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40-club looms for Dusi birthday boy Briggs

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Photos: Anthony Grote/Gameplan Media

Inanda Dam – It was a memorable 61st for birthday boy Nigel Briggs as the man out to become the seventh person in the history of the Dusi Canoe Marathon to complete 40, charged across the line at the end of the 120km event’s second stage.

The legendary β€˜Dusi King’ Graham Pope-Ellis holds the record for the most Dusi finishes by an individual while 2015 participants Lyle Wheeler, Neil β€˜Tups’ Tupper, Rob Bourne-Lange and Gudgie Dixon have already surpassed the 40 mark.

For Briggs though the achievement is now one step closer with just Saturday’s shortest stage standing between him and joining the prestigious club.

Five time Marathon World Champion and two time Dusi winner Hank McGregor (Jeep Team/Kayak Centre) and wife and paddling partner Pippa, came within a whisker of a major milestone of their own.

The pair, paddling in the mixed doubles category, started the day in a remarkable 50th position after the sublime opening stage effort on Thursday and just when they thought it couldn’t get any better, it did.

The pair crossed the line at Inanda Dam in an incredible 27th position overall, second K2 and first mixed double, all the while finishing the day in 3:16.22, just five second outside the class’ second stage record.

β€œThere’s a reason over 1400 other paddlers tackle the Dusi each year and I feel like for the first time I am getting to experience what the Dusi is all about!” exuded McGregor.

The McGregor’s fellow mixed doubles competitors Abby Adie (Natal Canoe club/Kayak Centre) and her father Graham also enjoyed their second stage outing.

β€œWe’re having a lot of fun out on the river!” exclaimed Adie. β€œIt really helps knowing all the lines!”

All backmarkers were forced to battle strong headwinds and large swells across theΒ 11km Inanda Dam grind in 2014Β however none more so than the four brave stand up paddleboardersΒ tackling the task for the very first time.

While Mother Nature was far kinder this time around the task was still a mammoth one and the nine SUP competitors had to dig deep to overcome the challenge.

KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sport and Recreation’s Elite Athlete Development Programme’s Nokukhanya Shange showed great mental toughness to overcome her aches and pains of Thursday’s first stage to reach Inanda Dam in 5:10.28.

The young Umzinyathi Canoe Club ace has represented South Africa at continental champs level previously and used every ounce her international experience to continue her quest to become the youngest ever black female to complete a K1 Dusi.

Hugh Raw and Ian Ross, who are doing the 2015 Dusi Canoe Marathon in original canvas canoes, continued in their quest as the 74 and 72 year-old pay tribute to the race’s late great founder, Dr. Ian Player.

FNB Business’ Mike Vacy-Lyle had another strong outing on Thursday, narrowly missing out of breaking the five hour mark as he reached the finish line in 5:01.10.

β€œFNB Business’ involvement and interest in the Dusi Canoe Marathon affirms our commitment to providing an experience for participants through a sport that is well-entrenched in the community and has grown in popularity in South Africa,” said Vacy-Lyle.

β€œOur strategy is to support local and community events that focus on healthy lifestyle, family involvement and impact the environment we operate in positively,” he added.

Saturday’s third and final stage of the Dusi Canoe Marathon takes place from Msinsi Resort, Inanda Dam to Blue Lagoon, Durban. Racing gets underway at 05h30 however the leaders start at 10h45 and the leading men are expected at the finish around 13h00. More information can be found atΒ www.dusi.co.za

Durbanite
Author: Durbanite

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Attractions

Familie Fest 2026

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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:
β€’ Familie Fest Website
β€’ Webtickets
β€’ Utickets

Ticket Pricing

β€’ Kids under 4: Free
β€’ Kids 4–12: From R129
β€’ Teens 13–17: From R145
β€’ Adults: From R199 to R245

Group Ticket Specials

β€’ Buy 5 tickets, get 1 free: R1,250
β€’ Buy 9 tickets, get 1 free:Β  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:

β€’ Francois van Coke
β€’ Kurt Darren
β€’ Van Pletzen
β€’ Veranda Panda
β€’ 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:
β€’ Live music performances
β€’ A dedicated kids zone
β€’ Arts and crafts activities
β€’ Food and drink vendors
β€’ Potjie competitions
β€’ Access to the driving range
β€’ Putt putt, go-karts and paintball
β€’ 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

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Barkies: Homemade Pet Treats

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Freshness You Can Trust, Impact You Can See! 🐾
Looking for treats that are genuinely good for your furry (or hoofed!) family members?

Welcome to Barkiesβ€”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.

πŸ₯• 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!

πŸŽ‰ BARKIES YEAR-END COMBO IS ON! πŸŽ‰

Get 12 Pupcakes + 500g Dog Treats (Flavours of your choice) for R220!

βœ… Homemade, Fresh & Natural
βœ… Treats for Dogs, Cats & Horses
βœ… 20% Donated to Durban Animal Charities!

ORDER NOW: WhatsApp Bianca on 076 190 0442 (Collection or Delivery available)

Shelley
Author: Shelley

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Business

Playtime Rentals: Rent. Play. Repeat.

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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:

βœ” Browse our toy catalogue on WhatsApp or download it from our website
βœ” Book your toys by completing the short booking form & submitting documents
βœ” Pay & Play. Make full payment + refundable damages deposit
βœ” 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

Shelley
Author: Shelley

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