Female DJ Lucy Lu, famously known in the entertainment circles, is making impressive moves in the industry. It is also noteworthy to hear that a DJ of her calibre is interested in giving back to the community.

Born Lusanda Palesa Nzama, Lucy Lu hails from Sobantu in Pietermaritzburg. From humble beginnings, she forged her way into the music industry in the City of Choice as a “groovist” at first, then progressed to being a DJ. She has always been a house music fanatic but connected more with Afro House and Afro Tech. In 2020, before the COVID Level 5 Lockdown, her passion for music prompted her to ask two local DJs in her community (DJ Yaandah and Lummy) to teach her how to DJ.

A prominent DJ, locally, Lucy Lu has entertained guests at numerous events hosted by local promoters, event organisers and big festivals in the city and beyond, specializing in mixing and blending tracks to create a seamless and dynamic flow of music. These include Anywhere In Your City which was hosted in Durban by DJ Merlon and Enoo Napa, Last Dance Music Experience, Duzi Live events, and other events hosted by the notorious Spike Notion, uMgungundlovu Music Festival, All Varsities Social Picnic, Midlands Winter Xperience and other monthly events in the city. She has also played at numerous establishments locally such as Cubana Maritzburg, Sprytz Premium Lounge, Ora Restobar, Rotunda Beach Restaurant and Bar, and other local entertainment venues around the city. She has played at Luma Sunsets, The Villa, Newscafe, Lime Rooftop, and Empire Café in Durban. This versatile DJ has also been booked for corporate events hosted by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Arts and Culture and Umgeni Water.

“I did not think my journey would take off so quickly, playing in the biggest festivals in my hometown and Durban. I work very hard, but honestly, I feel like everything is just falling into place so easily because my time to shine has come. I prepared and positioned myself well before I even became a DJ, building good relations with people in the industry. It is making my life so much easier right now. My goal is to see myself on international stages, flying the Pietermaritzburg flag”.

Beyond her musical talent, Lucy Lu has a registered NPO called Ubuntu eSobantu Community Initiative which was founded in 2015. The officially registered NPO collaborates with other graduates in her community to achieve the objectives of the NPO, which include empowerment and development programmes aimed at the youth of Sobantu. As a graduate herself, Lucy Lu has a strong focus on the Career Guidance Talk programme as the NPO’s focus is education.

Lusanda is very passionate when it comes to education. Her strong leadership has produced so many successful educational initiatives that the NPO strikes to achieve. She is determined, innovative and takes interest in seeing the youth in our community obtain better education and other opportunities - Sinegugu Khumalo

Currently, Lucy Lu entertains where she is booked at, including FameUs Brands events which is Dogg Dbn’s company. She is also a resident DJ for the Beach Experience at Rotunda Beach Restaurant and Bar in Cedara. She has recently bagged a partnership with FCR Fleet Solutions which acts as her official driving partner and ensures she gets to and from events safely. She is hopeful her brand will attract more companies that she can work with in future to further elevate her brand as well as local brands. Lucy Lu also bagged a residency on Gagasi Fm for the month of August. Her mixes will be played every Friday at 17:05pm. She has released her first Single titled Mam’ncane featuring Afro wizards and Section 5, which is available on digital stores. She is also working on her EP which will be released before the end of the year.

You can find LucyLu on her social media pages,
Facebook – LucyLu
Instagram - @lucy_lu_
Tik Tok - @lucylu805
For bookings: 084 534 1608 / 071 614 7951 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Photo credit:  Da Brian Photography

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Dreams and Dust is a new history of South Africa, covering the 58 short-lived republics that have existed here since 1795 – plus an additional equally-fascinating 20 fictional ones (Bapetikosweti, Fook, Wakanda and others.) The book is 629 pages and includes many arresting images and 69 seldom-seen historical maps.

 

The author, Alex Stone (Top image), has spent half his life in South Africa before moving to Waiheke Island in New Zealand. For his creative writing, Stone has either won, been runner-up or short-listed in nine New Zealand literary awards, and one international award for memoir.

 

“I can’t think of anything remotely comparable to this in South African historico-literary works – in subject conception and in its approach to subject matter, it really is a unique volume, fresh and strikingly idiosyncratic in its handling of subject matter.

