SA Film - Days of Cannibalism - Nominated for Best Documentary Award at the 70th Berlin International Film Festival (Copy)

Media Release

SA Film - Days of Cannibalism - Nominated for Best Documentary Award at the 

70th Berlin International Film Festival

South African filmmaker Teboho Edkins’s crossgenre documentary Western, Days of Cannibalism has been nominated for a Best Documentary Award at the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival which takes place in February.

Days of Cannibalism, which has its World Premiere at the Festival, is set in the rugged terrain of a remote rural region in the mountain kingdom of Lesotho, Southern Africa. Here modern-day pioneers are met with unease by local communities, and self-made Chinese merchants negotiate their place alongside traditional Basotho cattle breeders.

‘The film, like a classical Western, takes place in a universal frontier space in which the laws of society are in a state of flux,” explains Edkins. “I am fascinated by the notion of settlers moving into new spaces, and what this does to the status quo, especially within the context of globalisation and capitalist forces. The arrival of new settlers in Lesotho  – economic migrants from China – has upset the balance of power. Old laws and old gods are being called into question. Against the backdrop of a newly emerging China-Africa relationship Days of Cannibalism explores the complexities and the latent tensions this encounter gives rise to.”

Teboho Edkins - director of Days of Cannibalism

The film avoids central characters or an overarching plot; instead strained moments and small gestures between the newly arrived pioneers and local communities unfold against a vast and harsh landscape.

Produced by KinoElektron, Day Zero Films, Kepler Film Days of Cannibalism the world sales rights have been picked up by Paris based Indie Sales.

The film will be screened on the following dates, venues in Berlin:

22.02.2020 16:30 Kino International (PREMIERE)

23.02.2020 16:15 Cubix 7

24.02.2020 13:30 CinemaxX 6

28.02.2020 19:15 Cubix 7

Berlinale Talents Programme

25.02.2020 14:00 HAU - Hebbel am Ufer theatre

For more information go to:

https://indiesales.eu/days-of-cannibalism

http://www.kinoelektron.com/en/project/days-cannibalism-teboho-edkins/

https://www.screendaily.com/news/indie-sales-boards-berlin-panorama-title-days-of-cannibalism-exclusive/5146715.article

https://www.berlinale.de/en/press/press-releases/films-panorama.html

https://www.berlinale.de/en/press/press-photos/current-press-photos.html#lb1546111-4

https://www.berlinale.de/en/festival/awards-and-juries/berlinale-documentary-award.html

 -ends

Flatfoot dance Company presents - Seeing Red

Media Release

FLATFOOT DANCE COMPANY presents BUSY SEEING RED

KZNSA GALLERY: 21 February 2020 @ 6.30pm

Durban’s Flatfoot Dance Company celebrates its 17th anniversary this year as one of South Africa’s leading contemporary dance companies with a new dance theatre work, Busy Seeing Red at the KZNSA Gallery on Friday 21 February.

With an international touring reputation for excellence and a host of national awards under its belt, Flatfoot’s arrival at this momentous 17th mark is a testament to a dedicated team of dancers and administrators.

In keeping with its reputation of creating and performing edgy, controversial, beautiful and intelligent dance, Flatfoot partners with the KZNSA Gallery to offer a site responsive dance work that ask the audience to engage all the different space of the gallery. In a fluid display of exquisite technical training, Flatfoot’s 7 resident dancers dive heart first into the inner politics of ‘seeing red’. Asking questions that are on all of our lips as South Africans, Busy Seeing Red, negotiates the personal politics of anger. From exploring remembrances of colonial race and current gender violence, this dance theatre work offers a surprisingly gentle embodied encounter with dance that will leave audiences breathless.

Embracing a collaborative creative process of making this performance, the three senior Flatfoot dancers (Sifiso Khumalo, Jabu Siphika and Zinhle Nzama) have jointly collaborated in the choreography with Artistic Director of Flatfoot, Lliane Loots. “As a dance maker I am increasingly interested in the power of multiple voices to tell stories and what better way than to encourage the profound dance voices of the senior Flatfoot dancers to bring their vison to this work”, says Loots. She continues, “it is and has been a remarkable journey making this collaborative dance work and seeing what we share and where we differ as South Africans – I remain deeply humbled by the power of our dance/art to allow dialogue – especially at a time in history when there is so much rage and anger”. 

Also featured in Busy Seeing Red is Flatfoot junior company dancer, Mthoko Mkhwanazi stepping into his first professional choreographic role in the company. “Seeing this young Flatfoot dancer in the role of choreographer in this work is a testament to not only his own talent and drive, but to the nurturing role that Flatfoot had played in offering this space to our up and coming practitioners”, says Loots.

Dancing in Busy Seeing Red are; Sifiso Khumalo, Jabu Siphika, Zinhle Nzama, Sbonga Ndlovu, Ndumiso Dube, Siseko Duba, and Mthoko Mkhwanazi. Lighting and sound design by Wesley Maherry and Clare Craighead.

The Busy Seeing Red  will be performed at the KZNSA Gallery is on Friday 21 February at 6.30pm. Tickets cost R60 and seating is limited. Tickets can be pre-booked via flatfootdancecompany@gmail.com or on a first come first serve at the KZNSA Gallery on the night. Door sales and Gallery open from 5.30pm. The KZNSA restaurant and coffee bar will be open for pre/post show meal and drinks.

This dance work will travel onto the Hexagon Theatre in PMB in early May 2020.

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Results - SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge PMB North and Centrals Results

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge

Pietermaritzburg Central and North Regionals

St Anne’s College: Saturday 14 March

On Saturday 14 March, two more teams earned places at the Grand Finals of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge. First to secure their place was host school, St Anne’s College who were victorious in the Pietermaritzburg Northern Regional followed by Epworth School in the Pietermaritzburg Central Regional.

In a repeat of their round robin clash, St Anne’s met Howick High School in a 7-nil victory for the Pietermaritzburg North title. The two teams faced each other in their first game of their regionals. Howick High then knuckled down and dusted off their loss, going up against Voortrekker High School and Grace College. 

Howick ran out of steam after playing a pearler against one-time winner, The Wykeham Collegiate in the last game of the round robin. Howick defended like pros letting in an early Wykeham goal, midway through the round robin game, they had an opportunity down the other side which they made sure they knocked in to equalize. The remainder of the game they held strong, not allowing Wykeham any space giving them a chance to have a run in the final against St Anne’s.

St Anne’s opened their account with a spin and slot in from Lusanda Mtshali, who netted the first with less than 2 minutes on the clock. Racking up the goals after Mtshali started the ball rolling, Gabbi Benkenstein scored two, Storm Veenstra added one to her teams tally and Georgie Romer-Lee knocked in a magnificent hat-trick of goals.

