By Fred Felton | July 2, 2025
The City is getting ready to host Africa’s
largest horseracing event, the Hollywoodbets Durban July taking place on 5 July
at the Greyville Racecourse.
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| Mayor Xaba was joined by City officials, representatives from Hollywoodbets and Gold Circle along with models at the media launch for the Hollywoodbets Durban July at Westown Square. Photo: Fred Felton |
The City’s tourism and hospitality
industry is all set to welcome scores of visitors in Durban for the event,
while safety and security have also been finalised.
The theme for the event is ‘Marvels of
Mzansi’, this prestigious horseracing event and fashion extravaganza is
expected to attract around 50 000 visitors for Durban with a hotel
occupancy of 80 percent. This year’s theme encourages the celebration of
cultural heritage, diversity, and landscapes.
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| Mayor Xaba unpacked the City's state of readiness. Photo: Fred Felton |
EThekwini Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba today,
2 July unpacked the City’s state of readiness and unveiled planned events
during the Durban July Grand Experience media launch which was held at Westown
Square.
‘’Our law enforcement agencies have
developed an integrated safety plan, supported by the private security
industry. Visitors are guaranteed a safe stay in the City with high police
visibility, particularly around the Greyville precinct and other strategic
sites across the Municipality,’’ said Mayor Xaba.
According to Mayor Xaba, the economic
impact on eThekwini from the Durban July weekend is far reaching. This is due
to several events taking place.
‘’The direct spend is estimated at R278
million with a total of R700 million contribution to the eThekwini GDP and a
total number of 4 000 jobs to be created,’’ said Mayor Xaba.
Partners for the event, Hollywoodbets and
Gold Circle representatives said they are excited for the event, with plans in
place to ensure a successful day.
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| You can expect plenty of fashion at the Hollywoodbets Durban July. Photo: Fred Felton |
The Hollywoodbets Durban July also
provides a platform for both upcoming and established fashion designers to
showcase their creative talent. There will be 25 designers showcasing their
‘Marvels of Mzansi’ collections on the main stage, as part of the Durban July
Fashion Experience – a collaboration between eThekwini Municipality and the
Hollywood Foundation.
The fashion programme has the following
three categories:
The Young Designers Awards which features
10 student finalists competing for top honours. The top three winners will
receive bursaries and a fashion travel package.
The Durban Fashion Fair Rising Stars
category presents nine emerging designers, supported by eThekwini
Municipality’s Fashion Development Programme. Winners will share a
R250 000 cheque for business development.
The Invited Designer Showcase includes six
established designers, four of whom are graduates of the same Fashion
Development Programme and are now successful industry names. Through this
event, designers will get exposure to thousands of attendees and potential
buyers.
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| Expect Durban to come alive this weekend. Photo: Supplied |
There will also be major events all around
Durban and the townships over the weekend. These events include Fact Durban
Rocks, Any Given Sunday, Anywhere in the City, and Mojo’s July Weekend.
‘’It is time to celebrate the vibrant
spirit of Durban as the City transforms into a hub of glamour, excitement, and
world-class entertainment,’’ noted Chairperson of the Economic Development and
Planning Committee Councillor Thembo Ntuli.
For more info go to www.visitdurban.travel or follow @DBNTourism on social media.
