It’s the Ficksburg Festival, my cherry!

Cherry Festival

Ficksburg didn’t mean that much to me until I visited the pretty little town set on the banks of the Caledon River. It lies at the foot of the beautiful Imperani Mountain in the Free State, for those of you who didn’t know, and I had only heard of it before the festival because a school friend of mine hailed from there (and since we were at school in Durban at the time, you can understand how she was regarded with a fair amount of  incredulity).

First off let me say that if you’re a fan of cherries, then this is the festival to attend. For the last couple of years at least, cherries seem to have given the shelves of my local Pick n Pay the run around. That, or they were in and off the shelves so fast that I didn’t even catch a whiff of the dainty red stoned fruit! Thus a trip to the Eastern Free State around the third week of November may be the closest you will get to this delectable dainty … Continued

Pinocchio Pantomime in Johannesburg from 4 November

Adventures of Pinocchio

We have all heard of the story of the little wooden boy who was carved from a piece of pine by the woodcarver Geppetto and who was created as a puppet but dreamt of becoming a “real boy” named Pinocchio. This fictional character has been around since 1883 and has become a well loved tale and was certainly a firm favourite of mine whilst I was growing up.

And if you are in Johannesburg or its surrounding areas you will be happy to know that Pinocchio will be the biggest pantomime ever this year with 60 artists taking part. If you already au fait with pantomimes you probably call them panto’s and already have your tickets booked. However, if you do not fall into this category let me give you a little refresher in what the pantomime is … Continued

November Events

It’s that time again, the end of the month and you are wondering what you will do next month. The festive season is almost upon us and before you get overwhelmed by all of those end of year functions make some space in your diary for some of these fantastic events happening all around South Africa this November.

FNB Whisky Live

Western Cape Events
Cape Town is the first to host the FNB Whisky Live Festival from 4-6 November 2009 (Johannesburg’s Sandton Convention Centre hosts it from 11-14 November). The Cape Town Convention Centre is where you will fine connoisseurs and novices alike sipping and tastings more than 180 top brands from all around the world … Continued

Kirstenbosch Summer Concerts

It is that time again Cape Town – The Kirstenbosch Summer Concerts are right on our doorstep so it is time to phone your friends, dust off that picnic blanket and take the basket off the top shelf and make sure you have tickets for the Sunday concerts …

The Old Mutual Summer Sunset Concerts have been taking place for as long as I can remember, they are such a highlight on the Cape Town calendar and it is a fantastic opportunity to wind down the weekend, sitting on the beautiful grassy banks in front of the stage at the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, while listening to some of the best South African musicians and bands we have to offer. Continued

More October Events

What can you do for the rest of October you are wondering? If your calendar isn’t filled yet, why not take a look at some of the events taking place around South Africa for the rest of this month.

MTB Races

in the Free State …
Bloemfontein hosts the MTN OFM MTB Race on 31 October 2009, if that is a bit of a mouthful the important information you need to know is that this is a mountain bike race for the adventurous.

Take part in either the 25 or 50km race, entries close on Monday 19 October so get yours in today. Telephone +27 (0)82 791-6003 for more information … Continued

Gun Run fun …

Gun Run fun

After grinding to a halt at the 67km mark of last years Comrades Marathon, I vowed that I would never, ever run again!  Sunday morning however saw my return to running as I very ambitiously hit the pavement for the Outsurance 94.5 Gun Run 5km event!  It was a spur of the moment decision (hence no pre registration for us) and after roping in two willing friends we found ourselves walking along the Sea Point promenade to the start of the event at Beach Road in Mouille Point.

The Gun Run started in 1993 and was originally only the half marathon distance of 21km.  The challenge was to complete the distance in less than two and a half hours and therefore to beat the firing of the noon day gun … the Gun Run was born!  The first runner across the line after the noon gun was given the spent shell cartridge!   Continued

Daddy Bloom

If you thought it wasn’t possible to see flowers in full bloom on top of a roof, then think again because the Grand Daddy Hotel has made this possible with the first rooftop garden show in their Airsteam Trailer Park.

The show runs from 8-11 October 2009 and won’t be just another flower show. This flower show is taking the concept to a new level and won’t just be showing natural blossoms. You can expect to see live indigenous gardens that will house a collection of creative installations carefully created with spirals of metal, wooly nests and beaded blooms … Continued

International Poetry Festival in Durban

Poetry, the stringing of words together in a rhythmical pattern that evokes emotion and reaction can be a performance, a reading of a rhyme or a completely personal experience. From 5 to 10 October 2009 the 13th International Poetry festival in Durban will showcase poetry from all around South Africa, Africa and the world. Continued

Heritage Day Events – What will you be doing?

Thursday 24 September is a public holiday in South Africa (Heritage day) which means that you should have the day off – What are you going to do with your time? If you are lucky enough to have Friday off as well have a look at some of these ideas on how you can make the most of your long weekend … Continued

Heritage Week at Iziko Museums

SA national Gallery

Heritage Day is one of the more recent public holidays added to the South African calendar and it celebrates some concepts that are rather hard to pin down. These being creative expression, our historical inheritance, language, the food we eat and the land on which we live. Now if that sounds like a mouthful, I like to think of Heritage Day as a time to celebrate where I come from and everything around me that makes me, me.

As South African’s we have a unique culture and creativity and this should not only be celebrated once a year, we should endeavour to celebrate this every day. Heritage Day is a great reminder to each of us to celebrate these concepts … Continued

September is Heritage Month

Not only is September Tourism Month, but this month is also devoted to heritage. Officially, it’s an annual celebration of South African culture, both tangible and intangible, so music and language has as much place on the agenda as historical inheritance or the food that we eat. Informally, it’s a celebration of ‘local is lekker’, the quintessential experience of just what makes South Africa so unique … Continued

Dust off your running shoes …

Since spring has sprung it is time to dust off those running shoes or cycling shorts and start to shed a few of those extra kilo’s that have crept up over the winter months. Here are a few idea to get your motivated to do some exercise!

The Crazy Store Table Mountain Challenge takes place on Saturday 12 September and is a 35km trail run around Cape Town’s world famous Table Mountain. Both professionals and novices can enjoy this off-road run on the slopes of this mountain, which is a finalist in the New 7 Wonders of Nature. If you are feeling up to the challenge Continued

Upcoming Festivals in Soweto

Soweto Festivals

South Western Township or Soweto as it is more commonly known is a melting pot of South African cultures as well as a popular tourist destination. Orlando West in Soweto is the only street in the world to house two Nobel Peace Prize winners, both Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu have houses in Vilakazi Street.

The Chris Hani-Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto is the biggest hospital in the world. And if you are not yet convinced you need to pay Soweto a visit let us give you a few more reasons as Soweto will be a hub of activity in September and October 2009 … Continued