News

New Arrival at uShaka – a South African First!

Published

10 years ago

29 June 2016

Durbanite

Arcto, as he has been named by his caregivers, is the first ever Antarctic Fur Seal (Arctocephalus gazelle) to have been recorded on South African shores.

Watching him rest quietly on the unfamiliar surface slab after taking a leisurely swim in the pool, it is hard to imagine what he could be making of his new surroundings. This new world must be indescribably different from his natural world, 4, 382 kilometres away in the freezing Antarctic waters.

Antarctic Fur Seals are naturally found at Antarctica with most being resident on South Georgia Islands. Breakaway groups are, however, also found on the South Sandwich Islands, Falkland Islands and Kerguelen Island. With South Africa being the closest to Kerguelen Island, uShaka Sea World feels that he possibly wandered from Kerguelen Island.

Although it is well documented that wandering or vagrant seals of all species are found from time to time far from their natural feeding grounds, the reasons for their wandering ways are not well understood. Arcto is a young adult and it is known that juveniles and young seals spend several years at sea before returning to their birth sites to mate for the first time.

Perhaps Arcto was drawn by South Africa’s reputation as a warm, welcoming and friendly country. Kerguelen Island on the other hand is known as one of the most isolated places on earth.

Arcto was found on a beach at Port Edward (lower KZN south coast) and brought into the uShaka Sea World rehabilitation centre by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife staff. Within minutes of his arrival, the staff knew that he was very different from any of the previous seals admitted to the rehab facility.

“I have been working with stranded seals for over 25 years but have never observed a seal like Arcto before .He was placid, accepting of the assistance we offered and appeared to be content and oblivious to any possible or perceived threats,“ said Colette Bodenstaff, Assistant Curator, Mammals and Birds.

Although extremely thin and lethargic, there were no visual indications he had suffered injury and was therefore left to rest before staff attempted to offer him food.

The animal health team worked together with the animal behaviourists to map out a treatment plan with the ultimate goal of fattening him up and releasing him. As this is all new uncharted territory for both the Sea World staff and Arcto, is it difficult to predict how long it will take for him to gain sufficient weight for the long trip back home.

As Antarctic fur seals typically feed on krill, squid, fish and penguins they are trying to entice him with hake and squid. As yet he has not accepted either the squid or fish offered by the animal carers; however they are confident that within a day or two he will be eating. The sooner he starts eating, the sooner he can start gaining weight.

The team will also take fur and whisker samples for ongoing research by Marine Mammal Research experts into their distribution and behaviour.

For more information contact Ann Kunz on 0313288000

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