The 2026 East Coast Radio House and Garden Show Opens June 27

 

By Fred Felton | June 1, 2026

KZN’s favourite lifestyle event is getting ready to welcome visitors to the 2026 edition on 27 June until 5 July at the Durban Exhibition Centre.

Plenty to see and do at the event this year. | Photo: Supplied. 

‘’The theme this year is Dream, Create and Live,’’ said the Show’s new director Lara Bezuidenhout.

Look out for the latest international trends, new products, local gems and loads of entertainment.

This event is ideal for the family and for school holidays. Keep an eye out for a massive play area at the show where Peter Pan and Tinkerbell will be in Neverland. You might even bump into Dolly with her Trolley, part AI, part human.

There will also be plenty to eat and drink, pop by the Gin Garden, with live music, ice-cream vendors and Sophie’s Café for sweet treats. Delicious food will be on offer from Lawmans for Mexican, Ole Smoki, and tasty burgers from Filthy Moustache.

If you want to learn new recipes try the Hirsch Test Kitchen or get some beauty tips at Edgars’ House of Red.

There’s R100 000 worth of premium camping gear, great escapes and outdoor kit, all from Khakibush magazine.

You can also meet Mario and Luigi at the Hirsch’s Nintendo Activation Area. If you score the fastest lap time on the Mario Kart game, a Nintendo console or merchandise goodies valued at R12,500 could be yours.

Look out for the iconic Porsche 911 display at Hirsch’s and you can also win Hirsch’s big prizes from Porsche and Smeg.

If you like to braai look out The BraaiBoss Challenge, the search for SA’s ultimate Braai Boss.

Secure parking at Centrum opposite DEC/Workshop/ICC.

Tickets available at Quicket.

Digital Future Accelerates With Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal

 

By Fred Felton | Nov. 27, 2025

Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal recently announced an investment of over R1.1 billion in network infrastructure for this financial year (FY26), showing its commitment to connecting communities and working towards digital inclusion across South Africa’s provinces with huge populations.

Imran Khan, Managing Executive for Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal Region (L) with the team at Vodacom. Photo: Supplied. 

‘’Our investment in KwaZulu-Natal reflects our commitment to building a digitally inclusive province where everyone can access the opportunities of the digital economy,’’ said Imran Khan, Managing Executive for Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal Region.

Vodacom’s R1.142 billion investment in KZN’s network infrastructure during the financial year shows the company’s commitment to connectivity in the province. The investment can be broken down into R796 million for radio projects, R289 million for transmission, R36 million to energy and R20 million towards core data networks.

This investment builds on Vodacom KZN’s strong network foundation. The province now enjoys 99.91% 2G population coverage, 99.9% 3G coverage, 99.12% 4G coverage, and 39.54% 5G population coverage. Vodacom will continue with rolling out advanced 4G and 5G technologies to improve connectivity for both urban centres like Durban and underserved rural communities across KZN.

Vodacom is also investing infrastructure in deep rural areas with over R100 million dedicated to extending coverage in previously underserved communities. This has brought reliable mobile coverage to villages including KwaMaphumulo, Nongoma, Vryheid, Empangeni, Nottingham, and the Kamberg valley region, as well as communities across uMkhanyakude which is primed for agro-processing, eco-tourism and renewable energy development.

These investments align with KZN’s strategy to strengthen secondary cities and rural economic hubs. Newcastle is emerging as a centre of manufacturing excellence; Richard’s Bay continues its role as a powerhouse in logistics and industrial gateway, while the South Coast and Midlands champion agriculture and tourism.

Vodacom Business KZN is positioning itself as the most trusted enterprise telecommunications provider in the region, supporting business transformation through its digital core strategy. The division offers integrated solutions like cloud services, cybersecurity, IoT, mobile and unified communications, hosting, managed services, and digital applications platforms.

‘’We’re transitioning from a traditional telco to a future-ready TechCo,’’ added Khan. ‘’Businesses today face emerging technologies like 5G, AI, and quantum computing, alongside competition from hyperscalers and digital natives. Our role is to help enterprises adapt to the pace of digitalisation through systems of advantage via our digital core and customer-360 approach,’’ noted Khan.

Vodacom Business supports businesses no matter how big or small.

Vodacom KZN would also like to make digital access affordable for everyone. They also have affordable programmes to meet customers where they are located.

With Just4You and Just4YourTown, customers get personalised data and voice offerings to suit their behaviour and location, ensuring lower costs. More KZN customers are using them to save money.

