JOMBA! MASIHAMBISANE DIALOGUES #6 - Choreographies of Activism: Moving Bodies as Disruptive Presencing: 27-29 May 2026 Online with Free Public Access

The Centre for Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, in partnership with the JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience, presents the 6th edition of the JOMBA! MASIHAMBISANE DIALOGUES (JMD26), taking place online from 27-29 May 2026. 

Under the theme Choreographies of Activism: Moving Bodies as Disruptive Presencing, this year’s dialogues bring together artists, scholars, choreographers, and activists from across Africa and the Global South to explore dance as a form of embodied activism and political intervention.

“At a time marked by ongoing colonial legacies, global inequality, mass displacement, ecological collapse, and political violence in regions such as Palestine, Sudan, Syria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, JMD26 asks urgent questions about the role of the moving body in resistance, survival, memory, and collective care,” explains committee member Dr Lliane Loots. “Rather than understanding dance as metaphor, the dialogues position choreography and movement as active political practices through which bodies assemble, disrupt, claim visibility, and insist on justice. Drawing on decolonial, feminist, queer, Indigenous, and Critical Black studies frameworks, the programme interrogates how movement generates forms of knowledge beyond institutional and textual politics.: 

The three-day programme features keynote dialogues, paper presentations, panel discussions, screendance screenings, and a major book launch. International keynote guests include Hershini Bhana Young (South Africa/USA), Preethi Athreya (India), Nora Amin (Egypt), L’Antoinette Stines (Jamaica), and Kettly Noël (Haiti and Mali). Highlights include conversations on borders, memory, dance activism, ancestral embodiment, and transformative choreographic practices. Presenters from South Africa, Uganda, Brazil, Tanzania, Kenya, Haiti, Egypt, India, Jamaica, and beyond will engage questions of ecology, gender, migration, disability, and embodied resistance within the frame of activisms.

A featured event within the programme is the launch of Encountering Disability and Citizenship Through Contemporary Dance in Africa(Routledge, 2026), co-authored by Yvette Hutchison and Lliane Loots. Emerging from a UKRI-funded research project, the publication examines how integrated dance practices across Africa challenge dominant understandings of disability, citizenship, and belonging.

All sessions are free and accessible online. The dialogues will be livestreamed via the official JOMBA! YouTube channel, and you can also apply for a direct Zoom access to join the live digital discussion space.

Access Information

The livestream can be accessed via:
JOMBA! YouTube Channel

Access the full programme updates and information:
 https://jomba.ukzn.ac.za/masihambisane-dialogues/masihambisane-dialogues-issue6-2026/

To apply for direct Zoom participation, contact:
Thobile Maphanga - 2024jomba@gmail.com

The 2026 JOMBA! MASIHAMBISANE DIALOGUES invites audiences to consider how moving bodies continue to hold memory, generate political possibility, and create spaces for collective imagination in deeply fractured times.

The Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI) announces the project selection for the annual DFM Pitch and Finance Forum 2026

Thirty-six African film projects have been selected for the 17th Durban FilmMart Africa’s leading film finance and co-production market that will now take place from 9 to 12 October, in Durban, South Africa.

The market will present an array of projects, including 8 animation, 10 fiction features, 10 documentary features and 7 series projects in development at the Pitch and Finance Forum alongside a robust industry programme which will focus on current trends, innovations, and challenges faced by the industry.

"Our stories are our voices; they represent our culture, our history, our joy, our pain and our victories.  DFM is honoured to present a unique selection of African stories that will add to the successes that have gone before," says Magdalene Reddy, DFMI director. "We look forward to following the journey of these projects for years to come, as we do with all our project alumni. The DFM provides an important platform, not only to showcase the creative work of filmmakers but also to support them in building a cross-continental community, creating networks and access

The 36 selected projects will be given the opportunity to prepare for their participation at DFM with online one-on-one mentorship by leading industry experts to ensure that they are collaborator- and investor-ready when they get to Durban for the in-person pitch.

The 8 animation projects will receive additional support from industry experts through participation in the Digital Lab Africa (DLA) programme presented by DFM partner, Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct.

The 2026 DFM Official Projects:

Animated Series - Fiction               

Beast Seeker             

Producer: Danielle Retief

Director: Robyn Viljoen

South Africa               

capoZOOeira             

Producers: Mary Waweru Wanjiku, Carlos Zerpa Bravo

Director: Orlymar Paredes

Kenya, Brazil

Hadu: The Series                   

Producer: Damilola Solesi

Director: Precious Anih

Nigeria           

JUJU SOCCER                     

Producers: Oge Obasi, Somto Ajuluchukwu

Director: C.J. Obasi

Nigeria           

Nerve             

Producer: Raffaella Delle Donne, coproducer: Renee Van Reenen

Director: Tshepo Moche

South Africa               

Sunday Morning                    

Producer: Nahom Abiy

Director: Minasie Terefe

Ethiopia                      

Animated Short - Fiction                

In Her Hands             

Producer: Gehad El Akhal

Director: Hagar Basiony

Egypt              

Animated - Feature length fiction              

MIDNIGHT METRO               

Producer: Wako Sefara

Director: Lesego Vorster

South Africa               

Fiction Features

A touch of Paradise

Producer: Sarra Ben Hassen

Director: Houcem Slouli

Tunisia

Arbaa Shuhuor wu Ashara Ayam (Four Months and Ten Days)

Producer: Alsamoual Hussein

Director: Alyaa Musa

Sudan

Fairway to Freedom

Producer: Tarina Patel

Director: Jahmil Qubeka

South Africa

HOLY COW (selected at El Gouna 2025 through partnership)

Producer and Director: Asmae el Moudir

Morocco

MIETA

Producer: Neil Brandt

Director: Carla Fonseca Mokgata

South Africa

MOTHER THERESA

Producer: Shema Faustin

Director: Mutiganda wa Nkunda

Rwanda

Taht El Sama El Khadra' (Under Green Skies)

Producer: Yara Goubran

Director: Jad Chahine

Egypt

The Boy Who Spoke Static

Producer: Mathew Cerf

Director: The Agbajowo Collective

Nigeria

Vino Amargo (Bitter Wine)

Producer: David Franciscus

Director: Pablo Pinedo Bóveda

South Africa

Waslap (selected through DFM ACCESS)

Producer and Director: Batandwa Alperstein

South Africa

Fiction Series

AGAIN

Producer: Giresse Kassonga

Director: Erickey Bahati

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Daddies

Producer: Cati Weinek

Director: Sean Mongie

South Africa

Fafi

Producer and Director: Dominique Jossie

South Africa

FISI (HYENA)

Producer: Mkamzee Mwatela

Director: Sanele Zulu

Kenya

Smoke & Mirrors

Producer: Luke Rous

Director: Jozua Malherbe

South Africa

The Coven (selected through DFM ACCESS)

