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Newcomer Josh Wantie Inks Deal with Gallo

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Durban is once again becoming a breeding ground for exceptional musical talent as Josh Wantie becomes the latest to step into the music scene.

Durban born Josh Wantie [pronounced Von-Tee] has been crafting his sound for quite a few years. Influenced by several types of genres and artists such as Sia, Lorde, James Bay, Ben Howard, James Blake, Phillip Phillips and Civil Twilight, he has created a mellower, broodier sound to his work than that of the stereotypical pop artist.

Neil Greenberg, General Manager of Gallo Record Company on discovering Josh. “I saw this kid performing at the Beverly Hills hotel in Durban late 2014 and watched the heaving rowdy crowd in the restaurant come to a standstill when Josh started to sing one of his original tunes. It was quite a defining moment. We flew him up to Jo’burg the next week and signed him to Gallo in early 2015.”

Wantie’s dream of becoming a recording artist was coming true as he signed to top independent label, Gallo Record Company.

“With his rough but impressive demos presented back in Dec 2014, Gallo jumped at the chance to work with Josh. His music presents a fresh sound and a great vibe, and a musical direction and professionalism that, in my opinion, sets him apart and puts him on a level worthy to go up against an international playing field.  This young man has got what it takes – looks, talent and a knack for writing good songs,”comments Rob Cowling, Deputy GM – Sheer / Gallo.

During the planning process of picking the team to work on Wantie’s debut, we immediately thought of approaching Gangs of Ballet brothers Josh and Brad Klynsmith as Producers. Gangs of Ballet have had multiple hits from their debut ‘Yes/No/Grey’ and were also friends with Wantie. It was a great match.

The team started laying down the songs for the EP in Mid-August.

“What a brilliant opportunity to work with a home town rising star. The songs are fresh and Josh is not only down to earth but super super talented. We’re really proud to say we were a part of this project! He’s got a brilliant team around him and we expect great things. Durban Proud,” says Brad Klynsmith.

Wantie has loved the process of working with Josh and Brad, and recording took place at Heritage Sound Studio in Cape Town, the studio of one of SA’s top engineers Brendyn ‘Rusti’ Rossouw, who was also part of the recording process. Rossouw has an incredible roster of artists he has worked with, including Prime Circle, Die Heuwels Fantasties, Taxi Violence, aKING, Freshlyground and The Dirty Skirts.

Wantie was overwhelmed while in studio with this incredible group. “I have known Josh and Brad for quite a while before I decided to go full time with music and actually met with Brad to get some advice going forward when I did decide to pursue music as a career. I have always closely followed Gangs of Ballet and been a fan of their music and writing, so when Rob from the label told me they were keen to produce I was very excited. They worked hard with me in choosing singles from the songs I had written and went over and above to make sure they sounded as good as possible. In studio they were professional but fun and really wanted the best for the project. It was honestly such a humbling experience having the guys from one of the top acts in South Africa work with me on my music. They work very well as a team and if they weren’t so successful in their own careers respectively, I would love to do a whole Album with them in the producer’s chair. I can also say the same about the engineer, Rusti (Brendyn Rossouw). He was absolutely word class and a breeze to work with, a truly fun and dynamic guy that makes tracking smooth and vibey.”

Wantie is determined to make his mark in the music industry and he has the talent, the team and more importantly, the passion to achieve just that. Spending time with friends and fellow Durbanites Matthew Mole and Jordi from Yorke has also given him that drive to know thatthrough hard work and following your dreams, success in the music industry is possible.

Josh Wantie’s debut single will be released digitally in September, with plans for an EP and Album release in 2016.

Follow Josh Wantie online:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joshwantenaar

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoshWantie

Instagram: instagram.com/josh_wantie

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:
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

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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 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)

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:

✔ 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

Shelley
Author: Shelley

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