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.

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 ... For more inform­a­tion tele­phone Karen Chaloner on +27 (0)21 880‑0180.

The Gems of Franschhoek Super Car Rally on Saturday 7 November is where you can set your eyes on a selec­tion of invited Super Cars at the Franschhoek Motor Museum as they com­pete for the title trophy the Gems of Franschhoek. For more inform­a­tion con­tact the Franschhoek Tourism office on +27(0)21 876‑3603.

November is excit­ing for those who live in Cape Town because it is the start of the Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts on Sunday 22 November. This year there is a fab­ulous line up and for tick­ets you can tele­phone +27 (0)21 761 2866 /799 8782.

If you like me can’t get enough cray­fish and jump at the oppor­tun­ity to enjoy one of the ocean’s del­ic­acies then do not miss the Crayfish Festival in Paternoster on Saturday 28 November 2009. You will be able to select your cray­fish from one of the boats and have it cooked on the braai. You will also be able to enjoy a num­ber of other sea­food dishes and arts and crafts stalls. The venue is the Paternoster Sports Grounds — for more info tele­phone Jenni on +27 (0)83 692‑2201.

Garden Route Events
Outdtshoorn hosts the Animal To Hell and Back MTB from Thursday 5 to Sunday 8 November 2009. This event has been tak­ing place since 1995 and is extremely pop­u­lar within the moun­tain bike fra­tern­ity. It is a 60km race that starts at the De Hoek hol­i­day resort, if you would like more inform­a­tion tele­phone +27 (0)44 871‑4455.

The Gary Player Invitational takes place from Thursday 26 to Sunday 29 November 2009 in. This is one of South Africa’s premier pro-celebrity char­ity golf events and tests the play­ers on Fancourt’s chal­len­ging Links course. This event’s prin­ciple object­ive is to raise funds for the Player Foundation and local char­it­ies in South Africa.

Eastern Cape Events
Grahamstown holds their first Flower Festival from Friday 6 to Sunday 8 November 2009 and offers some­thing for the whole fam­ily at the beau­ti­ful Makana Botanical Gardens. There will be flower and garden com­pet­i­tions, garden stalls and more. For more inform­a­tion tele­phone Sharon on +27 (0)72 244‑3863.

The Cape Skyrun, in Lady Grey, takes place on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 November 2009 and is a two day self suf­fi­cient race that is approx­im­ately 100km, depend­ent on your chosen route. This is advis­able for those of us who are very fit (that counts me out...). If you would like more inform­a­tion tele­phone Adrian Saffy on +27 (0)82 566‑5668.

KwaZulu Natal Events
What is That Dam Event you are ask­ing? Well it takes place at the Chelmsford Dam which is 15km out­side Newcastle from Friday 27 and Sunday 29 November 2009 and will cer­tainly be an event to remem­ber. There will be a num­ber of Dragon Boat related activ­ates, a farm­ers mar­ket, wake­board­ing com­pet­i­tion and a num­ber of musi­cians take to the SAB Miller sound stage. If you are feel­ing adven­tur­ous there are also numer­ous activ­ates for you to take part in.

If you are feel­ing ener­getic but can’t get to the Chelmsford Dam why not take part in the Sani Stagger Endurance Race on Saturday 28 November 2009. This is known as “The Ultimate Endurance Race” and is run along the fam­ous Sani Pass in the Drakensburg. There is both half (21km) and full (42km) mara­thons and if you would like to know more tele­phone Trish on +27 (0)83 447‑0766.

Gauteng Events
Along with the Whisky Live Festival as men­tioned earlier, Gauteng has some chal­len­ging events this month. First up is the Spinnathon 09 on 7 November 2009 at the Nelson Mandela Square. Why not get fit while mak­ing a dif­fer­ence? All the pro­ceeds of the Spinnathon will go to the Hospice Association of the Witwatersrand. Picture 200 spin­ning bikes per ses­sion with each 50 minute ses­sion being led by pro­fes­sional instructor. There will be lucky draws and other fun prizes for vari­ous cat­egor­ies. Group book­ings are avail­able for groups of 20 or more. Please con­tact Alicia Lerm on +27 (0)11 483‑9170 to arrange group booking.

The Pick 'n Pay 94.7 Cycle Challenge is a pop­u­lar event and takes place this year on Sunday 15 November 2009. This is its thir­teenth year and expects nearly 30000 cyc­lists this year. There is a new urban loop which takes cyc­lists on a 5.6km route through the heart of the Joburg CBD. The Pick ‘n Pay 94.7 Cycle Challenge sup­ports the Homeless Talk Crèche in Joubert Park.

Mpumalanga Events
From Friday 27 to Sunday 29 November 2009 the Yellow Arum Lily takes to the stage in Rossenekal at the annual Yellow Arum Lily Festival cel­eb­rat­ing this spec­tac­u­lar flower. Most South African’s have never heard of Roossenekal, but it is a spe­cial town as it is home to the Yellow Arum Lily as it's endemic to this area (i.e. only found here). You will be given the oppor­tun­ity to pur­chase flowers and seeds from registered propag­at­ors and if you would like more inform­a­tion on this fest­ival tele­phone Christine on +27 (0)13 273‑7123 or +27 (0)82 550‑6896.

Limpopo Events
The Magoebaskloof Mountain Bike Classic on Sunday 1 November cel­eb­rates its 10^th anniversary. The race starts at the Magoebaskloof Hotel and takes an exhil­ar­at­ing 70km ride through the Woodbush Forest Reserve as well as nearby tea plant­a­tions and private farm­land. If you would like more race inform­a­tion or entry forms please con­tact Rudi on +27 (0)82 802‑0880.

Free State Events
Bloemfontein is the venue for the Pick ‘n Pay OFM Classic on Sunday 1 November 2009 and is a chal­len­ging race. Approximately 11000 wheels (5500 riders) take part in the 107km main race and 45km fun ride. There is also a kid­dies event for your little one to take part in. For more inform­a­tion you can con­tact Cycle Events on +27 (0)11 707‑2800.

Breaking away from sport­ing events is the Cherry Festival from Thursday 19 to Saturday 21 November in Ficksburg, which is fondly known as Cherry Town through­out South Africa. What hap­pens at this fest­ival you ask — many things is my reply. From cherry tours, to golf events, a half mara­thon, vet­eran vehicle dis­plays, eques­trian events, beer tents and cherry product com­pet­i­tions. There is also a “ready, steady, bake” com­pet­i­tion which is a fest­ival favour­ite as well as an oppor­tun­ity to watch the mak­ing of cherry mam­poer (a South African moonshine).

Wow, November seems jam packed with things to do – but this is only just a snip­pet of what is hap­pen­ing this com­ing month. For more events in your area have a look at South Africa Events or select your province below and click to view events in your pre­ferred destination.

• Western Cape Events
• Garden Route Events
• Eastern Cape Events
• KwaZulu Natal Events
• Gauteng Events
• Mpumalanga Events
• Limpopo Events
• North West Province Events
• Free State Events
• Northern Cape Events