In the Central Regional, Epworth kept a clean sheet in their six games. The second team to make it to the regional final was decided on goal difference. Both Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High and St John’s D.S.G. had near-mirror image results. With wins for both against Russel High School, Alexandra High School and Carter High School. Both went down to Epworth 1 nil and drew nil nil in the game against each other. The goal difference was the decider with Girls’ High netting a total of 21 goals and St John’s 20.

In the second Epworth Girls’ High game, Epworth owned the territory with 90% of play taking place in the Girls’ High half. Epworth persevered with their attacks throughout the twenty minutes but the last line of defence, keeper Manelisi Gwala was defiant. Deflecting missiled flicks from short corners, warding away rockets with magnificent soccer skills, she held strong.

In a last gasp attack, Epworth’s Fia de Bruyn hugged the post as she deflected the ball from a determined pass from the right. On the whistle, Epworth managed to win the game and the regional title for the third time. The defending champs reactions were electric amid a brewing electric storm above.

Two umpires were acknowledged for their determined efforts with the whistle throughout the day, Solulwe Bless from the Central Regional and Lorimer O’Bree from Howick High for North Regional.

For more info like the tournament’s Facebook page or follow on Instagram.

Results

Pietermaritzburg Northern Regional

1 St Anne’s College, 2 Howick High School, 3 The Wykeham Collegiate, 4 Voortrekker High School, 5 Grace College

Pietermaritzburg Central Regional

1 Epworth School, 2 Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High, 3 St John’s D.S.G., 4 Carter High School, 5 Alexandra High School, 6 Russel High School, 7 Maritzburg Christian School

ENDS

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge - Pietermaritzburg Central and Northern Regionals

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge

Pietermaritzburg Central and Northern Regionals

St Anne’s College: Saturday 14 March

St Anne’s College plays host to the upcoming SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge this coming weekend whereby both the Pietermaritzburg Central and Northern Regionals will be played on their two astro turfs.

With home turf advantage, host school St Anne’s College will hope that they can continue their dominance in the Pietermaritzburg Northern Regional. They will take on Howick High School, Treverton, Grace College, Voortrekker High School and The Wykeham Collegiate. The games will all be 25 minutes one way running time. 

Across the way defending champions, Epworth School will be keen to take their third title in the Pietermaritzburg Central Regional. They will meet Alexander High, Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School, St John’s D.S.G., Maritzburg Christian School and Carter High School. The games will be 20 minutes one way running time.

Both regionals will have a round robin format. The Pietermaritzburg Northern’s top two teams will face each other on in their regional final at 2.40pm. Ten minutes later the top two teams will take to their turf to duel it out for the honours in the Pietermaritzburg Central Regional.

Only two teams have represented the northern region of Pietermaritzburg at the Grand Finals. St Anne’s have raised the trophy eight times and The Wykeham Collegiate had their name engraved on the trophy in 2012. Three teams have travelled to Durban in July. Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High dominated the area for six times, with St John’s winning once, and Epworth hunting their third title this weekend. 

Both tournaments will award 4 points for a win, a draw with goals will earn 2 points and a goalless draw only 1 point. A loss will be logged as zero points for the losing team.

The two teams to win will join three teams that have already earned a spot at the Grand Finals that will take place in July at St Marys DSG. The first team to secure a spot is newcomers from Vryheid, Hoërskool Pionier from the Northern KZN Regional. Second team that will make an appearance at the Grand Finals for a tenth time is Durban Girls’ College representing the Durban Central Regional. The third team, back again after a year’s gap is Our Lady of Fatima from the Durban North Regional. 

For more info like the tournament’s Facebook page or follow on Instagram.

ENDS

Disconnecting to reconnect. A techno-savvy American communications expert learns to unplug and connect with nature in the South African Wilderness. (Copy)

Disconnecting to reconnect. A techno-savvy American communications expert learns to unplug and connect with nature in the South African Wilderness.

Interview with Bo Wood By Sharlene Versfeld 

“For as long as I can remember, I had never been truly disconnected from technology until going on a Wilderness trail in the Imfolozi Game Reserve, in South Africa last year,” muses Bo Wood, a Communications Director from South Carolina, USA. “To be honest, it took some getting used to. I thought the fruit I was carrying in my pocket was my mobile phone a number of times – that cannot be good, right?”  

Bo who was sent to experience the African Wilderness through the Wilderness Leadership School in Durban, works for Black Knight International, the international company representing the legendary conservationist Dr Ian Player and celebrated SA golfer Gary Player brands. Dr Player was instrumental in ensuring the Imfolozi Wilderness in KZN (amongst many others wilderness initiatives) was set aside as a place for nature to exist without human interference, and he established the globally renowned Wilderness Leadership School that offers trails into the wilderness so that people can be reminded of its value to the human spirit. “When I first started working for Black Knight International, I quickly learned the organization was not just all about Gary Player. Several different entities fill the company’s umbrella, including all the intellectual property of Dr Ian Player. The Wilderness Leadership School is very much a part of Dr Player’s legacy. I went on trail to get a first-hand experience of what he left behind and to understand how we can help going forward,” explains Bo.   The Foundation has started formally archiving Dr Player’s legacy, to ensure there is a consolidated bank for future generations to access. Bo elaborates, “We are thinking big. We want to build on the legacy of one of the world’s most influential environmentalists so his legacy will extend through time and impact our global society years from now. Ambitious, we know.”  

“Going into the Wilderness in Imfolozi is quite daunting,” says Bo. “For five days, you are right there walking in a “Big Five” reserve with elephants, leopards, lions, rhino and buffalo. You sleep under the stars and keep watch alone at night. You carry in all your equipment and food, collect wood, make the fire, clean pots and plates and cutlery with sand, dig a hole to go to bathroom, and wash off in a river. No soap allowed. The idea is for us as humans to connect with nature, as we would have thousands of years ago. To become tuned in to the sounds and sights. To truly have time to think about what we have done to the planet.”   “No doubt I was out of my comfort zone, being from America. But it was more a feeling of excitement. Invigorating. On the other side of the “boundary” – as our guide called it –  escaping and disconnecting from the normal hustle and bustle of everyday life gave me a certain tranquility I had never experienced,” he says.  

Bo says that the trail helped him to recharge. “Even though I was exhausted from the physical burdens of being on trail, my mind came back excited,” he enthuses. “I have come to realize how connected the world is even without our modern technology we rely so heavily on for unnecessary convenience.”   While walking, Bo and fellow trailists came across the carcass of a poached rhino. “Our guides on trail explained how the entire ecosystem is affected if a rhino becomes a victim of poaching. Seeing that carcass lying there really hit that message home for me.”   