Producer and Director: Sihle Mthembu

South Africa

Documentary Series

Children of the Nile

Producer and Director: Tina Obo

Uganda

Documentary Features

Banat aljazira alkhadra' (GREEN ISLAND'S GIRLS)

Producer: Amrosh Badr

Director: Rogena Tarek

Egypt

DESIGNING DIVIDE (selected at Talents Durban 2025)

Producer and Director: Jessie Ayles

South Africa

Gwijo Nation

Producer: Quinton Fredericks

Director: Sesihle Manzini

South Africa

LE FIL ET LE MUR (THE THREAD AND THE WALL)

Producer and Director: Mouni Boullam

Algeria, France

MA NUIT DU DJOMELE (My Djomele Night)

Producer: Hicham Falah

Director: Barkima Nafissatou Laguempedo

Burkina Faso

Majuto si Mjukuu (Heirs of no Regret)

Producer: Mumo Liku

Director: Saitabao Kaiyare

Kenya

MDANTSANE – HOME OF BOXING (selected through DFM ACCESS)

Producer and Director: Phumlani Veto

South Africa

The Ones With The Tempered Flowers

Producer: Ivy Kiru

Director: Neema Ngelime

Tanzania

Urban Zulu: The Busi Mhlongo Story

Producer: Struan Douglas, coproducer: Vusi Mchunu

Director: Rehad Desai

South Africa

Waiting for Evolution

Producer and director: Karin Slater

South Africa

WHERE DO I BELONG?

Producer: Talal Afifi

Director: Ibrahim “Snoopy” Ahmed

Sudan

More information on this year’s theme can be found on the Durban FilmMart Institute’s website, https://durbanfilmmart.co.za/ 

Delegate registration and programme details will be announced in due course.

The 17th edition Durban FilmMart is funded by the Durban Film Office, eThekwini Municipality, Ford Foundation, the National Film and Video Foundation and IEFTF.

JOMBA! FEMME FORWARD Screen Dance Residency 2026

The 2026 JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience, hosted by the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s award-winning Centre for Creative Arts, calls for applications for its JOMBA! Femme Forward Screen Dance Residency, which takes place during the festival from 24 August to 29 August.

Besides presenting edgy live contemporary dance, as well as workshops, talks and its dance-writers - and female-focused residencies, JOMBA! also supports, hosts and nurtures a digital dance platform that has an open call for submissions to be featured at the festival.

Darkroom Contemporary Artistic Director Louise Coetzer with company dancer Tania Mteto. Image by Oscar O’Ryan.

This year’s continuation of the JOMBA! Femme Forward Residency focuses on the development of female-identifying dance artists who are eager to develop their digital screen dance practice.  Having screened almost 50 dance films over the past 5 years JOMBA! is dedicated to investing in the craft of screen dance making and following the 2023 screen dance residency run by Mozambican duo Pak Ndjamena and Ivan Barros JOMBA is thrilled to be partnering with Cape Town based Darkroom Contemporary Dance Theatre to execute this year’s 6-day residency.  

The residency offers space for 5 female-identifying dancers / dance makers aged between 18 and 35 years who have some dance training and have a keen interest in upskilling themselves to become digital screen dance creators. 

This JOMBA! Femme Forward Screen Dance Residency is being run in partnership with  Darkroom Contemporary Dance Theatre (Cape Town, South Africa),  a project-based company which was founded in 2010, and formed as a vehicle to reimagine dance through its innovative approach to staging and presenting contemporary works.

Founders Louise Coetzer, a dancer and choreographer, and Oscar O’Ryan, a photographer and filmmaker, bring together expertise from their respective fields to form a dynamic partnership. Their projects provide platforms and create opportunities for skills development and exchange among all artists involved. They focus on the use of new technology and digital media frame their artistic approach. Similarly does interdisciplinary exploration, with project collaborators including visual artists, musicians, designers, filmmakers and digital artists.

“We remain deeply committed to creating accessible, inclusive spaces for dance-makers,” says JOMBA!’s Project Manager, Thobile Maphanga. “The Femme Forward Residency is about amplifying young female-identifying voices in dance, and this year specifically in screen-dance, giving them the tools and confidence to tell their stories in powerful new ways, making their work accessible to wider global audiences.”

“We are excited to collaborate with JOMBA! on this residency,” says Louise Coetzer of Darkroom Contemporary Dance Theatre. “Screen dance opens up fresh possibilities for choreography and creativity, and we want participants to experiment, take risks, and discover their own unique voices in the digital space.”

The Residency will focus primarily on developing dance filmmaking skills (from conceptualisation, pre-production planning, filming to editing considerations). The outcome will be a short screen dance film, created individually by each participant. Included in the residency will be access to dance workshops by choreographers visiting the festival, assistance in forging a professional image and instilling good work ethic that will aid the young makers to promote their future work.  The residents will also have access to the full festival programme and have the opportunity to meet and engage with professional companies and choreographers that are visiting the festival.

The selection will be done through an application process that requires the applicant to motivate why they want to be a part of the residency.  Participants will be expected to be available for the full 6-day duration (24-29 August 2026) with the outcomes of the residency presented at the JOMBA! Forging Futures platform on Saturday, 29 August 2026.  There is no cost to participate, and a nominal stipend is paid to support residents with transport and food for the 6 days. Applicants must reside in and around Durban.

For more information about the application criteria and selection process, go to https://jomba.ukzn.ac.za/jomba-femme-forward-screen-dance-residency-2026/.

Applications can be made here https://forms.gle/8BcWYQVZgyPx4twf7 . Applications close on Monday 22 June 2026 at 5pm.

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge Ugu and Sisonke Regional - Kokstad College: Saturday 9 May

Successfully defending their title, St Patrick’s College from Kokstad earned their third consecutive victory in the Ugu and Sisonke Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge hosted by Kokstad College on Saturday 9 May.

They met one-time winners, Hoërskool Suid-Natal in a tightly fought regional final. Thanks to a burst attack straight after the first whistle, the ball found Saint’s attacker, Ava Stanford who wasted no time slotting in the only goal of the final. 77 seconds into the game, the ball was firmly fed to Standford from the top of the circle. Standford, stationed on the goal post, confidently altered the direction of the pass into the back of the box. 

Swept off her feet. Enthusiastic keeping, Southcity Christian School’s Siyolise Ncawdi watches as Hoërskool Suid Natal’s Anabelle Van Der Merwe tumbles in the final round of the penalty shootout. Van Der Merwe slotted in her stroke, knocking out Southcity and advancing to the finals of the Ugu and Sisonke Regional in the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge that took place at Kokstad College on Saturday 9 May. Pic by Rogan Ward.

