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2014 Midmar Mile winner’s list grows

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2014LogoHowick – Sunday’s action from the 2014 aQuellé Midmar Mile, the 41st edition of the globally renowned open water swim event, got underway in a cloud of action as four more names were added to the 2014 winner’s list in the first two events of the morning.

The girls 13 years and under and women’s 31 years and older race set the tone for yet another memorable day at Midmar Dam as young Tracy-Lea Meyer of Our Lady of Fatima and former Olympian Mandy Loots soared above the rest to clinch the two respective titles.

2014D2U13Girls

Tracy-Lea Meyer (Our Lady of Fatima) emerges from the waters of Midmar Dam first in the Girls 13 years and younger category at the 2014 aQuellé Midmar Mile. Photo by: Anthony Grote/Gameplan Media

The boys 13 years and under and men’s 31 years and older showdown then saw Glenwood’s Luke Erwee clinch the younger title while Wade Krieger – returning home after spending the past few years living in Australia – claimed the older category’s spoils.

“I think it’s all my training that helped me a lot, training for long distance, the 800 meters, in the pool,” said Meyer.

“I was really happy and excited to win the race!”

2014D2WadeWade Krieger returned from years in Australia to claim the men’s 31 years and older title at the 2014 aQuellé Midmar Mile. Photo by: Anthony Grote/Gameplan Media

For Loots, an old-hand of the South African pool swimming fraternity, the 2014 event was an opportunity to do something for others with the former Olympic participant opting to tackle all eight of the programme’s races as part of the 8 Mile Club in support of The Pink Drive.

“Coming from being a pool swimmer, this year we have had a lot more waves, so that has been a different experience for me,” explained Loots.

“It has been good fun though and using my swimming for a bigger cause, that’s the bigger thing for me! For so long I swam for myself so it’s nice to get out there and swim for something special and worthwhile.

“Last year was a big surprise when I finished first in my category, so this year I was a bit more nervous about doing it again, but I was happy to get the same result,” she added.

2014D2MandyLootsOlympian Mandy Loots, swimming on behalf of The Pink Drive, claimed the women’s 31 years and older category at the 2014 aQuellé Midmar Mile. Photo by: Anthony Grote/Gameplan Media

For young Erwee, the race was far more of a race that it ought to have been after the emerging star mistook 8 Mile Club participant and top female contender Keri-anne Payne for one of his main rivals until the second half of the contest.

“Just after halfway I realised it was Keri-anne Payne on the right of me. I thought it was a swimmer with an orange cap at first but as we came closer together she turned left and I saw the full costume and gold cap and I knew then that it was Keri-anne Payne,” chuckled Erwee afterwards.

“I did relax a bit then but I looked behind me and saw Reece Kincaid. It was a hard race to the end and I just tried to give it my all.

“I’m quite pleased with myself. I had a good swim and I felt great in the water!” he added.

2014D2U13Boy

Luke Erwee (Glenwood) clinched victory in the boys 13 years and younger category at the 2014 aQuellé Midmar Mile. Photo by: Anthony Grote/Gameplan Media

2014D2HugHugs all round! Coenraad Erwee (left) is pleased with his 2014 aQuellé Midmar Mile effort. Photo by: Anthony Grote/Gameplan Media

Krieger, a former top lifesaver on the Australian circuit, returned to South African shores recently and the 2014 Midmar Mile added to his already heightened appreciation of being on home turf once more.

“Ah man, I had such great fun out there today. I am so happy to be amongst South Africans again and to be involved in a great sport,” said Krieger.

“After being in Australia for 10 years, my main focus in every race is to prepare properly and give it my best go and I felt I did that today. Overall it was a really good swim.

“There was a little bit of a chop on the water but the start went off well for me and I just want to compliment the sponsors and the organisation for putting on a great event!” he added.

The day’s early events also saw women’s pioneer Gail Bristow continue her record of having completed each and every Midmar Mile that has been open to female competitors while Martin Godfrey notched up official finish number forty-one.

“It was a bit of a surprise today. I normally try to make the top five every year, but this year was a nice one,” she said shortly after completing her 40th Midmar Mile.

“I think I put in more effort this year, knowing this was a milestone for me, and I thought maybe I should work a little bit harder for it and see how high I could get, which has paid off nicely for me in the end!” she added.