Night watch on one’s own for one to two hours, is always a little intimidating for first-timers, but Bo loved it. “I thrived under the responsibility of watching over our group. Some people had done the trail before, but I did not know what to expect. So, for me, developing the right routine was crucial - checking that no dangerous animals were in the proximity of the camp and tending to the fire. But I felt it also was important to take many moments during the watch to give gratitude to mother nature.”   And mother nature delivered for Bo. “There are no tents on trail. You sleep on a flat platform of rock and it was surprisingly easy and comfortable in a way,” he laughs. “Although it does make you more thankful for a mattress and clean sheets.

We named the one camp “Pride Rock” (like in the Lion King) overlooking a river. One afternoon, all of us huddled in the water under the rock’s shade to escape the blistering sun. Mindful that we were in shallow enough water not to be eaten by a crocodile. An elephant appeared out of the bush for a quick afternoon drink. This majestic creature put on a show. He strutted along the bank as we watched in reverence. A moment in time I will never, ever forget.”

The quiet yet driven 31-year-old, says that he was truly humbled and grateful for the experience. “At the end of the trail, as we exited the wilderness, I realized exactly why the Foundation wanted me to do this. It truly is a life-changing experience for the human spirit. By having this experience, I believe that I can now truly play an important part in keeping Dr Player’s legacy alive.”

ends

Note:

As director of communications travels to South Africa to lead the communication efforts for the Nedbank Golf Challenge hosted by Gary Player for Black Knight International. His most recent visit was for the November 2019 event as well as the Gary Player Invitational charity golf tournament at Sun City which raised money for the Gary Player Foundation. He went on the Wilderness trail in November 2018.

The Wilderness Leadership School offers 4 night, 5 day trails with experienced guides for individuals and groups (as well as corporates) in various areas aimed at reconnecting humans to nature. For more information contact 031-462 8642 or email info@wildernessleadershipschool.co.za. For more information about Wilderness Trails go to https://www.wildernesstrails.org.za/

(Sharlene Versfeld is a Durban-based nature guide and communications consultant)

Results of Durban North Regional Ashton International College: Sunday 8 March

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge

Durban North Regional

Ashton International College: Sunday 8 March

Reclaiming the title, Our Lady of Fatima were victorious for the fourth time in the Durban North Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge at Ashton International College on Sunday 8 March.

In a scorcher of a game, Fatima met Crawford La Lucia in the regional final, their second meeting of the day. In the previous encounter the result went Crawford’s way with a 1 nil victory but in the main game of the day, Fatima dug deep and after a tough encounter were triumphant.

In a fast, flowing game, Crawford La Lucia managed to open their account with a sterling charge in from Laiken Brisset with just over 5 minutes left to play. Brisset wasted no time as she entered the top of the circle and quickly rocketed in her attempt that flew past the keeper. Fatima didn’t let the late score get to them, and pushed hard at the Crawford defence. Their perseverance paid off as Emma Loftstedt found some space in a last gasp surge with just over 90 seconds left of play. She skilfully chipped the ball in, levelling the score at 1 all.

As the time ran out, 3 players from each side lined up for the deciding penalty shoot out. First to go was the 2019 defending champs, Crawford La Lucia – Alison Beck set off. Charging down Beck’s attempt was the young keeper Hannah Donkin, who deflected the ball out of reach. Fatima’s Caitlin Cotterell made a dash goal-wards, steering right and slotting in her shot neatly. In the second round, both Teneal Moriarty from Crawford and Paige Horn from Fatima veered right as they got into the circle and knocked in their strokes. The scoreboard was now 3-2 to Fatima. Brisset set off for the final round, weaving in both directions as she charged towards the goals but Donkin paid attention to the fancy footwork and stifled Brisset’s chance to keep Crawford in the game.

In the bronze medal game, Danville Park Girls’ High met the surprise dynamite package from Curro Mount Richmore. In their first appearance at the Durban North Regional, Curro held strong as Danville pounded down to the Curro goals with five Danville penalty corners being defended by the newcomers. With only a handful of minutes left, a shock shot hit the post and landed in free space in the circle. An alert Tayla Jansen pounced on the opportunity and netted her teams first and only goal, earning a third for Danville.

In the first semi-final, Crawford La Lucia took on Curro Mount Richmore and dominated the game, winning the game 4 nil. In the second semi-final, Danville – who had topped the pool log took on Fatima. Fatima managed to edge ahead with a run down the left, running along the baseline and finding the back of the box in the only goal in their semi. Both teams played superbly with some fierce duels mid-field seeing loads of long passes, plenty of turn-overs and not a lot of chances on either end of the field.

Umpire of the Day went to Danville Park High School’s Christy Gilmour.

Fatima is the third team to have a run at the Grand Finals in the tenth year of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge. In their three previous Grand Finals appearances, they have earned a respectable fifth place in 2011, 2017 and 2018. They join newcomers Hoërskool Pionier from the Northern KZN Regional and the only team with a 100% record at the epic conclusion of this tournament, Durban Girls’ College will be representing the Durban Central Regional. Next weekend two teams will earn their spots representing the Pietermaritzburg Central and Northern Regionals.

For more info like the tournament’s Facebook page or follow on Instagram.

ENDS

Fixtures for Durban North Regional at Ashton College - Ballito - 8 March 2020

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge

Durban North Regional

Ashton International College: Sunday 9 March

Gaining momentum, the third tournament of the 10th SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge rolls out to Ashton International College this coming Sunday.

Nine schools take to the astro for the Durban North Regional, with the schools being divided into two pools. Heading up Pool B is host school, Ashton International College meeting Danville Park High School, Northlands Girls’ High and newcomers Curro Mount Richmore. In Pool A defending champs Crawford La Lucia take on Crawford North Coast, Durban North College, Our Lady of Fatima and Reddam House uMhlanga.

Having the honour of getting the tournament started, the first game gets underway with Crawford North Coast meeting Reddam at 7.30am and concluding the pool games, Danville takes on Northlands.

Following the familiar pool format for the SPAR tournaments, the 20-minute pool games will be wrapped up after 16 games, with the cross-pool games continuing the day and revealing the positional places. A win will earn the victorious team 4 points, a draw with goals, 2 points and a goalless draw only 1 point. A loss sees no movement to the points.

For the semi-finals and finals, in the case of a tied game – shootouts will be used to determine the winners with only three players from each team heading to the spot. After 22 games, this year’s winner will be the tenth team to have their name engraved on the regional trophy.

Four teams have represented the Durban North Regional at the Grand Finals since the tournament’s inception, most recently Crawford La Lucia who won the 2019 title for the first time. Fatima and Ashton have made three appearances and Danville twice.

