takes to the stage with her band. The Pixie Bennett Band has played at various gigs in Durban and festivals around the country including Splashy Fen and White Mountain.

Next up is indie rock/disco funk outfit Gonzo Republic (6.10pm to 6.40pm) who sang their way to the top of the 5fm charts with their hit Nothing to fight about off their album I’m OK, You’re OK. Turning “up the beat” from 6.50pm to 7.20pm are the City Bowl Mizers who’ll have you on your feet with their eclectic and catchy blend of early 50s pop and upbeat rock ‘n roll.

Keeping the groove going is melodic pop-rock band aKING (7.30pm to 8.15pm) who claim the title of being “an audio diary of life and survival in the suburbs”. Their songs have already won acclaim with radio stations such as 5fm and MFM – they were rated number one on the MFM Top 10 Artists and Top 10 SA Albums of 2008. Next up is Zebra and Giraffe (8.25pm to 9.10pm), a cleverly-named act which is actually the 12-lettered pseudonym of Johannesburg music wunderkind, Greg Carlin, who is launching an assault on music charts with his album Collected Memories.

Headline act Prime Circle completes the stellar line-up from 9.20pm to 10.20pm. Bouyed by several explosive live performances, a gold-selling album, significant radio play and a prospective jump into the international arena, Prime Circle is one of the country’s leading rock bands. The band’s latest album, All or Nothing, reached gold status just six months after hitting the SA market with its key single, She Always Gets What She Wants, making its mark all over the country’s rock, all hit and adult contemporary radio stations.

Rock the night away on Thursday, July 2 with Mr Price, the KwaDukuza Municipality and East Coast Radio.
Where to Stay? See Ballito accommodation and Ballito Hotels
For Enquiries contact Brad on 031-310 8575

If you want to get away from it all and chill out in a superb mountain setting while listening to acoustic performances by some of the country’s top artists, then look no further than the annual White Mountain Folk Festival. Running from 24 to 27 September, this intimate, family-friendly festival is held at White Mountain Lodge near Giant’s Castle in the beautiful Central Drakensberg region of KwaZulu Natal, only 34km from Estcourt on tarred roads, 200km from Durban and 430km from Johannesburg.

On offer is a four-day programme of laid-back acoustic music, as well as a wide choice of outdoor leisure activities, arts and crafts, a beer market and assorted food stalls. Festival-goers can also make full use of the lodge’s facilities, including a restaurant, pub, games room, swimming pool and satellite TV.

Early Bird tickets are now on sale at Computicket for just R350, which is a saving of R150 on the gate price. This offer is limited to 500 tickets only, so make sure you get in early. Children under 12 pay R50. The price includes camping in the newly graded and grassed festival campsite overlooking the dam.

Now in its fourth year, White Mountain has quickly become a firm favourite on the events calendar and is perfectly timed to coincide with Heritage Day and the start of the school holidays. The line-up is currently being finalised and will be announced shortly. For more information contact Pedro at 082 892 6176.

Related Pages:
Visit the Drakensberg
Drakensberg Accommodation

Preparations for next year’s Splashy Fen Music Festival – the 20th since its inception in 1990 – are already well underway and festival-goers making the annual pilgrimage to Underberg in KwaZulu-Natal can expect a special celebration to mark this major milestone in the festival’s history.

Over the years, Splashy Fen has evolved from a small get-together in the mountains into one of South Africa’s premier festivals, widely recognised for its contribution to promoting local music by providing a platform for close to 1 500 artists and helping to kick-start many a successful music career. Although continuously adapting to changing trends, Splashy Fen has nevertheless managed to retain its unique character and appeal; that special ‘something’ – the people, the vibe, the sense of family – that has allowed it to endure for nearly two decades to become the longest-running music festival in the country.

Happening over the Easter long weekend from 9-13 April, Splashy Fen 2009 will once again offer a diverse four-day programme of top and up-and-coming live acts, including featured performances by a number of Splashy ‘legends’. There’ll also be a wide choice of outdoor leisure activities for the whole family, an abundance of different food and drink outlets, colourful craft stalls and various camping options – all set against a backdrop of the scenic Drakensberg mountains. Splashy Fen has something for everyone; in fact there’s nothing else in South Africa quite like it!