Easy2Own is a finance option which allows customers to access smartphones affordably. This programme is critical for people to upgrade from 2G and 3G devices to 4G and 5G devices, unlocking a world of opportunities.

Vodacom KZN is also looking to combat theft and vandalism, which threatens network availability for communities. Residents in the Nottingham and Kamberg valley area are also helping with this and they have partnered with Vodacom to install electric fencing around base stations which reduces vandalism.

‘’We recognise that network investment alone is not enough. Our focus on deep rural connectivity, business solutions, affordability, device access, and community partnerships ensures that the benefits of our infrastructure reach every resident and business in KwaZulu-Natal. With over R1.1 billion in network investment, including R100 million dedicated to deep rural areas, we are building a connected province where no one is left behind,’’ concluded Khan.

Vodacom KZN invests over R1 billion to improve network connectivity

 

By Fred Felton | Nov. 2, 2023

Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal is investing over R1 billion in this financial year to help with the regional network to increase capacity and resilience and speed up access to connectivity throughout KZN, especially in the rural parts of the province.

Imran Khan, Managing Executive, Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal. | Photo: Vodacom

‘’In pursuing our aim of creating an inclusive digital society, we are making a significant investment into the region’s network. By expanding access to reliable, quality connectivity through our deployment of more sites and network upgrades, we aim to provide an exceptional network experience to our customers. With this effort, we hope to bring the benefits of digitalisation to all communities we serve,’’ said Imran Khan, Managing Executive, Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal.

With the R1 billion investment, R700 million will be going towards projects for radio access network, network capacity and upgrades, with R173 million going towards improving core network infrastructure. The region is planning to modernise 429 base station sites and expand LTE capacity to 774 sites in the current financial year.

‘’Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal’s 4G population coverage is standing at 95.8%. We are rolling out 23 new urban sites and 129 deep rural sites across the region this financial year to expand this reach and drive digital inclusion, especially in underserved areas of the province. In addition, we now have circa 200 sites on 5G, with plans to switch on another 122 within this financial year,’’ said Khan.

Loadshedding continues to be a problem for the network in this region. As a result Vodacom is investing R235 million into energy projects, including the procurement of 68 generators to add to an existing fleet of over 196 and increasing base station site power standby time to a minimum of four hours. These upgrades will improve network capacity and availability, especially during stage 4-6 loadshedding.

Data traffic in the region has grown by 40% in the province over the past year. This is mostly due to Vodacom introducing personalised discounted voice and data offers such as Just4You, Just4You Town bundles for residents in certain towns and bigger prepaid data bundles with Prepaid LTE to make connections more affordable.

Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal is also fully behind inclusion for all. With their initiative, Code Like a Girl, they are providing coding skills to help young women get a start in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). The region recently hosted an instalment of the programme, which trains girls between 14 and 18 years old in coding and other IT skills in October this year.

Durban's Most Loved Local Businesses Revealed

Last week I was invited to a business breakfast courtesy of Santam to hear about successful local businesses from Durban.

Image caption: The owners of Durban’s Most Loved Local businesses, Kirk Maddocks, Samkelo Ngcobo, Nondumiso Mkhize, and Anwar Essop. (Image: Rogan Ward).

What do a fast-food takeaway shop, fitness boot camp, carpet and upholstery cleaning service, social media marketing company and beachside massage service all have

in common? They’ve all topped the list of Durban’s most loved local businesses by successfully turning their clients into lifelong fans.

Five of Durban’s most loved local businesses have been selected based on nominations from residents in a recent radio poll.

They were formally announced on 10 April by Santam, South Africa’s largest general insurer, at a Business Breakfast which honoured local entrepreneurs.

With many of Durban’s well-known entrepreneurs in attendance, the breakfast focused on building longevity of Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) by shining a

spotlight on opportunities that create an enabling environment to assist SMEs to thrive.

“SMEs are responsible for 60% of the labour-force in South Africa, and the impact of that is significant. Not just in terms of job creation but also, very importantly, as the

providers of the products and services we’ve all come to rely on. Entrepreneurs need to safeguard their livelihood and Santam has a critical role to play here. Businesses rely on us to help manage the insurance related risks that will help keep their doors open and their fans coming back for more. It’s a responsibility we take very seriously,” says Gerald van Wyk, Head: Business Development at Santam. “We’re passionate about empowering and supporting entrepreneurs. Beyond insurance, we’re continuously creating platforms to connect and showcase the SMEs that play a pivotal role in our economy and are integral in the communities in which they operate.”

The selection process for Durban’s most loved local businesses was conducted with East Cost Radio. Listeners were asked to call in and nominate the local business they simply could not live without.

