News

KZN Science Centre Head returns from YALI Fellowship Programme

Published

12 years ago

12 August 2014

Durbanite

Chief Executive Officer of the KZN Science Centre, Candice Potgieter, has arrived back in South Africa after participating in US President Barack Obama’s inaugural Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) fellowship programme.

Potgieter was one of eight from KwaZulu-Natal and one of 46 candidates nationally selected from a list of 4 000 South African applicants and 49 000 Applicants throughout Africa between the ages of 25 and 35. All are active in the fields of entrepreneurship, public administration and community service.

She spent six weeks doing academic coursework and training at the Notre Dame University in Indiana and, together with 500 fellow candidates from across Africa, participated in the Presidential Summit convened by President Obama in Washington DC at the end of July.

Launched in June last year, the Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is the new flagship program of President Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) which he launched in 2010 to support a new generation of African leaders. This latest initiative brought 500 of them to the United States for academic coursework and leadership training. Fellows are expected to put their new skills to practical use in leading organizations, their communities and countries.

As head of the KZN Science Centre, a registered section 21 non-profit organisation and leading educational centre focussed on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Potgieter shares the US President’s passion for education and his vision that this will lead Africa out of poverty.

Back home, the educational crisis at school level is well documented, which has significant repercussions when it comes to both tertiary education and employment.

President Jacob Zuma has repeatedly added his voice to calls for improvements in science and maths education in order to address critical skills shortages in professional fields such as engineering, medicine and information technology which are critical to growing the economy.

“The KZN Science Centre’s mission is to inculcate the importance of education in learners, educators and the general public using funded learning projects, curriculum based resources and interactive exhibitions. The KZN Science Centre implements projects that aim to create awareness of science, technology, engineering and mathematics whilst fostering a culture of giving back through our non-profit status,” she says.

Since leading the organisation from October 2010, Potgieter has played an integral role in the redevelopment and reorganization of The KZN Science Centre. Her strong creative and insight into the inner workings of the organization has grown its beneficiary base from 40 000 to over 160 000 each year. Over eighty percent of all visitors are from previously disadvantaged and rural backgrounds.

She has been at the forefront of researching, creating and implementing highly successful school programmes. Her expertise extends from scientific research to business development, financial management, marketing, communications, government relations and fundraising.

Academically, she holds a postgraduate degree in Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She was also part of The National Astrophysics and Space Science Programme at The University of Cape Town.

Her list of awards for her work is significant – the Mail & Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans You Should Meet in 2013, the Future Leaders Award for Science & Innovation as well as The KZN Young Achievers Award in Science & Technology for 2013. Potgieter was also named one of Cosmopolitan Magazine’s Most Awesome Women of 2013.

Following on from her work in KwaZulu-Natal, Potgieter was appointed as an executive member on the Advisory Committee to the MEC of Education in KwaZulu-Natal for Career Support and Guidance in 2013. She is also a non-executive director on the board of The Southern African Association of Science and Technology Centres (SAASTEC).

Author: Durbanite

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Attractions

Familie Fest 2026

Published

4 weeks ago

5 February 2026

mrjoelmagic

Familie Fest 2026 Brings Live Music and Family Fun to Hillcrest

Everything You Need to Know About Familie Fest 2026

Familie Fest arrives in Hillcrest for a full weekend of live music, family-friendly entertainment and relaxed festival energy, taking place on Friday 29 and Saturday 30 May 2026 at NU Driving Range.

Designed as an all-ages outdoor music festival, Familie Fest brings together South African artists, open space, activities for kids and adults, and a format that allows families and friend groups to spend the entire day together without feeling rushed.

Event Details

Date: Friday 29 & Saturday 30 May 2026
Venue: NU Driving Range Fields, Hillcrest
Time: From 10am daily
Age Restriction: All ages
Bar Area: Over 18s only

Tickets available via:
• Familie Fest Website
• Webtickets
• Utickets

Ticket Pricing

• Kids under 4: Free
• Kids 4–12: From R129
• Teens 13–17: From R145
• Adults: From R199 to R245

Group Ticket Specials

• Buy 5 tickets, get 1 free: R1,250
• Buy 9 tickets, get 1 free: R2,100

Group tickets are limited and valid for adults or kids.

Camping add-ons are available separately and include access to a secure camp zone with toilets, showers, lighting and security.

Line-up (More to Be Announced)

The initial line-up includes a mix of established and popular South African acts:

• Francois van Coke
• Kurt Darren
• Van Pletzen
• Veranda Panda
• Appel

Friday features acoustic-focused sessions, while Saturday hosts the main acts. Additional artists will be announced closer to the event.

