THE Durban July Experience is forecast to inject R130 million (US$7,2 million) to the economy of Ethekwini. The event will attract up to 48 000 attendees, amassing R65 million in direct spending and creating 1 500 jobs. eThekwini Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda disclosed the figures ahead of the event set for this weekend. The mayor reassured visitors of a safe and entertaining Durban July. Kaunda said law enforcement agencies will be deployed to strategic areas. Approximately 100 Metro police officers will…

FROM its early days as a butchery and braai place, to now being a hugely popular venue frequented by all cultures and races from all over the world, Max’s Lifestyle has a fascinating history. It was once a one-room shack near a stream and was built in front of a former taxi rank in the year 2000. Many well-known local celebrities, sportspersons and politicians are to be found unwinding there. Last month, the tourism deputy minister of Namibia, Heather Sibungo,…

ZIMBABWE’S maize imports in 2023/24 will likely reach the highest levels in seven years. Unlike in 2016, the country might not struggle to secure supplies from neighbouring South Africa and Zambia. A shortfall in Zimbabwe’s maize production is attributed to a dry spell that affected the crop in the southern and western areas of the country in December. Zimbabwe’s fortunes worsened when Cyclone Freddy hit the country in late January 2023, leading to crop damage. Its 2022/23 maize production could…

THE commencement or increase in flights to Cape Town by some regional and local airlines is poised to boost passenger statistics to the Western Cape Province. Proflight Zambia will commence its direct flight from the capital Lusaka, to the South African coastal Mother City on July 1, with two flights per week. Local operator, Airlink will increase frequencies on its Cape Town – Mbombela (Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport) route, doubling capacity to 12 flights per week, from August 7. Air…

THE closure of the Rachel Finlayson Pool at the Durban Beachfront has left locals disappointed. They believe there is more to the closure than renovations. The closure of the pool on Thursday coincided with the resumption of theschool holidays. “The closure comes after a member of the public drove into the pool, damaging the fence,” eThekwini Municipality stated. The municipality said the pool would be closed until June 30. The Rachel Finlayson pool was repaired last year in December after…

THE travails faced by Zula Zula Adventure Bus depict the lack of support faced by up-and-coming players in the hospitality sector to establish their industries. It is also a reflection how these small and medium enterprises (SMEs) overcome such challenges, through resilience. Zula Zula derives its name from the Zulu word translating to, “Wander about everywhere.” The company went literally anywhere in search of support, to no avail, which was compounded by its formation during the COVID-19 when the industry…

In the dense forest of the Daxiangling Mountains in Sichuan Province grows the favourite food of giant pandas – various bamboo species including arrow bamboo. The slopes are usually covered with snow from the end of November to the end of March the following year. As in the wild, giant pandas generally live at relatively high altitudes and prefer cool places with rich food resources, rugged terrain and abundant water, making the mountain range an ideal habitat for them.   The…

THE resumption of service by ProFlight Zambia between Durban and Lusaka is poised to provide a much-needed boost trade and tourism between South Africa and Zambia. KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), the South African province, has welcomed the service by the airline that serves the business community and tourism industry. “This new air service will undoubtedly play a role in strengthening the business links between the two destinations,” said Siboniso Duma, KZN Member of the Executive Committee for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental…

VIVO has sealed a deal as the exclusive device partner of the Miss South Africa pageant. The ambitious Chinese smartphone maker has announced the partnership,coinciding with the launch of its new V27 flagship series in the country. Vivo unveiled the V27 5G and the V27e at an event in Johannesburg. The partnership with Miss South Africa is a giant leap in the Dongguan-headquartered firm’s mission to increase its market share in the Southern African country. Miss South Africa is one…

BEACH goers have been alerted to the danger posed by seals after the animals were spotted in Durban. “Over the last couple of days, there have been some seals that have visited sections of the south coast of Durban,” stated the KwaZulu-Natal Ezemvelo. “This is not a common phenomenon in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) so it has created quite a hype among the angling community and general public,” it added. Among precautions, people must not pose next to or close to a…