YEAR IN REVIEW 2023: CULTURE AND COMMUNITY
There was an impressive turnout for the Kenton Child Welfare Fun Run on Sunday December 18, which was once again sponsored by Pam Golding Properties Kenton-on-Sea.
A solid cohort of volunteers ensured everything ran smoothly.
Mama Madosini, the iconic Xhosa bow performer, sadly passed away. Madosini (mother of the Dosini clan), played instruments such as the uhadi
(gourd resonated bow), the umrhubhe (mouth resonated bow), as well as the isitolotolo
(jaw harp) to promote Xhosa music, culture and heritage.
Children from the Kenton Talent Monitoring Club filled 20 refuse bags with festive season litter from the banks of the Kariega River. Afterwards, on a safari, they learnt about the importance of wildlife protected areas.
The first Farmers’ Market of the year was buzzing with residents who came to enjoy a variety of offerings at the Medolino Caravan Park on Saturday, January 28.
Market goers were treated to a variety of stalls with all sorts of homemade items.
February
The Ecawe Music Festival, organised by Siyabulela Madyo, saw a crowd of about 8,000 enjoy performances by 11 artists and 12 DJs.
Madyo hailed the event a success, saying it created temporary jobs, boosted local accommodation establishments and gave local artists an opportunity to share a platform with nationally-renowned musicians.
Ghetto Rise Riders’ (GRR) members handed over 19 boxes of sanitary towels to six schools in Ndlambe for their first round of donations on February 13.
The club was formed in 2020 by a group of automotive enthusiasts who share their ideas to improve their vehicles’ performance and promote responsible driving. GRR currently has 40 members.
After the tragic drowning of
four children at Middle Beach in Kenton on New Year’s Day, the club’s members rallied to support the family of the late Asive Nelo.
March
At the grand opening of the Persian Carpet Gallery in
Bathurst, owner Ahmed Ravat gave an informative and entertaining talk about his carpets’ origins.
The Bushman’s River community rallied together to raise funds for Lee Luck to have cataract removal surgery.
This was done through a fundraising bingo evening hosted by Bushman’s Bar & Grill (BBG’s) in Kenton-on-Sea.
About 17 choirs and ensembles took part in Masicule this year, with singers coming from nine state, public, and independent schools as well as Rhodes University and East Cape Midlands College. They delivered a stellar performance, starting with the singers leading into the Guy Butler Theatres, singing Yele Yele Masicule.
The third annual Great Kenton Wine Festival was held at Kenton’s bowls, tennis and Diaz Deep Sea clubs and attracted winemakers from all over SA and a steady stream of tasting ticket holders.
Kenton businesses and accommodation providers were thrilled with the “extra season” that the Festival brought to the seaside town.
April
The caring Port Alfred community rallied behind a crowd-funding initiative for Laurette Fourie who was in a head-on collision on the R72.
She sustained serious injuries and was admitted to Livingstone Hospital in Gqeberha. The popular hairdresser works at Icon Hair in Rosehill Mall and has no medical insurance.
The Artists on the Verandah “working exhibition” monthly event was held at Bushman’s River Mouth. Organiser Adri Moller said Diane Erasmus ran the workshops.