 

Bill Nasson, Emeritus Professor of History, Stellenbosch University, writes:
“Alex Stone is a highly accomplished writer, with a prose fluency, an eye for freakish detail and an ability to compress things which mark him out as a gifted stylist. His Dreams and Dust introduction tells you what to expect, makes what that is look tantalising, and reels you in. This is imaginative historical writing with a light and lively touch, while not dodging topics that are emotive and powerful.”

 

Also launching at The Knoll in Hilton on 15 August is Taken, due out in July this year from UK-based Vanguard Press, is a unique novel written in the first-person voices of three Indian elephants. Their stories are relayed by an African elephant living in a retirement home for circus performers in contemporary Kentucky, USA.

 

Taken is the debut novel of Alex Stone, who spent half his life in South Africa before moving to Waiheke Island in New Zealand. For his creative writing Stone has either won, been runner-up or short-listed in nine New Zealand literary awards, and one international award for memoir (see full credits below).

 

Taken was completed under a mentorship scheme of the New Zealand Society of Authors. Stone worked with Elizabeth Smither, novelist and former Poet Laureate of New Zealand.

Smither says that “Philosophical discourse is one of the charms of Taken. Philosophising is almost made for elephants, being part of their characters, a strategy for survival in difficult situations. Alex is the master of this, the supreme mahout.

 

“I couldn’t help smiling to myself at the clever ending. Not in ‘closure’, as we think of it – but in the opening out into a broad and accommodating philosophy which gathers all the threads together.”

 

Smither says of Stone’s short stories: “He is a writer of striking originality with qualities of daring and humour that are rare. Like Lloyd Jones, Alex has the ability to create a landscape so vivid the reader feels he is walking down a dusty road or in the hold of a ship.”

 

Lloyd Jones, author of Mr Pip and Winner of the Commonwealth Writers’ Award, added: “There is energy and confidence on every page. The way you inhabit your lines is remarkable.”

 

Gareth Patterson, author of The Secret Elephants, said of Taken: “Absorbing and lyrical, and poignant in the elephants’ message. Like Heathcote Williams’ Sacred Elephant before it, Taken deserves a wide readership.”

 

Stone says he has written this book mostly to build a fictional world where the animals’ voices are pre-eminent. And so, hopefully, to afford us humans some humility.

 

“Wildlife across the globe is at a dangerous tipping-point. Even elephants – and especially the often- overlooked Indian elephants – are endangered in the wild.

 

“The eons-old relationship between elephants and humans can be a powerful vector to carry the story of inter-species communication and mutual respect, which will lead to a better world for all our futures. The voices of these magnificent animals need to be heard, as ambassadors for all wild animals.”

 

Each of the main elephant characters has an especially close relationship with a singular human.

 

For Biligiri, in Abyssinia in 1868, that person is a larger-than-life New Zealander Captain Tristram Charles Sawyer Speedy, aka Basha Felika, a real historical figure. Biligiri calls him “a gale of a man.” Apart from English, Te Reo and Elephant, Speedy is also fluent in Amharic. This is why he is guiding the expeditionary force into the highlands of Abyssinia, to rescue hostages held by the mad temperamental Emperor Tewodros II.

 

Tant-Meisie, who is touring South Africa with the Boswell-Wilkie Circus meets significant personalities from 1960’s South Africa – and a past-midnight family of secretive Knysna elephants while camped outside the town there.

 

Unusually for a novel, Taken includes a bibliography of important and intriguing additional reading – on elephants, the human-animal relationship, and the psychic and emotional lives of animals.

 

 

From Tessa Duder CNZM OBE, author of the Alex quartet, winner of the Storylines Margaret Mahy Medal: “I was greatly impressed by ‘Taken’; an accomplished and poignant story. 

Here is a writer of considerable potential, should he decide to write longer fiction.”

 

From Bruce Ansley, author of A long Slow Affair of the Heart, A Fabled Land, and Coast: A New Zealand Journey, winner Best Illustrated Non-fiction Book at the New Zealand Post Book Awards: “It is intriguing, beautifully crafted, moving and poetic. It brings the knowing eye of elephants to bear on the reader, creating the feeling of injustice I always have when I’m close to them. It’s a parable of imperialism. For all these reasons and more, I loved it.”