What to Expect

Familie Fest is structured as a full-day festival rather than an evening-only concert, with gates opening at 10am and activities running throughout the day and into the evening.

Across the festival grounds, attendees can expect:
• Live music performances
• A dedicated kids zone
• Arts and crafts activities
• Food and drink vendors
• Potjie competitions
• Access to the driving range
• Putt putt, go-karts and paintball
• Optional secure camping facilities

The layout allows families to spread out, relax and move between music, activities and rest areas at their own pace.

What You Can and Can’t Bring

Allowed:
Umbrellas, camp chairs, blankets, gazebos, bags, towels, baby gear.

Not Allowed:
Cooler boxes, outside food and drink, weapons, fireworks, sound systems, pets, sports or play equipment, bikes or braais.

Camp Zone Only:
Cooler boxes, food and drink, and braais are permitted within the designated camping area.

Why Familie Fest Works

Familie Fest positions itself as a genuinely inclusive festival, catering to families with young children, teens, and adults who want to enjoy live music without the pressure of a late-night-only format. With space to move, activities beyond the main stage, and a line-up that appeals across age groups, it offers a different kind of festival experience for the KZN calendar.

For families looking to introduce kids to live music, groups planning a social weekend, or anyone wanting an outdoor festival that runs at a comfortable pace, Familie Fest ticks all the right boxes.

Author: mrjoelmagic

Business

Barkies: Homemade Pet Treats

Published

3 months ago

9 December 2025

Shelley

Freshness You Can Trust, Impact You Can See! 🐾
Looking for treats that are genuinely good for your furry (or hoofed!) family members?

Welcome to Barkies—where every treat is baked with love, fresh ingredients, and a commitment to animal welfare.

We believe in complete transparency. Our treats are always homemmade with fresh, natural ingredients, and we are proud to tell you exactly what goes into every single bite.

✨ Year-End Combo Special: Spoil Your Pup! ✨
To celebrate the year, we’re making it easy to spoil your dog with the best of Barkies:

Item Details
12 Pupcakes Choose your dog’s favourite flavour!
500g Fresh Dog Treats Choose your flavour!
Combo Price R220

This is the perfect package for holiday gatherings, puppy parties, or just showing extra love!

🌍 Treats with a Heart
We’re not just about delicious treats; we’re about giving back. Barkies donates 20% of every single sale to incredible animal charities right here in Durban. When you buy from us, you’re directly helping local animals in need.

🥕 Simple, Delicious & Safe
Our treats are simple but delicious and contain no nasty preservatives. Please store all Barkies products in the fridge or freezer to keep them fresh.

We make treats for dogs, cats, and horses!

🎉 BARKIES YEAR-END COMBO IS ON! 🎉

Get 12 Pupcakes + 500g Dog Treats (Flavours of your choice) for R220!

✅ Homemade, Fresh & Natural
✅ Treats for Dogs, Cats & Horses
✅ 20% Donated to Durban Animal Charities!

ORDER NOW: WhatsApp Bianca on 076 190 0442 (Collection or Delivery available)

Author: Shelley

Business

Playtime Rentals: Rent. Play. Repeat.

Published

5 months ago

6 October 2025

Shelley

Tired of spending a fortune on toys your kids play with for five minutes, only for them to get bored? We get it! That’s exactly why Playtime Rentals was born, a smarter, more affordable way to keep playtime fun, fresh, and exciting for your little ones.

Based in Ballito and serving families from Ballito to Durban North, we provide premium, sanitized toys that you can rent instead of buy.

What We Offer:

Playtime Rentals provides a wide range of high-quality toys for boys and girls aged 3 to 7 years.

From:
– Pretend-play sets for little imaginations
– Balance bikes and ride-ons for active adventures
– Party rentals like bubble machines & toddler coasters

We’ve got fun covered, without the clutter or cost of constantly buying new toys.

How It Works:

✔ Browse our toy catalogue on WhatsApp or download it from our website
✔ Book your toys by completing the short booking form & submitting documents
✔ Pay & Play. Make full payment + refundable damages deposit
✔ Collect in Ballito or book delivery straight to your door
Then… play, return, repeat. It’s really that simple!

Why Parents love Playtime Rentals:
– Save money on toys kids outgrow
– Reduce clutter and reclaim your space
– Swap toys monthly with a fun toy rotation system
– Encourage sustainable play (less waste, more fun!)
– Keep playtime exciting with something new each month

With Playtime Rentals, your kids enjoy endless variety, and you enjoy less stress and more savings.

Check them out here:
www.playtimerentals.co.za