One team has secured their place at the Grand Finals, Vryheid’s Hoërskool Pionier from the Northern KZN Regional earned the first spot in Vryheid last weekend. Hot on the heels of the Durban Central Regional which takes place the day before, the third Grand Finals berth is reserved for the winner of the Durban North area.

For more info like the tournament’s Facebook page or follow on Instagram.

ENDS

Durban Girls' College Wins Durban Central Regional - 7 March 2020

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge

Durban Central Regional

Durban Girls’ College: Saturday 7 March

Maintaining their 100% record, Durban Girls College was crowned the Durban Central Regional winners of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge for the tenth time on Saturday 7 March.

College is the only team in the tournament to have a 100% appearance at the Grand Finals, which takes place later this year at St Mary’s DSG. College has an illustrious history in the ten years of the SPAR tournament notching up three golds, three silvers, a bronze and two fourths in their ten runs at the Grand Finals.

The victorious defending champs were made to work for their success in the regional final, meeting the lioness Durban Girls’ High School team. It was the second time the two teams met each other at the regional, with the first meeting going College’s way with only a solitary goal scored by Olivia Sharratt for the host school. Durban Girls’ High School’s defence stood solid only allowing 2 goals in with a barrage of attempts. Led by Girls’ High’s keeper, Nkazi Cele who commanded her troops tirelessly from the back. The first was on a back-to-back short corner, with the clock ticking past 2 and a half minutes played. The first short corner was awarded, with a heroic charge down by Girls’ High giving College another shortie attempt. The ball got pushed to the castle and Jenna Stichelbout’s shot deflected twice before slotting neatly into the goals.

Their second goal went in near mid-time. Livewire, Bulelwa ‘BB’ Mzimela pierced Girls’ High School’s circle and quickly passed the ball to a perfectly placed Amanda Holmes who easily tapped the ball across the line, giving her team a 2 nil advantage.

With endless surging into the DGHS circle, the visiting team managed to turn the game around and get into College’s circle as the clock ticked down with 2 and a half minutes remaining. The strong College back line didn’t allow the last minute breaks to amount to anything.

Leading up to the final College defeated St Henry’s. Early in the game, College earned a short corner and capitalized with a low flick finding the back of the box in the only goal in the first semi-final. In the second semi-final Girls’ High took on a determined Maris Stella. In a level pegged game, the score was nil nil. The game rolled into a penalty shoot-out, which Girls’ High secured in their third round. Scores remained unmoved for the first 5 attempts taken by both teams, but a determined run in by Tameka Pillay, followed by a quick release saw her shot fly into the net and earning an opportunity to dethrone Girls’ College.

In the bronze game between St Henry’s and Maris Stella. The game ping-ponged between the two 22s. The first time a team got into a circle, 7 minutes of play had ticked away. St Henry’s were the first team to take a crack at the goals after 12 minutes of play. A minute later Maris Stella had their first shot on the opposite end, with their chance being halted by a diving keeper.

With just over 3 minutes left, play was sent down the right with a number of crisp, sharp passes finding Sarah Proctor camped out mid-circle. Proctor calmly cashed in directing the pass neatly into the St Henry’s box scoring the game winning goal and securing third place for Maris Stella.

Umpire of the Day was awarded to the young Melissa Calitz from St Henry's.

College is the second team to secure a spot at the Grand Finals, first to earn a place are newcomers Hoerskool Pionier from Northern KZN. On Sunday Our Lady of Fatima from Durban North Regional were the third team to gain a berth at the Grand Finals that will take place at St Mary’s DSG in July.

ENDS

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge Durban Central Regional Durban Girls’ College: Saturday 7 March

Time for a spot of hockey, the 101st overall tournament in the tenth year of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge heads to 031 for the Durban Central Regional, hosted by Durban Girls’ College.

Eight teams will take to College’s astro. Split into two pools, Durban Girls College will face Durban Girls’ High School, Inanda Seminary and Ridge Park in Pool A. While Pool B sees St Henry’s School, Maris Stella, the INK team and Port Natal School battle it out.

The duration of the matches will be 20 minutes, with no half time. A win in the pool games will see a team awarded 4 points, a draw with goals 2 points, a goalless draw only 1 point and a loss equating to no points.

A total of 12 pool games will be played, followed by the two semi-finals. Teams who finished fourth in the pool games will then face each other to reveal seventh and eighth places. Third place in the pool games will challenge each other for the positions of fifth and sixth places. In the penultimate game, the losers of both semi-finals will then take to the turf, with the winner earning third spot. And finishing the day off will be the main regional title game featuring the two winners from the semi-finals.

Only one school has been crowned the regional champion in all nine of this area’s tournaments and is the only team in the history of this tournament to have a 100% record at the Grand Finals. Nine times winners, Durban Girls’ College will be keen to continue their outright dominance in this region in the hopes of notching up their tenth overall title.

This will be the second regional this year, with the tournament having travelled to Vryheid last weekend (29 February). The first team to earn a spot at the Grand Finals is Hoërskool Pionier.

The next regional, the Durban North Regional, takes place at the recently launched astro at Ashton International in Ballito the day after the Durban Central Regional, on Sunday 8 March.

For more info, like the tournament’s Facebook page or follow on Instagram.

ENDS

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge Northern KZN Regional Pionier High School: Wrap up

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge

Northern KZN Regional

Pionier High School: Saturday 29 February

Northern KZN Regional has a new winner, that of host school Hoërskool Pionier which took the title in a scintillating final of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge on Saturday 29 February.

Hoërskool Pionier had a cracker of a day, starting their efforts off with a 5 nil victory and continued their winning streak all the way to the final where they met St Dominics Newcastle School. 

St Doms started the regional final with a spring in their step as they worked their way to the Pionier goal from the whistle. The visiting team opened their account with an absolute pearler of a goal when Vanessa Abudo entered the circle left of goal, slapped the ball in from the top of the D, passed the waiting keeper, Chrysna van Rhyn’s defence to a cleverly placed Andiswa Mhlongo camping out on the right post. Mhlongo calmly popped the ball across the line, netting the first goal. 

After 8 minutes, the home team started chipping away at St Dominics Newcastle’s dominance when they broke into the opposition’s circle and earned a short corner after 8 minutes and 21 seconds. They set up a basic attack, with the ball getting trapped at the castle and then being rocketed towards the goals, but a brave charge-down stopped Pionier’s first real attempt. 

After a few more unsuccessful short corners, Pionier magiced up an equalizer after a scramble in the St Dom’s circle resulted in the ball slipping across the line. The game was then 1 all with only 2 and a half minutes of play left. St Dom’s response was a solitary break from midfield with the player running out of turf, pushing the ball in from the right only to find no support from her players. 

