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BREAD MATTERS – IT’S ALL ABOUT CELEBRATE LIFE’S BREAD-OVEN PROJECTS

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Gladys Zulu is up at sparrows every morning hard at work firing up her oven and putting in the first batch of bread to bake. The aroma of freshly-baked loaves soon fills the air and these are swiftly loaded up and dispatched to the vendors/feeding schemes and local communities to be served with the day’s meal.

Gladys – based in Marianhill – is the proud owner of a bread-making oven donated by The Iqraa Trust – and is part of Celebrate Life SA’s oven-projects scheme. “I know what it’s like to be hungry and worry about when I will get my next meal,” Gladys says. “Now that I am standing on my own two feet it is my chance to give back to the community and help others.”

Gladys had been baking cakes at home before Cherry Armstrong, executive director of Celebrate Life SA – and her non-profit organization – earmarked her as a recipient for an oven. “I can now bake bread, snowballs, Chelsea buns, rolls and pizzas and supply these to my community.” Gladys is one of nine bakers who – through the assistance of the NPO – man their wood-fired ovens every day – churning out four loaves of bread every 25 minutes. Celebrate Life has supplied ovens in KwaZulu Natal since 2014, each providing an income to three people per oven (on average), and the numbers are growing with more sponsorship coming in.

The micro-bakeries are distributed by Mama Mimi’s, an organization founded in 2012, which implements the programme within rural communities throughout South Africa. Celebrate Life is hoping to install “cells” of ovens in communities (which consist of 20 ovens in each area) Armstrong explains. “For this, we have a mobile full-time mentor on the ground checking on each baker daily to ensure s/he is baking correctly and putting out the required amount of loaves a day.” Bakers are taught how to run a business, manage their income, place orders and basic skills like cleaning their oven. Once up-and-running the bakers sell their bread to family and neighbours at a substantially lower price than that which is brought into the area for sale. “Celebrate Life’s objectives are to establish township entrepreneurs and – through ongoing support and mentorship – keep them sustainable,” explains Armstrong. The founder of the NPO is passionate about its various fundraising undertakings, and has been ever since she took her first step in training to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in 2005. That first fundraising mission raised R1 million for Durban’s Hospice. The next was for The Tusk Trust – a project to save the rhino from poachers and death – and Thula Thula Rhino Sanctuary.

“We decided – while out in the surrounding rural, impoverished areas – that if we could place sustainable oven projects in the communities near game reserves, we could assist with the poaching problem in giving these people an income to stop the bribery on spotting rhino and reporting to poachers. “We also noticed the state of disrepair of various upliftment programmes which had previously received funding and been established by other organisations. Some of these enterprises had languished due to not being maintained by the residents.” The parable “Give a man a fish, he will eat for a day. Teach him to fish, he will eat for a lifetime,” is the ethos behind Celebrate Life’s project. “Recipients have to take ownership of the project, learn how to make it sustainable and beneficial to the area in the long term,” Armstrong emphasizes. “That is where our mentorship – supplied by Celebrate Life comes into play. Once successful the home-baker can make a good daily living, providing the neighbourhood with affordable bread to feed their families.

“In Gladys’ case she now earns a viable income and provides an abundance of products for the local community,” Armstrong explains.  However, the Bread-Oven Project needs funding for it to be introduced into various areas. All funds raised contribute towards the setting up of the ovens and the mentorship.   The appeal goes out to corporate entities (like the Iqraa Trust) to get involved in sponsoring the programme. Companies can participate by donating an oven (R25 000) which is a fully-equipped bakery. The cost includes mentoring and training. The oven can be branded and a further R2 500 per month donation enables the baker to provide extra loaves on a monthly basis to supply nearby schools or orphanages.

Donor’s staff can visit the community project they support – which makes it a rewarding CSI project. “Donors who are BEE registered can accumulate BEE points as Celebrate Life holds both an SED certificate and can issue an 18A Tax Certificate for tax savings. From a business perspective the contribution to the community is a financially-savvy one,” Armstrong adds. “As South Africans, we do not need to wait for the government to address the poverty problem. Each and every one of us can contribute in a small way to start the river of change. As citizens, we can begin this wave and transform it into a tsunami. Crime and murder would be radically reduced if we all found a project and contributed to our dire poverty situation,” she said.

For more information visit www.celebratelifesa.org

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Art

SAVE THE DATE for the 2025 East Coast Radio House & Garden Show

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Pull out your diaries and a Big Red Pen.
East Coast Radio House & Garden Show 2025 is coming to town!

From the 28 June to 6 July 2025

fresh spaces. bright living – that’s the dynamic theme of this year’s East Coast Radio House + Garden Show. It’s the time and place to focus on our spaces and surrounds, and the endless opportunities for renewal and fresh energy. Come look at your home through fresh eyes! fresh spaces. bright living is designed to colour your world bright, set fire to your imagination, and equip you with all the tricks and tools to transform a tame house into a truly terrific one! The Show takes place at the Durban Exhibition Centre from 28 June to 6 July. It’s right here where you’ll uncover the very latest décor trends, innovative products, quick fixes and slow burns. Whether you’re up for a simple refresh or a major makeover, the East Coast Radio House + Garden Show 2025 has got you covered.

