AFRICA BIKE WEEK 2015 

23rd – 26th April 2015

The tens of thousands of tourists who spent the Easter weekend enjoying the warm and sunny weather at Margate’s Main Beach and Ballito’s Willards Beach would no doubt have taken full advantage of the action-packed Vodacom Easter Fever beach festival which rocked both venues all weekend (22 – 25 April). According to local tourism authorities from both areas, the popular festival is a massive draw card, attracting many tourists to the two picturesque KwaZulu Natal North and South Coast towns.

Mr. Zungu, KwaDukuza Municipality Municipal Manager, said that “the Vodacom Easter Fever plays a pivotal role in ensuring that we get visitors who come to enjoy their Easter holiday in Ballito. It provides quality beach recreational entertainment for all ages, and offers visitors to the area a unique beach holiday experience”. Vicky Wentzel, Managing Director of Margate-based Wozani Africa Events, said that “we value the contribution of the Vodacom Easter Fever in Margate’s Easter Weekend program, as the marketing exposure and positive publicity that Margate receives from the event is of great value”.

The influx of people, over 50 000 to Ballito and Margate, obviously has a positive impact upon the local economy, with local municipalities doing all they can to sustain the flow of tourists into the town. Zungu said that “we go to great lengths in ensuring that our visitors are well taken care of, and so we hope that people will return to our beautiful, golden beaches to enjoy our warm hospitality and climate”. Vicky Wentzel said that “we have over 80 000 beds registered in the Margate area, and run at full occupancy every Easter. Visitors have come to expect a full seasonal program at Margate Beach, as this has become part of their holiday experience”.

The eighth annual Vodacom Easter Fever programme included some of the crowd favourites from previous years, including the Discovery Futbal Feva 3 on 3 Series in the Discovery Inflatable Arena, Coca Cola Beach Volleyball, Vodacom Beach Touch Rugby and of course the perennial favourite – the Vodacom Miss Easter Fever beauty pageant. Bianca Daubinet (Kloof) was crowned Vodacom Miss Easter Fever in Margate, with Tasmiya Osman (Durban) claiming the title in Ballito. Both walked away with Blackberry cellphones courtesy of title sponsors Vodacom.

Event organizer Rowan Clelland said that “we are really pleased that the weekend has gone as smoothly as it has. Both Margate and Ballito have been rocking thanks to the Vodacom Easter Fever beach festivals, and it is great to see that all of our hard work paid off! Holiday accommodation occupation in both Ballito and Margate was at 100%, and when combined with the four days of incredible weather that we enjoyed led to large numbers of people attending our two events.”

Vodacom KZN’s Managing Executive Alberts Breed said the “KwaZulu Natal had been a great place to be this Easter, and Vodacom is proud to have been able to make a contribution to the Vodacom Easter Fever beach festivals that took place in Margate and Ballito.”

By Olivia Jones Communications

CELEBRATE SUMMER

KZN  SOUTH  COAST   SUMMER  BEACH  TOUR  READY TO  ROCK

LETS GET THE PARTY STARTED

Summer just got hotter so It’s time to pack your beach bags, slap on the suncream and head to one of our beautiful beaches along the KZN South Coast strip this festive season.  The South Coast Summer Tour once again  promises action packed beach festivals with nonstop fun for the whole family to enjoy – all staged free of charge along miles and miles of beach space!

According to Mr Justin Mackrory, UGU South Coast Tourism CEO, “It is clear that the Greater South Coast has prepared an abundance of beach activity and entertainment options for families, children and young adults. We are convinced that in so doing, we will be enhancing their experience for what is still one of South Africa’s most popular holiday destinations”.

Festival highlights include The Vodafone 4 U  (Margate Beach 16 – 18 December) will play host to full program of beach entertainment for the family. Thousands of rand’s worth of giveaways, gorgeous promoters, beach games and interactive promotions will keep the teenagers busy throughout the start of summer.

The little ones can enjoy the Fanta Fun Explosion  (Port Edward, St Michaels, Hibberdene, Scottburgh & Margate Beaches) with big screen computer gaming zones, chill spots, ball pits & face painting whilst The East Coast Radio  Maynhardts Funsunzi Summer Tour (Margate 19 & 20 December) will offer  a full program including live artists as well as our favourite East Coast Radio jocks broadcasting live from under the palm trees on Margate beach.

Summer Fever  (Margate Beach 21 – 24 December) hot’s up summer even further with the Miss Summer Fever, The nedbank Chill Louge, beach sports, refreshment  zones and super cool DJ tunes.

The 22^nd December brings with it The Tropica Beach Party which welcome top SA artists and DJ line up from 16h00 till late into the night.

