Connect with us

Events

City of Durban Ready for 90th Comrades Marathon

Published

on

The City of Durban is ready to welcome about 90 000 thousand visitors, comprising of participants, spectators and families, who will descend to the City for the 90th Comrades Marathon.
 
The start gun will be fired in by His Worship The Mayor Cllr. James Nxumalo at 05h30 in Durban on Sunday, 31 May 2015 as the Comrades Marathon, categorized as the Ultimate Human Race, starts and ends 12 hours later at the Oval Cricket Stadium in Pietermaritzburg.

Phillip Sithole Head of Durban Tourism anxiously stated that this year the number of participants almost doubled compared to last year and the Up Run will be a major boost to the local tourism industry. “The economically viable next few days will contribute a booming R200 million to the overall growth of the tourism industry and economic impact of the city. The Accommodation sector is already recording high occupancy’s at all establishment,” explained Sithole.

Mike Jackson, Director of Operations in KZN of Tsogo Sun stated that the Durban beachfront hotels are at an average of 99% full, Stay Easy Hotel and Southern Sun hotel at Golden Horse Casino – all in PMB are fully booked, Elangeni and Maharani – fully booked. South Beach and Sun Coast 95% booked. An estimated 4% of international guests are staying in the Tsogo Sun properties. The Umhlanga Properties are 80% booked. The Stay Easy Hotel and the Southern Sun Hotel at Golden Horse Casino is fully booked in PMB.

Durban Tourism will also be promoting The Durban Fun Season at the “Comrades Expo”. At the Durban Exhibition Centre. All visitors are encouraged to visit the Durban Tourism Stand to find out more information on what to do whilst in our beautiful City of Durban. Entrance is free so bring your family and friends to experience this Pre-Race spectacle and get your free Durban mementos. Durban Tourism will also be providing a hospitality area in PMB for the international runners.

Comrades Marathon – Quick Facts
• The World Greatest Ultra Marathon, official distance is 87,72km, making it one of the longer up runs in recent history.
• This year will be a up run from the coastal city of Durban to the capital city of Pietermaritzburg – 22 370 registered and 19 000 participants will participate , with high international presence which increased by 5 % in 2015.
Majority of the international runners are from UK, USA & Australia. One of the reasons for the increase is due to the aggressive marketing of the Event in Chicago, Rome, New York and the Gold Coast by the Comrades Association.
• Race starts at 05h30 and ends off 12 hrs later at the Oval stadium in PMB
• The socio economic impact of Comrades Marathon to the city of Durban is estimated at a direct spend of 200 million rand for the City of Durban and over 500 million rands based on direct, indirect spend for KwaZulu Natal.
• Number of Visitors ( including participants/families/friends/spectators/organisers/locals) projected : 90 000
• Number of jobs sustained: 450
• Number of International Visitors – 5% increase from 2014 – 1429 and 642 other parts of Africa based on participant registration
• Domestic visitors – 45 % – 20 299 based on participant registration
• Total tourist average stay per night due to comrades is 3 nights

Shelley
Author: Shelley

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Entertainment

KZN Philharmonic – Summer Season Concerts 2026

Published

on

The KZN Philharmonic Orchestra presents its 2026 Summer Season with two concerts at The Playhouse Opera on Thursday, 5 and 12 March at 19:00.

Concert 1: 5 March

Under the baton of Japanese conductor Yasuo Shinozaki, the opening programme features Canadian cello virtuoso Bryan Cheng performing Saint-Saëns’s demanding and innovative Cello Concerto No. 2. Britten’s Simple Symphony provides a lyrical interlude, followed by Saint-Saëns’s dramatic Cello Concerto No. 1. After the interval, Schubert’s beloved “Unfinished” Symphony brings the evening to a melodic close.

Concert 2: 12 March

Under the baton of South African conductor Conrad van Alphen, this programme features Bulgarian world-renowned virtuoso pianist and chamber musician, Ludmil Angelov.

KZN Philharmonic tickets are available at Quicket here.

Want to go to a concert but don’t want to have to self-drive into town?
Opt for a Park and Ride option:

Park your car in one of our secure designated locations and hop onto the bus which will drop you off at the Durban Playhouse.

1) Upper Highway Area
St. Agnes Anglican Church, 53 Abelia Road, Kloof, 3610.
R100 a bus ticket return.
The bus departs St Agnes promptly at 17h50.

2) Westville
Westville Senior Primary School, Westville Road, Westville, 3629.
R80 a bus ricket return.
The bus departs Westville Senior Primary promptly at 18h10.

3) Berea
Caister Lodge, 264 Musgrave Road, Musgrave, Durban, 4001.
R60 a bus ticket return.
The bus departs Caister Lodge promptly at 18h20.

4) Umhlanga
Grace Family Church, 400 Umhlanga Rocks Drive, Umhlanga, 4320.
R100 a bus ticket return.
The bus departs Grace Family Church promptly at 18h10.

Book bus tickets on 031 369 9438 / info@kznphil.org.za / Quicket here

BOOK TICKETS HERE

Carla Wynne
Author: Carla Wynne

Just a 30something plant mom, nature enthusiast and happy wife, adventuring through Durbs and life!🌻🌿🤍✨

Continue Reading

Entertainment

A Celebration of Love – KZN Philharmonic

Published

on

Celebrate love this Valentine’s Day with the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra at a magical afternoon concert set in the tranquil surrounds of St Agnes Church, Kloof.

“A Celebration of Love” conducted by Chad Hendricks, brings together lush orchestral music with romantic favourites, and two outstanding soloists, Njabulo Nzuza and Andile Ndlela for an uplifting Valentine’s experience.

The concert includes music by Mozart, Dvorák, and Tchaikovsky, alongside well-loved classics such as Moon River, Can’t Help Falling in Love, Make You Feel My Love, Beneath Your Beautiful, and South African favourites.

Food stalls will be available offering pizza, mocktails, and sweet & savoury love boxes, creating a relaxed and festive Valentine’s afternoon.

Whether you’re celebrating with a partner, friends, or simply your love of beautiful music, this concert promises an elegant and heartfelt afternoon.

Event Details:

  • Date: Saturday, 14 February
  • Time: 16h30
  • Venue: St Agnes Church, 53 Abelia Road, Kloof
  • Tickets: from R100 & available via Quicket

Make this Valentine’s Day unforgettable with live music, romance, and the magic of the Orchestra.

Stand a chance to WIN two tickets to the Valentines Day Concert – A Celebration of Love with the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra valued at R300 -> ENTER HERE <-

Carla Wynne
Author: Carla Wynne

Just a 30something plant mom, nature enthusiast and happy wife, adventuring through Durbs and life!🌻🌿🤍✨

Continue Reading

Attractions

Familie Fest 2026

Published

on

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.

mrjoelmagic
Author: mrjoelmagic

Continue Reading
Advertisement

We Are Social

Trending