Weekend of portside fun ahead at Durban Port Festival

Live music and entertainment, a special kids’ zone, water craft displays and tours, South African Navy vessels, a careers exhibition and more will be part of the exciting line-up of activities taking place at the Durban Port Festival this weekend. The bumper weekend of activities is hosted by Transnet National Ports Authority, in partnership with the South African Navy and eThekwini Municipality.

The festival kicks off at 9am on both days and the main activities take place at Wilson’s Wharf and at the N Shed facility at the Durban cruise terminal.

Well-known South African music acts Mi Casa, Zakes Bantwini and the Drakensberg Boys Choir, will share the festival stage with a line-up of local musicians, DJs and other performers.

A Best of Durban Talent line-up from 9am to 11.30am at Wilson’s Wharf on both Saturday and Sunday will feature a number of entertainers from in and around the port city.

They include acapella act Hyena Blues, pantsula and Kwaito group Tinkler Champions, the Ubuhle Umlazi Zulu dancers, Indian dancing from the Kumari Shiksha’s Dance Institute and music from Ndumiso Shabangu.

Also performing is 13 year old singing sensation Sandra Majola, known by her stage name Lasandra, as well as musician David Jenkins aka Qadasi, an accomplished Maskandi musician who developed a deep passion for Zulu culture and music at a young age while growing up in Empangeni.

The Drakensberg Boys Choir is the highlight of the official festival opening ceremony on Saturday at 1pm.
Mi Casa performs on Saturday while Zakes Bantwini is the crowd-puller on Sunday.

The Durban Port Festival promises to be an exciting celebration of South Africa’s busiest commercial port, with the public able to access a number of waterside and landside activities throughout the weekend.

“A festival like this intends to expose port communities to the port and the opportunities that exist through the maritime sector, but in an interactive and entertaining manner,” said Durban Port Manager, Moshe Motlohi.

Two South African Navy vessels, SAS PROTEA and SAS ISAAC DYOBHA, will be open for the public to board and view throughout the festival weekend.

The vessels will be berthed at the Durban cruise terminal and are in port as part of the Navy’s World Hydrography Day celebrations.

The SA Navy will also have its diving display tank present on site for the public to interact with SA Navy divers.

Other activities include a shark dissection by the KZN Sharks Board, tugboat displays by Transnet NPA and a yacht sail-past and boat rides from Sail Africa, which provides sail training for young South Africans who could otherwise not afford the privilege of participating in sailing.

There will also be a free careers exhibition to expose the youth and learners to some of the opportunities available in the maritime industry.

Participating organisations include Transnet National Ports Authority, National Sea Rescue Institute, eThekwini Maritime Cluster, SA National Defence Force, Transnet Maritime School of Excellence, Transnet Engineering, Transnet Freight Rail, Transnet Port Terminals, Durban University of Technology, Subtech Group, University of KZN, SA Maritime School & Transport College, MSC Cruises and Maritime Business and Computer College.

Landside activities will offer family fun, live entertainment, leisure activities, an arts and crafts market, local food stalls and children’s entertainment.

Important information
Entry is free for all activities.
The festival will be open from 9am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Queues to visit the navy ships close at 4pm on both days.
Attendees are encouraged to take along their camp chairs, blankets and picnic baskets to ensure they are comfortable during the two days of fun.
No braais will be allowed.
No outside beverages, alcohol or weapons will be permitted through the security checkpoints.
There will be food and beverages on sale at the festival as well as arts and crafts market.

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