Early Bird tickets are now on sale at Computicket for R350, which is a saving of R150 on the gate price. This offer is valid until the end of December only and tickets are limited, so don’t miss out! Children under 12 pay R50 – tickets at the gate only. The price includes camping for the entire festival.

Got any memories to share? If so, the organisers are looking for stories, photographs and video footage from Splashy Fen’s early years, and would also like to hear from any Splashy ‘veterans’ who’ve been to all (or many) of the previous festivals. All contributions are welcome and can be emailed to splashyfen@gmail.com.

For more information contact Pedro at 082 892 6176 or visit the website at www.splashyfen.co.za.

Book your accommodation now to avoid dissapointment. Visit Drakensberg Accommodation and find the perfect place to stay! Also see Underberg Accommodation and for other events in the KwazUlu Natal visit KwaZulu Natal Events.

Start ticking off the days and get ready for White Mountain 2008 – KwaZulu-Natal’s only acoustic music festival that promises more than 40 live acts over five days, as well as a host of other activities for the whole family. Coinciding with Heritage Day and the start of the school holidays, the festival runs from 24 to 28 September and is held at White Mountain Lodge in the foothills of the Giant’s Castle Nature Reserve in the Drakensberg, just 34km from Estcourt on tarred roads, 200km from Durban and 430km from Johannesburg.

Included in the line-up are Prime Circle, John Ellis of Tree63, Syd Kitchen, Laurie Levine, Maisha, Black Cat Bone, Cabins in the Forest and many others, all of whom will perform acoustic sets either on the main marquee stage, in the lodge’s 150-year-old restaurant and pub (Tom’s Tavern) or around the pool. See below for the full programme.

Food, beer and craft markets
Aside from the live music, there’ll also be a variety of food stalls and a beer market featuring naturally brewed ales, lagers, draughts and fruit beers from Nottingham Road Brewing Company, Bavaria Breweries, Shongweni Brewery and the full selection of SAB brands.

Not to be missed is the craft market where you’ll find original handcrafted wares, ranging from aluminium flutes and other musical instruments to stained glass, pewter and copper décor items, artworks, colourful hammocks, clothing and jewellery, as well as massage therapy and organic healing products. Supported by the Imbabazane Municipality, crafters from the local community will also showcase their intricate bead, wire and woven goods. And rest assured, Standard Bank’s Saswitch-enabled mobile ATM facilities will be available around the clock for when the shopping bug bites!

Outdoor activities
With even more outdoor activities on offer this year, festival-goers are going to be spoilt for choice and the only dilemma will be deciding how to fit it all in! Kids can look forward to fun and games coordinated by White Mountain’s team of qualified instructors, while adventure-seekers are sure to enjoy abseiling, paintball and a fuffi slide across a nearby 100m-wide gorge, with helicopter flips also available if the weather permits. Or there’s always swimming, hiking, boating or bass fishing in either of the lodge’s two dams. There’ll be great prizes up for grabs for catching the biggest fish, so don’t forget to bring your rods and tackle!

You’ll also have an opportunity to glide on the world’s only ‘self-balancing personal transport system’, called a Segway. These two-wheel battery operated machines work together with tilt sensors and gyroscopes to make for a totally unique experience. Give one a try on the specially designed track which will be operational throughout the festival.

With all of this on offer, how many more reasons do you need to pack up the family and head to White Mountain for a long weekend of fun and music in one of the most scenic spots in the central Drakensberg? Tickets are available at selected Game stores (R350), Computicket (R400) and at the festival gate (R450). Children under 12 pay R50 – tickets at the gate only. The price includes camping for the entire festival.

For more information and day tripper rates contact Pedro at 082 892 6176.

