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Which Oktoberfest is Oktoberbest?

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This month (September 17th , to be exact), the centuries-old Oktoberfest celebrations kick off in Munich, Germany. Two Weeks later, the South African version opens its brauhaus doors much to the same effect at at Sibaya, from the 30th of September – 1st of October and then heads to Cape Town where it will be held at the historic Newlands Brewery from the 4th – 6th of November. What really sets these two festivals of wunderbar Bavarian bier, food and culture apart? Here are nine comparisons…

1. Munich Oktoberfest – takes place in Munich, Germany every year.

TOPS at SPAR Bierfest – takes place in Port Elizabeth, Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town.

Munich Oktoberfest – is the world’s biggest, annual celebration of Bavarian culture.

TOPS at SPAR Bierfest – is Africa’s biggest, annual, national celebration of Bavarian culture.

2. Munich Oktoberfest – is 204 years old and was originally started as a wedding after-party when Prince Ludwig married Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen.

TOPS at SPAR Bierfest – is six years old and was originally only held in Jo’burg and Cape Town. Nowadays it tours the country!

3. Munich Oktoberfest – is known by locals as “Wiesn” (pronounced “Vizen”). So named after Theresienwiese, the name of the piece of land where it is held.

TOPS at SPAR Bierfest – is known by locals as “ze jol of ze year!” So named because it offers South Africans a taste of the real Oktoberfest but without the need for a visa or a lengthy flight.

4. Munich Oktoberfest – is officially opened by the Mayor of Munich, who taps an honourary keg and offers the first sip to the Minister-President of the State of Bavaria.

TOPS at SPAR Bierfest – is officially opened by the Mayor of Bierfest – Klaus von Über-Hüber who taps an honourary keg and gulps the first stein himself.

5. Munich Oktoberfest – has its beer provided by six breweries; Hofbräuhaus München, Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu, Paulaner Bräu, Löwenbräu, Hacker-Pschorr Bräu and Augustiner Bräu.

TOPS at SPAR Bierfest – has its beer provided by two breweries namely Number 3 Fransen Street (in Gauteng) and Newlands Spring Brewery (in Cape Town).

6. Munich Oktoberfest – entertains the crowds with mostly German music and lots of sing-a-long covers.

TOPS at SPAR Bierfest – gives revelers a five-hour long show of fine traditional oompah music (played live by a six-piece authentic German oompah band), and a set of rocking party hits provided by the country’s best live mash-up party band, The Rockerfellas! DJ Schnitzel keeps ze party going afterwards too.

7. Munich Oktoberfest – serves bier to its patrons in 1-litre steins (or Mas).

TOPS at SPAR Bierfest – offers both half litre and 1-litre steins from which to consume their delicious biers. The glass steins are especially imported and can be purchased afterwards to take home.

8. Munich Oktoberfest – Foreigners make up only 19% of the visitors to Oktoberfest, the rest are all bier-loving Germans.

TOPS at SPAR Bierfest – 5% of the visitors come from outside of the country, the rest are all proud locals with a thirst for great German-styled bier, and a good South African styled jol!

9. Munich Oktoberfest – biers, food and merchandise are bought using local currency.

TOPS at SPAR Bierfest – biers, food and merchandise are bought using special Bierfest currency – Crowns. Crowns are available in R30 denominations. A mighty 1-litre bier costs 2 Crowns.

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Standard Bier Hall and Über Bier Hall tickets can be booked through iTickets. For hospitality packages, please contact Bierfest directly at 021 824 3132 or email bookings@bierfest.co.za..

All food and drinks purchased at the festival are made using Bierfest “Crowns.” Crowns are available in denominations of R30 and are sold in packs of five (non-refundable).

Pre-order your Bierfest food platter online now (see www.bierfest.co.za) and your Fraulein will deliver it directly to your table.

The event is not open to anyone under the age of 18.
For more details go to www.bierfest.co.za.

