Events

Support the Rhino Rehabilitation Centre

Published

11 years ago

14 April 2014

Shelley

Conquering the Arch at the Moses Mabhida Stadium wearing the Standard diving dress of the early 1900 divers weighing 70 kgs

I immigrated to Durban, South Africa 7 years ago to live with my South African wife who I met in Durban, Joe Kools – 15 years ago whilst serving in the British Royal Navy.

I started my career in the Royal Navy as a Gunner and then became a Mine Clearance Diver.

I proposed to my wife in December 2008, and we started planning our wedding….. However, we could not agree on a venue. By chance while returning from an offshore diving job I saw the “Elephant whisperer” book by Lawrence Anthony in the Airport lounge. I initially hesitated to purchase this book and then felt a strong urge to buy it – in fact it turned out to be one of the best things I ever did – it has changed our lives for the better.

I read the book on a flight from work from Johannesburg and throughout that weekend.

I then planned a few days to Thula Thula Game reserve in Zululand thinking it would be a great break and also a good opportunity to check it out as a wedding venue.

My wife and I were not disappointed. Francoise and her staff gave us a five star welcome and we were treated like royalty.

There was something very unique and special about Thula Thula game reserve. After that weekend we decided to set the wedding venue at Thula Thula game reserve. By far the best decision we ever made.

After leaving Thula Thula, we drove away with something we had not expected to leave with…nothing in the boot of the car but something in our hearts and in our souls had been touched by the South African bush, the scents, the sounds and of course the Elephants and Rhinos that inhabited this magical place.

Having read this book and experiencing Thula Thula, I decided to do more to help raise funds and awareness for our endangered wildlife here in South Africa.

So from there I decided the best thing for me was to use my ability to do endurance events to raise funds for the Lawrence Anthony Earth Organisation. (www.earthorganization.org)

Last year, I ran along the beach from Durban Harbour to “Beach Bums” in Tongaat – 46 kms taking 6 hours. The funds raised were used for educational material – distributed around the rural settlements outside the game reserves. This leaflet assisted in the education of the local communities about the natural wealth and heritage that belongs to us all and how we must protect it.

Last year I spoke to Francoise about their initiative to build the first and only Rhino Rehabilitation centre here in KZN, South Africa and their need for funds.

I walked away wondering how can I help? What unique fundraising event could I do to help this worthy cause?

So I came up with the idea to walk over the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, South Africa – wearing the Standard diving dress of the early 1900’s diver’s weighing 70 kgs.

Breakdown of weight per item:

Siebi Gorman diving helmet, circa 1900’s – 21 kgs

Replica Siebi Gorman diving suit – 5 kgs

Chest and back weights -22 kgs (11 kgs each)

Siebi Gorman Knife & Sheath circa 1950’s – 1 kg

Siebi Gorman Torch circa 1950’s – 1kg

Lead soled diving boots – 20kgs a pair (10kgs each)

Total = 70 kgs

This event will be mentally and physically demanding and shall take me around 3-4 hours to complete.

I shall start to walk around the outside of the stadium from the Sky Cart to the base of the arch where I shall walk up the 106m high arch and the 500 steps to the top of the stadium.

Then take a few minutes to enjoy the 360º scenery of Durban on the viewing platform and then finally down the Sky cart to finish the challenge.

It sounds hard work and it will be hard work. But if you feel in your heart strongly enough about something then you will get through anything.

I have started on a very different training routine than I normally do, to build up my leg muscles and shoulders.

My training routine of 2-3hrs per day entails skipping, walking up and down stairs with 70kgs on my back, squats, press ups, swimming for cardio vascular and breathing techniques.

My reasons for doing this is so that I can raise funds towards The Lawrence Anthony Earth Organization to help build the first Rhino Rehabilitation centre in Zululand, KZN, South Africa.

Along with much needed awareness in the plight of our Rhino’s and Elephants in South Africa and the wildlife trafficking that is affecting the whole of the African continent.

Sometimes you have to do something a little different to get people’s attention. To get them excited and talking about the event and what it is for and give them the opportunity to dream and see that anything is possible.

You can follow my efforts via Facebook “Tusks and Horns” and I invite you to please Share my event to all your friends and together we can make the difference that is needed to help those that need it most and become part of something special.

Come along and watch this mad Englishman shuffling along at a snail’s pace…while you eat at one of the many restaurants at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

I thank you for your support in my endeavours and I shall keep you all posted during the build up to the day.

Please give your support by donating via the website links below and enter the reference “Diver” on the drop down button.

Thank you

Steve Entwistle

http://www.earthorganization.org/donate.aspx

You can also go on to the Thula Thula website and Donate there, also using the “Diver” reference option.

http://www.thulathula.com/links.aspx

TEO nonprofit registration 2004/026715/08

Public Beneficiary Organization (PBO) 930033558

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Events

Trail of Lights 2024

Published

2 months ago

11 November 2024

Shelley

If it’s Durban and it’s December… it has to be Trail of Lights time!

CELEBRATION is this year’s theme for South Africa’s largest and most popular festive light extravaganza! Celebrating eight years of brilliant awe and wonder, this year’s luminous event offers a double-whammy to visitors – the Durban Botanic Gardens is proud to mark their 175th anniversary milestone, in collaboration with the Durban Botanic Gardens Trust and the Trail of Lights, which is the Trust’s biggest annual fundraiser.