From Stephen Stratford, NZ literary editor: “The elephants’ voice works very well. This is hard to pull off but you did a great job of the African voice.”

Taken will be available in bookshops from July 2023.

 

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Security Tips
• Don’t provide cover for would be criminals (cut back foliage). Deter criminals from targeting your house by ensuring you cut back trees and bushes. Investigate installing movement sensor lights and report broken streetlights.
• Clear foliage away from your PIR beams. Excessive foliage and pot plants placed in front of external PIR beams will not only result in possible false alarms, but also render them useless in detecting criminal’s approaching your house. If you have invested in these external PIR beams, please ensure that they remain unobscured.

Keyholder Information
Please update your residential and business key holder information regularly so that the KSS Control Room always has updated information, as well as accurate opening and closing times. Please call the KSS Control Room on 033 330 5911 and one of our controllers will assist you.

Technical Advice
• Do you have an electric fence and would like it monitored so that early warning activations can be responded to? KSS can do this for you.
• Would you like CCTV cameras installed that also trigger an intruder alert? KSS can do this for you.
• Do you need a gate installation done or your current electric gate linked to your alarm system? KSS can do this for you.

Between interest rate hikes, load shedding, and record-cold temperatures, South Africans deserve a holiday. Unfortunately, for most of the population, the rising cost of living doesn’t allow for much flexibility when trying to achieve a work-life balance. Enter the workation – a way to break the monotonous cycle of work, by turning any location, anywhere in the world, into your home office. For those wanting to live a balanced life of business and pleasure, teaching English abroad presents an ideal option.

“People are determined to live a more fulfilling life, that doesn’t only consist of work and sleep – and Gen Zs are leading the charge. Their desire to maintain healthy boundaries between dedication to work, and wholesome hobbies, has snowballed into other age groups, but achieving the balance can seem difficult. This is what makes a workation so desirable. Teaching English abroad allows people of all ages to earn a solid income, while still enjoying the good life,” says Rhyan O’Sullivan, Managing Director at The TEFL Academy, South Africa’s leading TEFL qualification provider.

With over 1.5-billion people learning English globally, teachers are in high demand. Many top teaching locations are also holiday hot spots, like Spain and Thailand – a convenient coincidence for those wanting to enjoy a workation. It can take as little as four weeks to complete the qualification, meaning in a few short months, qualified teachers could be on their way to their destination of choice.

“TEFL also offers the flexibility of teaching online. This is the ideal option for those set on travelling the world, without completely clearing their bank balance. As long as you have a stable internet connection, and can make all your teaching hours, you can teach all your classes while island hopping in the Mediterranean,” says O’Sullivan.

For those still in the early years of their career, teaching abroad offers a great opportunity to gain some life experience, and transferrable skills for the working world, while earning a decent salary. TEFL-qualified teachers can earn up to R560 per hour, depending on their teaching post – a significantly higher rate than many entry-level jobs in South Africa.

“Whether you move to another country to teach in person, or decide to travel across Asia while teaching online, you are coming away with valuable skills of time management, interpersonal capabilities, and self-sufficiency – all while experiencing the perks of an overseas holiday,” says O’Sullivan.

Offering accessible and cost-effective ways to get TEFL-qualified, The TEFL Academy provides internationally accredited and regulated online courses. The company hosts a jobs board on their website, with over 1 500 international teaching opportunities for potential teachers to pursue, across a number of countries. For more information, visit www.theteflacademy.com/za/.

Maritzburg SPAR Women’s 10/5km Challenge - Each entry supports Race Charity – CHOC House in Pietermaritzburg
The Oval: Sunday 20 August

CHOC House in Pietermaritzburg will be the official charity for the Maritzburg SPAR Women’s 10/5km Challenge next month.

Five rand from each entry will be donated to CHOC House, a non-profit organisation that advocates for the health and well-being of children and teenagers diagnosed with cancer or life-threatening blood disorders and their families.

At any one time, CHOC South Africa can have over 1,500 children and teenagers in their care, the passionate and dedicated staff and volunteers of CHOC aim to save lives through early detection and comprehensive support programmes for the families affected by cancer. (CHOC) Childhood Cancer Foundation SA started in 1977, and offers psychosocial, emotional and practical support to these courageous children, teenagers and their families.

