Cities The Dezemba 2017 festive
Having a good time can be anything from wild parties, music and fine food to a yoga retreat or hiking on the peaceful Wild Coast
KWAZULU-NATAL
To honour jazz legends, feature local artists and celebrate the culture of Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal’s biggest township, the inaugural fest will take place this weekend on December 23. The lineup includes Lira, Zakes Bantwini, Dr Brian Thusi and maskandi artist Khuzani. The event will take place at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi. Gates open at 10am and the show starts at 12pm. Tickets are available from any TicketPro outlet and cost R200 for general access, R350 for Golden Circle access and R1 000 for VIP access.
Fact Durban Rocks is throwing a New Year’s Eve party featuring Black Coffee, Cassper Nyovest, Babes Wodumo, Somizi, Distruction Boyz, Zodwa Wabantu, Professor, Culoe de Song and many others. The event takes place at the Moses Mabhida Stadium’s People’s Park. Doors open at 6pm and tickets are R250 at Computicket, R300 at the gate and a VIP ticket costs R450.
Enjoy three days of music, sunshine and like-minded music lovers in the foothills of one of South Africa’s most majestic mountain ranges and overlooking the Tugela Falls. The line-up of performers includes Desmond & the Tutus, Nonku Phiri, Moonchild Sanelly and Nakhane. The festivities will take place from December 29 to December 31 (5pm to 5am) at the Amphitheatre Backpackers Lodge near Bergville, off the R74. Tickets are available at smokingdragon.org from R795 to R1 540.
Enjoy a memorable train ride with the family this festive season on the Shosholoza Meyl. The trip will run from the Durban railway station to the Shongweni Farmers & Craft Market and Sugar Rush Park in Ballito and on to the Pietermaritzburg station. Details: The next rides will take place on December 23 and January 6. Registration on day of departure will be in the Premier Business Lounge at the Durban station. Take the ramp from Jeff Taylor Crescent between Umgeni Road and Masabalala Yengwa Avenue (previously the NMR Avenue). Tickets range from R250 to R800 and can be booked online at quicket.co.za British singer Jay Sean, supported by Durban act Sketchy Bongo, headlines this Durban New Year’s Eve event. Supporting acts include Da L.E.S., Kyle Deutsch, DJ Ready D, East Coast Radio’s Deon Govender and MC’d by Shashi Naidoo. It’s taking place at King’s Park, opposite Moses Mabhida Stadium. Tickets start from R285 and go up to R2500 for the presidential suite. Doors open at 5pm. For tickets visit Computicket.
Singer and pianist Sanele Phakathi is joined by jazz aces Zibusiso Makhathini on keyboards, Dalisu Ndlazi on bass and Menzi Mkhize on drums, playing a set influenced by jazz as much as it is by soul music. Seaman’s Corner is in Hammarsdale. Tickets are R30.
EASTERN CAPE
This is for soulful music lovers who live or are on holiday in the Port Elizabeth area. To pay homage to those who have kept locals entertained in the hip-hop and DJing scene in the Bay, come through to enjoy Afrobeat, soul, hip-hop, jazz and funk. Along with music some comedy will keep you entertained all night. And there will be culinary delights.
The jam session will take place at the Music Kitchen in Port Elizabeth on December 26 from 7pm. There’s a R60 charge. For more information follow @Samjamsessions on Twitter.
This picnic festival is a perfect way for the family to end the year. Bring your baskets, cooler boxes and camp chairs and enjoy performances by Caiphus Semenya and Letta Mbulu, Amanda Black, AKA and Samthing Soweto, to name a few. If you want to be a part of lighting up the Friendly City, head to the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on December 30 and 31. Tickets are available at Computicket from R250 to R750. For more information visit ebubelenifest.co.za Celebrate the arrival of the New Year with the Bethesda Arts Centre’s annual Festival of Lights and Lantern Parade. Join the singing procession to Hightown township and then back to the arts centre. You can make your own lantern or buy one. Once back at the centre all are welcome to enjoy a braai and entertainment by a live band. The festival will take place on December 31 and costs R150. For more info visit nieubethesda.org Set along the Wild Coast the reserve is perfect for hikers and those who enjoy the outdoors. This trail goes along the rocky shoreline and beaches and through indigenous forests. The wildlife includes eland, impala, zebra and wildebeest and the birdlife is abundant.
Hluleka Nature Reserve is 30km south of Port St Johns and about 90km from Mthatha. To book, call 0475312712. For more information go to wildcoast.co.za. Day visitors are not required to book in advance.
GAUTENG
Not far from Lebo’s Soweto Backpackers on the corner of Pooe and Ramushu streets in Orlando, this camp opens on December 28 and closes on January2. It includes cottages and chalets for those averse to camping. The activities include cycling tours, yoga, movie screenings, cook-outs and, on New Year’s Eve, a beach bar with DJs, as well as a fireworks display. It costs R250 for two nights. Go to sowetobackpackers. com and nyourpocket.com/johannesburg/lebos-soweto-backpackersnew-year-camp_10874e. You can also