As the game time ran out, the action moved to the pressure spot where three players from each team got a chance for a penalty shoot out. Pionier started the proceedings nailing the first one, with St Dom’s rising to the challenge, and also finding the back of the box on their first penalty. The second round saw both teams slot in their attempts. In the final round Pionier’s Berne van Heerden’s flick went wide giving St Dom’s captain, Nosipho Magula’s a tournament winning chance but it wasn’t to be as her attempt agonisingly didn’t get the rewards. 

The title of the tournament went to sudden death with St Dom’s stepping up to the spot first. Abudo earlier game time success didn’t continue to the spot and her chance went abegging giving Pionier’s Charnique Oosthuizen a tournament winning chance. Oosthuizen rose to the occasion, pummelling in her shot, past the advances of keeper, van Rhyn and earning the regional honours for Pionier. 

Pionier is the third team to earn the title of Northern KZN champion, claiming the title from the defending champs Ferrum, who have won the trophy eight times. Pionier met Ferrum in the second semi final and knocked out the defending champs with two goals scored by Oosthuizen and Kayla Becker. In the first semi final, St Dom’s were victorious with a 2 nil win against Dundee High School. Awande Mbuli and Vanessa Abudo netted the two for St Dom’s in the semi. 

Pionier is the first team to earn a spot at the Grand Finals which will take place at St Mary’s DSG in Kloof in July. This weekend (7 & * March) the tournament continues with two more regionals taking place at Durban Girls’ College and Ashton International. 

For more info like the tournament’s Facebook page and follow on Instagram.

ENDS

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge Northern KZN Regional Pionier High School: Saturday 29 February

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge

Northern KZN Regional

Pionier High School: Saturday 29 February

Getting a jump on the hockey year, the tenth SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge gets underway with the first of its ten regionals taking place at Hoërskool Pionier on Saturday 29 February.

The Northern KZN Regional hosts eight first teams from its expansive outlying areas. The teams will be split into two pools, with the host school having a tough task taking on one-time winners, Sarel Cilliers who placed second overall last year; Dundee High School will hope to improve on their fourth from last year and Vryheid Landbou which makes a welcome return to this tournament,  in Pool B.

In Pool A, defending champs Ferrum High School hope to retain their dominance in this regional, with eight crownings out of nine regional tournaments. The tight outfit will meet St Dominics School who finished in third last year. Rounding off the teams in this pool are Vryheid High School and Newcastle High School.

Games lasting 20 minutes one way will take place on one field. A win in the pool games will earn a team 4 points, a draw with goals notches up 2 points, a goalless draw only 1 point and zero points for a loss. 

Tipping off the 100th overall tournament, defending champs Ferrum High School will match up against St Dominics School at 7.30am. Next to square off are Vryheid High School versus Newcastle High School. The third pool game will be the 2016 regional winners, Sarel Cilliers who take on Dundee High School. Pionier will meet Vryheid Landbou in their first match of the day.

After 12 games of action-packed skills, the tournament proceeds to a cross pool play-off. The positional games begins with the seventh and eighth play-off, rolling into the first semi-final at 13.25. Twenty minutes later the second team to earn a spot in the regional final will be revealed after the second semi-final. The fifth and sixth placed game will give the four top teams a breather before the penultimate third position game followed by the concluding regional final.

If scores are level in the semi-finals, third and fourth place game and the regional final, the game will be decided by a three players penalty shoot-out. 

The SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge heads to the coast for the Durban Central Regional hosted by Durban Girls’ College on Saturday 7 March followed by the Durban North Regional taking place at Ashton International College in Ballito on Sunday 8 March.

For more info like the tournament’s Facebook page or follow the tournament on Instagram.

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge 2020 Dates Announcement

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge

2020 Dates Announcement

Leaping into its tenth year, and notching up a momentous milestone, the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge’s first tournament of the year significantly tips off its 100th overall tournament.

The first date in this jam-packed, action-filled hockey calendar that travels to ten regions in KwaZulu Natal takes place on the added bonus day this leap year, on Saturday 29 February. Host for this year’s Northern KZN Regional are Pioneer High School. 

The first of four regionals in March heads back to Durban for the Durban Central Regional where Durban Girls’ College will host teams at their astro on Saturday 7 March. The following day, Sunday 8 March, the tournament moves to Ashton International College in Ballito for the Durban North Regional. Ashton welcomes the tournament onto their recently unveiled international-spec astro turf. The fourth and fifth tournaments travels to Hilton where both the Pietermaritzburg Central and Pietermaritzburg North Regionals will take place at St Anne’s College on Saturday 14 March. 

After a short two week break, Kingsway High School will host the Durban South Regional at 3 Schools Trust on Sunday 5 April. Staying south, the tournament hits the road travelling to Matatiele for the Southern KZN Regional where King Edward High School will host teams on Saturday 18 April.

In May, schools from the timber-rich areas gather for the uMvoti, uThukela and uMzinyathi Regional on the astro at Wembley College in Greytown on Saturday 9 May. Back-to-back action takes the tournament to Curro Hillcrest on Sunday 10 May for the Highway Regional. Concluding the regionals, the tenth tournament takes place on the familiar turf at Grantleigh School that hosts teams for the Northern KZN Coastal Regional on Saturday 16 May.

Max Oliva, Managing Director of SPAR KZN said, “SPAR KZN is delighted with the success of this tournament that began in KwaZulu Natal in 2011 quickly became a highlight on the sports calendar; and has since been introduced to a number of our neighbouring provinces.”

“With the upcoming milestone of the 100 overall tournaments next month, we look forward to watching the action unfold and its success in the future. With 2020 being a big year for sports, with the Olympics taking place in Tokyo – we are delighted that our South African hockey teams will feature as well and look forward to seeing how many ladies donning the green and gold in Japan have been a part of our humble journey.”

Mid-July, the top team from each region will represent their school and their regional at the Grand Finals which takes place at St Mary’s D.S.G.. The two day final starts on Saturday 18 July with the pool games and then the cross pool and medal games on Sunday 19 July. 

For more info like the tournament’s Facebook page or follow on Instagram. 

ENDS

FLATFOOT DANCE COMPANY presents BUSY SEEING RED KZNSA GALLERY 21 Feb 2020

Media Release

FLATFOOT DANCE COMPANY presents BUSY SEEING RED

KZNSA GALLERY: 21 February 2020 @ 6.30pm

Durban’s Flatfoot Dance Company celebrates its 17th anniversary this year as one of South Africa’s leading contemporary dance companies with a new dance theatre work, Busy Seeing Red at the KZNSA Gallery on Friday 21 February.