CHOC House in Pietermaritzburg relies on donations to continue their life changing and important work, and SPAR KZN is honoured to be making a contribution to support this invaluable charity.

Interested participants are invited to enter online. If you are entering as a group of 10 or more people, you can simply do so as a bulk entry. This can be done electronically on our challenge’s website and closes on Monday, 31 July. Your team co-ordinator will be sent details on how to collect your race packs closer to the time.

For all the race information and to enter online visit www.sparwomensrace.co.za/maritzburg. Online entries for individuals close on Friday 11 August.

For more information like the SPAR Women’s Race KZN Facebook page (SPARWomens10and5kmRace) or follow on Instagram (sparwomenskzn) or Twitter (sparladiesrace).

Together we can make a difference! Ready to tackle the Maritzburg SPAR Women’s 10/5km Challenge that takes place on Sunday 20 August around The Oval Cricket Stadium are keen athletes together with the Official Race Charity representatives from Choc House in Pietermaritzburg. Pictured at the race venue’s finish area are Emma Lycett, Zanele Myeza (Choc House PMB), Levern Rothwell, Aphumelele Shezi, Anele Phungula (Choc House PMB), Nikiwe Mnguni, Cleo Sosibo (Choc House PMB), Leah Edwards (Kearsney Striders) and Pauline Rainbird.

Photo by Rogan Ward

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Rebecca Meder provided the highlight for the South African team on the opening day of the swimming competition at the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan on Sunday.

The 20-year-old stormed to a new South African record in the 200m individual medley heats, taking almost half a second off the previous mark she set at the SA Swimming Championships in Gqeberha in April by finishing in 2:10.95.

That saw Meder (Top image) qualifying 11th fastest for the evening semifinals where she swam slightly slower, finishing in sixth place in 2:11.16 to just miss out on the final by two places.

“I was very, very happy with my swim this morning,” said Meder. “Coming in I just had to stay relaxed and stay focused. I’ve done the work but wasn’t expecting to go that time this morning.

“I didn’t underestimate that I had that time in me but to do it in the heats swim this morning was a big surprise and I landed up touching the wall and actually getting quite emotional seeing that time. It didn’t feel that fast but everything kind of fell into place and to break my SA record by just under half a second was a huge barrier for me and getting that 2:10 mark is amazing,” she added.

“You’re up against the world’s best and I have to remind myself that I’m at that calibre too so I just focused on my own swim. I knew my butterfly would be strong. I focused on my backstroke, I was very surprised at how strong my breaststroke was and then to come home on that freestyle, I just put my head down. It’s a dogfight to the end but being in the same heat as multiple Olympic champions over the years, I always find a big blessing and I am super grateful to be in this space of competing.”

As for her evening swim, Meder added: “To do a back-to-back swim like that and to do a 2:11.1 – I know it doesn’t count because I broke the SA record before… but it’s the second fastest time I’ve ever swum in the 200IM, I can’t look at it and be upset and to come 10th in the world again is incredible for me. It’s all looking good for Paris 2024.”

The Durban swimmer will compete again in the 400m individual medley and the 4x100m freestyle mixed relay.

Meanwhile, 19-year-old Trinity Hearne swam her way to a personal best time in the 100m butterfly. The Cape Town swimmer won her heat in a time of 1:00.27 but was 29th overall, so missed out on a semifinal place.

Hearne was back in action with the SA x100m freestyle relay team along with Aimee Canny, Emma Chelius and Milla Drakopoulos, finishing 17th overall in the heats in a time of 3:45.54.

Other South Africans in action were Michael Houlie, who finished 30th overall in the 100m breaststroke heats in 1:01.58 and 43-year-old veteran Roland Schoeman who finished 44th overall in the 50m butterfly in a time of 24.02, some way off the SA and African record of 22.90 he set at the World Championships in Rome 14 years ago.

Swimming action continues on Monday morning with both Tatjana Schoenmaker and Lara van Niekerk kicking off their World Championships campaigns in the 100m breaststroke heats.

