Events
Cyclo-cross makes popular return to aQuellé Tour Durban
After its successful debut last year the 55km aQuellé Tour Durban cyclo-cross event for MTB riders is expected to attract an even bigger field of riders for this unique event on Monday 28 April.
The route starts and finishes at the Moses Mabhida stadium and follows much of the M4 freeway used by the 45 kilometre fun ride, but includes three detours off the tar for sections of single track and jeep track mountain biking through the surrounding sugar-cane plantations and forests.
The aQuellé Tour Durban.
The event struck a chord with mountain bikers on its introduction last year, many eager to be part of the hugely popular aQuellé Tour Durban event, which also offers a 105km road race and the more accessible 45km road race ride up the North Coast on the M4 to uMdloti and back.
The new cyclo-cross MTB race at the aQuellé Tour Durban provides manageable, quick jeep track and single track in three loops around uMdloti. Photo: Anthony Grote/
Gameplan Media
The event challenged MTB enthusiasts to set up their bikes appropriately for the race, with significant sections on fast flat tar roads, but capable of handling the off-road sections comfortably.
Last year’s race proved to be popular with the big field of MTB enthusiasts who took part, with the three off-road loops providing entertaining and not overly daunting sections that were novice friendly.
With few cyclo-cross specific bikes in the country, MTB enthusiasts experimented with tyre choices and tyre pressure, locking out shocks and general bike set-up to optimise their ride.
Tyres with significant flat, smooth centres, but with enough knobbly patterns on the side to handle the off-road cambers were popular for the 55km race.
Kargo Pro MTB team star Rourke Croeser won the 2013 aQuellé Tour Durban cyclo-cross race from 2012 winner Andrew Hill (TIB Insurance). Photo: Craig Bishop/
Gameplan Media
Ian Wilson will once again oversee the course design through the surrounding Tongaat-Hulett farmlands and doesn’t envisage any major changes to the popular course put in place last year.
The river crossing detour used last year over the uMdloti river will be easier to manage, with the site now sporting a permanent bridge built by the engineers on site, allowing the riders access to a fast and easy option to cross the river.
Last year’s race was won by seasoned pro Rourke Croeser of the Kargo Pro MTB team from TIB Insurance star Andrew Hill, using his mainstream MTB skills and bike set-up to claim the top step on the podium.
There has been much speculation about seeing the outcome of a showdown between classic MTB riders like Croeser and Hill and specialist cyclo-cross elite riders over the fast 55km course.
The event organisers are gearing up for a field substantially larger than the impressive entry that was attracted last year, and said the successful debut was sure to result in a snowballing effect on the entry from MTB enthusiasts.
The aQuellé Tour Durban road races takes place on Monday 28 April 2014. More information can be found atwww.tourdurban.co.za
The 55km aQuellé Tour Durban cyclo-cross race includes three offroad loops that take in single track and farm roads through the Tongaat-Hulett plantations. Photo: Anthony Grote/
Gameplan Media
Author: Tee
The magic of Disney celebrates its return to South Africa with Innovative Technology and Transformative Performances
Disney On Ice returns to South Africa in 2026! Get ready as the magic glides into Pretoria, Cape Town, and Durban, bringing spectacular special effects, cutting-edge technology, breathtaking performances, dazzling costumes, and all your beloved Disney characters and stories!
Disney On Ice presents Mickey’s Search Party, produced by Feld Entertainment Inc, is brought to South Africa by leading local promoter, Showtime Management and is proudly presented in association with FNB. The show opens in Pretoria on Sunday, 28 June 2026 at SunBet Arena, Time Square and continues for a limited season ending on Sunday, 05 July 2026.
Thereafter Disney On Ice skates into GrandWest, Cape Town on Saturday, 11 July through Sunday, 19 July 2026. The production then moves to Durban’s International Convention Centre Arena from Friday, 24 July to Sunday, 26 July 2026.
“FNB is proud to once again collaborate with Disney On Ice and Showtime Management to create magical moments that bring families together,” says Nkosana Matyeshana, Marketing Events Lead at FNB. “Our customers are at the heart of everything we do and, as a token of our appreciation for their continued loyalty, we’re offering 20% off Disney On Ice tickets from Wednesday 29 October until Sunday 30 November 2025.”
“The wait will soon be over! We’re thrilled to bring Disney On Ice back to South Africa. This new show celebrates the timeless stories and beloved characters that continue to inspire families everywhere — with more magic, spectacle and heart than ever before,” says Tony Feldman of Showtime Management. “We couldn’t be happier to once again partner with FNB to share the magic with audiences across the country.”