With an international touring reputation for excellence and a host of national awards under its belt, Flatfoot’s arrival at this momentous 17th mark is a testament to a dedicated team of dancers and administrators.

In keeping with its reputation of creating and performing edgy, controversial, beautiful and intelligent dance, Flatfoot partners with the KZNSA Gallery to offer a site responsive dance work that ask the audience to engage all the different space of the gallery. In a fluid display of exquisite technical training, Flatfoot’s 7 resident dancers dive heart first into the inner politics of ‘seeing red’. Asking questions that are on all of our lips as South Africans, Busy Seeing Red, negotiates the personal politics of anger. From exploring remembrances of colonial race and current gender violence, this dance theatre work offers a surprisingly gentle embodied encounter with dance that will leave audiences breathless.

Embracing a collaborative creative process of making this performance, the three senior Flatfoot dancers (Sifiso Khumalo, Jabu Siphika and Zinhle Nzama) have jointly collaborated in the choreography with Artistic Director of Flatfoot, Lliane Loots. “As a dance maker I am increasingly interested in the power of multiple voices to tell stories and what better way than to encourage the profound dance voices of the senior Flatfoot dancers to bring their vison to this work”, says Loots. She continues, “it is and has been a remarkable journey making this collaborative dance work and seeing what we share and where we differ as South Africans – I remain deeply humbled by the power of our dance/art to allow dialogue – especially at a time in history when there is so much rage and anger”. 

Also featured in Busy Seeing Red is Flatfoot junior company dancer, Mthoko Mkhwanazi stepping into his first professional choreographic role in the company. “Seeing this young Flatfoot dancer in the role of choreographer in this work is a testament to not only his own talent and drive, but to the nurturing role that Flatfoot had played in offering this space to our up and coming practitioners”, says Loots.

Dancing in Busy Seeing Red are; Sifiso Khumalo, Jabu Siphika, Zinhle Nzama, Sbonga Ndlovu, Ndumiso Dube, Siseko Duba, and Mthoko Mkhwanazi. Lighting and sound design by Wesley Maherry and Clare Craighead.

The Busy Seeing Red  will be performed at the KZNSA Gallery is on Friday 21 February at 6.30pm. Tickets cost R60 and seating is limited. Tickets can be pre-booked via flatfootdancecompany@gmail.com or on a first come first serve at the KZNSA Gallery on the night. Door sales and Gallery open from 5.30pm. The KZNSA restaurant and coffee bar will be open for pre/post show meal and drinks.

This dance work will travel onto the Hexagon Theatre in PMB in early May 2020.

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SA Film - Days of Cannibalism - Nominated for Best Documentary Award at the 70th Berlin International Film Festival

Media Release

SA Film - Days of Cannibalism - Nominated for Best Documentary Award at the 

70th Berlin International Film Festival

South African filmmaker Teboho Edkins’s crossgenre documentary Western, Days of Cannibalism has been nominated for a Best Documentary Award at the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival which takes place in February.

Days of Cannibalism, which has its World Premiere at the Festival, is set in the rugged terrain of a remote rural region in the mountain kingdom of Lesotho, Southern Africa. Here modern-day pioneers are met with unease by local communities, and self-made Chinese merchants negotiate their place alongside traditional Basotho cattle breeders.

‘The film, like a classical Western, takes place in a universal frontier space in which the laws of society are in a state of flux,” explains Edkins. “I am fascinated by the notion of settlers moving into new spaces, and what this does to the status quo, especially within the context of globalisation and capitalist forces. The arrival of new settlers in Lesotho  – economic migrants from China – has upset the balance of power. Old laws and old gods are being called into question. Against the backdrop of a newly emerging China-Africa relationship Days of Cannibalism explores the complexities and the latent tensions this encounter gives rise to.”

Teboho Edkins - director of Days of Cannibalism

The film avoids central characters or an overarching plot; instead strained moments and small gestures between the newly arrived pioneers and local communities unfold against a vast and harsh landscape.

Produced by KinoElektron, Day Zero Films, Kepler Film Days of Cannibalism the world sales rights have been picked up by Paris based Indie Sales.

The film will be screened on the following dates, venues in Berlin:

22.02.2020 16:30 Kino International (PREMIERE)

23.02.2020 16:15 Cubix 7

24.02.2020 13:30 CinemaxX 6

28.02.2020 19:15 Cubix 7

Berlinale Talents Programme

25.02.2020 14:00 HAU - Hebbel am Ufer theatre

For more information go to:

https://indiesales.eu/days-of-cannibalism

http://www.kinoelektron.com/en/project/days-cannibalism-teboho-edkins/

https://www.screendaily.com/news/indie-sales-boards-berlin-panorama-title-days-of-cannibalism-exclusive/5146715.article

https://www.berlinale.de/en/press/press-releases/films-panorama.html

https://www.berlinale.de/en/press/press-photos/current-press-photos.html#lb1546111-4

https://www.berlinale.de/en/festival/awards-and-juries/berlinale-documentary-award.html

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Realness Institute Celebrates Sundance Win and Extends Call For 2020 Applications

Media Release

Realness Institute Celebrates Sundance Win and Extends Call For 2020 Applications

The first film produced from the Realness African Screenwriters’ Residency This is Not a Burial, It's a Resurrection, directed by Lemohang Jeremiah Mosese's (Realness 2017) and produced by Urucu Media's Cait Pansegrouw and Elias Ribeiro competed in the 2020 Sundance Film Festival's World Dramatic Competition section to critical review, and  was awarded the Special Jury Prize for Visionary Filmmaking at a ceremony last night in Park City, Utah, USA.

“Delicate and strong, this director told a little story of resistance and made it universal,” said the World Dramatic Competition Jury’s citation. “The composition of images, the visual phrase and the story of this film moved us. One of the most beautiful films of our Sundance 2020.”

“Realness Institute has been designed as a platform that caters to the full spectrum of the production line in a way that can push the African film industry forward. Core to the program’s development is the view that African cinema is a central market in the new sphere of the global cultural economy,” says Elias Ribeiro, co-founder of Realness.

The Realness Screenwriter’s Residency is dedicated to providing African film projects with the support and resources needed at the critical development stage of a film. The programme ensures that talent is given the space to mature their work, such that they develop films that can compete in the international film finance market, travel and appeal to international audiences.

Realness offers a natural environment that allows filmmakers to stretch their creativity and drive their craft under mentorship from industry experts. The residency takes the form of a six-week stay at the Nirox Foundation situated in the scenic Cradle of Humankind in South Africa.