This is the third time in their three regional final successes that they have opened the scoring. Their first against Suidies in 2024, but Suidies managed to equalise requiring the trophy to be decided by a penalty shootout. Last year they met another coastal team, Southcity Christian School and fired in an early goal, fiercely defending it until the final whistle. In similar fashion, vying for their third win - Saint Pats, with the upper hand played a calm, creative game opting to fire off a fair few overheads from the back sending Suid-Natal back. The game flowed to all parts of the field, with Suid-Natal not able to capitalise on their many advances, but quickly shutting down any further goals. 

In the build up to the final, the two finalists met in the opening fixture for Pool A with the game ending in a goalless draw. Suid-Natal proceeded to win all of their remaining games while the defending champs drew 1 all to Port Shepstone High School. Suid-Natal topped the log with 17 points and St Patrick’s finished second with 14 points. 

A dramatic conclusion unfolded in Pool B with the top three teams all ending level on points. In an identical spread sheet, all teams drew against each other and won their three other fixtures resulting in a total of 14 points across the top three rows. The deciding factor was on goals scored. Five-time champions, King Edward High School finished with an impressive 10 goals, while Southcity netted 9 in total, narrowly edging out host school and three times winner – Kokstad College on 8 goals scored. 

In the first semi-final Southcity advanced to take on neighbouring school, Suid-Natal. Suid-Natal were unable to find holes in the Southcity defence after two well earned short corners while Southcity had a rare one-on-one moment but standing tall, Suid-Natal’s Lindy Plomp charged down the brazen attempt. With no goals being scored, the game headed to a penalty shootout. Suid-Natal’s Chloe Barnard and Anika Du Toit slotted in their attempts. Missing their first attempt, Southcity’s Reagan Rosslee knocked in her attempt. The final round, all-rounder Anabelle Van Der Merwe met a zealous Southcity keeper, Siyolise Ncwadi resulting in a stroke that Van Der Merwe easily slotted for her team’s third – knocking Southcity out. 

In the second semi-final, King Edward met St Pats. Saint’s Geah Marais slotted in an early goal after a free hit outside the circle found her available in the circle. With her back to the goals, she neatly spun around slotting in the all-important goal. King Edward worked hard trying to equalise but were unable to pierce the St Patrick’s defence.

Making great strides with the whistle, Stryda Perry from Creston College was awarded the Umpire of the Day prize. Boitumelo Ramaota from St Monica’s Diocesan walked away with a magnificent Princess hockey stick that she won in a fun filled lucky draw. 

Only two more tournaments remain in this year’s SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge before the Grand Finals at St Mary’s D.S.G. in Kloof in July. St Patrick’s College is the eighth team to earn their spot at the concluding tournament. They meet Our Lady of Fatima, (Durban North Regional); Amanzimtoti High School (Durban South Regional); St John’s D.S.G. (Pietermaritzburg Central Regional); St Anne’s Diocesan College (Pietermaritzburg North Regional) and St Mary’s D.S.G. (Highway Regional); Durban Girls’ College (Durban Central Regional) and Grantleigh School ( North Coast Regional).

Results:

Regional Final

Hoërskool Suid-Natal 0 vs St Patrick’s College 1

Semi-Finals

Hoërskool Suid-Natal 0 (3) vs Southcity Christian School 0 (1)

King Edward High School 0 vs St Patrick’s College 1

Pool A

1 Hoërskool Suid-Natal 17pts. 2 St Patrick’s College 14pts; 3 Port Shepstone High School 13pts; 4 Bergview College 5pts; 5 St Monica’s Diocesan 2pts; 6 Ixopo High School 1pt

Pool B

1 King Edward High School 14pts; 2 Southcity Christian School 14pts; 3 Kokstad College 14pts; 4 Mount Currie High School 5pts; 5 Creston College 5pts; 6 Scottburgh High School 0pts

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge Sisonke & Ugu Regional - Kokstad College: Saturday 9 May

The popular SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge travels to Kokstad College where 12 schools take to the field for the Sisonke & Ugu Regional on Saturday 9 May. 

One of the biggest tournaments geographically in the challenge, teams from the south coast through to Matatiele participate in this vibrant regional. Host school, Kokstad College will have two fields running games concurrently. The 12 teams will be divided into two pools, each of the games runs for 20 minutes. There are 30 pool games, followed by the cross-pool playoffs that will feature the top two teams from each pool. The winners of each semifinal advance to meet in the regional final. 

Points will be awarded after each game: four points for a win, two points for a draw with goals, a single point for a goalless draw and then zero points for a loss. The final three fixtures allow for a penalty shootout if the games result in a draw. 

Getting the day underway, defending champs – St Patrick’s College meet travelling team, Hoërskool Suid-Natal in the opening game for Pool A. On the second field host school, Kokstad College take on Southcity Christian School in the opening fixture for Pool B. Joining St Patrick’s and Suid-Natal are Bergview High School; iXopo High School; Port Shepstone High School and St Monica’s Diocesan. Filling up Pool B are Creston College; King Edward High School; Mt Currie Secondary and Scottburgh High School. 

Five teams have had the honour of advancing to the Grand Finals representing this area. St Patrick’s are on the hunt for their third title after winning the last two consecutive years. King Edward has hoisted the trophy five times, the last in 2022. Kokstad have their name engraved three times, while Creston College had two successes in the earlier years and Suid-Natal were victorious once in 2023. 

Winding down the regionals, three more teams remain to earn their spot at the Grand Finals which takes place at St Mary’s D.S.G. at the end of July. Seven teams have already secured their spot: The winner of this challenge will meet Our Lady of Fatima, (Durban North Regional); Amanzimtoti High School (Durban South Regional); St John’s D.S.G. (Pietermaritzburg Central Regional); St Anne’s Diocesan College (Pietermaritzburg North Regional) and St Mary’s D.S.G. (Highway Regional); Durban Girls’ College (Durban Central Regional) and most recently XYZ from the North Coast Regional.

One lucky Matric pupil stands a chance to win a year’s bursary at eta College, a leading Sport Science, Coaching and Management tertiary institution in Durban. At each of the regionals, Matrics can enter the lucky draw in the hopes of winning this great prize. The bursary will be awarded at the Grand Finals. 

For more information, follow the tournament on Facebook: SparSchoolGirlsHockeyTournament or Instagram  sparkznhockey or TikTok spar.kzn.hockey or use the hashtags: #ChixWithStix  #HeartoftheCommunity #SuperLocal #MyKZNSPAR #MySPAR 

Applications Now Open for the 2026 JOMBA! YOUTH OPEN HORIZONS Platform

Applications are officially open for the 2026 JOMBA! YOUTH OPEN HORIZONS Platform for the 28th JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience (24 August - 6 September), hosted by the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Centre for Creative Arts in Durban.