The Coca Cola “Love Summer’ Festival  (Margate, Port Edward, Scottburgh, Hibberdene and St Michaels Beaches) will include beach volleyball, touch rugby, beach cricket and beach golf festivals.  Be sure to diarize this event and participate in the giant zorb ball races  and action fun zones.

The MTN Overshare Festival   touches downs on Margate, St Michaels and Ramsgate beach this summer.  A roaming MTN #Overshare Truck will cruise from beach to beach, enhancing consumers holiday experiences. MTN will Share not only with the visitors, but will allow the visitor to share with loved ones as well.  Music will be playing to create a vibe and attract consumers to the MTN #Overshare Truck.  A large “#Overshare” button will be positioned at the back of the truck, whereby consumers will push the butt on to receive a gift for themselves and a friend will be encouraged to upload a photo of themselves and the person that they have shared with, using the hashtag #Overshare Consumers can use Facebook, Twitter or Instagram to enter the competition Weekly Samsung handsets and MTN products to be given away, and a chance to win the ultimate MTN #Overshare prize.

The MTN CarWash will surprise and delight you by washing your car while you soak up the sun with your friends and family. MTN Shares. MTN will partner with an existing car wash company at the malls offering a free car wash to MTN consumers who are spending the day at the beach If consumers do not want to get their car washed straight away, a car wash voucher will be given to them, compliments of  MTN.

The MTN #Overshare Y’ello Crew will be sharing the love on the beaches. Offering beach goers gorgeous yellow manicures and pedicures.

The  Nativity Scene Christmas Truck, Carols By Candlelight and Harvest Gospel Festival will also be visiting our fav ourite beaches this summer – be sure to watch press for details as these dates are released.

The OVHD Summer Tour (St Michaels Beach – 26^th December) makes its way down south this year and offers visitors massive giveaways, stylish DJ’s and stunning dance performances by the OVHD Flash Mobsters…

Southbroom Hunters New Year’s Eve Party  31 December) , now listed as one of “SA’s sexiest new year’s eve parties” will take you into the new year in style with VIP decks, over 150m bar space, dance floors, Nomadic Tents and SA’s latest trendy DJ duo Pascal & Pearce.  Tickets available from Computicket from 15^th December.  Margate Massive  Beach New Year’s Party will rock you into 2014 with the popular DJ Dizzy – early bird tickets R60  available from South Coast Tourism offices from 15 December 2012.

For more  festival information contact Vicky Wentzel 083 8127944 or email Vicky@wozaniafrica.co.za

Issued By:  Wozani Africa Events 082 8127944

For Immediate Release

For Tourism Enquiries:  marketing@tourismsouthcoast.co.za

For Event  & Sponorship Enquiries:  vicky@wozaniafrica.co.za

Exciting line up for inaugural Ramsgate Literary Festival

FESTIVAL PROGRAM

The inaugural Ramsgate Literary Festival, sponsored by UGU South Coast Tourism, kicks off on 24^th September as part of Heritage Day Celebrations. Set in the picturesque village of Ramsgate on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast, the festival will celebrate all things great about Ramsgate including good books, art exhibitions, quirky museums, fine wines & antiques.

According to Festival organizer Vicky Wentzel of Wozani Africa Events “Our focus this year is “Read Local” featuring 11 authors, 10 of whom are from the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast – many of them have written historical books on the area.”

The festival program will run as per the below time slots at The Whale Deck in Ramsgate

10h00: The highly acclaimed Prof. Lindy Stiebel will be officially opening the festival. Lindy Stiebel is Professor Emeritus of English Studies at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She is the also the author of a number of books. Her latest book is written on Baines and is titled Thomas Baines: Exploring Tropical Australia Appearing. 2016 will see her further work on Nkosi entitled Writing Home: Lewis Nkosi on South African Literature; together with the e-publication of A Literary Companion to KwaZulu-Natal, a book which collects over 10 years of the KZN Literary Tourism projects which she leads, come into fruition. In addition to these books, Lindy Stiebel has published many articles on South African literature, spatial discourse and literary tourism.

Her subject matter of her presentation talks to ‘KZN Literary Tourism and the South Coast Writers’ Trail’.

10h30 Ruth Field is a lover of history & is a local English teacher. She is the author of ‘The Postmasters Mistress” a paperback book which took her 8 enjoyable years to complete. The book is based on the life love story of Elna Jennings (94) who resided in Port Edward. Ruth will present a fascinating paper entitled ‘Why record local history?’.

11h00  Doreen Gaze is a local art gallery owner and custodian of Ramsgate – she will be presenting her book “Ramsgate Recollections”

11h30 Local historian and much loved journalist and writer Libby Cochrane author of three books with her latest being “Southbroom Remembering Yesteryear” will present her subject entitled “Personal Reflections”

12h00 The festival program will feature a book launch by author Ron Lock “Tales of the Old East Coast” .