The aQuellé Midmar Mile takes place annually at the Midmar Dam, just outside Howick in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. For more info visit www.midmarmile.co.za

SUMMARY OF RESULTS
2014 aQuellé MIDMAR MILE

Girls 13 years and under
1.Tracy-Lea Meyer 22.33
2.Alice Edward 22.59
3.Asleigh Green 23.23
4.Tayla Sinclair 24.34
5.Erika Esterhuizen 25.01

Women 31 years and older
1.Mandy Loots 24.13
2.Barbara Bowley 25.08
3.Sarah Ferguson 25.09
4.Ellen Hight 25.39
5.Hill Hanass-Hancock 25.40

Boys 13 years and under
1.Luke Erwee 21.46
2.Reece Kincaid 21.51
3.Dylan Cox 22.17
4.Cole Poovan 22.22
5.Dante Norjte 22.44

Men 31 years and older
1.Wade Krieger 21.50
2.Michael Phillips 22.22
3.Gary Albertyn 22.41
4.Brett Clark 23.00
5.Glen Gore 23.10

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South African swimming legend Terence Parkin congratulates a brave young finisher, both having used the SaferSwimmer device, at the end of their 2014 aQuellé Midmar Mile. Photo by: Anthony Grote/Gameplan Media

2014D2Finish

Thousands of swimmers took to the waters of the Midmar Dam as they tackled the 2014 aQuellé Midmar Mile. Photo by: Anthony Grote/Gameplan Media

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Splashy Fen 2025: An Inspiring Long Weekend of Music, Magic, and Memories in the Drakensberg

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Splashy Fen Music Festival has officially wrapped, and by all accounts, the 2025 edition was the most magical one yet. From the moment the gates opened on Thursday, 17 April to the last note played on Sunday night, 8,000 festival-goers soaked up four glorious days of sunshine, music, and connection in the heart of the Southern Drakensberg.

After a few days of pre-festival rain, the weather turned just in time to welcome fans to South Africa’s friendliest music festival. The sunshine held strong throughout the weekend, setting the tone for what would become an unforgettable Easter celebration filled with laughter, dancing, and community.

A SOLD-OUT FESTIVAL FROM DAY ONE

By Thursday evening, over 5,500 happy campers had already made their way into the scenic Splashy Fen farm, with the festival officially reaching full capacity the day before the gates even opened. The 2025 edition was officially opened by Cllr. T.N. Jojozi, Deputy Mayor of the Harry Gwala District Municipality, who welcomed guests on behalf of the Harry Gwala Development Agency.

Thursday night kicked off with the first wave of live performances and set the tone for the weekend.

From there, the lineup only got hotter.

DAYS OF MUSIC AND MAGIC

Friday and Saturday were packed with showstopping performances across the multiple stages. Local heroes like Ard Matthews, Hot Water, Veranda Panda, and Prime Circle brought the heat, while the Main Stage turned electric with international artists including the UK’s Youngr, a surprise performance from Casey Lowery, Ireland’s Darren Kiely, and Canada’s Neon Dreams.

Mafikizolo delivered a legendary Saturday night set that brought thousands to their feet, and GoodLuck closed out the evening with a high-energy performance that had the whole crowd bouncing.

Away from the stages, festival-goers enjoyed the full Splashy experience: sunrise yoga, trail runs, live art, craft workshops, and plenty of family-friendly fun. The popular Kids Zone was buzzing with activity, and the Saturday afternoon Splashy Parade was a visual feast of stilt-walkers, dragons, fire breathers, and whimsical characters.

At the Corona River Stage, guests kicked back in the sun to chilled tunes by the water, while a bustling craft market and food court offered up everything from gourmet bites to handmade treasures.

A SUNDAY TO REMEMBER

Easter Sunday was pure joy. The day began with a peaceful morning service hosted by Red Frogs SA at the tranquil Treehouse Stage, followed by a fun-filled Easter egg hunt for the little ones—complete with games, giggles, and surprise eggs from the Easter Bunny herself.

Music lovers made their way to the Acoustic Stage for the much-loved Legends of the Fen showcase. Featuring iconic acts like Cinema, Perez, and more, the session reminded everyone why Splashy Fen holds such a special place in South Africa’s music history.

As the sun dipped behind the Drakensberg mountains, the Main Stage roared to life for one final night of performances, closing out the weekend with soaring vocals, heartfelt lyrics, and thunderous applause.

“Our legs are sore, our voices are gone, but our hearts? FULL,” read a Monday morning post from Splashy Fen’s official social media page. “Shoutout to every artist who brought the fire at Main Stage last night, and every fan who screamed every word. What a way to end #Splashy2025!”

THE BEST ONE YET

With four full days of world-class music, family-friendly fun, and community connection in one of the most beautiful festival locations in the world, Splashy Fen 2025 has earned its title as the best one yet.

For more information and to stay up to date on 2026 tickets and artist announcements, visit www.splashyfen.co.za or follow @splashyfenfest on Instagram and Facebook.

Shelley
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Gordon’s & CK Experiences presents: Mango Groove at Chris Saunders Park

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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!

Shelley
Author: Shelley

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Art

The East Coast Radio House & Garden Show 2025

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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

Shelley
Author: Shelley

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