Photo by Anton Geyser

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The Midlands did not need another brokerage claiming they are property experts, it deserved a refreshing approach, it called for something beyond the ordinary – a touch of innovation, a dose of insight, and a push beyond traditional boundaries. At Reallist we are not just a run-of-the-mill agency, we strive to deliver a fresh and exhilarating perspective to the industry.

Why Choose us?
Because we offer a tailor-made package, an in-house Real Estate solution that delivers turn-key offerings. Our team comprises seasoned specialists with decades of experience and an unparalleled knowledge of property sales, trends and property developments.

Our comprehensive services include;

Sales & Leasing | Property Management | Project Management | Development Marketing

Our shining achievement? We are the co-authors of the pioneering estate living concept, Mount Verde, in Hilton, where residential living harmoniously integrates with agricultural practices and farm life. As Exclusive in-house agents for Mount Verde, we take immense pride in this distinct accomplishment.

“Buy land, they’re not making it anymore.” – Mark Twain

Make your move, we are ready and waiting for your call...

www.reallist.co.za

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The Village, Mount Verde Ave, Mount Verde Estate, Hilton, 3245

Lara van Niekerk missed out on earning a medal at the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan by just five hundredths of a second on Sunday as the swimming action came to an end.

The 20-year-old suffered another bad start in her 50m breaststroke final, the slowest of the field, and was playing catch-up for the entire length of the pool.

She did well to claw her way back into contention but eventually had to settle for fourth spot after finishing in a time of 30.09 seconds.

Out in front, Rūta Meilutytė stormed to a new world record of 29.16 seconds, adding the 50m title to the 100m breaststroke gold she won earlier in the week. The Lithuanian had given a hint of things to come when she equalled the world record in her semifinal on Saturday.

American Lilly King took the silver in a time of 29.94 and Italy’s former world record holder Benedetta Pilato the bronze in 30.04.

Speaking after the final, Van Niekerk’s coach Eugene da Ponte said: “The race didn’t quite go as planned. Again the start was a bit of an issue but the swimming was actually really good.

The closing speed in the last 25m was top class but she just ran out of space.

“Still, overall, fourth place in the world – we can’t complain too much. I think it was a good race and a good comeback from the big problem with the start in the heats and I think that maybe would have been playing on her mind a little bit still as well,” he added.

“So overall, we’re not too upset with the result. Still fourth in the world and we’re looking forward to Paris next year now.”

Van Niekerk was South Africa’s only medallist at last year’s World Championships in Budapest after claiming bronze in the 50m breaststroke. On that occasion, she swam 29.77 seconds in the heats and 29.90 in the final before heading to the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham where she claimed double gold – in the 50 and 100m breaststroke.

Back in Fukuoka, earlier in the day, Rebecca Meder was the only other swimmer in action. Having set a new South African record in the 200m individual medley at the start of the championships, the 20-year-old swam a new personal best time of 4:45.68 in the 400m individual medley to finish 21st overall.

Pictured top: Lara van Niekerk

Photo credit: World Aquatics

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Point Yacht Club - ILCA / Laser Nationals
Offshore Durban: 10 – 12 August

Dinghy sailors from around South Africa will be heading to the warm waters of Durban to compete in the ILCA / Laser Nationals hosted by Point Yacht Club, where racing will take place offshore from 10 – 12 August.

Three days of highly competitive sailing gets underway for the one class dinghy design. The ILCA or Laser, is one of the Olympic Sailing Classes, with only one sailor and one sail onboard. Three classes of Lasers will be launching from the Point Yacht Club’s beach site, the ILCA 7 or Standard Laser, the ILCA 6 or Radial Laser and the ILCA 4 which is the smaller 4.7 Laser mostly sailed by upcoming youth sailors.

At the Nationals this year, a strong contingent of youth will be competing, with Henley Midmar and Zululand Yacht Clubs contributing to these numbers. The majority of the fleet will be travelling down from the Vaal Dam, joining top class sailors from around the country who have entered.

Making a welcome return is world class Laser sailor, Rudy McNeill who has relocated back to his sailing playground. McNeill has won the trophy three times and campaigned many times at the World Championships where he has lined up against the best Laser racers on the globe. Two Cape Townians who will be pushing McNeill hard around the race track are previous class winners, Alistair Keytel and Kai Leslie.

