News
Missing original Dusi trophy discovered
Pietermaritzburg – Missing for more than four decades, the original Player Family Trophy presented to the winner of the Dusi Canoe Marathon has been found and reunited with its inaugural winner, Dr Ian Player.
The 86 year old environmentalist and founder of the Dusi Canoe Marathon was delighted to be reacquainted with the trophy, which was presented to the race by his father and his famous golfing brother Gary Player in 1953.
The trophy, inscribed as the Player Canoe Endurance Championship, mysteriously disappeared in 1972, after which the race committee purchased a new trophy which has been awarded every year since then.
The original trophy was discovered in a dark corner of a storeroom during the recent move into the refurbished race offices at Natal Canoe Club’s home at Camps Drift.
“This is a wonderful occasion,” said Dr Ian Player when he was handed the trophy at his Karkloof home this week. “There is so much history wrapped up in the this trophy, and so many great personalities.”
His eyes lit up when he read the 1954 inscription on the trophy that showed that he and his partner Fred Schmidt sharing the title with Ernie Pearce and Bob Templeton.
“That was a fantastic race!” he recalls. “Two youngsters (Peter Marriott and John Lange) were actually leading as we came out of the Kloof Gorge, but they had a mishap, and that left our two teams together going into Blue Lagoon.”
“It had been so close throughout the race that we actually decided that it was appropriate that we finish together and share the trophy.
“That, in essence is what the Dusi is all about. From the first time I thought about this race, in Italy during World War Two, it was more about cameraderie than competition,” said Player.
Player said the Dusi was a mirror for the greater issues challenging the broader society, and highlighted issues such as deteriorating water quality, environmental damage, urban pollution and the threats to flora and fauna.
“I would love nothing more than to see the streets of Pietermaritzburg clean when I come down to the start of the Dusi this year,” said Player. “Durban is getting it right, but Pietermaritzburg needs to make a bigger effort to clean up the city.”
He said that in its early days he expected candidates keen to work at the Parks Board to complete the Dusi as part of their induction to his environmental programmes.
The race committee will have the original trophy cleaned and then inscribed with the names of all the winners since its disappearance in 1972.
“We genuinely have no idea where the trophy went,” said race committee head Brett Austen-Smith. It was won by the Van Riet brothers from the Cape in 1972 and then literally vanished.
“Similarly we don’t really know how it came to find its way back to the old store room that we were repacking. We were actually looking for a larger, more appropriate trophy for the women’s winners when we discovered the original Players Family trophy in the storeroom.
The Dusi Canoe Marathon 2014 starts in Pietermaritzburg on Thursday 13 February and ends in Durban on Saturday 15 February 2014. More information can be found at www.dusi.co.za
Photographer: Dave Macleod/Gameplan Media
Author: Tee
Get ready for the ultimate family outing! South Africa’s legendary musical icons, Mango Groove will, light up the stage at Chris Saunders Park, on Friday 2 May, kicking off at 4pm.
This isn’t just a concert; it’s a fantastic opportunity to create lasting family memories filled with incredible music, delicious food, and exciting activities for everyone.
Join Mango Groove as they bring you the iconic hits that have been the soundtrack to South African life since the 80s. From the moment the first note drops, you’ll be swept away by their smash hits “Special Star,” “Dance Some More,” and all the timeless classics that have defined generations. This is your chance to experience the magic of Mango Groove in a relaxed, family-friendly environment.
What’s in store for the kids?
We’ve got so much lined up:
- Blaster Wars Arena – Ready, aim, and battle it out in a safe and exciting space.
- Jumping Castles – Let them bounce the day away.
- Lego Area – Creativity unleashed with endless building fun.
- Target Shooting – Perfect for little sharpshooters.
- Treasure Hunts & Fun Games – Adventure awaits.
- Dedicated Toddler Zone – Safe and fun play for the tiniest festival-goers.
Tickets to this unmissable family event are a steal, priced between R100 and R250. With convenient, fully stocked bars for the adults and a delicious array of food stalls offering something for everyone, your taste buds will be as happy as your ears!
Date: Friday 2 May
Time: 4-10pm
Venue: Chris Saunders Park
Book your tickets now and get ready for an unforgettable day of music and fun!
Tickets are available for purchase online at WebTickets.
Follow In The Park here for more upcoming music events. You do not want to miss out on the rest of the events they have planned for you!
Author: Shelley
It’s fresh, bright and chockfull of surprises! It’s the 2025 East Coast Radio House & Garden Show, and we’re talking fresh spaces. bright living! A giant breath of fresh air will sweep through the Durban Exhibition Centre when the Show rolls out from Friday 28 June to Sunday 6 July.
fresh spaces. bright living is all about how to tweak or transform your home into one which brings you joy, and allows you to be you! Whether it’s little touches of stylish decor or large sweeps of bold colour and pattern, you’ll leave the Show bursting with new skills from the experts, bright ideas from different brands… and loads of goodies and parcels. Jump on board, the 2025 East Coast Radio House + Garden Show promises to fill your head with creativity to create your own fresh spaces. bright living.
Calling all cooks and homemakers!
This year’s Test Kitchen is the kitchen of the future! Hirsch is at the helm and The Kitchen Studio is creating a space that’ll knock your socks off. Top celebrity chefs (surprises up our sleeve), fabulous personalities (guess who?), crazy cooks (laughter is the best medicine)… the line-up is as long as it is sensational! If cooking’s your happy place, the Hirsch kitchen is the only place to be.
The 2025 East Coast Radio House + Garden Show is going to be child’s play!
This is Durban’s true family show, and we’ve got you well covered for the first week of the school holidays! From littlelies to larger, this year’s kids zone has mushroomed into its own dedicated hall, and has way, way more of what they love! And parents, this one’s for you. Drop and shop – there’s now a super-safe, well supervised drop-off zone, so you can do your thing, while they do theirs. A dedicated Kids Zone in the Coast of Dreams, with a whacky wonderland of activities. Packed with fun, yet competitive, activities and challenges, teens can put their skills to the test! From the incredible Monster Manor to fairytale characters to face-painting, wrestling and bowling, the kids just won’t want to go home.
The East Coast Radio House + Garden Show is always full of winners…
And why shouldn’t it be you? With competitions big and small, you could carry home anything from the coolest kitchen appliance to the hottest sound system, a tantalising voucher to something or somewhere sensational or bags full of your favourite products.
This season, the Show is shining a full spotlight on fresh spaces, bright living, both outdoors and in! Plants, landscaping and new tricks and tools for garden lovers; boys’ toys and bits and bobs for outdoor lovers; and goodies and gadgets for those who live to braai! Renovating, restoring or dreaming of adventure, the Show will take you where you want to go.
We can’t wait to see you there!
www.housegardenshow.co.za
Author: Shelley
Wackadoo!
Bluey is heading to Gateway in real life!
Get ready for an UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE at Gateway Thetre of Shopping from 29 April to 4 May and join them for a FREE Meet & Greet with Bluey.
Snap a photo, share a high-five, and make magical memories.
Bring the whole family for some Heeler Bluey fun. Stay connected to their social media page here for more information.
Author: Shelley
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