Bringing enchantment and joy to visitors of all ages in Africa’s oldest surviving botanic garden, the show runs from 6 December 2024 to 3 January 2025. Organisers are promising a host of sparkling new attractions, from a re-imagined Santa’s Workshop and Grotto and Build-A-Bear Workshop, to a variety of themed areas, including the iconic Whale Tails created by SAAMBR (SA Association of Marine Biology Research).

The popular Paws and Claus evenings are also back in the mix for 2024, with the nights of 8 and 12 December earmarked for when visitors can bring along their ‘fur babies’ (sorry, dogs only), to join in the festive fun! Ticket sales from these evenings go to Feeding the Furballs charity. Tickets on the Paws and Claus nights are R50 per pet, when booked with a full-paying adult ticket.

While the technical and lighting teams have already started laying the groundwork for one of the City’s biggest seasonal events, visitors can start planning their holiday schedules around the enhanced offering the family-focused show will bring to all ages – from the really young, to the young at heart!

Entertainment and live music each evening
Festive characters and spectacular live ‘selfie spots’ across the Gardens
Two food gardens offering food and beverages to suit every palate
Mail off your Christmas Wish List at the North Pole Mailbox
Festive shopping with some of Durban’s most talented makers
Wheelchairs will be available to hire on a first come first served basis

Ticket prices range from R70 – R90 per person, depending on the time you visit and are available through Webtickets or at select Pick n Pay outlets.
Tickets are available at the door, subject to availability, at R120 pp (card payments only) and are limited, so early booking is advised in order to secure your preferred date. Pensioners tickets are R60 per person (Proof of ID required).

The Trail of Lights runs from 6 December 2024 to 3 January 2025 from 18:00-22:00 each evening and will be closed on 9, 10, 11, 25 & 31 December.

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Art

Field Notes (an exhibition): 1 – 17 November 2024

Published

3 months ago

22 October 2024

Shelley

Field Notes (an exhibition)
Presented by Contemporary Archive Project
Opening: 1 November 2024 at 6 PM
Venue: The Chairman, Durban.

In the province of KwaZulu-Natal, stories are marked like pins scattered across a map. These pins cluster in the city of eThekwini or are more sparsely spread through the landscapes of Nquthu, Tugela, and Amaotana. By mapping out and noting where the photographs were made, the explorers’ tracks reveal a wide, eclectic range of stories, each reflecting individual narratives. In these collections, the photographers are the explorers of their own stories, presenting clips and field notes that present an Insider’s view.

Subverting old tropes of Outsiders looking in, disconnected from a culture or space, the photographs that make this exhibition present intimate representations of faith and religion, culture and rituals, life and death, solitude and community. The collective way of seeing a city and space are all informed by each photographer’s way of seeing.
In this gathering, we present moments from each photographer’s archive. Guided by the visual connections of the photographs, the exhibition’s content invites you to reflect on the themes of fragility, power, togetherness, and the significance of the spaces we call home.

The group exhibition features work from CAP’s archive, inclusive of:
Andile Ndunge, Andre Swart, Mandisa Buthelezi, Myllo Menorah, Niamh Walsh-Vorster, Paulo Menezes, Robyn Perros, Seraz Abrahams, Sibusiso Gcaba, and Thobani Khumalo.
This exhibition is made possible by the National Lotteries Commission.

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Entertainment

Jeremy Loops to perform at Old Mutual Music at the Lake Concert at the Durban Botanic Gardens on Saturday 19 October.

Published

3 months ago

7 October 2024

Shelley

Durban, September 11^th, 2024 – Get ready for an epic Spring celebration as South Africa’s beloved singer-songwriter, Jeremy Loops, returns to Durban for the Old Mutual Music at the Lake concert series. On Saturday, 19 October, the iconic Durban Botanic Gardens will be transformed into a vibrant festival of live music and fun for the whole family.

Gates open at 2 PM, with the concert wrapping up by 7 PM, making it a perfect afternoon of music in one of Durban’s most stunning outdoor venues. Tickets are limited and available on Webtickets – grab yours before they’re gone!

“Old Mutual’s sponsorship of the Music at the Lake series showcases our deep-rooted commitment to nurturing community spirit and celebrating both local and international talent. We believe in the power of music to bring people together and create lasting memories. Our support for this series is our way of supporting the arts and the communities we serve. We are proud to create platforms where talent, family and joy can flourish in the heart of Durban’s historic Botanic Gardens,” said Thobile Tshabalala, Head of Brand at Old Mutual.

Jeremy Loops brings more than just his live performance magic—he’s back with brand-new music!
His latest single, “Go Again,” gives fans a fresh anthem to vibe to before the show. Featuring his signature blend of soulful lyrics and upbeat melodies, “Go Again” is an empowering track about facing life’s challenges head-on.

In Jeremy’s words, “Go Again is my declaration to lean into positivity, to find strength in the storm, and to bring the sunshine, even when it’s raining.” The song, co-written and produced with Edd Holloway (known for his work with Dean Lewis and Lewis Capaldi), marks Jeremy’s second release this year following “Dust Over Dunes” (August 2nd) and gives fans a taste of what to expect from his forthcoming album.

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to experience Jeremy Loops live at the Durban Botanic Gardens. Enjoy the perfect family outing, surrounded by nature and incredible music. Book your tickets now!

Event Details:

Old Mutual Music at the Lake with Jeremy Loops

Date: Saturday, 19 October
Location: Durban Botanic Gardens
Tickets: Available now via Webtickets
Capacity: Limited to 2500 attendees
Times: Gates open 14h00 – Show ends 19h00.