An exciting youngster to watch is Chiara Fruet from Cape Town. Fruet has spent a patch of the European summer competing in some large regattas, soaking up as much experience as possible. Fruet participated in one of the most renowned sailing events in Germany, Kiel Week then made her way to Italy for some training events. The 19 year old competed in the epic Nastro Rosa Tour which is a multi-disciplinary regatta that tours around Italy, stopping at a variety of Italian ports. She is back in South Africa and will be keen to test her new skills on local waters.

Included in the line up is an international entry from Tanzania, the Dar es Salaam Yacht Club is sending one of their national sailors who has honed his skills offshore in the bay of Dar es Salaam. The budding sailor will be keen to get some international exposure under his belt, sailing in one of the best offshore venues in the world.

Two of the classes will be up for grabs as the defending champions unfortunately won’t be competing, so the ILCA 7 and ILCA 4 classes will see new names being engraved on the trophies. The middle class, the ILCA 6 might also have a new champion too as inland yachtie, Keagen Nel is keeping his options open as to what class he will be competing in, waiting to see what the conditions will be like to suit his talents.

Race Officer is an in-demand Kevin Bingham, who recently oversaw the MSC Week in July. Bingham will have the option of setting two race courses for the pint-sized yachts – either a windward leeward course, affectionately called a sausage course, with boats needing to do two laps around the two marks. The second track is a sausage triangle course, with the Lasers needing to do one lap of each pattern.

With Durban usually dishing up glorious sailing conditions over winter, the fleet will be required to complete at least four races to constitute a regatta and no more than 12 races in total, can be sailed. The first day of sailing will have a late start, with the first signal going off at 10.55am. The following two days will see an earlier start, if the wind starts to fill in early, with Bingham allowed to get the fleet underway from 9.30am. Each class will have their own individual starts.

Hoping for golden conditions off the golden mile, a decent cluster of Laser sailors will be going for gold in the upcoming ILCA Nationals, being hosted by the Point Yacht Club.

For more info visit the regatta’s website - ILCA Nationals SA 2023 or the Laser South Africa Facebook group.

“We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master.” —Ernest Hemingway

Above: Mastering their skills. Durban’s emerging sailors are pictured in the build up to the Laser Nationals hosted by Point Yacht Club. Youngsters Khulekani Sibambo (New Germany), Jessica Curtiss (Botha’s Hill) and Shamir Rampersadh (Seaview) sneak some time out away from their books to prepare for the major offshore sailing event taking place in the bay of Durban from 10 – 12 August. Sibambo and Rampersadh are both studying Nautical Sciences through DUT while Curtiss is a Mechanical Engineering student at UKZN. All three share a huge passion for the wind powered sport of yachting, having just raced in the MSC Week and now counting down the days until the upcoming nationals.

Pic by Val Adamson

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Chocolate Sensations Hilton’s handcrafted Belgian chocolates are great additions to so many occasions! These Handcrafted Deluxe Belgian Chocolates produced in Hilton.

WOMEN'S DAY OFFER Less 10% for pack of 12 items

Valid until end AUGUST 2023

Mini Belgian Chocolate bars, - assorted fillings @ R8 each.
Large Chocolate flowers and Insects - assorted fillings @ R7 each
Chocolate Spoons @ R10 each

Orders should be placed 2 days in advance with Gwynne on cell 071 6848 026 whatsapp or sms OR
https://www.instagram.com/chocsensehilton

Tatjana Schoenmaker cruised into her second World Aquatics Championships final in Fukuoka, Japan, comfortably winning her 200m breaststroke semifinal in 2:21.31 to progress to Friday’s final as the quickest of the pack.

 

The 26-year-old Olympic champion and former world record-holder in the event dominated from the start, reaching each of the turns in first place ahead of American Lilly King who was second in 2:22.68.

 

The other semifinal was won by Dutch swimmer Tes Schouten in a time of 2:21.71

 

In the earlier heats, Schoenmaker swam 2:22.92 to easily win her heat and qualify second fastest for the semifinals.

 

Earlier in the day, Aimee Canny swam a personal best time in the 100m freestyle, reaching the wall in 54.60 seconds to finish sixth in her heat. That saw the 19-year-old through to the evening semifinals where she finished eighth in 54.87 seconds, so missing out on a spot in the final.