FESTIVAL PROGRAMME
Wednesday, 24 September (Tom’s Tavern): 12:00 Rob & Garth Warren, 13:00 Off The Cuff, 14:00 Hruki, 15:00 Open Mic Session, 18:00 Dani Nieuwoudt, 19:00 Mitch Barné, 20:00 Manuvah to Land, 21:00 Sara Jackson, 22:00 Tresor Riziky, 23:00 Rob Warren & Steve Murray, 24:00 Open Mic Session.

Thursday, 25 September (Tom’s Tavern): 12:00 Bruce Warren, 13:00 Barry Thomson, 14:00 Sern Lagerwall, 15:00 Open Mic Session, 18:00 Shannon Connolly, 19:00 Cornel Meyer, 20:00 Catlike Thieves, 21:00 Candice Nel, 22:00 Jean Morrison, 23:00 Rob & Garth Warren, 24:00 Open Mic Session.

Friday, 26 September (Tom’s Tavern): 11:00 Dr Fly and the Nurses, 11:20 Brandon Hunt, 12:00 Zephyr, 24:00 Open Mic Session. Marquee Stage: 13:00 Cherise, 14:00 Elizabeth, 15:00 Fox Fyre, 16:00 Aden Hinds, 17:00 The Originals, 18:00 Cabins in the Forest, 19:15 Dave McMillan & Roly Struckmeyer, 20:30 Laurie Levine, 21:30 Habit To, 22:30 Black Cat Bone.

Saturday, 27 September (Tom’s Tavern): 11:00 Black Cat Bone, 12:00 Hairy Legged Lentil Eaters, 17:00 Xerox Lions v The Sharks, 24:00 Open Mic Session. Marquee Stage: 13:00 The Ryan Calder Band, 14:00 Angus Burns & Friends, 15:00 Shomon, 16:00 Syd Kitchen, 17:00 Zoe & Somebody’s Child, 18:00 Shannon Hope, 19:00 Van der Hoven feat. Henry Steel, 20:15 John Ellis, 21:30 Maisha, 22:30 Prime Circle.

Sunday, 28 September (Marquee Stage): 11:00 The Association of Weak Tea Drinkers, 12:00 The Bandits, 13:00 Ilan Lax & Friends, 14:00 Hairy Legged Lentil Eaters.

Related / Useful Links:
Drakensberg Accommodation
Durban Accommodation

Don’t miss the 1st Umkhumbane Flea Market on Sunday 3 August! It’s on the corner of Booth and Bellair Roads just a short drive from the Pavilion or the University. Shop for curios, clothing, jewellery and home décor items, try a traditional herbal cure or have the bones thrown to solve your dilemma.

Relax at the tea garden and enjoy buskers and dancers. Open from Sunday 3 August and every Sunday thereafter from 9-4pm. Visit the Facebook site: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=19788899821 or call Nathi Zondi on 031 261 6640 or Zwelakhe on 083 9828 767 for more information and a map.

See additional info, view photographs and get directions at Umkhumbane Flea Market.

 Start ticking off the days and get ready for Splashy Fen 2008 – the country’s longest-running annual music festival that is once again expected to live up to its billing as the ‘ultimate outdoor experience’.  Happening over the Easter long weekend (20 – 24 March) near Underberg, Splashy Fen has something for everyone; in fact there’s nothing else in South Africa quite like it!

Most diverse line-up in recent years: Proudly supported by East Coast Radio, Durban’s No 1 Hit Music Radio Station, Splashy Fen 2008 is geared up to offer one of its most diverse line-ups in recent years.  Expect a showcase of not only the best in folk, blues, rock, indie and electro dance, but also some of the most exciting new acts to come out of South Africa in a long time. 

Included in the four-day, two marquee programme of over 80 artists are the likes of Tree63, Goldfish, The Rudimentals, Miriam Backhouse, Dan Patlansky, Plush, Gonzo Republic, Redflecks (USA), Kidofdoom, Southern Gypsey Queen, Syd Kitchen, Josie Field, Avatar, Crossingpoint, New Loud Rockets, Napalma, The Arrows and many more.  Whatever your preference in music, Splashy’s got it covered! 

