GO! Durban Cycle Academy                      develops young people 

The GO! Durban 

Cycle Academy 

has significantly 

impacted the lives

of young people

through its dynamic youth development programmes since it was started. The Academy was launched in

2016 as a joint initiative between eThekwini Transport Authority (ETA)

and Green Corridors, which promotes a clean environment. It provides free  cycling training, academic support, and life skills opportunities to youth at four sites in the heart of communities in Inanda, Chesterville, KwaDabeka, and KwaMashu. The Go!Durban Cycle Academy began as a pro-active way to encourage a culture of active mobility within communities that don't usually have access to cycle training and equipment, as well as promoting the care of the environment. Now the largest cycling development programme in South Africa, the Academy has 400 beneficiaries between the ages of six and 18 years. Talented riders are recognised and selected to participate in provincial and national events based on technical ability as well as their school academic results according to the 'no pass, no race' rule. One of the young cyclists, Sfundo Dlamini said being part of the Academy has changed his life for the better. ''I have made friends here. My confidence and performance on the track and at school has improved because there are extra lessons offered,'' he said. Although the academy was introduced under the non-motorised transport strategy to promote cycling and caring for the environment in communities, it has since evolved into a well-rounded youth development programme that now incorporates musical theatre academy where youth are enrolled in singing, dancing and acting classes. Recently 10 students from the GO! Durban Academy in Inanda received their national colours at the South African Championships of the Performing Arts (SACOP) held in Rustendburg, in the North West. They returned home with a tally of 20 medals (15 gold, four silver and one bronze). They also won the highest award of the competition, the Grand Champion Group Award. Futhermore, they have all qualified to be part of Team South Africa to represent the country at the World Championships in Los Angeles in July 2022.

For more information: 

cycle@godurban.co.za  

TO MITIGATE the effects of climate change, the Municipality's Parks, Recreation and Culture (PRC) Unit in partnership with Bright Future Special School participated in a tree planting campaign recently. The campaign was held under the theme 'Forest restoration: a path to recovery and well-being' and aimed to create awareness on the importance of planting indigenous trees. The initiative of planting helps to address climate change. The Municipality has several tree planting activities being implemented to educate the public on the role trees play to protect the environment. The Municipality partnered with the school to equip children to become environmental ambassadors. Bright Future School Principal Sipho Nkosi said the partnership is a way to involve learners with special needs in community projects. ''Being part of community projects helps them to feel accepted while gaining skills. The school has also partnered with waste management companies for learners to understand proper waste management,'' he said. 

One Home, One Garden for food security

TO IMPROVE food security in communities, the Municipality's Agri-Ecology Unit recently distributed garden starter kits to 10 families in ward 82 in uMlazi. The handover was done under the banner of One Home, One Garden. The donated kits included a garden fork, hand hoe, wheelbarrow, steel rake and a watering can. Families also received compost as well as beetroot, spinach, beans, carrot, tomato, and butternut seeds. The programme aims to provide vulnerable families with a livelihood intervention by providing household garden essentials to start their own gardens.'' Agro-Ecology has strategies such as the One Home, One Garden programme to eliminate food insecurity and can be a means to provide an income. The  programme promotes food security and sufficient and sustainable food production by enhancing the development, implementation and adoption of sustainable ecosystem-based systems coupled with improved food systems and climate resilient farming methods. The Agro-Ecology Unit will also provide permaculture training to the families. They will also be taught to grow crops on various mediums such as trench beds, vertical gardens, tower gardens and tyre gardens depending on the capacity of the yard and/or the location. A beneficiary, Andiswa Zulu, 40, applauded the initiative. She has started her tyre garden and is growing three types of vegetables. 

Dolphins by Starlight

 

By Fred Felton | Nov 18, 2021

The annual festive season show presented by uShaka Marine World is something for you to look forward to and this year the theme is ‘’A Schrinchmas Musical.’’

Look out for dazzling Dolphins at 'Dolphins by Starlight' | Image: uShaka Marine World

The show will be on 4 nights so book early. You can look forward to plenty of music and dance as the show highlights the importance of unity, togetherness and acceptance.

You can also look forward to aquatic aerobatics from their world-famous uShaka Sea World Dolphins. It is guaranteed to warm your heart at this time of the year.

The theme of this year’s show drew inspiration from the social dynamics that South Africa has faced over the year, while we journey towards overcoming the spirit of togetherness.