Pinetown Girls High Dance Group with choreography by Lettie Nzama at the 2025 JOMBA! Youth Open Horizons. Photo by Val Adamson

In a celebration of young talent the much-loved YOUTH OPEN HORIZONS returns to the Stable Theatre, Durban, on Sunday 30 August at 2pm. This vibrant platform is a joyful, non-competitive space where dancers under 16 - across every dance style - come together to share, learn, and connect. From hip hop and pantsula to Zulu traditional dance, ballet, contemporary, and beyond, it’s a stage dedicated to honouring the next generation of movers and dance-makers. 

FLATFOOT's Project Hheshe Nsizwa (Umlazi) with choreography by Siseko Duba and Zinhle Nzama at the 2025 JOMBA! Youth Open Horizons. Photo by Val Adamson

"The YOUTH OPEN HORIZONS Platform is one of the most joyful parts of our festival,” says Lliane Loots, Artistic Director of JOMBA!  “This is where we see the spark of tomorrow’s dance-makers igniting on stage. To watch young dancers share their passion in a space that celebrates diversity and creativity is really inspiring. This is not just about performance; it’s about creating a dance community, nurturing confidence, and giving our young artists the chance to perform in front of a packed auditorium with an appreciative audience – it is truly life-changing.”

The festival is able to host 12 dance groups. Applications can be made on here: https://forms.gle/7EnrZzG7SXdawT6D6

The deadline for applications is 29 June 2026.

For more information about JOMBA! go to https://jomba.ukzn.ac.za/

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge North Coast Regional - Grantleigh School: Saturday 2 May

The fierce rivalry continued as the top two teams battled it out in the final of the North Coast Regional at the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge on Saturday 2 May, with host school, Grantleigh School, reclaiming the title.

In the last eight regional finals, Grantleigh have met Felixton College seven times. Out of these seven clashes, the title has been decided by a nail-biting penalty shootout three times. In an action-packed conclusion, the 2026 edition unfolded with a shootout after the teams drew with the scoreline sitting at 1 all at the final whistle. In 2022 Grantleigh edged out Felixton in the 8 seconds, and in last years dramatic final, Felixton managed to earn their third title. 

Bounce in her step. Felixton College’s Storm Weaver watches her shot head goalwards as Grantleigh School’s Lisa Mbhamali desperately tries to defend. Weaver’s shot levelled the score at 1 all in the final at the North Coast Regional in the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge that Grantleigh hosted on Saturday 2 May. Pic by Rogan Ward

Grantleigh were first to score in the ninth minute, piercing the Felixton defence in the third short corner of the game. Their feisty little playmaker, Klaradyn Kotzé was in the right spot at the right time, slotting in Grantleigh’s opening goal. Felixton responded with various attacks, capitalising on a burst down the right. The ball rapidly moved to Storm Weaver, camped out at the top D. Wasting no time, she rocketed off a shot as soon as she stepped into the circle – levelling the score. 

In the first round of the shootout, Grantleigh’s Izzy Currie slotted in her attempt, while Zara van der Merwe’s angle was cut down by home team keeper, Casey Lee, with the shot veering wide. In the second round, Smilesihle ‘Smile’ Sibiya deflected Leandri Marius’s effort. Felixton’s Emihle Nkosi utlised all of her 8 seconds as she rounded Lee and ran the ball right over the goal line to level the score. In the final round, the pocket rocket, Kotzé made sure with a no-frills run directly into the circle before knocking in her second goal of the final. Captain for Felixton, Kathryn Johnston charged in, trying to draw Lee out, drifting right. Her cunning plan unfortunately fizzled out as she quickly ran out space to fire in an equaliser. The final shootout score of 2-1 giving Grantleigh a well deserved victory after a long, hot day of hockey. 

Balance. Felixton College’s Zenande Mncwave watches keenly as her pass threads up through the Grantleigh School’s defenders during the final at the North Coast Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge that Grantleigh hosted on Saturday 2 May. Pic by Rogan Ward

In the build up to the finals, 46 goals were scored in the 15 games with Felixton netting a total of 16 goals in their five fixtures while Grantleigh scored 13. In the opening match, the two opponents took to the field in a dress rehearsal for the final, with Grantleigh narrowly taking the win 1 nil. 

Off the ball, Empangeni High School’s Surita Ackerman took ownership of a beautiful Princess hockey stick which she won in the fun lucky draw ‘scavenger hunt’. Khethelo Ntuli, representing Empangeni High School, was acknowledged for his skills with the whistle, being awarded the Umpire of the Day. 

Earning their eighth title, Grantleigh now heads to the Grand Finals where they will take on nine other regional champions at the Grand Finals taking place in July at St Mary’s D.S.G. Six other teams have already secured their spot with three more tournaments still to play to reveal the final contenders. Grantleigh join Our Lady of Fatima, (Durban North Regional); Amanzimtoti High School (Durban South Regional); St John’s D.S.G. (Pietermaritzburg Central Regional); St Anne’s Diocesan College (Pietermaritzburg North Regional) and St Mary’s D.S.G. (Highway Regional) and Durban Girls’ College (Durban Central Regional).

This weekend the action heads inland to Kokstad for the Sisonke and Ugu Reigonal.

Results

Regional Finals

Grantleigh School 1 (2) vs Felixton College 1 (1)

Round Robin

1 Grantleigh School 20pts; 2 Felixton College 16pts; =3 Empangeni High School 10pts; =3 Eshowe High School 10pts; 5 St Catherine’s High School 4pts; 6 John Ross High School 0pts

Durban SPAR Women’s 10 / 5km Challenge: Every Child Deserves a Champion - Race Charity Announced

‘The true measure of society is how it treats its most vulnerable members – especially children.’ Marian Wright Edelman

Durban, South Africa: 4 May 2026: The Durban SPAR Women’s 10 / 5km Challenge is delighted to be partnering with iThemba Lethu, the official charity for their 2026 race which takes place on Sunday 28 June.

iThemba Lethu, based in Manor Gardens, serves the greater Cato Manor community. An NPO which began 25 years ago cares for vulnerable children affected by poverty, crime and gender-based violence. Their priority is the future of children, transforming hardships into tales of hope.

iThemba Lethu has been announced as the official race charity for this year’s Durban SPAR Women’s 10 / 5km Challenge which takes place on Sunday 28 June. Pictured at the announcement are Sfundo Cele  (Financial Administrator iThemba Lethu) ; Nozipho Mkhize (SPAR KZN Advertising & Sponsorship Manager) and Nobuhle Ngcobo (Night Carer – iThemba Lethu), Picture by Val Adamson.