Happily for everyone, the Show will feature your absolute favourites… alongside some exciting newcomers! The Show Team is finalising fresh, fabulous Show elements, so to tantalise you… think super-legendary competitions with monumental prizes; foodies uniting in the kitchen over big brand names, and maybe a few famous faces; outdoor adventure products and activities climbing to new heights; and so, so much more marvellous kiddies’ entertainment than before.  The East Coast Radio House + Garden Show is designed for families… just wait until the kids see what’s in store for them!

Eating in and dining out is a silver thread which runs through the Show, and this year promises some BIG foodie names… and equally, some famous little firecracker ones. And remember, as we get closer to Showtime, ticket specials will pop up here and there, so keep a sharp lookout for those great offers.

fresh spaces. bright living introduces a new energy to the Show, an irresistible one which will have you rethinking what makes a house your kind of home. The Show is the perfect blend of creativity and enjoyment, with wonderfully curated experiences for every member of the family. This is Durban’s longed-for house and garden hub under one roof, where you’ll discover dynamic new products and concepts, connect and converse with the country’s experts, and gather everything possible to create and enjoy fresh spaces and bright living. Pull out that diary!

Mark your calendars: The East Coast Radio House + Garden Show 2025 runs from 28 June to 6 July at the Durban Exhibition Centre.
For more information and updates, visit www.housegardenshow.co.za

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Attractions

Let’s Rock – Concert in the Park on Valentine’s Weekend

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Breakout Events is counting down the days as Let’s Rock, the UK’s most iconic 80s music festival, is making its highly anticipated debut in South Africa in just a few days! Known for its stellar lineups and incredible 80s nostalgia, Let’s Rock is bringing two unforgettable events to Johannesburg and Durban, featuring a mix of international legends and local icons from Thompson Twins’ Tom Bailey, Midge Ure (Ultravox/Visage), PJ Powers, Just Jinjer and many more.

Event Dates:
● Let’s Rock Johannesburg – Saturday, 15 February 2025 at Marks Park, Emmarentia
● Let’s Rock Durban – Sunday, 16 February 2025 at Durban Botanic Gardens

Tickets are on sale here.
Get ready to experience a full day of music that will take you back to the best of the 80s and beyond!

Known for leading the charge since 2009 in 80’s music festivals, Let’s Rock is renowned for its fun, family- friendly atmosphere, offering something for every generation to enjoy.
Headlining both shows are 80s music icons, Thompson Twins’ Tom Bailey and Midge Ure (Ultravox/Visage), who will perform their timeless hits that shaped a generation. These legendary
performers are set to bring the true essence of the 80s experience straight from the UK to South Africa’s
stages!

Thompson Twins’ Tom Bailey

For nearly three decades fans of the Thompson Twins have waited for more live performances from one of the most iconic bands of the eighties. Now The Thompson Twins’ vocalist Tom Bailey, with a new band, is touring and performing the big Thompson Twins hits and more. The Thompson Twins had huge hits on both sides of the Atlantic. Songs such as ‘Hold Me Now’, ‘Doctor Doctor’, ‘You Take Me Up’ and ‘Love On Your Side’ provided the soundtrack for so many people’s lives worldwide in the mid-eighties. In 1985 The Thompson Twins played ‘Hold Me Now’ at Live Aid in Philadelphia and also performed the Beatles‘Revolution’ with Madonna and Nile Rogers. The Thompson Twins’ Tom Bailey features Tom Bailey on vocals, keyboards, guitar, harmonica, and percussion. His all-female band features Charlotte Raven on vocals and keyboards, Vicky Warwick on bass, vocals and keyboards, and Paulina Szczepaniak on electronic drums.

Midge Ure

Multiple award-winning, platinum-selling Midge Ure is an artist who needs very little introduction. Musical success is seldom measured in periods of more than a few years, if not Andy Warhol’s often quoted “fifteen minutes”, so the fact that by the time Midge’s single “If I Was” went to the No 1 spot in 1985 he had already crammed several musical lifetimes into a 10-year professional career with bands like Thin Lizzy, Visage, the legendary Ultravox and of course the most famous one-off group in musical history Band Aid, writing and producing one of the world’s most recognised songs ever with “Do they know it’s Christmas.”

Local Legends:
South Africa’s own music heroes will also be lighting up the Let’s Rock stages, including:

● Steve Louw’s Big Sky (Joburg show only)
● Just Jinjer
● PJ Powers
● Cindy Alter (from Clout)
● John Ellis (from Tree63)
● James Stewart (from The Usual)
● Brent Harris and Thee Jam

This epic lineup ensures an electric celebration of music from the past and present, making Let’s Rock the ultimate party you won’t want to miss.

Don’t miss out on the chance to relive the magic of the 80s and 90s with unforgettable performances, great vibes, and incredible artists. Grab your tickets and get ready for an exciting trip down memory lane!

Date: Sunday 16 February 2025
Time: 13h00 – 19h00
Venue: Durban Botanic Gardens
Address: Umphafa Field, 9A John Zikhali Road, Berea, Durban, 4001
Line-up: Thompson Twins’ Tom Bailey, Midge Ure, Just Jinjer, PJ Powers, Cindy Alter (Clout), John Ellis (Tree63), James Stewart (The Usual), Brent Harris and Thee Jam
All Ages. Children under 5yrs old enter for free.

Tickets:

General Admission (Ages 5 – 17 yrs): R195 (excluding ticket

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Community

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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