THE Parks, Recreation and Culture (PRC) Department launched the start of the 7th PRC Month at Silverglen Nature Reserve last week.
Speaking at the launch, Head of the PRC Unit Thembinkosi Ngcobo, said that there was something for everyone as the programmes for the PRC Month were chosen to cater for the city’s diverse cultures, and emphasise the importance of traditions and cultures, bringing communities together, while ensuring social cohesion and building cohesive communities.
“This is a big unit and people tend to get the false impression that all it does is grass cutting, which is only one per cent of the job. During this month, will have activities which include different departments and we aim to celebrate our achievements and mobilise people to have civic spirit,” he said.
The programme kicked off on Tuesday, 10 September with a Public Art in Public Spaces Seminar aimed at dealing with the role of art in public spaces.
On Wednesday, 11 September the focus shifted to urban conservation and animal management as the municipality has recently proclaimed 10 nature reserves which are expected to help contribute towards securing the city’s biodiversity. The municipality has begun fencing all proclaimed municipal nature reserves to help protect against land invasions. Animals such as impala and zebra will be introduced to restore the natural environment and help ensure proper grassland management.
Urban Forestry also took centre stage as researchers and captains of industry gathered at Westville Civic Centre to deliberate and to find solutions to challenges facing the city’s urban forests. At the weekend, 3 000 women from across racial groups will gather on the beachfront on 15 September for the 10th Durban Beach Sari Stroll which is aimed at celebrating the beauty of the Sari.
ALSO READ: Partnership to deal with parks issues
Other events during the month included the eThekwini Ndongeni Marathon on 22 September from Gugu Dlamini Park, through historical sites in the city, ending at the Cato Manor Museum. He said King Goodwill Zwelithini would also give a lecture about his mother who is buried near the museum.
“Included in celebrations will be Amahubo, which are songs performed after historical events, which will bring together people of all races to encourage unity. Afro Asian Diamonds, a talk about the national heritage of the city, will be at the ICC and Indian and African professionals will gather to discuss how they can take ownership and protect their national heritage. This will be followed by an international ocean clean-up,” he said.
Other events include the launch of a book written by a woman who was part of a secret society in Johannesburg. She penned the book after leaving the group.
“We will invite women from the ages of 18 to 35 to this launch where they will be told of the dangers in society,” he said.
On Heritage Day, 24 September, there will be music on the beachfront, and Mitchell Park will host an event to celebrate Admiral the Tortoise’s 109th birthday.
To find out more about the events, visit www.durban.gov.za.
Do you want to receive news alerts via Telegram? Send us a message (not an sms) with your name and surname to 060 532 5535.
You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Berea Mail Telegram number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts
Here’s where you can download Telegram on Android or Apple.
To receive our free newsletter click here.