The organisation has three proactive programmes. Destiny for Youth which concentrates on life preparation, leadership and literacy for young people in Grades 4 – 12, they help learners discover and realise their full potential to empower them to have hope filled futures.

Their second programme is their Transition Home where iThemba Lethu cares for 12 abandoned / vulnerable little ones from newborn to 3 years old, championing the belief that early childhood is one of the most critical times in a human’s life. Their facilities, with full time loving caretakers, provide a safe place to nurture these children as they usher in a loving new chapter in their forever families.

Decades ago, iThemba Lethu pioneered the first community ‘Breastmilk Bank’, critical to the nutrition of the babies in their care. There are few natural resources more important to human immunity and health than breastmilk. In partnership with Department of Health they collect and supply this vital resource.

From each entry received for the Durban SPAR Women’s 10 / 5km Challenge, R5 will be donated to this impactful local charity who are quietly changing little lives, striving to give them a fulfilling future they deserve.

To enter the Durban SPAR Women’s 10 / 5km Challenge, go to www.sparwomenschallenge.co.za/durban.

To find out more about the race charity, visit iThemba Lethu’s website www.ithembalethu.org.za.

17TH EDITION OF THE DURBAN FILMMART RESCHEDULED WITH NEW DATES SET FOR 9 - 12 OCTOBER 2026

Durban, South Africa: After careful consideration, the Durban FilmMart (DFM), Africa’s best loved film finance and co-production market, has decided to move its 17th edition to 9 - 12 October 2026 due to significant funding challenges.

The viability of hosting the DFM event in July 2026 has been considerably impacted by the current global financial crisis which directly affects funding for film and the arts in general. Significant changes in key funding partnerships and the ongoing reduction of local year-on-year funding opportunities presents challenges for planning and strategic growth. 

The Durban FilmMart Institute, a non-profit organisation, plays a pivotal and significant role in driving African and diaspora film professionals to convene, do business, build relationships, exchange ideas and shape the future of filmmaking. 

“Rescheduling the market has been a difficult decision but one that the board and management had to take because we remain committed to the pan-African film ecosystem we serve,” says Magdalene Reddy, Director of the Durban FilmMart Institute. “Despite the uncertainty we face with limited long term, multi-year support for the annual event, we believe that the space we create for African film professionals must exist and that it is essential to those who believe in the power and impact of African independent film. We encourage all those who never miss a DFM to move with us and join us in October for what they have come to cherish.”

Those attending this year’s edition are set for a series of uncompromising conversations under the theme: Shifting Worlds: Turning Towards Ourselves. Inspired by the words of Ousmane Sembène, often referred to as the "father of African cinema” who said, “Why be a sunflower and turn toward the sun? I, myself, am the sun,” the 17th edition of the Durban FilmMart will be the space for discussions that advance alternative film funding pathways, revise models for distribution, consider equitable co-production frameworks and create authentic partnerships.  DFM 2026 will encourage looking within to forge relationships and design new strategies that will brace a world in flux and endure the economic and social structures that are changing and destabilising the film industry. 

An anchor in the international co-production market calendar and with a continued focus on African cinema, all DFM market activities including the Pitch and Finance Forum for live action, documentary and animation, Talents Durban and the Industry Programme made up of panel discussions, masterclasses and think thanks go ahead as planned. Industry, attendees, stakeholders and partners are encouraged to spread the news and show their support by attending the market during its new dates in October 2026.

More information on this year’s theme can be found on the Durban FilmMart Institute’s website, https://durbanfilmmart.co.za/

Delegate registration and programme details will be announced in due course.

The 17th edition Durban FilmMart is funded by the Durban Film Office, eThekwini Municipality, Ford Foundation and the National Film and Video Foundation.

Wrap up of Ocean Innovation Africa Summit: Consolidating Africa’s Growing Blue Economy - Ocean Innovation Africa Summit 2026 Hope for the Future

The Ocean Innovation Africa Summit 2026, that took place in Durban at the end of March, brought together 581 delegates from 36 countries, generating over 420 business to business meetings, showcasing some of Africa’s most investable blue economy ventures, and innovations.

Opening the summit with a compelling keynote address, Charlina Vitcheva, Director‑General of the European Commission’s Directorate‑General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE), emphasised that the future of the blue economy depends on turning political commitment into practical action through Africa‑Europe partnership.

“Ms Vitcheva’s message was not simply that the ocean is under pressure,” explains Alexis Grosskopf, co-founder of OIA. “But we now need to move beyond acknowledging the challenges and instead focus on what it will take to accelerate solutions: stronger cooperation, better investment pathways, science-based decision-making, and a shared commitment to building blue economies that are sustainable, inclusive, and investable.”

“It linked high-level political intent, through the European Ocean Pact and the EU’s cooperation with Africa, with concrete mechanisms such as BlueInvest Africa, fisheries and aquaculture support, regional ocean governance programmes, and new ocean observation efforts like OceanEye. In other words, the message was that partnership must be visible not only in speeches, but in finance, institutions, science, and implementation.”

Session at the Summit

Building on this, Salma Baghdadi, Innovation Lead at The Wave, an organisation dedicated to regenerating the ocean within one generation, said in her keynote address that, ocean regeneration will only happen if the right ecosystem around innovation is built, not just the innovation itself. She spoke about how all the actors need to be intentionally connected so that science becomes solutions, solutions reach markets, and collaboration turns isolated efforts into systemic change.

Several engaging and robust workshops underscored recurring themes for the various interest groups: access to finance remains a bottleneck, locally anchored delivery is preferred over top‑down design, and coordination is as critical as innovation. These workshops produced tangible outputs ranging from venture incubation to direct community finance and AI‑driven ocean literacy tools. Through the Pecha Kucha sessions, entitled Women of the Blue: Leading the Wave, women leaders shared powerful stories of reshaping the blue economy: these included Magdalyne Were, Regional Lead Gender and Blue Economy of Canadian-based Mission Inclusion, Fatuma Mang’ena, Co‑founder and CTO of Tanzanian-based Healthy Seaweed Co. Limited, and Maryke Musson, Executive from Durban of South Africa’s uShaka Sea World / SAAMBR.

“Their stories demonstrated that women are not only contributing to the sector but are actively driving innovation, resilience, and systemic change for people, climate, and nature,’ says Grosskopf. 

The summit revealed the investable opportunities that exist with the sector, with African start-ups turning waste into value, advancing aquaculture, and building cold‑chain businesses. Financing conversations moved beyond grants toward blended capital. Concrete outcomes included three OceanHub Africa accelerator graduates - Ambani Fish Leather, Fibertext Green Paper Limited, and Chitelix- winning fully funded exposure at Katapult FutureFest, an annual gathering designed to accelerate positive change by uniting, inspiring, and empowering a diverse global community of innovators and changemakers.” in Amsterdam.

