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Globe’s best ready for MTB Marathon Worlds 2014 in Maritzburg

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Photos by: Darren Goddard/Gameplan Media

Pietermaritzburg – The world’s best endurance mountain bikers will converge on the Cascades MTB Park for the 2014 UCI Mountain Bike Marathon World Championships which take place this Sunday, 29 June, entrenching the cities status as Africa’s “Bike City”.

The most prestigious MTB marathon event on the international calendar visits African shores for the first time in its eleven year history and will add to the already impressive list of international cycling events the City of Choice has played host to previously.

Switzerland’s Christoph Sauser aims to clinch his fourth rainbow striped World Champion’s jersey – having already claimed victory in 2007, 2011 and 2013 – and in so doing, successfully defend a World title for the first time in his career.

The Specialized Racing sensation is joined by no fewer than four other former men’s World Champions – fellow Swiss cross-country ace Ralph Naef (2006), Belgium’s Roel Paulissen (2008 & 2009), Alban Lakata of Austria (2010) and Greece’s Periklis Ilias (2012) – and is one of more than half a dozen title contenders.

Lakata is one such hopeful eager to make the top step of the podium his own once more while Germany’s Karl Platt, Urs Huber and Steffen Thum, together with Colombia’s Hector Paez Leon, will have similar intensions.

Cross-country specialists Jaroslav Kulhavy (Czech Republic), Moritz Milatz (Germany) and Ralph Naef (Switzerland) have also made the journey out to South African shores and will no doubt consider themselves a part of the potent contenders mix.

James Reid (Trek SA) and Kevin Evans (FedGroup ITEC) look to represent the host nation’s strongest challenge whilst Rourke Croeser (Kargo Pro MTB) may well feature in the top 20 as well.

The women’s race is another mouth-watering affair as former winners and podium finishers aplenty litter the world class field.

Although five-time and defending women’s World Champ Gunn-Rita Dahle (Norway) hasn’t made the trip, former World Champs Sabine Spitz (2009) of Germany, Switzerland’s Esther Suss (2010) and Denmark’s Annika Langvad (2011 & 2012) are in set to be in Sunday’s line-up.

2013 runner-up Sally Bigham of Great Britain, European Champ Tereza Hurikova and current world numbers one, two and four – Eszter Dosa (Hungary), Alice Pirard (Belgium) and Milena Landtwing (Switzerland) – will join the former title holders whilst Stellenbosch-based Swiss star Ariane Kleinhans – married to South Africa’s Erik Kleinhans – will hope local course knowledge will help her better her current world ranking of sixth.

Mild conditions are expected throughout the weekend and spectators can enter the race village and lower sections of the course at Cascades MTB Park for free. The event will also be streamed live viawww.mtbworldchamps.co.za for those unable to attend live.

The weekend’s action gets underway with the inaugural edition of the Rainbow Challenge – a masters and amateurs MTB marathon event – however the vast majority of the globe’s cycling fraternity’s eyes will be on Sunday’s action as the best of the best square off.

Saturday’s Rainbow Challenge 70km age groups (men 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59 and women 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49) set off from 08h00 onwards whilst the 50km age groups (men 60-64, 65-69, 70+ and women 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70+) get underway from 10h00onwards.

The Rainbow Challenge will also see some inspirational efforts put in by some of South Africa’s and the globe’s age group para-cyclists as they tackle the tough 50km route.

Sunday’s action sees the men start their 95km battle at 08h00 and are expected to reach the finish line around 12h15 while the women set off at 08h45 and are predicted to complete their 74km effort at a similar time to the leading men.

A welcomed bout of rain descended on the Cascades MTB Park on Friday which settled a lot of the dust that is common in KwaZulu-Natal in winter but the weather forecast for the weekend looks bright and dry.

Spectators eager to catch all the action live can access Cascades MTB Park for free on Sunday 29 June.

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Events

Trail of Lights 2024

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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

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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.

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Durban, September 11th, 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.

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