A journey with Kingsley at Umhlali Prep

The larger than life Kingsley Holgate was the life and soul of the party at Umhlali Preparatory School on Friday, July 31 as he entertained the crowd of about 200 North Coasters with his rich tales of the African continent.

The fundraiser for the school’s sports tour to Cape Town was a resounding success as people both young and old enjoyed the adventurer’s enthralling stories and electrifying stage-presence.

The evening began with school sports director, Greg Howard sharing the excitement of the children going on tour with the school later this year and thanking all those present for making it possible.

“Some of these children have never left KwaZulu-Natal, and many certainly have not been on an plane before, so to see the excited looks on their faces as they step onto the plane is truly special,” said Howard. He and four other members of staff are taking a group of 42 grade six and seven children of Umhlali’s first team rugby, hockey and netball squads to compete against schools in Cape Town.

After a curry buffet from Mozambik restaurant, the audience settled down to feast on Kingsley Holgate’s enchanting African tales following in the footsteps of colonial explorer, David Livingstone.

“The audience was mesmerised by Kingsley’s eloquence and amazing sense of humour,” said Life Ngoma, a teacher at Umhlali Prep.

The journeyed explorer, TV personality and Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society expertly held everyone’s attention with a healthy mix of attentive silence and deafening laughter as he shared moments both thrilling and funny with the audience.

Through ticket sales and an auction of items including an autographed copy of Holgate’s new book and a trip to Ponta do Ouro, Mozambique, an amount of over R15 000 was raised towards the Cape Town tour.

The school’s next fundraising event for the tour will take place at Collisheen Estate on Friday, August 21 as families will gather for a fun-filled evening of bingo.

“Kingsley was incredible. After his show, he made the effort to go to every table and talk to everyone, which was a special touch to the evening,” said Umhlali Prep’s Sandy Rogers.