The Ocean Innovation Africa Summit 2026, that took place in Durban at the end of March, brought together 581 delegates from 36 countries, generating over 420 business to business meetings, showcasing some of Africa’s most investable blue economy ventures, and innovations.

At the Summit, OceanHub Africa announced the release of its Impact Report (2020–2025), documenting how they have built Africa’s ocean-impact entrepreneurship pipeline and the partner infrastructure that helps ventures move from early traction to investable scale. It highlights 149 businesses supported, $20M+ mobilised, 1,735 blue jobs created, and a 90% portfolio survival rate, and outlines concrete ways partners can plug in across venture support, market-making, and fit-for-purpose capital.

Going forward, Ocean Innovation Africa outcomes will be taken to Our Ocean Conference (OOC), a global event, which opens in Mombasa next June “bringing African science, entrepreneurs and communities to the policy platform that OOC is, to sharpen a regeneration‑first agenda and package concrete pipelines of ventures and projects”, says Grosskopf, “Essentially OIA 2026 facilitates the development of solutions and coalitions, and then amplifies them onto the global stage, such as during Our Ocean Conference.”

“We hope that OIA 2027 can return to South Africa, building on this cycle as a recurring African launchpad into global ocean diplomacy and finance,” says Grosskopf.

For more information about Ocean Innovation Africa go to https://ocean-innovation.africa/

Durban SPAR Women’s 10/5km Challenge Team work makes the dream work

Durban: Sunday 28 June: Gather your colleagues, work mates, friends and family and enter this year’s Durban SPAR Women’s 10 / 5km Challenge on Sunday 28 June as a group.

“This is a great opportunity for groups of colleagues, clubs, relatives and schools to make the Challenge into a real fun team experience,” says Race Director Brad Glasspoole. “We encourage people to show in true team spirit – they can dress up, wear matching outfits, walk, run, dance and sing – and add to the vibe of the day - as we gather on the road to enjoy the theme #CelebrateHer.” 

Bulk entries for ten or more people wanting to participate in the challenge closes at midnight on Friday 12 June, with individual online entries closing as the clock strikes 12 on Monday 22 June. If you are entering a team, your team coordinator will need to do so electronically via the online entry portal, and click on Bulk Entry.  

There is a special day organised specifically for bulk entry collections where your team leader can go along and collect all your crew's race packs on Thursday 25 June. 

For more info visit the race website, www.sparwomenschallenge.co.za/durban

Opportunity for Choreographers in JOMBA! Live and Digital Open Horizons Platforms

The Centre for Creative Arts (University of KwaZulu-Natal) has opened submissions for the 2026 JOMBA! OPEN HORIZONS Platforms, an integral part of the annual JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience - South Africa’s premiere contemporary dance festival which runs from 27 August to 8 September 2026 in Durban.

In its commitment to present bold, experimental, and inclusive dance, JOMBA! offers the live and digital curated OPEN HORIZONS platforms as an opportunity for dance-makers to showcase new works in a safe, and supportive environment.

JOMBA! DIGITAL OPEN HORIZONS aims to showcase screen-dance and dance film, focussing on work that is created specifically for the screen.

SIMUNYE - Breeh Cele (South Africa) (Pick of the Platform - JOMBA! Digital Open Horizons 2025)

JOMBA! invites submissions (5–10 minutes in length) from local, African and international choreographers that engage the moving body in relation to the camera, editing, framing, and digital space, where choreography extends beyond the stage into cinematic forms.

“We are looking for works conceived as screen-based choreographic experiences, where movement, lens, time, and environment are integral to the making of the film,” explains JOMBA! Artistic Director Lliane Loots.

The Space Between Us - Maulid Owino (Kenya) -JOMBA! Digital Open Horizons 2025

“We welcome innovative, experimental, and critically engaged practices within the contemporary dance idiom, including interdisciplinary and hybrid forms that push the boundaries of how dance is created, perceived, and circulated in digital space.”

Selected works will be screened publicly on the festival’s YouTube channel as part of the official programme. An award of R2000 is given to a jury-selected “Jury Pick of the Platform.”

Radix - Mario Gaglione (Italy/South Africa)   - JOMBA! Digital Open Horizons 2025

JOMBA! LIVE OPEN HORIZONS is a platform offered to live short-form dance works (6–8 minutes). The festival is looking for works that sit within the contemporary dance idiom, that are bold, experimental, and can include interdisciplinary approaches to live performance. Choreographic voices that explore innovation, risk-taking, and fresh perspectives will be at an advantage. “We want performances that can engage audiences in new ways and contribute to the beautifully evolving landscape of African contemporary dance,” says Loots.

ISPA programme in ECHOS OF GREATNESS - choreography by Gabriel Youngstar

An award of R2,500 is given to a jury-selected “Jury Pick of the Platform” work.

Both platforms are not funded, and therefore, no travel or accommodation support is provided.

Festival Director Dr Lliane Loots says: “We remain deeply committed to creating accessible, inclusive spaces for dance makers, the OPEN HORIZONS platforms are vital incubators for boundary-breaking choreographic voices, and provides a solid foundation from which to springboard new works into the world.”

SISUKAPHI - 2025 Winning work with choreography by Mfundiseni Ndwalane

All platforms have limited slots, and the selection process is competitive. Applicants are encouraged to submit their entries early to ensure full consideration.

For more information about JOMBA! go to https://jomba.ukzn.ac.za

Applications can be made on:

Digital https://forms.gle/ntqRy9uj23htX53QA  The deadline is 20 July 2026.

Live https://forms.gle/2PVJaZUeH7tFVuRh7  The deadline for submissions is 29 June 2026.

Enquiries can be emailed to jombafestival@gmail.com .

South African Film God’s Work awarded prestigious prize at Luxor African Film Festival

The South African feature film God’s Work, directed by Michael James and produced by Sithabile Mkhize was awarded the prestigious Radwan El Kashef Prize for Best Film Addressing an African Issue (Silver Mask of Tutankhamun) at The Luxor African Film Festival in Egypt last week.

“The Radwan El Kashef Prize for the Best Film addressing an African issue is not granted annually, but only when the High Committee decides that a particular film deserves this special honour, marking it as a distinction reserved for truly exceptional works that embody both artistic excellence and deep engagement with African realities,” says Festival Director Ms Azza El Husseiny.

The prize is named after Egypt’s pioneering independent filmmaker Radwan El Kashef (1952–2002), and symbolizes cinema that elevates marginalized voices with empathy and poetic depth. The film was honoured for “its powerful artistic vision and its sincere exploration of African identity and collective struggle.”

The award was presented to the director, Michael James by Dr Hossam El-Mandouh El-Husseini, Egyptian Member of Parliament, in recognition of the enduring cultural ties between Egypt and Africa and the festival’s role as a platform for creative dialogue across the continent.

