Get ready for an action-packed weekend in Durban! Below is a guide of what Durbanites can expect, from a mouthwatering food event, a fundraiser for a good cause, and festival and music concerts, you are in for a treat in the coming days.

Kota festival returns

The eThekwini Kota Festival is set to be a huge hit this year, with nearly 5760 visitors expected, a 44% increase from last year. The festival will take place on June 6 at People’s Park, Moses Mabhida Stadium, and will feature more than 60 township food businesses, more than double last year’s number.

Visitors can look forward to a diverse range of flavours and culinary creativity, from traditional township kotas to gourmet concepts and fusion creations. The festival has also attracted some exciting commercial partnerships, including Capitec Bank, Nyama Choma, and Albany Bakeries, which is supporting township food vendors through the Kokota Initiative.

Tickets are available, with VIP options including secured parking and a complimentary kota. Tickets can be purchased via Computicket.

‘Bail’ them out

The Kloof and Highway SPCA’s Dog Box Challenge from June 5 (12:00) – June 6 (12:00) will see brave participants spend 24 hours living in kennels to raise funds and awareness for animals in need. This 12th annual event supports the SPCA’s work, including caring for stray animals, investigating cruelty cases, and running education and sterilisation clinics.

The public can come through on Friday at the Kloof and Highway SPCA, 29 Village Road, Kloof, to support participants. There will be food, drinks, and entertainment at 18:00.

Sing Allelulia

The Durban Chamber Choir is hosting a concert, “Sing Allelulia!”, on June 7 at 15:00 at St Thomas Anglican Church in Durban. The choir, which has more than 20 years of experience, presents an eclectic programme featuring works by Charles Gounod, Knut Nystedt, John Knox Bokwe, Christopher Tin, and Leonard Cohen.

Their repertoire spans early plainchant to contemporary choral music, Renaissance to modern, and sacred to secular, accompanied by organ, piano, and small orchestral ensembles.

Conductor Margriet Deppe leads the voluntary members, united in their love for choral singing.

Tickets are available through Quicket or at the door for R120 (concessions R80). Join them after the performances for tea, cake and conversation.

Gather here for a social experience

Get ready for one of Durban’s most stylish lifestyle events as the All Black Party returns for another unforgettable edition at The Villa, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Point, Durban, on June 6 at 15:00.

This annual celebration brings together music lovers, trendsetters, and creatives for a premium social experience where fashion, music, and culture collide. Guests are invited to dress in their finest all-black or monochrome outfits and step into an atmosphere of high energy, great music, and vibrant entertainment.

Expect an incredible line-up of DJs and live performers, premium sound and lighting production, great food, refreshing drinks, and a crowd that knows how to celebrate in style.

Tickets can be purchased via Webtickets.

Vibrant celebration at festival
A rugby-mad superfan; a teacher suspended from school; a woman growing old disgracefully; a Bollywood-loving roti-making wife; a little girl burdened by the pathological carelessness of her parents; a slew of women singers (Britney, Karen Carpenter, Alanis Morissette) – these are some of the characters one can meet at the fourth annual family-friendly 031 Theatre Festival at the Seabrookes Theatre at DHS from June 4-14.

This year’s festival promises a vibrant celebration of South African theatre, featuring a dynamic mix of comedy, drama, music, and solo performance. The theatre festival has been spearheaded by Lisa Bobbert and Aaron McIlroy (Macbob Productions) and features an exciting and eclectic programme of shows, this time including shows from out of town.

Embedded in the festival is the student festival presented by International School of Performing Arts (ISPA) to showcase the extraordinary range and talent of ISPA’s emerging performers through three distinct productions.

Three national productions appear on the programme: the flagship one-woman production, Cottonwool Kid. Performer Toni Morkel and director, Sylvaine Strike, have woven together a compelling narrative exploring the life of CK, who goes through her journey with her loyal dog, Luigi. CK is a little girl burdened by the pathological carelessness of her parents.

Tickets through Webtickets.

Don’t miss out on the fun! 

Get ready for a hilarious night out with Andre the Hilarious Hypnotist’s “Planned Pandemonium” at The Rhumbelow Theatre, Northlands Bowling Club, Durban North. This comedy hypnotist has been entertaining audiences for more than 35 years with his unique blend of comedy and hypnosis, making him a household name in South Africa.

The show features Andre’s sharp improvisation, quick humour, and original audience-driven content, guaranteeing a night of side-splitting laughter. 

Volunteers from the audience will be hypnotised into hilarious situations, making it a must-see experience for anyone who loves live comedy and interactive entertainment.

The show take place on Friday, June 5 and Saturday, June 6 at 19:30 at the Rhumbelow Theatre, Northlands Bowling Club, 50 Margaret Maytom Avenue, Durban North.

Tickets cost R180 (R160 for pensioners, R150 for under 13 and Northlands Bowling Club members).

Book your tickets now by emailing roland@stansell.co.za or visiting Webtickets.

For more from the Highway Mail, follow us on Facebook , X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.

Click to subscribe to our newsletter here