Events

WORLD TRANSPLANT GAMES ENDS ON HIGH

Published

13 years ago

11 August 2013

Tee

The week-long 19^th World Transplant Summer Games has ended and was deemed a resounding success by the athletes and organisers. President of the World Transplant Games Federation, Mr Olivier Coustere, commented: “The South African event rates as one of the best in the history of the Games, which have been running every second year since 1978. The organisation of the event, plus the warmth of the Zulu welcome, the culture, the food and the music, will leave lasting impressions on all of us.” Team South Africa finished in third position in the final medal count. Overall winners were Team Great Britain and Northern Ireland, who competed as one team.

Top five teams and medal count:

Great Britain and Northern Ireland: 114 gold, 74 silver, 47 bronze

USA: 42 gold, 32 silver, 27 bronze

South Africa: 37 gold, 32 silver, 27 bronze

Hungary: 37 gold, 19 silver, 21 bronze

Australia: 25 gold, 15 silver, 12 bronze

1800 participants from 50 countries enjoyed Durban’s warm winter sunshine in weather conditions that were hotter than the last Summer Games held in Sweden in 2011. Â Several athletes are celebrating breaking World Transplant Games records, including eight South Africans. Over 50 records were broken at the two day athletics. Four awards were presented by The World Transplant Games Federation at the closing ceremony to the “Most Outstanding Athletes in the World Transplant Games: in the categories of Boys, Girls, Male and Female athletes.”

WORLD TRANSPLANT GAMES FEDERATION AWARDS FOR OUTSTANDINGÂ Â ATHLETES:

Top Boy Athlete: Kaidyn Blair, Canada.

Top Girl Athlete: Nicole McKenzie, Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Top Male Athlete: Liam Barnett, Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Top Female Athlete: Heilie Uys, South Africa

Heilie Uys, who was the captain of the South African team, was nominated “The Most Outstanding Female Athlete” of the entire Games, by the World Transplant Games Federation. Selection criteria requires the athlete to have excelled in a wide variety of different sports and to have interacted well with all other athletes. Heilie, who competed in the 60 – 69 age division and lives in St Francis Bay, was also nominated “the best lady golfer in the Games.” She won gold medals for golf and shotput and broke Transplant Games world records for javelin, discus and cricket ball. Uys, who has had a kidney transplant, has more than medals and records to her name. She is also the National Secretary for SATSA, (The South African Transplant Sports Association,) and is the Secretary of the local World Transplant Games Organising Committee.

OTHER SOUTH AFRICANS BREAKING WORLD TRANSPLANT GAMES ATHLETICSÂ RECORDS:

Long Jump 15 – 17 years: Philemon Mogotsi – 5.31mÂ (Northwest/Free State)

Shot Put 15 – 17 years: Herculaas Lamprecht – 9.52m (Western Cape)

50 m run Boys 9 – 11 years: Jacques Boshoff 8.42 (Gauteng)

Javelin Men 30 – 39 years: Dawid Van Den Berg- 31.53m (NW/Free State)

Javelin Men 50 – 59 years: Lourens Schultz 35.01m (NW/Free State)

Javelin Women 60 – 69 years: Heilie Uys -18.03m (Eastern Cape)

Discus Women 60 – 69 years: Heilie Uys 19.14m

Cricketball Women 60 – 69 years: Heilie Uys 29.99

INTERNATIONAL ATHLETES SUCCESS:

Swedish athlete, Martha Ehlin, encapsulated the agony that most of these athletes have experienced; “When you are on the list, waiting for a donor, you are not waiting, you are fighting for your life and we are now celebrating our lives at this event in Durban.” Ehlin, who had five transplants during a seventeen hour operation, won five gold medals in her home-town of Sweden in 2011 and won gold for shotput, javelin and cricket ball in South Africa, as well as silver in high jump. She competed in five sports – one dedicated to each of her five organ transplants. Howard Dell of Team USA broke the 200 metre World Transplant Games record. Vince Taylor of Team Great Britain and Northern Ireland was second and South Africa’s Andre Murphy (Gauteng), finished third in the 200 metres. Montague Summers of Australia, broke two World Transplants Games records for 800 and 1500 metres and equalled the 400 metre WTG record. He has raised AUD 16, 000 (approx R160Â 000,00) for an organ donor project to inspire transplantees to integrate back into society and involve themselves in sport.

The next World Transplant Games will be held in Mardelplata, Argentina, in 2015.

Author: Tee

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Entertainment

KZN Philharmonic – Summer Season Concerts 2026

Published

1 week ago

26 February 2026

Carla Wynne

The KZN Philharmonic Orchestra presents its 2026 Summer Season with two concerts at The Playhouse Opera on Thursday, 5 and 12 March at 19:00.

Concert 1: 5 March

Under the baton of Japanese conductor Yasuo Shinozaki, the opening programme features Canadian cello virtuoso Bryan Cheng performing Saint-Saëns’s demanding and innovative Cello Concerto No. 2. Britten’s Simple Symphony provides a lyrical interlude, followed by Saint-Saëns’s dramatic Cello Concerto No. 1. After the interval, Schubert’s beloved “Unfinished” Symphony brings the evening to a melodic close.

Concert 2: 12 March

Under the baton of South African conductor Conrad van Alphen, this programme features Bulgarian world-renowned virtuoso pianist and chamber musician, Ludmil Angelov.

KZN Philharmonic tickets are available at Quicket here.

Want to go to a concert but don’t want to have to self-drive into town?
Opt for a Park and Ride option:

Park your car in one of our secure designated locations and hop onto the bus which will drop you off at the Durban Playhouse.

