Aweh! Find out what’s happening in Durban and surrounds this weekend
There are so many ways to support the community this weekend – and having fun while doing it!
WHETHER you’re longing for some good music to listen to, want to go on a frog hunt, or wish to connect with the Divine Feminine, there are great opportunities for you this weekend. Plus many more! Our Aweh! Halloween Edition is also available for those who wish to spend their weekend on the creepy side of things. Find it here: Aweh! Halloween Edition.
Friday, October 27
Watch a Tafta fashion show and eat buffet-style
Don’t miss the spectacular Sapphire Soirée on Friday, October 27, for the grand culmination of the celebration of Tafta’s 65th Anniversary year. You’ll be treated to a unique fashion show with Jane Linley-Thomas and the ReJoyce Collection, a buffet-style dinner and dancing. It’s all happening from 17:30 at the Durban Jewish Club, and tickets are R500 per person. Details: tafta.org.za
Saturday, October 28
Help eradicate animal cruelty
Phoenix Animal Care and Treatment (PACT) is hosting their third Kennel Challenge at The Crescent shopping mall in uMhlanga this Saturday, October 28, starting at 08:00.
The event was initiated in 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, when fundraising opportunities were at an all-time low. The first event was held at volunteers’ homes where they were chained to trees and kennels and confined to their rooms. Some went 12 hours with no food or water, but everyone represented the plight of chained animals and described it in detail.
The founder of PACT, Neeri Naidoo, said the Kennel Challenge is more than just a fundraiser but a means to create awareness of the plight of animals who are chained for days on end, many of which eventually succumb to death.
“We see numerous cases of animals who are chained or caged for long periods of time. They eat, urinate or defecate and sleep all in the same place. They die from hypothermia or heatstroke, and it is devastating, to say the least,” she said.
“This year, we have 14 animal lovers taking part in the Kennel Challenge, with others joining in remotely from their homes and businesses throughout the country. We invite others to join in and raise awareness for our fur friends to stop the torture that many of them go through,” said Naidoo.
The community can also attend and meet the dogs who will be up for adoption, take pet food donations and get to know PACT better.
For more information, call 073 005 4275 or 071 172 1400.
Watch a show to connect with the Divine Feminine
The youth of the Wyebank Hindu Temple are inviting the public to their Saraswathi Concert. Taking place on Saturday, October 28, the day will be in celebration of the temple’s prayer, which is nine days long.
“The prayer is a mother’s prayer that symbolises the feminine form of divinity. The prayer is part of the nine days, and on the ninth day, there is a celebration. The week after that, there is a show where the youth will be performing,” said organiser Vennesa Pillay.
The celebration show is aimed to highlight the talents of the youth. The show will consist of dance, music, singing, speeches and poetry.
“We have a big group dance and a traditional dance – some of us will be performing as individuals and pairs. Through the dances, we are able to tell a story about our culture and also represent the youth of our community,” said Pillay.
Join the Wyebank Hindu Temple youth at the Temple hall from 14:00 to 16:00. Venessa Pillay can be contacted on 083 777 1244 for more information.
Like frogs? Get to go on a frog-finding mission in Hillcrest
The public is invited to an evening of frogging at Springside Nature Reserve at the Scout Hall from 17:30 to 20:30. There will be a talk by local frog expert Dr Jeanne Tarrant, followed by a frog-finding and listening walk to the rehabilitated ‘ponds’. It will cost R30 per person. Bring your o
wn chairs, picnic, torch/headlamp, gumboots and container for frog identification.
Meet at 93 Springside Road, Hillcrest.
Support Headway Natal’s craft market in Westville
Headway Natal is calling on the public to support its annual craft market which is set to take place on Saturday, October 28 from 09:00 to 13:00.
Headway Natal is a non-profit rehabilitation centre assisting survivors of acquired brain injury, stroke victims and those caring for them. The market is one of Headway’s biggest fundraisers, and this year’s funds will go towards their rehabilitation centre.
On the day, people can visit the tea garden and the charity shop. There will be a variety of stalls, food stands, live music and much more.
The centre is situated at 11 Menston Road, Westville.
Sunday, October 29
Walk for Pink and have fun while you’re at it
The Davenport Square in Glenwood has partnered with the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) for the seventh year for the CANSA Shades of Pink Davenport Square 5km Run/Walk set to take place on October 29 at Davenport Square from 08:00 to 11:00.
According to Natasha Brown from CANSA, the goal is to work toward a healthier lifestyle while having some feel-good fun and raising awareness and funds for CANSA and the fight against cancer in SA.
“We look forward to hosting Durbanites from across the city as we all proudly wear our Shades of Pink and get moving. We have an exciting morning planned with a pre-event warm-up, prizes to be won after the event and much more,” said Brown.
– The first 50 participants to register will receive R50 Spur voucher, a T-shirt, R50 voucher and a CANSA item.
– The first 100 will receive R50 voucher, a T-shirt and a CANSA item.
– The first 500 will receive a CANSA Shades of Pink T-shirt.
Virtual participants need to send their running results from any running/fitness app for major prizes to be won. Tickets are available for R100 at https://qkt.io/6m10MF Kids under 10 enter for free.
In the mood for jazz?
Durban’s fabulous swing band, Platform Jazz, is back, featuring Shelley McLean-Downham and The Gee Jays.
With Cathy Peacock on trumpet, Kirsten Sayers on clarinet, Jeff Robinson on sax and flute, David Solomon on trombone, Andreas Kappen on double bass, Bruce Baker on drums, and the ever-popular Melvin Peters on piano, this show is not to be missed.
This concert is presented in association with Friends of Music and sponsored by the KZNPAT.
The show takes place at the Durban Jewish Centre on Sunday, October 29, starting at 14:30, but doors open at 13:30.
A great mixture of songs will feature, including In the Mood, Blue Moon, Summertime, Something Stupid, C’est si Bon, Wonderful World, Fly Me to the Moon, and L.O.V.E.
Tables of ten will be set up for the event so patrons may bring picnics and beverages. There will also be a cash bar available.
Booking is essential as there will only be a capacity of 250. WhatsApp or call Cathy on 082 349 8362 to reserve your tickets. Tickets are R120 for Friends of Music members and R150 for non-members. Payment will be made at the door.
Do you love piano music? Do you? Do you really??
I Love a Piano – 2023 is now available at the Westville Theatre Club. Come along and enjoy a musical journey of classical and light piano music performed by Heather Dix and Tania Borman at Westville Theatre Club (alongside Westville Swimming Pool) at 14:30. Guests are encouraged to bring along their own picnic basket and drinks. Seats are R60 per person and R50 for members. To reserve your seat, contact Dorothy at dorothyannoneill@gmail.com or 083 776 1754.
Enjoy an orchestra with an African flavour
Vusi Mkhize, lead guitarist, art administrator and entrepreneur, brings his Afro Orchestra concert to Durban on Sunday, October 29, from 15:00 to late. His orchestra, made up of African youth and showcasing authentic African sounds, will be performing at the BAT Centre, at 45 Maritime Place, the Esplanade.
The Khabza de Khabza Art Centre is an art development institution that not only hosts music concerts in Hammarsdale but it also offers music lessons to young people in the area and beyond. The centre
has been in operation for a number of years under the leadership of its founder, Vusi Mkhize.
Mkhize has worked and travelled with a number of international artists, including the late Deborah Fraser.
Following its launch in December 2022, the Afro Orchestra is hosting its concert to bring to light the works of African artists/composers in the continent of Africa and the diaspora.
For more from the Highway Mail, follow us on Facebook , X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.