‘’Dolphins by Starlight is a Christmas show like no other. It is the only show in Africa where families from all over the continent can gather and spread the Christmas spirit and enjoy our dazzling dolphins under the warm African Sky. It’s a magical show that keeps the entire family entertained from beginning to end,’’ said Ndumiso Miya, Event Coordinator, uShaka Marine World.

An all-star cast awaits you. | Image: uShaka Marine World

You can expect an all-star cast in this show which includes Rowan Bartlett, Tory Du Plessis, Lasandra Majola, Sindi Mabika, Rory Booth and you can also look out for some new talent who will be gracing the stage for the first time, including some of uShaka Marine World’s own staff.  There will be some memorable performances, celebrating what Christmas is all about and welcoming in the 2021 festive season in a lovingly and entertaining way.

Limited seats will be available and those lucky few will be able to experience the live shows from 9 - 12 December 2021 for only R199pp. So bring your blankets and jackets as the Dolphin Stadium is an open-air venue and the Durban weather as we all know, has been unpredictable at times.

 

Come enjoy this spectacle with uShaka Marine World.

 

Why not make a day of it and explore the many attractions at uShaka Marine World including Sea World, Wet n’ Wild, uShaka Kids World, Sea Animal Encounter Island, Dangerous Creatures and the Village Walk. Be sure to explore The Phantom Ship along the way.

 

Dates: 9 - 12 December 

 

Venue: Dolphin Stadium 

 

Gates open: 18:00

 

Show Starts: 19:00

 

Show Ends: 20:00

 

There are a limited number of seats available for this event, so book now at uShaka Ticketing or www.computicket.com to experience the Dolphins by Starlight Musical live.

For more information visit: www.ushakamarineworld.co.za or call 031 328 8000

Address: 1 King Shaka Avenue, Point, Durban. 

Starbucks opens at The Pearls in Umhlanga

 

An exciting new Starbucks South Africa experience has launched at the Pearls in Umhlanga. Widely considered the most prestigious address in KZN, The Pearls luxury boutique mall is a flawlessly iconic slice of the world-famous Golden Coast — a perfect new home for the iconic Starbucks experience.

The new Starbucks at The Pearls in Umhlanga | Image: Starbucks

 

This pristine new Starbucks boasts a beautifully appointed private patio space with Instagrammable views of the Durban coastal skyline. This exclusively exotic spot is perfumed by Starbucks quality coffee roasts and the refreshing salty scents of the sea for a uniquely memorable world-class social experience with friends and family.

 

Warm and friendly service | Image: Starbucks

The brand’s wide range of premium coffees, warm and friendly service, the speciality iced Frappuccinos and other iced beverages promise to be a big hit with local and international visitors to this award-winning tourist spot.

The stunning new Starbucks, run by the UK-Starbucks-trained but proudly local Durbanite, Varny Govender, features the full range of Starbucks hot and cold beverages and a selection of delicious treats, including brownies, macaroons and the famous Chocolate Brownie.

Varny and her team invite customers to visit and enjoy their handcrafted seasonal beverages, including the super-popular Pumpkin Spiced Latte, the indulgently delicious Salted Caramel Latte, crafted from salted caramel-infused milk and espresso shots, or the Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate, a decadent blend of salted caramel-infused milk and Mocha sauce, topped with whipped cream and caramel drizzle.

Coffee with a view | Image: Starbucks

 

This latest super-stylish Starbucks store is a world-class opportunity to kick back and relax or pull in and work in splendid surroundings brimming with Wi-Fi and plug points. And while you’re there, ask Varny to brew up her personal fav’, “I go for our traditionally brewed filter coffee, simply because of the taste. The superior quality of our coffee is unmatched!”

 

Did you know?

Starbucks coffee is 99% ethically sourced and accredited by Conservation International under the C.A.F.E. Practices programme. Starbucks is committed to ethically sourcing coffee worldwide and including exceptional coffee from nine countries in Africa – Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Kenya, Burundi, Zambia, Cameroon, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

 

For more information, visit www.starbucks.co.za

 

Win a Starbucks Hamper

 

The good folks at Starbucks are giving away a Starbucks hamper just for you filled with goodies to make you smile.

To win this hamper just answer this simple question:

Name one of the countries in Africa where Starbucks sources coffee from?

Send your answer along with your name, email address and cellphone number to

umhlangalife@gmail.com

Remember to put ‘Starbucks competition’ in the subject line of the email.

Competition ends 19 November 2021

 

Ts and Cs apply.