1) Upper Highway Area
St. Agnes Anglican Church, 53 Abelia Road, Kloof, 3610.
R100 a bus ticket return.
The bus departs St Agnes promptly at 17h50.

2) Westville
Westville Senior Primary School, Westville Road, Westville, 3629.
R80 a bus ricket return.
The bus departs Westville Senior Primary promptly at 18h10.

3) Berea
Caister Lodge, 264 Musgrave Road, Musgrave, Durban, 4001.
R60 a bus ticket return.
The bus departs Caister Lodge promptly at 18h20.

4) Umhlanga
Grace Family Church, 400 Umhlanga Rocks Drive, Umhlanga, 4320.
R100 a bus ticket return.
The bus departs Grace Family Church promptly at 18h10.

Book bus tickets on 031 369 9438 / info@kznphil.org.za / Quicket here

BOOK TICKETS HERE

: Japanese conductor – Yasuo Shinozaki

: Canadian cello virtuoso – Bryan Cheng

Author: Carla Wynne

Just a 30something plant mom, nature enthusiast and happy wife, adventuring through Durbs and life!🌻🌿🤍✨

Entertainment

A Celebration of Love – KZN Philharmonic

Published

4 weeks ago

7 February 2026

Carla Wynne

Celebrate love this Valentine’s Day with the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra at a magical afternoon concert set in the tranquil surrounds of St Agnes Church, Kloof.

“A Celebration of Love” conducted by Chad Hendricks, brings together lush orchestral music with romantic favourites, and two outstanding soloists, Njabulo Nzuza and Andile Ndlela for an uplifting Valentine’s experience.

The concert includes music by Mozart, Dvorák, and Tchaikovsky, alongside well-loved classics such as Moon River, Can’t Help Falling in Love, Make You Feel My Love, Beneath Your Beautiful, and South African favourites.

Food stalls will be available offering pizza, mocktails, and sweet & savoury love boxes, creating a relaxed and festive Valentine’s afternoon.

Whether you’re celebrating with a partner, friends, or simply your love of beautiful music, this concert promises an elegant and heartfelt afternoon.

Event Details:

Date: Saturday, 14 February
Time: 16h30
Venue: St Agnes Church, 53 Abelia Road, Kloof
Tickets: from R100 & available via Quicket

Make this Valentine’s Day unforgettable with live music, romance, and the magic of the Orchestra.

Stand a chance to WIN two tickets to the Valentines Day Concert – A Celebration of Love with the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra valued at R300 -> ENTER HERE <-

Author: Carla Wynne

Just a 30something plant mom, nature enthusiast and happy wife, adventuring through Durbs and life!🌻🌿🤍✨

Attractions

Familie Fest 2026

Published

4 weeks ago

5 February 2026

mrjoelmagic

Familie Fest 2026 Brings Live Music and Family Fun to Hillcrest

Everything You Need to Know About Familie Fest 2026

Familie Fest arrives in Hillcrest for a full weekend of live music, family-friendly entertainment and relaxed festival energy, taking place on Friday 29 and Saturday 30 May 2026 at NU Driving Range.

Designed as an all-ages outdoor music festival, Familie Fest brings together South African artists, open space, activities for kids and adults, and a format that allows families and friend groups to spend the entire day together without feeling rushed.

Event Details

Date: Friday 29 & Saturday 30 May 2026
Venue: NU Driving Range Fields, Hillcrest
Time: From 10am daily
Age Restriction: All ages
Bar Area: Over 18s only

Tickets available via:
• Familie Fest Website
• Webtickets
• Utickets

Ticket Pricing

• Kids under 4: Free
• Kids 4–12: From R129
• Teens 13–17: From R145
• Adults: From R199 to R245

Group Ticket Specials

• Buy 5 tickets, get 1 free: R1,250
• Buy 9 tickets, get 1 free: R2,100

Group tickets are limited and valid for adults or kids.

Camping add-ons are available separately and include access to a secure camp zone with toilets, showers, lighting and security.

Line-up (More to Be Announced)

The initial line-up includes a mix of established and popular South African acts:

• Francois van Coke
• Kurt Darren
• Van Pletzen
• Veranda Panda
• Appel

Friday features acoustic-focused sessions, while Saturday hosts the main acts. Additional artists will be announced closer to the event.

What to Expect

Familie Fest is structured as a full-day festival rather than an evening-only concert, with gates opening at 10am and activities running throughout the day and into the evening.

Across the festival grounds, attendees can expect:
• Live music performances
• A dedicated kids zone
• Arts and crafts activities
• Food and drink vendors
• Potjie competitions
• Access to the driving range
• Putt putt, go-karts and paintball
• Optional secure camping facilities

The layout allows families to spread out, relax and move between music, activities and rest areas at their own pace.

What You Can and Can’t Bring

Allowed:
Umbrellas, camp chairs, blankets, gazebos, bags, towels, baby gear.

Not Allowed:
Cooler boxes, outside food and drink, weapons, fireworks, sound systems, pets, sports or play equipment, bikes or braais.

Camp Zone Only:
Cooler boxes, food and drink, and braais are permitted within the designated camping area.

Why Familie Fest Works

Familie Fest positions itself as a genuinely inclusive festival, catering to families with young children, teens, and adults who want to enjoy live music without the pressure of a late-night-only format. With space to move, activities beyond the main stage, and a line-up that appeals across age groups, it offers a different kind of festival experience for the KZN calendar.

For families looking to introduce kids to live music, groups planning a social weekend, or anyone wanting an outdoor festival that runs at a comfortable pace, Familie Fest ticks all the right boxes.