 

“I was very happy with the race in this morning’s heats,” said Canny. “I was coming off a pretty disappointing 200m [freestyle] so I was just happy to make the semis.”

 

Canny’s time of 54.60 edged her closer to the South African and African record of 54.23 that Erin Gallagher set at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

 

“I definitely have my eyes set on that record, hopefully in the near future,” reckoned Canny. “I just need to really put my head down and focus and get a really good training block in ahead of this Olympic cycle and give it my all.

 

“But overall I’m very happy with the race, new experiences, and there’s just so much more to come.”

 

Swimming action continues on Friday in Fukuoka with 43-year-old Roland Schoeman scheduled to be back in the pool in the 50m freestyle heats while Schoenmaker’s 200m breaststroke final will be contested in the evening session.

 

Photo credit: World Aquatics

 

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On the 15 of July 2023 two Drakondale learners took part in the SADF KZN Super Series. This is an annual dance competition open to all dancers with a variety of genres to compete in.

Zoë Lecordier and Samkelo Duma danced a total of seven dances: Salsa, Bhangra, Hip Hop, Slow style, Contemporary Dance, Jazz, and Latin (Jive, Cha- Cha and Rumba).

These grade 11 learners made us immensely proud by achieving seven first positions each. Competing at their relevant levels against other dancers from as far as the Western Cape and Lesotho, these two D’Arties secured fourteen gold medals.

Congratulations to Zoë and Samkelo, true Drakondale ambassadors who align their endeavours with our school values of Growth, Confidence and Excellence.

Pictured below Left to Right: Zoë Lecordier, Velaphi Mabiletsa (Head of the Development Faculty for SADF) and Samkelo Duma.

More from Drakondale School of the Arts

MiTH 02 August 2023

INFO: 082 331 7271

ENTRANCE: R50.00 - Cash or Zapper at the Door

VENUE: The Knoll Historic Guest Farm


7pm: Howick High

Grace Botha directs and accompanies the Howick High School choir and on the 2nd of August, several of her protégés will honour us with solo performances of some popular numbers. This is not to be missed!

From Grade 8, Lukhona Dlamini, and Ella Driemeyer will each be doing vocal performances. Grade 10s, Nokwanda Mnikathi and Khanya Ikaneng will be teaming up to display their vocal talents, and Tiya Sasha Naicker’s vocals will be accompanied on piano by Thando Mashiyana. Remy Rose McMahon, Grade 12, will be performing an original song on vocals and guitar.

MiTH is very proud to be a part of fostering young music talent in the Midlands!


7.45pm: Skippy Kubheka

Skippy Kubheka is a local musician from Hilton who has been performing since 2014. He’s been seen performing with out-of-this-world musicians, like bass with Mali Zulu, and drums for Matt Gardiner. He’s the current front-person for the MMM…Band, and has been known to appear in an occasional collaboration or two.
But this time around, he’s about to do something rare; something that hasn’t been done in quite some time… He will be performing a solo act for the first time at MiTH in years. It’s gonna rock!


8.45pm: The Lion, The Bear & The Panther

You might be asking yourselves, what is up with all these animals? Well, to start off with, Ross (aka The Lion), Ruben (aka The Bear) and Brendon (aka The Panther) were once in a band called Avade. From 2013 until 2017 the guys toured extensively across South Africa and released an eponymously titled album.

After exhausting themselves from touring like mad men and not sleeping for 4 years, they decided to take a few months off and come back with some new ideas. Fast forward to 2018 and the band came back with fresh ideas and with a new identity. Thus, The Lion & The Bear was born. An acoustic-centric duo featuring The Lion on guitar and vocals, and The Bear on bass guitar, kick drum, and backing vocals.

For the last 4 years, the duo has performed regularly at several of KwaZulu-Natal’s finest restaurants, bars and clubs as well as private parties, weddings and corporate functions. The duo is the perfect solution for venues or events that want energetic, fun music without blowing the roof off with volume. A combination of soulful covers and catchy originals is what’s on the set-list each night.

So now, you ask, what of The Panther? Well, here’s the clever bit: They record as a three-piece electric band with The Panther on drums. It sounds amazing; so amazing that they use the power-trio format for bigger shows where volume and power are not hindrances, but necessities.