Disney On Ice presents Mickey’s Search Party, is an adventure filled with world-class skating, high-flying acrobatics and unexpected stunts! Look for clues in the search for Tinker Bell through immersive, fantastic worlds. Explore the colorful spirit realm of Coco, sail away with Moana as she bravely saves her island, see Belle in the sky as the enchanted chandelier comes to life, and sing-along with Elsa in the icy world of Frozen. Make memories during Aladdin, Toy Story and The Little Mermaid as the search party becomes an all-out celebration!
Embark on a quest with Mickey Mouse and pals as they follow Captain Hook’s treasure map for clues to find Tinker Bell after he attempts to capture her magic. Journey across the Marigold Bridge with Miguel from Disney●Pixar’s Coco into the magnificent and mystical Land of the Dead and discover a vibrantly colorful performance with skeletons atop sway poles dancing over the audience in a beautiful cultural celebration of family.
Travel to the wintry world of Arendelle and sing along with Elsa as video projection creates a kaleidoscope of crystals to help build her ice palace. Witness Belle lift into the sky as the enchanted chandelier comes to life high over the ice. Demonstrate the power of teamwork when Buzz Lightyear, Woody and Jessie recruit the Green Army Men for a daring rescue in Andy’s room. Laugh hysterically as the hilarious pirates flip, tumble, and twist on tumble tracks, stilts and more in an effort to showcase their talents for Captain Hook. Sail away with Moana on her daring voyage across the ocean and bravely encounter the fiery wrath of Te Ka.
Tickets are now on sale for South Africa’s favourite family winter school holiday outing. Book at Ticketmaster.co.za or Showtime.co.za.
Patrons are asked to please note that owing to safety regulations each person, irrespective of age (including babes in arms and children under two years) must have a purchased ticket. Fans are encouraged to only book through Ticketmaster.co.za the official authorised ticketing agent for Disney On Ice. Tickets from third parties will not be honoured.
To discover more about Disney On Ice, log on to www.disneyonice.co.za or visit us on Facebook and YouTube. ENDS
SHOW INFORMATION
TICKETS:
www.ticketmaster.co.za or www.showtime.co.za
Ticket master is the only exclusive ticketing agent for Disney On Ice.
Tickets purchased from any other source will not be valid.
PRETORIA SHOW INFORMATION
VENUE:
SunBet Arena at Time Square, Menlyn Maine
SHOW DATES AND TIMES: Sunday, 28 June to Sunday, 05 July 2026
Sunday 28 June – 10am, 2pm, 6pm
Wednesday, 01 July – 11am, 3pm
Thursday, 02 July – 11am, 3pm
Friday, 03 July – 11am, 3pm
Saturday, 04 July – 10am, 2pm, 6pm
Sunday, 05 July – 10am, 2pm, 6pm
TICKET PRICES:
Weekdays (Wednesday to Friday, Sundays @6pm) – R200, R250, R350, R450 per person inclusive
Weekends (Saturdays all shows and Sundays 10am, 2pm) –R295, R395, R495, R595 per person inclusive
Babes in arms and children under two years sitting on parent’s lap MUST
have a purchased Babes in arms ticket @ R100.00
Children two years and older must have a purchased SEATED ticket
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CAPE TOWN SHOW INFORMATION
VENUE: Grand Arena, GrandWest
SHOW DATES: Saturday, 11 July to Sunday, 19 July 2026
TIMES:
Saturday, 11 July – 10am, 2pm, 6pm
Sunday, 12 July – 10am, 2pm, 6pm
Thursday, 16 July – 11am, 3pm
Friday, 17 July – 11am, 3pm
Saturday, 18 July – 10am, 2pm, 6pm
Sunday, 19 July – 10am, 2pm, 6pm
TICKET PRICES:
Weekdays (Thursday, Friday, Sundays @6pm) – R200, R250, R350, R450 per person inclusive
Weekends (Saturdays all shows and Sundays 10am, 2pm) –R295, R395, R495, R595 per person inclusive
Babes in arms and children under two years sitting on parent’s lap MUST
have a purchased Babes in arms ticket @ R100.00
Children two years and older must have a purchased SEATED ticket
GROUP BOOKINGS
20% Discount on groups of 20 and more – midweek performances and Sunday 6pm only
Bookings through Jill Somers, 079 218 1658, sales@showtime.co.za
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DURBAN SHOW INFORMATION
VENUE: Main Arena, Durban International Convention Centre
SHOW DATES AND TIMES: Wednesday, 24 July to Sunday, 26 July 2026
Friday, 24 July – 2pm, 6pm
Saturday, 25 July – 10am, 2pm, 6pm
Sunday, 27 July – 10am, 2pm, 6pm
TICKET PRICES:
All shows – R250, R350, R450, R550 per person inclusive
Babes in arms and children under two years sitting on parent’s lap MUST
have a purchased Babes in arms ticket @ R100.00
Children two years and older must have a purchased SEATED ticket
Author: Shelley
GRAMMY® Award-winning jazz vocalist Gregory Porter’s Durban International Convention Centre show on Saturday 15 November will feature pianist and composer Nduduzo Makhathini and singer-songwriter Omagugu, performing alongside each other.