This programme caters for filmmakers with distinct voices and perspectives, who are devoted to their craft and have a steadfast passion for cinema. Filmmakers with feature fiction film treatments and/ or scripts that are at least 60% filmed on the African Continent.

Creative Producer Indaba is a year-long professional development programme, providing emerging producers with the necessary tools and leadership skills to pursue their craft, as well as capacity to operate sustainable businesses at a strategic level.

Creative Producer Indaba is aimed at producers (with and without projects) from Africa; producers from North America and Europe with an interest in co-producing with Africa,

Film Professionals from other disciplines such as distribution, international sales, funding bodies, institutions, broadcasters and development executives with a stake in the African marketplace.

The deadline for the 2020 Residency and Indaba has been extended to February 15

For more information go to realness.institute

To apply submit a completed application to submissions@realness.institute

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Kingsley Holgate Foundation Expedition Team - Rides High on Sky in New Expedition of Mountain Passes Southern Africa

RIDING HIGH ON SKY

What better place to kick off 2020 and a bright new decade, than from the 3,262m Tlaeeng Summit in Lesotho one of the highest driveable road passes in Africa, all part of a challenging high altitude Land Rover and mountain bike Riding High on Sky Expedition by the Kingsley Holgate Foundation (KHF) Team to tackle 100 of Southern Africa’s highest and toughest mountain passes in just 30 days.

‘It’s another tough challenge for our specially kitted-out Land Rover Discoverys but mountain passes are not new to them,’ explains veteran expedition leader Ross Holgate, who heads up the Foundation. “These are the same Land Rovers that, on a recent Cape Town to Kathmandu expedition, not only completed the high Caucuses mountain passes between Georgia and Russia but also the ancient high-altitude Silk Routes across Armenia and Iran, the famed Khyber Pass between Afghanistan and Pakistan, and the Karakoram route to China, said to be one of the highest paved roads in the world.”

As in all their journeys of Discovery, this new Holgate Land Rover odyssey, which began on 2 January 2020, is also linked to humanitarian and conservation work along the way.

One of the colourful expedition members is ‘seven summiteer’ (meaning he’s climbed  the highest peaks in each of the world’s seven continents) “Shova” Mike Nixon, one of the ‘Last Lions' and Land Rover team member of the famed Absa Cape Epic, who will use this journey as high altitude training for the 2020 mountain bike event.

Kingsley Holgate explains that apart from the high passes of the Kingdom of Lesotho and the Eastern Cape (passes with colourful names like Ben Mac Dhui, Ongeluks Nek, Ramatselitso and Baster Voetslaan), the Riding High on Sky expedition will also pay tribute to Thomas Bain, by following in the footsteps of one of South Africa’s greatest road engineers who, starting in 1848, built famous mountain passes with names like Swartberg, Baviaans, Prince Alfred, Bains Kloof and the ‘Seven Passes' road.

The team plan to end their 3000Km mountain pass journey in the north west of the country on a pass aptly named, ‘The Road to Hell', followed by the 7 rugged passes of the Richtersveldt.

For more information follow the team on Facebook.

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Winners of the CLiP STOMP Awards Announced – South Africa

Media Release

Winners of the CLiP STOMP Awards Announced – South Africa

The winners of the inaugural the Commonwealth Litter Programme (CLIP) STOMP Awards were announced at the CLIP Innovation Conference: “STEM the tide of plastic waste in Africa” hosted by the Sustainable Seas Trust in Cape Town on 5 December 2019.

From the 63 entries five winners were selected in five categories: Technology or Technical Design, Product, Adult Inspire through Creativity and Youth Inspire through Creativity, and Special Recognition for Action.

The winning entries were as follows:

The Technology or Technical Design Award went to The Mermaid Tear Catcher, submitted by Clare Swithenbank-Bowman from the KwaZulu-Natal, North Coast A recycled plastic “frisbee” that essentially is used to sieve out nurdles and other small plastics from the sand and facilitates people getting involved in citizen science projects. The judges said that the entry was a “fun, creative community solution to removing plastic waste that could be easily replicated anywhere in the world.”

Finalists in this category were Wildtrust – Pyrolysis Machine from Hilton in KwaZulu-Natal and Games Tangibl, submitted by Jean Greyling from Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape.

The Product Award went to Patch Bamboo Plasters submitted by Dr Milliea Anis. Judges said that it was “an unique, practical and tested product that has been courageously trialed in South Africa, and importantly replaces plastic products that most overlook without thinking twice.”

Finalist in this category also included The Big Scoop SA submitted by Alexis Wellman from Cape Town, Beeswax Wrap submitted by Mica Da Silva from Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal and The Mutea EcoPod submitted by Liam Bulgen from Cape Town , Western Cape.

Luke Rudman’s The 12 Plastic Monsters, a performance art work that uses plastic waste to convey the horror of plastic pollution, won the Adult Inspire through Creativity Category. Judges said that they loved the entry as it was brilliantly creative and driven by a passion for the oceans, citing it as inspiring and unique.

Finalists in this category were The Well Worn Theatre Company submitted by Kyla Davis from Johannesburg  and The SuperScientists Project by Codemakers NPO, submitted by Justin Yarrow from Berea in Durban, KwaZulu Natal. 

The Youth Inspire through Creativity was won by The Oceano Reddentes NPC submitted by twelve year old Jade Bothma from the Western Cape, who started the non-profit that is “Saving the sea one piece of plastic at a time” through education, awareness, and research.”

Finalists in this category were The Future Kids submitted by Rocco Da Silva from the Western Cape and Norman Klutsky Eco-Warrior of the High Seas - Eden College submitted by Jean Van Elden, Berea, Durban KwaZulu-Natal

The Special Recognition Award for Action went to Singakwenza, submitted by Julie Hay from KwaZulu-Natal. Singakwenza, which means ‘we can do it’ in isiZulu, provides low cost, high impact health and early education through empowerment programmes to economically-disadvantaged communities, particularly in rural areas of KwaZulu-Natal.  Much of what they do involves recycling of plastic waste. This entry impressed the judges in terms of showing tangible impacts on both waste and social upliftment.

Finalists in this category were Captain Fanplastic, submitted by Nwabisa Joba from the Western Cape and The Ethekwini Conservancies Forum, submitted by Paolo Candoti from Durban, KwaZulu-Natal 

‘Most of these finalists and some other entrants that very much impressed the judges, attended our CLIP Conference, and were able to present their projects to delegates working and researching in the marine pollution sector,” said Kyle Briggs, Contest Lead from the UK's Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) which leads the CLIP Programme. “It was a really exciting two days of knowledge-sharing and looking at practical solutions to the marine pollution problem which we hope will help contestants develop their ideas further. These creative ideas from the STOMP Awards form part of CLIP’s efforts in finding creative solutions to plastic waste. It sends a clear message that plastic pollution is not only confined to scientists or policy-makers, and that anyone can innovate. Together people from all walks of life can find tangible solutions that have real impact. Congratulations to all the winners, finalists and everyone who entered with a  commitment to find solutions to the plastic pollution challenge!.”