Reflecting on the honour, director Michael James said: “Receiving this award on behalf of the film, and all involved is deeply humbling. This award affirms the importance of telling African stories with honesty and empathy, and I hope God’s Work continues to contribute to the ongoing dialogue around affirming the humanity of the homeless community."

Sithabile Mkhize commented, “This award is especially important because it acknowledges one of the central intentions of the film, which is to use the power of cinema to build bridges across humanity."

“This recognition is a powerful validation of the collaborative effort behind God’s Work,” says Executive Producer Toni Monty. “It highlights the strength of African filmmaking and the importance of creating platforms where our stories can resonate globally. We are proud to see the film stand alongside works that embody both artistic excellence and social relevance.”

The film is supported by the Durban Film Office, KZN Tourism and Film, The National Film and Video Foundation, and co-produced with Amafrika Films and Mojo Entertainment. 

FLATFOOT DANCE COMPANY presents new works in ENKUNDLENI in May

KZN’s premier contemporary dance company presents a new season called ENKUNDLENI for two performances only at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre on Friday, 8 May at 7pm and Saturday, 9 May at 2.30pm.

Referencing open spaces where we gather, ENKUNDLENI offers audiences four new cutting-edge works created by company dancers, Sifiso Khumalo, Jabu Siphika, Siseko Duba, and Zinhle Nzama, with direction and dramaturgy by company artistic director Lliane Loots.

Siseko Duba and Sbonga Ndlovu in FLATFOOT's new season of work titled ENKUNDLENI  at Sneddon Theatre on 8th and 9th May 2026

“It’s a programme of dance that reminds us of the power of our bodies to tell stories; stories of pain and triumph, of deep self-reflections and of community,” says Loots. “These works honour the storyteller in all of us, as we see the six incredible dancers of FLATFOOT tackle the most personal and most beautiful parts of being human at this time in our difficult geopolitics”. 

The season begins with Siseko Duba’s quartet “iPupho” that dives into the powerful and mysterious terrain of dreams. The work captures the uncanny experience of awakening within a dream - where the body moves through worlds that feel intensely real, yet remain just beyond reach. Given the deep African connection to ancestral presence and dreams, this work navigates a very contemporary world of memory, self, and belonging. 

Jabu Siphika in FLATFOOT's new season of work titled ENKUNDLENI  at Sneddon Theatre on 8th and 9th May 2026

Zinhle Nzama’s duet “BRIGHTEST DARKNESS” explores the deep paradox of finding light within darkness. It is an intimate duet between a man and a woman, where these two figures navigate tension, resistance, connection, and letting go, as an act of courage rather than defeat. Ultimately, Nzama’s work offers audiences a testament to survival and triumph – beautiful and painful!

Jabu Siphika’s solo work, next on the programme, “Ngibize Siphi?” explores the search for identity through the question of one’s surname. The solo reflects a deeply personal journey of belonging, loss, and self-discovery as Siphika navigates her own fragmented amaZulu histories and the need for recognition through how we are, or are not, named. 

FLATFOOT veteran, Sifiso Khumalo ends the programme with his new work, “in transit”. Echoing a nation that sits, stands, and waits in long queues, this extraordinary male trio delves into how we stop, move on, wait to continue, and endlessly begin again and again. The work infers a deep-seated distress at the waiting on broken promises – be these local, personal, and further global politics.  

FLATFOOT partners again with lighting designer Wesley Maherry whose evocative designs see these four works sculpturally find a home on the Sneddon stage. Maherry’s lighting intensifies the narratives of each work and pulls the audience into the visions and contemporary world of ENKUNDLENI.

FLATFOOT’s ENKUNDLENI has two performances only at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre, on Friday 8 May at 7pm and Saturday 9 May at 2.30pm.

Tickets are R100 each (students, scholars and pensioners pay R80). Booking is via Webtickets  - https://www.webtickets.co.za/event.aspx?itemid=1592907018

This season is made possible through a partnership with the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre (UKZN).

International Climate Action Pilot Programme in South Africa Positions Tourism as a Force for Conservation

The Kimkim Climate Action Pilot Programme,  currently engaging 25 tourism properties across South Africa is challenging the dominant climate crisis narrative around travel, positioning tourism not as the problem, but as a vital part of the solution.

The programme aims to empower small to medium accommodation providers to embed practical, measurable sustainability practices into their operations, turning travel into a meaningful force for conservation, community support, and environmental awareness.

Funded by Kimkim, a US-based travel company that helps travelers plan authentic, personalized trips around the world, the programme is implemented by the globally renowned Wilderness Leadership School, with technical expertise from ETC Africa, a leader in tourism related carbon footprint management and market access via Johannesburg-based The Eco Travel Boutique.

“At a time when climate related conversations often centre on guilt and reduction, this programme offers a different perspective,” says Duncan Pritchard, Director of ETC Africa. “The greatest environmental challenge is not travel, it is disconnection. Travel connects, and reconnects, people to the natural world, and when guests have the opportunity to see wildlife, engage meaningfully with local communities, or simply stand in a forest, that’s when we see a shift. That emotional connection is one of the most underestimated drivers of conservation action today.”

“The loudest voices in the climate arena often make travellers feel guilty about what they are not doing, rather than feel empowered about what they can do. This is a risk to the tourism economy,  a vital driver of sustainable livelihoods and conservation spaces worldwide,” he adds. “People protect what they love and they only love what they’ve experienced.”

The science underscores the stakes. Intact African ecosystems store substantial carbon, typically around 30 to 50 tonnes per hectare in savannah and bushveld, and well over 150 tonnes per hectare in tropical forests, with even greater amounts held in soils. These landscapes are not scenic backdrops; they are functioning climate infrastructure..

"Our goal, with every traveler, is to help them connect to the community and culture of the destination," says Kaelyn Harris-Vincent, Brand Marketing at Kimkim and lead of the Kimkim Climate Initiative. "When tourism is done with intention and thoughtfulness, it really can be a force for good. The question isn't whether we should travel, but whether our travel makes the places we visit stronger and more resilient. Ecotourism allows travelers to see these places and have an impact at the same time. This programme ensures every stay contributes to something bigger than the trip itself."

Funded through Kimkim's Climate Initiative, the programme is offered at no cost to participating properties. The programme helps properties establish their baseline carbon footprint, benchmark against peers, and build capacity through workshops and project design. This becomes the launchpad for identifying and implementing projects that reduce emissions, protect natural carbon sinks and create lasting value for conservation and communities alike. By the end of the year, participating properties receive Verified Impact branding and guest-facing marketing assets, enabling them to communicate their carbon footprint journey clearly and confidently.

