DURBAN - Tourists and local residents took advantage of great weather to go out in force for the opening day of the uMhlanga Festival on Friday.
The beach was packed with sun worshippers, enjoying the first sunny day this week, while lifesavers and UIP staffers made sure all were enjoying themselves.
Early Gauteng holidaymakers lapped up the last days before the trip home to family for Christmas, while one father from Montclair was treating his daughters and his nieces to days on different beaches throughout the eThekweni area.
Children of all ages joined in the fun and games on the uMhlanga Millennium Stage. They played old-school beach games, tug-of- war and musical chairs, danced with hula hoops had their faces painted and even enjoyed a treasure hunt while a talent showcase and mini-Olympics also featured.
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Video: Frank Chemaly/Independent Media
And the master of ceremonies was Durban dancer Kevin Ellis and his team. Ellis is the current South African, European and world line-dance champion. He kept the children in step with some classic rock like Wham’s Wake Me Up before you Go Go.
Ellis will also be offering participative linedance sessions on the beach and will teach the basic moves. There will be impromptu competitions with prizes going to the best line- dancer judged on audience applause.
Joining Ellis is Gareth Greaves, X Factor stylist and a face-painter extraordinaire. He spent the morning painting flowers and butterflies on little girls’ faces.
With the festival sponsored by uMhlanga Tourism, children can enjoy the daily activities free. They run from 10am to 2pm. Also on the Millenium stage on Saturday is the Miss uMhlanga Beauty Pageant at 11.30am, co-ordinated by Ellis and Greaves. Registration is at 10.30am and the event will be on stage until 2pm.
The Miss uMhlanga is open to two categories: teenagers 12–16 and those 17 and older. Ages are taken as of December 16 and participants are asked to please bring their IDs. There is a fun Mom uMhlanga category which is open to married women of all ages. Participants should register at the beach from 10.30am. Winners will walk away with sashes, tiaras, cash prizes, medals and trophies. The entry fee is a new unwrapped toy which uMhlanga Rotary will distribute to needy children over Christmas.
Also part of the festival is the annual uMhlanga Carols under the Stars at Granada Square on December 20 from 6pm. The concert is co-ordinated by Shelley McLean featuring a range of special guests including Survivors – a five-piece dance crew who were recent winners of SABC’s Break Da Beat Championship. A highlight will be the vocal talent of 13-year-old Fazlyn Naidoo, a semi-finalist in SA’s Got Talent 2017, and Pierre Frenzel, a talented violinist.
Fazlyn, who turned 13 on Tuesday, was performing at the Grace Family church when The Independent on Saturday tried to contact her last night, but her mother, Farzana Naidoo, said that Christmas was her daughter’s favourite season.
Fazlyn has been singing since she was very young and entered SA’s Got Talent because her granddad is an avid fan and insisted she give it her best shot. He took his granddaughter to the TV auditions and she received the first golden buzzer for Durban.
Her proud mother said Fazlyn was passionate about music and worked very hard to keep her dream alive. “She’s very humble and works very diligently. I’m very proud of her,” she said.
While the crowds will be out in force on Durban’s beaches, if the weather doesn’t play ball there’s always a trip to iMax at Gateway to watch Star Wars: The Last Jedi which opened at cinemas on Friday.
The Independent on Saturday was there for the opening and while Durbanites are not big on dressing up as their favourite sci-fi characters, the die-hards were out in force to take in the new instalment of the franchise.