Snuggling up under the Southern Berg stars: Just as this year’s line-up is better than ever, so are the choices of where to snuggle up under the Southern Berg stars at the end of each day.  The long-standing tradition of staking out a site, setting up camp and settling in for a weekend of fun and fellowship means the general camping areas will no doubt continue to be the first choice for many festival-goers.  As always, entrance to these campsites is included in the ticket price and campers can also look forward to improved ablution facilities.

Other attractions: Aside from all the great music and fun outdoor activities on offer, festival-goers can also look forward to a bigger and more colourful Craft Market and an even more extensive selection of appetising treats in the Food Court.

 Whether buying or just browsing, Splashy Fen’s ‘new-look’ Craft Market offers the widest-ever choice of original handcrafted wares, ranging from aluminium flutes and other musical instruments to décor items, pottery, basketry and fine-art, funky local clothing lines, jewellery and accessories.  There will also be marble mosaics for the home and garden, hammocks, solar-powered camping gear, goods crafted from pewter, silver, leather, crystals and recycled materials, plus authentic Native American arts, crafts and teepees, complementary health therapies and the opportunity to see one of SA’s top graffiti artists in action.  And rest assured, Saswitch-enabled ATM facilities will be available around the clock for when the shopping bug bites!

Catering for all tastes: With over 30 different outlets, the Food Court is guaranteed to cater for all tastes and offers a range that encompasses everything from Chinese stir-fries to pastas, pizzas, vegetarian dishes, falafel wraps, potjiekos, seafood, Indian cuisine and meals for the health conscious.  Some of the country’s biggest names in fast food will also be there, as will the bacon-and-egg rolls and butternut soup that have become firm Splashy favourites over the years!

Another welcome addition is a bigger and more extensive beer garden and bar area, operated once again by the Sani Round Table.  As is the case each year, a percentage of proceeds will be donated to local charities, an exercise in which Splashy Fen organisers have long been proud to participate.

 With a line-up of over 80 of the country’s hottest acts, fun activities for the whole family, arts and crafts, an abundance of different food and drink outlets and various camping options, there’s no doubt that Splashy Fen is the place to be this Easter – make sure you’re a part of it!

Tickets are available at selected Game stores (R300), Computicket (R350) and at the festival gate (R400).  The price includes camping for the entire long weekend and entrance for children under 12 is free.  For more information and the latest festival news contact Pedro at 082 892 6176. 

 Facebook Group: Splashy Fen Music Festival

The Fort Nottingham Highland Games and Festival to be held on the grounds of Fort Nottingham (8 km’s from the village) will encompass festival events, exhibitors, food stalls, highland dancing and athletic games typically found at a Scottish Gathering such as the Breamar Games will generate interest and enthusiasm in the Midlands (and beyond) communities of Scottish ancestry and the general public who enjoy the unique activities found at Highland Gatherings and in so doing create an event that will be held at the Fort annually.

DATE: 29 March 2008
TIMES: 09h00 to 18h00

LOCATION:
The Fort Nottingham fields and surrounding village nestles in the green wooded hills of the Midlands, which with some imagination, one could be mistaken for being in the Scottish Highlands.

Nottingham is close to the N3 highway (20 km) and a short drive from Pietermaritzburg and easily within a days drive from Durban and central to the famous Natal Midlands Arts and Crafts route and the largest residential concentration in the Midlands of working and retired residents.

The adjoining fields make the hosting of a Gathering ideal as it allows separate events on different fields and has the entire existing infrastructure to cope with large public events.

A majority of families in the region and of the target market can claim Scottish descendent and hence will be attracted to such an event which also offers great value and entertainment.

The surrounding village fields offer extensive safe parking for over 1000 motor vehicles and well signposted direction will guide the day visitor to the village.

The surrounding Midlands area has over 400 bed and breakfast establishments and hotels for visitors to the region coming from far a field. To find accommodation for this event we recommend the following web pages Natal Midlands accommodation (includes B&Bs, Hotels and Self catering options) or find additional info about the Midlands at Natal Midlands.

For additional info about this event please contact:
Victor Muhlenbeck
Organising Committee
Mobile: 082 451-5057