News
Umpetha a portage dust-off for Khwela
Pietermaritzburg – 2014 Dusi Canoe Marathon winner Sbonelo Khwela, formerly known as Sbonelo ‘Eric’ Zondi, is looking forward to dusting off his portaging cobwebs for the first time in the new KwaZulu-Natal river marathon season at the Natal Canoe Club’s recently rebranded Umpetha Challenge.
The Shongweni based EuroSteel athlete is already well into his stride in his preparations for next year’s iconic three day race from Pietermaritzburg to Durban in February however much of his focus thus far has been on the paddling side of things.
“None of the top guys have been training running with the boat yet, that only really starts in November, so the Umpetha finishing with Campbell’s portage is definitely going to be tricky!” said Khwela.
“Getting back into portaging this early is a good thing though, it reminds you of what Dusi is all about and how tough it is to run with the boat and makes you train harder when you do start training for portaging!” added the Computershare Change a Life Academy ambassador.
The race starts at Camps Drift in front of the NCC clubhouse and then covers the first 16km of the Dusi route before paddlers make their way up to the unique finish venue for a paddling race – on top of a hill.
“It’s quite unusual to finish with a portage,” laughed Khwela. “Even though we don’t normally finish a paddling race on a hill, it is still an important part of the race!”
“If you don’t make sure you run well, you can easily lose a couple of positions on the run.”
EuroSteel’s Sbonelo Khwela is fully focused on next year’s Dusi Canoe Marathon however is looking forward to dusting off the portaging cobwebs at the Natal Canoe Club’s Umpetha Challenge on 19 October. Photo: Darren Goddard/ Gameplan Media
Khwela first announced his elite river marathon racing arrival in 2013 when came agonizingly close to a historic K1 Dusi victory however disaster struck just kilometers from the finish when he fell out at Pumphouse Weir before then soaring to victory earlier this year with K2 partner Andy Birkett (EuroSteel).
His victorious efforts with Birkett helped heal many of his 2013 wounds however the will to achieve Dusi success in his K1 still forms a strong driving force for Khwela.
While leaving nothing to the imagination as far as his goal for next year’s Dusi is concerned, Khwela was however non-committal when it came to his aspirations for the upcoming Umpetha Challenge.
“I’m focusing on winning the Dusi next year so any results in the pre-Dusi races are just a bonus for me.
With solid support from the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sport and Recreation, the Umpetha Challenge offers R36 000 in prize money, with a massive R6000 going to the first K1 home.
“There is good prize money so I’m sure some of the guys will already be pushing quite hard!”
“I’m not sure about Lance (Kime) – with him being in the Western Cape – and I haven’t seen Len (Jenkins) for a while now but I’m sure Andy (Birkett) and Bungee (Thulani Mbanjwa) will be there so it will still be a very tough race!”
The Umpetha Challenge takes place from Camps Drift to Bishopstowe Hall on Sunday 19 October. More information can be found athttp://natalcc.co.za/
Author: Durbanite
Author: mrjoelmagic
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
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
Author: Shelley