Nominations were submitted and winners chosen from the large number of

entries, carefully selected by the team based on each businesses commitment to delivering exceptional service and standout quality products, going above and beyond

what was expected of them, and endearing themselves to the local community in a way that turned their customers into lifelong loyal fans. To celebrate these success

stories, the five winning businesses also received certificates of commendation from Santam.

The winners were:

Health & Fitness Invasion

Nominated by: Ayanda Mbuthu

A company that helps people to look and feel good about themselves in the name of fitness.

Jollyz Xpress

Nominated by: Shaheed Essop

Jollyz Xpress is a fast food takeaway situated in Prince Umhlangane Road.

Nondz Beach Massage Experience

Nominated by: Sibonokuhle Maduna

“She is the first black woman I know to give such a great experience to the community by giving massages at the beach.”

KB Carpet & Upholstery Cleaners

Nominated by: Ettiene Potgieter

“KB Carpet and Upholstery Cleaners has been around for many years. ‘’

iNCO Creative

Nominated by: Tiffany Esau

A social media marketing company that takes pride in every client.

Renowned author and entrepreneur, Mike Saunders, was the keynote speaker at the breakfast event and shared key take outs from his book The Five Year Mark, a

collection of his lessons learnt while establishing his own business.

Saunders says that SMEs are very close to his heart as they bring value to people in the forms of self-worth and employment.

His four tips for entrepreneurs starting out on their journey were:

· Chart your own course. Don’t get caught up in best practices. Best practices are best practices because everyone does them and you’re not going to stand out in the business world if you do what everybody else does.

· Focus on your output. If you cannot produce anything for the market then you don’t have a business.

· Be willing to pivot to what your clients want. You constantly need to listen to what your clients and your market want, and then meet those needs.

· Learn how to delegate.

For more information visit: www.santam.co.za

This edition by Fred Felton | Twitter @fredfelton

Help East Coast Radio's Toy Story with Game

East Coast Radio’s Toy Story with Game has kicked off, aimed at giving joy with toys to every child in a government hospital, children’s home and crèche in KwaZulu-Natal. Now in its 16th year, the campaign is one of the longest-running annual CSI initiatives in KwaZulu-Natal.

East Coast Radio's General Manager, Boni Mchunu, Game's Elisabeth Ric Hansen, Darren Maule and Kerri Miller at the launch.  Image by Abhi Indrarajan

Speaking at the launch at Atholton Primary School in Umhlanga, which was attended by Sharkie and musicians Gangs of ballet, Chloe Clark and Kyle Deutsch, East Coast Radio’s General Manager, Boni Mchunu, said, “Residents and business across KwaZulu-Natal have always generously supported this initiative as we aim to light up the lives of some of the province’s most destitute children over the end-of-year holidays. Together, we can all work towards building a better society in KZN.”   Mchunu also extended her heartfelt thanks to the stakeholders who make this year’s social outreach programme possible.

Over the next weeks, the campaign will collect new toys for distribution at paediatric wards in state-owned facilities across the province. All Game stores will have collection boxes. Schools and business can request a Toy Story collection box by emailing toystory@ecr.co.za

This year, every cent of the funds donated to the campaign will be channelled into the Game AmaLunchbox project that is aimed at feeding children from disadvantaged backgrounds.  This project was launched in 2008 to curb the detrimental effects of hunger on the educational development of children – hungry children cannot concentrate on schoolwork. The AmaLunchbox project provides disadvantaged schools nationwide with the facilities to allow them to prepare nutritious meals in hygienic conditions.

“Game is proud to have been a Toy Story partner for the past six years, “ says Elisabeth Ric Hansen, Marketing, PR and CSI Manager at Game. “Toy Story is a project that is very close to our CSI projects focusing on the upliftment and enablement of disadvantaged children through the Amalunchbox school feeding program and the Tools to Teach and Tools to Play educational program.” 

Hansen added, “The feeling of knowing that a positive change has been made in the lives of disadvantaged children is priceless. We hope to bring some cheer, smiles and laughter to the lives of the children who benefit from the Toy Story project.”

Last year, residents and corporates across KZN helped make a difference in the lives of the province’s ill and disadvantaged children, by raising more than R1.5 million for East Coast Radio’s Toy Story with Game and donating more than 101 000 new toys.

Darren Maule and the East Coast Breakfast team broadcast live from Atholton Primary School to officially launch East Coast Radio’s Toy Story with Game. Pupils from the school donated the most number of toys to the campaign last year, compared to any other school in KZN. By 9am, when Darren, Keri Miller and Sky Tshabalala wrapped up the show, Atholton Primary pupils had already filled up four collection boxes with brand new toys!