Follow the event on Twitter @SABierfest (#SABierfest) and on Facebook TOPS at SPAR Bierfest and on Instagram @SABierfest.

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Events

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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Art

Field Notes (an exhibition): 1 – 17 November 2024

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Field Notes (an exhibition)
Presented by Contemporary Archive Project
Opening: 1 November 2024 at 6 PM
Venue: The Chairman, Durban.


In the province of KwaZulu-Natal, stories are marked like pins scattered across a map. These pins cluster in the city of eThekwini or are more sparsely spread through the landscapes of Nquthu, Tugela, and Amaotana. By mapping out and noting where the photographs were made, the explorers’ tracks reveal a wide, eclectic range of stories, each reflecting individual narratives. In these collections, the photographers are the explorers of their own stories, presenting clips and field notes that present an Insider’s view.

Subverting old tropes of Outsiders looking in, disconnected from a culture or space, the photographs that make this exhibition present intimate representations of faith and religion, culture and rituals, life and death, solitude and community. The collective way of seeing a city and space are all informed by each photographer’s way of seeing.
In this gathering, we present moments from each photographer’s archive. Guided by the visual connections of the photographs, the exhibition’s content invites you to reflect on the themes of fragility, power, togetherness, and the significance of the spaces we call home.

The group exhibition features work from CAP’s archive, inclusive of:
Andile Ndunge, Andre Swart, Mandisa Buthelezi, Myllo Menorah, Niamh Walsh-Vorster, Paulo Menezes, Robyn Perros, Seraz Abrahams, Sibusiso Gcaba, and Thobani Khumalo.
This exhibition is made possible by the National Lotteries Commission.

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Entertainment

Jeremy Loops to perform at Old Mutual Music at the Lake Concert at the Durban Botanic Gardens on Saturday 19 October.

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Durban, September 11th, 2024 – Get ready for an epic Spring celebration as South Africa’s beloved singer-songwriter, Jeremy Loops, returns to Durban for the Old Mutual Music at the Lake concert series. On Saturday, 19 October, the iconic Durban Botanic Gardens will be transformed into a vibrant festival of live music and fun for the whole family.

Gates open at 2 PM, with the concert wrapping up by 7 PM, making it a perfect afternoon of music in one of Durban’s most stunning outdoor venues. Tickets are limited and available on Webtickets – grab yours before they’re gone!

“Old Mutual’s sponsorship of the Music at the Lake series showcases our deep-rooted commitment to nurturing community spirit and celebrating both local and international talent. We believe in the power of music to bring people together and create lasting memories. Our support for this series is our way of supporting the arts and the communities we serve. We are proud to create platforms where talent, family and joy can flourish in the heart of Durban’s historic Botanic Gardens,” said Thobile Tshabalala, Head of Brand at Old Mutual.

Jeremy Loops brings more than just his live performance magic—he’s back with brand-new music!
His latest single, “Go Again,” gives fans a fresh anthem to vibe to before the show. Featuring his signature blend of soulful lyrics and upbeat melodies, “Go Again” is an empowering track about facing life’s challenges head-on.

In Jeremy’s words, “Go Again is my declaration to lean into positivity, to find strength in the storm, and to bring the sunshine, even when it’s raining.” The song, co-written and produced with Edd Holloway (known for his work with Dean Lewis and Lewis Capaldi), marks Jeremy’s second release this year following “Dust Over Dunes” (August 2nd) and gives fans a taste of what to expect from his forthcoming album.

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to experience Jeremy Loops live at the Durban Botanic Gardens. Enjoy the perfect family outing, surrounded by nature and incredible music. Book your tickets now!

Event Details:

Old Mutual Music at the Lake with Jeremy Loops

Date: Saturday, 19 October
Location: Durban Botanic Gardens
Tickets: Available now via Webtickets
Capacity: Limited to 2500 attendees
Times: Gates open 14h00 – Show ends 19h00.

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