These celebrated South African musicians have been married for more than a decade, having become friends while playing together earlier in their careers. Both were born and raised in KwaZulu-Natal. Omagugu studied music at the University of KwaZulu Natal, Tshwane University of Technology and later, at the University of Fort Hare where she graduated with in Honours in Music. Similarly, Nduduzo did his undergraduate studies at the University of KwaZulu Natal and later completed both his Masters and PhD studies at the University of Stellenbosch.
Both artists are touring musicians with a significant catalogue of works from their own albums to being featured on many others that mark important moments for the South African jazz archive.
As collaborators Omagugu and Nduduzo have done important festivals such as the Winter Jazz Fest in NY, Avo Session in SW, Mam Jazz in MU and both the Joy of Jazz and the Cape Town International Jazz Festival among many others. The couple has just returned from two European tours this year. They have also had significant highlights such as a collaborative performance with the great DJ Black Coffee at the CTIJF this year, while Nduduzo has received many international awards and recently did his NPR concert.
“Nduduzo is a rare breed, his ancestral connection through music allows safe passage for his audiences – and when with the angelic Omagugu beside him, this experience is heavenly.” says Greg Maloka of GRIZA Enterprises. Fellow Gregory Porter Love is King SA Tour promoter Tony Feldman concurs: “This is a unique opportunity for Durban jazz and music fans. Seeing both South African and international talent of this calibre on the same stage doesn’t happen often – it’s going to be a sensational show.
Gregory Porter’s three-city Love is King South African concert tour also includes Cape Town and Johannesburg.
Don’t miss Gregory Porter live in South Africa in November for five concerts including GrandWest, Cape Town on 12 November; Durban ICC on 15 November and his return to Montecasino, Johannesburg for three engagements on Thursday, 20 November; Friday, 21 November and Saturday, 22 November.
Book now at showtime.co.za or Ticketmaster.co.za. Tickets purchased via unauthorised websites will not be honoured
Author: Shelley
Experience Champagne Classics: A Weekend of Sublime Music in the Drakensberg
Event Details
Dates: Thursday 26 February – Sunday 1 March 2026
Venue: Champagne Sports Resort, Central Drakensberg
Check-in: Thursday afternoon (26 February)
Check-out: Sunday morning (1 March)
Costs: To be confirmed – you will be notified once full cost details are available.
Register your interest by contacting Kim at kim@montybrett.com or on 082 824 9378.
Escape to the heart of the Drakensberg for Champagne Classics, a three-night weekend celebrating timeless music, exquisite cuisine, and breathtaking scenery.
Set against the magnificent backdrop of the Champagne Sports Resort in the Central Drakensberg, this annual event brings together classical music lovers for an unforgettable experience of culture and relaxation.
What’s Included
~ Three nights’ accommodation in twin or double rooms
~ All buffet meals at the resort restaurant
~ Morning and afternoon teas with sweet and savoury treats
~ Three evening concerts and two midday recitals
~ A pre-concert talk with Dr Richard Cock
~ A fun, ice-breaker quiz
~ Gratuities for the hotel staff
What’s Not Included
~ Transport to and from Champagne Sports Resort
~ Drinks and bar purchases
~ Personal items, such as laundry or room service
A Symphony of Talent
During the midday and evening concerts, the Johannesburg Festival Orchestra performs under the baton of Dr Richard Cock. Audiences can enjoy works by legendary composers such as Mozart, Haydn, Schubert, and JC Bach.
Dr Cock’s lively conducting style and musical insight bring these masterpieces to life. Each concert promises to move, inspire, and delight audiences of all ages.
Champagne Sports Resort
A Setting Like No Other
Late February is one of the best times to visit the Drakensberg. The mountains are green, the air is crisp, and the views are breathtaking. Guests will enjoy elegant accommodation and a wide range of leisure options.
You can play a round on the championship golf course, unwind at the spa, or simply relax with a drink while soaking in the mountain scenery. Between concerts, explore the surrounding trails or enjoy quiet moments on the resort’s terraces.
Exceptional Dining
Every meal is served in the resort’s famous buffet restaurant. The menu features an impressive selection of dishes, including options for vegan, vegetarian, and special diets. Morning and afternoon teas come with the chef’s homemade treats, ensuring every meal feels like an occasion.
Book Your Place
Spaces for Champagne Classics 2026 are limited, so early registration is encouraged.
Final pricing will be confirmed soon. In the meantime, you can register your interest by contacting Kim at kim@montybrett.com or on 082 824 9378.
Author: mrjoelmagic