Their latest single “Street Fight” is out now and available from all major online music stores, with the accompanying video on YouTube. For 2023, they have a full schedule of upcoming shows and are constantly working on new material. Follow them on their socials (@lionbearband) and join them for what promises to be a rocking evening at MiTH on 2 August!

ABOUT MiTH: Arguably the KZN Midlands’ best-loved music venue, Music in The Hills (MiTH) is an opportunity for beginners, professionals, and passionate music fans to share the joy of music at The Knoll Historic Guest Farm. Visit www.mith.co.za for more details and directions. Musicians can contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for slots.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: MiTH takes place every second Wednesday at The Knoll Historic Guest Farm, Knoll Drive, Hilton. Doors open at 6pm and the music will kick off at 7pm. Entrance is R50 at the door. Food and soft drinks are available for sale. A cash bar is available.

DIRECTIONS TO MiTH: Take the N3 to Hilton, take the Hilton turnoff and go South into the Village (away from Hilton College). Travel 5,2km along Hilton Avenue (past two sets of traffic lights and Crossways Pub) and keep going straight as Hilton Avenue turns into Dennis Shepstone Drive. At the 5,2km mark, Knoll Drive will be on your right – the entrance to MiTH is the *second* entrance on your left into The Knoll Historic Guest Farm.

Fort Nottingham Highland Gathering - Fort Nottingham Museum and surrounds - Public Holiday, Wed 9 August 2023

The calm quiet of sleepy hamlet, the beautiful Fort Nottingham, will be awoken to the distinctive sounds of bagpipes, drums, marching bands and all things Scottish, as the annual Fort Nottingham Highland Gathering joyously returns to the KZN Midlands – this time on Women’s Day holiday, Wed 9 August.

Inspired by the world famous Braemar Gathering, the Fort Nottingham Highland Gathering is typically a day of nostalgia, heritage and ancient tradition. All the rousing spectacle, athletic prowess and hauntingly beautiful music will be celebrated in abundance, with a contemporary family-friendly local twist. And being Women’s Day – there will be a special focus on women participants.

The core focus is as always the various Highland Games showcasing brute strength and stamina: tossing the caber; tug-o’-war, walk the weight, the kilted mile; hammer throw; weight over the bar and stone put.

This year, the public are welcome to join in the Kilted Mile taking place at 10.30am – a mixed terrain run literally up a hill (and down again) for one mile. The wearing of kilts is encouraged, but not compulsory! Runners can sign up on the day to join in. Numbers are limited, and tickets cost R100 to participate in the race, with all monies raised going to support local charities. The first 40 home in all categories receive a medal. The route is strewn with rocks, so sturdy shoes are essential!

The competitive athleticism is complemented by the grace and precision of Celtic dancing, pipe bands… and of course, the rousing bag pipes. In attendance will be the Pietermaritzburg and the Durban Caledonian Society pipe bands. Each band will do a stage show and a field marching display, and they will perform as a massed band for the opening ceremony.

The fabulous Dundee Die Hards battle re-enactment group, will show off their marching and performing prowess; there will be a sword fighting display and a troupe of “dancing dogs” will be pirouetting in unified precision! Guests are invited to get into the spirit of the occasion by wearing tartan, eating shortbread and sampling whisky! There will be a cigar bar, and formal whisky tastings during the day.

Craft beers and artisanal spirits provided by Thistle Midlands Bar Services who will be stocking a fabulous range of craft beers from Nottingham Road Brewing Co as well as Lions River Brewery. They will have delicious raspberry G&T on tap, as well as a range of whiskies and other drinks.

This year’s event will again feature a range of stalls of locally-sourced market wares and Midlands based merchandise; food and beverage stalls; field demos, dog events and children’s activities. The Denis Hurley Centre Street Lit books will be selling pre-read fiction and reference books – many with a Celtic / Scottish theme; and children can get up close to look at a working fire engine which will be on the field, alongside the vintage and classic cars which will be on display, and on parade.

Well-behaved dogs on a leash are welcome.
Bring picnic blankets, sun hats, warm clothing and fold up chairs.
For updated info - Visit: Facebook: Fortnottinghamgames / Instagram: Fortnottinghamgames
Prebook your tickets on Quicket.

Supplied.