For more information about the awards go to www.stompawards.co.za. 

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IDFA Bertha Funded BUDDHA IN AFRICA to show in Best of Fests line-up at International Documentary Festival of Amsterdam

MEDIA RELEASE

IDFA Bertha Funded BUDDHA IN AFRICA

to show in Best of Fests line-up at International Documentary Festival of Amsterdam

Buddha in Africa, an award-winning South African documentary that follows the intimate story of a Malawian teenager growing up in a Chinese Buddhist orphanage in Africa, will be shown as part of the Best of the Fests programme at the prestigious International Documentary festival of Amsterdam in November.

The documentary, directed by first-time filmmaker, Nicole Schafer, has been many years in the making and received development, production and post-production support from the IDFA Bertha Fund.

“It is very meaningful to finally be showing the film at IDFA, a festival and fund that have believed in and supported this film since its inception,” says Schafer. “In 2011 the film was pitched at the Durban FilmMart in South Africa and received the “IDFA Most Promising Documentary Award”. This was very much the springboard that got the film off the ground in the first place. But being my first film, it took much longer than expected to raise all the finance and to follow the story, which is set in Malawi.”

The film had its World premiere at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival in April 2019, and has since shown at numerous festivals around the world where it has scooped several awards since including “Best Documentary” in the International Panorama ‘A Window onto the Future’, section of the Visioni dal Mondo International Documentary Festival in Milan (Italy), the Grand Prix award for the NHK Japan Prize for Educational Media, First Prize from the Youth jury for the Chicago Children’s Festival (USA) , and in South Africa an Audience Choice Award at Encounters Documentary Festival, “Best Documentary” at the Knysna Film Festival,  and “Best South African Documentary” at the Durban International Film Festival, which has automatically qualified it for consideration for an Oscar nomination.

In the next two weeks the film will show at the AFRIFF festival in Nigeria, in Bristol, Oslo, the Festival Enfances dans le monde in Paris and the Verzio Human Rights Festival in Budapest.

Screenings at IDFA are:

Thurs 21st  Nov  (7pm)   Rialto Bovenzaal

Fri 22nd   Nov (14:45) Munt 13

Sun 24th Nov  (13:00) Tuschinski 6

Tue 26th  Nov (16:30) Munt 12

Fri 29th Nov (10:00) Brakke Grond Rode Zaal

Ticket Bookings:

https://www.idfa.nl/nl/film/dcb6d526-fbc2-465f-a0ba-1e0fbd4d8838/buddha-in-africa

Well-known KZN Conservationist Sheelagh Antrobus accepted as Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society in the UK

Media Release

Well-known KZN Conservationist Sheelagh Antrobus accepted as Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society in the UK

Well-known KwaZulu-Natal conservationist Sheelagh Antrobus has just been accepted as a Fellow of the prestigious Royal Geographical Society, the professional body that advances geography and supports related fields of interest across the globe.

Antrobus, the founder of conservation organisation Project Rhino, is one of the integral members of the Kingsley Holgate Foundation expedition team, which specialises in using geographic adventures to conduct humanitarian work and raise awareness about Africa’s endangered wildlife. This South Africa-based Foundation now boasts four Fellows of the Royal Geographical Society including Ross Holgate, who heads up the Foundation, Mike Nixon, the celebrated mountain biker who cycles the expeditions, and the legendary adventurer and humanitarian himself, Kingsley Holgate. 

Over the past three years, Sheelagh has been part of the team that completed three world first expeditions in their Land Rover Discoverys. In 2017, they reached Africa’s most easterly point in Somalia on the Horn of Africa; in 2018, a transcontinental journey took them from Cape Town to Kathmandu in Nepal and onto India; more recently in 2019, their east-to-west Zambezi to Congo expedition included helping the Doctors for Life volunteer medical team to conduct life-changing eye operations. Intrinsically embedded into all their expeditions, which continue to be supported by Land Rover, is communicating the urgent need to conserve Africa’s wildlife and in particular, the rhino.

Antrobus’s love for wildlife led her to set up the award-winning, aerial anti-poaching unit, the Zululand Anti-Poaching Wing (ZAP-Wing) that supports more than 20 game reserves collectively holding the second-largest remaining population of rhinos left in the world. In 2016 she received the prestigious Rhino Conservation Award from the Game Rangers Association of Africa. She is one of the founders of Rhino and Elephant Art, a youth conservation programme that uses educational school lessons and community football matches to engender a passion for wildlife amongst young people, as well as the World Youth Wildlife Summit series, which works towards building a new generation of conservation leaders across Africa and the world.

"Through these Land Rover Discovery expeditions we have traversed Africa and beyond, visiting more than 25 countries in the past three years,” says Antrobus. “We have been very blessed to have such incredible opportunities to go to places where few “outsiders” venture in our modern world. While doing our humanitarian and conservation work, we see some incredible sights, meet extraordinary people from many cultures, and are able to report back on some of the remotest and often forgotten locations in Africa.”

To be accepted as a Fellow of the 190-year-old Royal Geographical Society, a person must have sufficient involvement in geography or an allied subject through their training, profession, research and publications, or demonstrate expertise in related fields such as the environment, conservation and ecology. 

Previous RGS Fellows include Sir Charles Darwin, Dr David Livingstone, polar explorers Sir Ernest Shackleton and Sir Robert Scott, mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary, Michael Palin and Joanna Lumley.

Speaking from Afrika House on the north coast of KwaZulu-Natal, an excited Antrobus said, “I am still pinching myself, this is a huge honour for me.  It is quite incredible that there are now four of us in the Kingsley Holgate expedition team who are now Fellows of the RGS.  Holding a Fellowship opens up many doors to network and share information, but it comes with some important responsibilities, such as continually enhancing geographical knowledge and understanding of related critical issues among the wider public. I say a heartfelt thank you to all the people in my life – family, friends, colleagues and associates – who have helped me get to where I am today, and I hope that this encourages other women to get out there and explore the amazing wild places of this beautiful continent, be courageous enough to follow their passion, whatever it may be, and stand up for a cause they feel strongly about.”

And plans for the foreseeable future? “Christmas with family, relaxing after a rather busy year, and planning for our next Land Rover geographic adventure in 2020, which will continue to focus on raising awareness of the crisis facing Africa’s endangered wildlife, particularly the rhino, alongside our humanitarian endeavours.”

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