If your school or business would like a collection box, kindly email toystory@ecr.co.za

Further info, including banking details, available at www.ecr.co.za

This edition by Fred Felton

Twitter @fredfelton  

SABC's Uzalo Season 3 Trainee Opportunities Durban, KZN

Stained Glass Productions which produces the daily telenovela, Uzalo, for SABC 1 is looking to train six young filmmakers during its next season of filming in KwaMashu, Durban. Ethekwini Municipality's Durban Film Office responsible for development of the local film and television industry, in partnership with Stained Glass Productions, will run a second season of the trainee programme for the youth of Ethekwini Municipality in a number of areas of filmmaking.

Areas of training include:

Sound – training a "boom swinger" in the basics of sound mixing. (Suitable for someone who is interested in sound design and has an ear for music.)

Camera training

as a camera assistant with exposure to camera operating, lighting and focus

pulling, with a view to equipping the trainee to be a competent camera assistant. (Suitable for someone who has the ability to pay attention to detail, a basic understanding of camera equipment and previous experience/ interest in photography).

Makeup and hair

training as a makeup and hair standby assistant to be able to do onset checks

and touch ups required by actors and performers. This trainee will also be exposed to the basics of television makeup application, hair styling and basic special effects.

Art department training

as art department standby assistant. This trainee will be exposed to set dressing, prop management and production design. They will become competent in seeing to all the

onset art department needs; making sure artists have appropriate props handy and that the set is dressed to the directors satisfaction. (Applicants must have an Interest in art, painting, carpentry, fine arts, graffiti and graphic design).

Continuity/Script Supervision training

as Script supervisor. This trainee is responsible for marking up scripts with continuity notes. His/her duties also include maintaining a detailed log of daily scene shots slated for production with accompanying production notes and continuity suggestions.

Wardrobe training

as a wardrobe standby assistant who will be competent in all the onset checks

and adjustments needed for artists and their wardrobe needs. (Applicants must have an eye for design and training in dress making, costume design/ construction, interest in fashion and styling would be an advantage).

Preference will be given to trainees who have some basic knowledge of filmmaking,

or who have demonstrated an interest in choosing film as a career. Whilst all of the training is on the job and hands on, the production house will be testing the trainees' development in their respective basic functions every two months and these will be used to further tailor the learning and training.

"This training is in line with our vision to grow the Durban film industry," says Toni Monty Head of the DFO "An important part of the development of the film industry hub in the City, is to ensure that people are trained to support the production houses that are looking at using Durban as a base for production. This is the second year that we are running this training programme, we are very pleased with the outcomes of the first cycle of training, and we look forward to welcoming more skilled film technicians into the fold. "

How to apply:

A CV and a covering motivation letter must be hand delivered to:

Mr Fezile Peko, DFO Project Manager

11th Floor Rennies House, 41s Margaret Mncadi Avenue. Durban

For any enquiries you can visit the website on

www.durbanfilmoffice.co.za contact Mr. Fezile Peko/ Ms. Nosipho Hlophe on 0313114243

Emailed applications will not be accepted, and no applications will be accepted after the

closing date.

Deadline for applications is 12 October 2016 at 12pm.

Wanted: 67 KZN pupils to honour Madiba’s legacy

In an effort to make an ongoing, meaningful difference that lives beyond Mandela Day, East Coast Radio has begun a province-wide search as part of its #ECR67Scholars initiative. The station has committed to paying the school fees of 67 Grade 8 pupils right through to Grade 12. The initiative is based on former President, Nelson Mandela’s fervent belief that “education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."

Launched this morning, #ECR67Scholars is the brainchild of East Coast Radio’s General Manager, Boni Mchunu, who is seeking a more sustainable offering that lives beyond just Mandela Day. “That means we are making a difference not just today, but every day,” explains Mchunu. “Education is the tool to success not only for individuals but in terms of the future of our country. I am a firm believer in the importance of education and the importance of encouraging our children to complete matric. #ECR67Scholars does its bit to make sure Madiba’s legacy lives on.”

In addition to harnessing Madiba’s passion for children and education, #ECR67Scholars also taps into the “building communities for good” ethos of East Coast Radio’s parent company, Kagiso Media. The station has called on Grade 8 pupils from around KwaZulu-Natal to submit their motivations on www.ecr.co.za for a chance to be among 67 pupils selected for a scholarship programme. 

Entries close on 31 July 2016.