12h30 Ron Lock presents a paper on “The March of the Inniskilling Fusiliers – a tale set in 1842”

13h00 Authors Lunch 

13h00 – 13h45 The Dixieland Jazz Band will entertain – Ramsgate Whale Watching Deck

13h45 Another highlight on the days calendar is the guest appearance of  Mr. PRITHIRAJ DULLAY, author of “Salt Water Runs in My Veins”. This is a compendium of 21 short stories that extend over 100 years; and encapsulates Dullay’s life whilst growing up on the South Coast. He is a respected university academic, columnist and he also writes extensively for several newspapers. In 2003 he developed and became the Senior Officer of the DUT College Lecture Programmes bringing renowned scholars, writers, filmmakers, poets, scientists, artists and others to the institution. Among these were Mark Shuttleworth, Prof. CNR Rao, world leader on nano technology, American Astronauts and no other than Professor Fatima Meer. He was responsible for the creation of the bronze bust of Steve Biko that stands in Freedom Square in front of the main Library. Mr. Dullay is, a controversial and highly acclaimed individual who will present two papers entitled “Ignoring The  Elephant in the Room” and “Nuclear Power in SA – the need for civil society to actively engage in national discourses”.

14h30 Bongi Malishe will present the book “You are Wired to Win” and discusses the inspirational story that resulted in the creation of this book

15h00 Sarah Unsworth, local entrepreneur, poet and first time author of children’s novel “Leaving Essenwood – Simons Story” will present ‘The Miracle and Wonder of Publishing your First Story”.

15h30 Afrikaans author Anette Brink “Dance Met Die Jakkals” will present a paper entitled “Namibia is a Great Source of Interesting Tales”.

16h00 Prof. Clive Dennison “Footprints in Paradise”           

16h30 John GI Clark “The Promise of Justice”

17h00 Authors Cocktail Sundowners at The Blue Lagoon Deck, Ramsgate Beach

19h00 Poetry by Candlelight at The Burlesque Café – calling all local poets to submit work for selection.

19h00 – 20h00 Street Fire Dancers will perform in the Ramsgate Village

Throughout the day Ramsgate Stationers will be selling guest authors recent publications as well as a selection of Allan Paton books.

24^th & 25^th September

9h00 – 17h00 The Gaze Gallery presents an exhibition of Izidro Duarte work

11h00 – 15h00 The Lobster Pot will host a two day Cookery Book Display and Sales area

10h00 – 16h00 Ramsgate Relics, The Fair & Tinkers Den Antique Shops

will be opening their doors to visitors in search of rare, first edition and collector’s books.

Drop off points for second hand books that will be donated to local schools in need will include: Ramsgate Stationers (South Coast Mall) and all UGU South Coast Tourism offices within the district.

Moving onto the 25^th September festival visitors can expect another great and varied line up including the following:

9h00 till 17h00: Hazels World of Miniatures, a private museum of handcrafted and vintage minutures will be open to allow public the opportunity of viewing the wonderful collection of miniature literary scenes. Her works feature to name a few include “The Victorian Street Scene” a Charles Dickens London Christmas Carol setting as well as children’s story tales scenes featuring the famous “Geppetto’s Workshop” from the Enid Blyton novel Pinocchio

9h00 till 17h00 Errol Boyley Retropsective Art Exhibition entitled ‘Conteporary Realism Mastered’    at the Riverbend Crocodile Art Gallery 

11h00 BEACH PICNIC The Alan Paton Centre’s Nazim Gani Head and Senior Librarian at the Alan Paton Centre. will present the story of Allan Paton and his life works in the delightful setting of the beach lawns in front of the WhaleBack Cottage on Ramsgate’s Little Billy Beach, this is where his book “Cry The Beloved Country” was completed in 1946.

We encourage festival visitors to pack their picnic hampers, don their sun hats and bring along their deckchairs to what is expected to be one of the festival highlights.  

11h30 String Quartet on the Rocks will entertain picnic visitors on Ramsgte Little Billy Beach

16h30 for 17h00 Gela Tolken presents “The Words We Use”. The Jewelry Exhibition will be held at Artists’ Gallery in Ramsgate.

18h00 South Coast Spring Wine Festival – 30 estates presenting over 200 wines at Riverbend Crocodile Farm tickets cost R120 per person and include snacks and your tasting glass.

18h30 Lions Quizz evening which is hosted at The Ramsgate Village Hall

19h00 El Gato Portuguese Restaurant will be hosting Latin American sensation “Mama’s & Papa’s

`The Ramsgate area is rapidly becoming renowned for things creative and this literary event initiative will enhance this reputation and provide residents and visitors with a great opportunity to savor the beautiful coast and the richness of language and the arts’ says Ugu South Coast Tourism’s CEO Mr. Justin Mackrory.