Carbon footprinting has become the global standard for measuring environmental impact,  not because carbon tells the whole story, but because it provides a consistent, quantifiable baseline against which any operation can assess its efficiency and track genuine progress. For tourism businesses, it transforms vague sustainability intentions into credible, comparable data.

“What matters is that a carbon footprint is used as a management and learning tool. This programme gives travellers something more valuable than an offset: the confidence that the places they choose are managing their impact and turning every visit into a real contribution to wild places and communities,” says Esther Ruempol from The Eco Travel Boutique. “Rather than asking travellers to offset guilt, this programme reframes the conversation as an invitation to be part of something bigger.”

Participants gain a comprehensive support package that makes sustainability achievable and meaningful, helping properties turn their carbon footprint into a force for good, tell their story with confidence, benchmark against best practice, display verified credentials, and join a growing movement redefining what responsible tourism looks like.

About the Programme

The Kimkim Climate Action Pilot Programme invites accommodation providers across South Africa to step into a new narrative, one where tourism actively contributes to conservation, community growth, and environmental resilience. The programme is offered at no cost to qualifying properties. 

For more information on participating in the programme visit: www.verifiedtourismimpact.org or email verifiedimpact@etc-africa.com

SANParks Honorary Rangers aims to raise more than a million for conservation

The KZN Region of the SANParks Honorary Rangers (SHR) is working to raise a targeted R1.5 million from this year’s Comrades Marathon Association’s Amabeadibeadi Race4Charity campaign.

Last year, the Comrades Marathon community of runners and supporters, helped raise over R1.5 million for the SANParks Honorary Rangers through the Comrades Race4Charity Drive, funding critical conservation support across South Africa’s national parks.

Following the severe flooding in Kruger National Park earlier this year, this iconic park has seen extensive damage to roads, bridges, tourist infrastructure and operational facilities and activities. Several K9 unit kennels were damaged, placing additional strain on the teams that rely on highly trained dogs to track poachers, locate contraband wildlife products and support ranger patrols across the park. These canine units are widely regarded as one of the most effective tools in protecting endangered species.

This year, the funds raised from the SHR Comrades Marathon Race4Charity and Amabeadibeadi campaign will continue to provide vital support for the various anti-poaching and conservation efforts in Kruger National Park and other parks managed by South African National Parks (SANParks).

Last year, funds raised by runners through Race4Charity helped to renovate and upgrade anti-poaching facilities, kennels for K9 units and training of new K9 anti-poaching dogs, with 2 dogs - a Bloodhound called Yoris and a Bloodhound Cross named Khargi - purchased for tracking in the Kruger National Park.

Wildlife monitoring and protection equipment was purchased for Mountain Zebra National Park in the Eastern Cape.

In the Western Cape, the K9 unit at Table Mountain National Park was renovated and upgraded, while in the Richtersveld National Park, security cameras were installed to protect endangered succulents threatened by poaching.

Finally, funds were also donated to the organisation’s Embrace National Project which provides support for rangers at the frontline of conservation, through trauma and stress management programmes and life skills training.

In 2026, Comrades supporters and runners can get involved in several ways:

·Runners already registered for the Comrades Marathon on 14 June 2026 can sign up for Race4Charity and select SANParks Honorary Rangers as their fundraising charity of choice, then encourage friends, family and supporters to sponsor their run in support of SANParks Honorary Rangers.

·Supporters can sponsor runners directly via the Race4Charity website (https://charity.comrades.com/events/comrades-marathon-2026).

·Other ways to help are to buy Comrades Toyota Win-A-Car Competition tickets to stand a chance to win a Toyota Corolla Cross, or purchase Amabeadibeadi merchandise from volunteer members of the SHR. Competition tickets sold by the SHR can be purchased here.

“Every contribution helps to protect South Africa’s National Parks,” says KZN Region’s Committee Chairperson, Gavin Abel.

For more information about the SANParks Honorary Rangers, visit https://www.sanparksvolunteers.org/ or about joining the SHR’s Race4Charity team, email  Comrades@sanparksvolunteers.org.

Action in Autism (AiA) – World Autism Acceptance Month 2026

The rallying call for persons with disabilities is ‘Nothing About us, without us’, and so it is for our neurodiverse population.  As part of Action in Autism’s acceptance and action campaign, Action in Autism has planned a series of events and programmess to advocate for the rights of autistic people and their families during April, World Autism Acceptance month.

The organisation’s activism and advocacy are delivered through a range of key events:

Pizza and Paint and sensory sensational day – 18 April 2026

Members of the autism community are invited to attend a Pizza and Paint Day to prepare posters and banners for the silent walk on 23 April 2026.  The community is invited to bring a pizza to share.  At the same time children and young adults with autism can enjoy a sensory celebration, with a foam pit, ball pond, trampoline and oral, aural and visual sensory fun  from 10h00 to 12h00 on 18 April 2026 at the Action in Autism Centre, 105 Haig Road, Parkhill.  A guest speaker will address the gathering on the rights of autistic people to employment.  The event is free event for all in the autistic community. 

Getting ready to raise awareness around Autism are young adults, Ndumiso Zungu and Zahid Khan, from the Action in Autism Centre

Silent Walk – 23 April 2026


The public is invited to partner with Action in Autism on a Silent Walk on 23 April 2026, from 12h00 to 14h00, starting at Gugu Dlamini Park and ending at City Hall. “Approximately 50% of Autistic people are non-speaking, so during the walk, participants will communicate without spoken language, using alternative methods such as sign language, writing, gestures, and tapping, to show solidarity with those who are partial or non-speakers,” says AiA Director Diane Mariah-Singh.   ‘This is a powerful, inclusive demonstration that provides support for our neurodiverse population.  Action in Autism neurodivergent advocates and executive members, Yolanda Ziqubu and Prashant Parsunath will hand over a memorandum of demands to the City Mayor.” 

Getting ready to raise awareness around Autism are young adults, Anthony Daniel Eastwood, Isaac Jethro Munisamy and Siyathemba Shongwe, from the Action in Autism Centre.

Empowerment and Capacity Building in Person and Online Workshops of Private and Public Enterprises

Throughout the month of April 2026, Autism Advocates will be available to empower and capacitate companies on the importance of including autistic people in their workforce.  This aligns with the organisation’s Skills Development and Business Hub, a three year established programme developed to capacitate autistic people with skills to enter the open labour market or set up their own micro businesses.  

“There are too few autistics employed and Government is not meeting its target of 7% employment rate for persons with disabilities,” explains Mariah-Singh .  “This needs to change.”

For more information contact 031 5633039 or email aiadirector@actioninautism.org.za  to partner with AiA for any or all of these initiatives. 

Four African Writers Head to France for Series Mania Forum

Cape Town SA:  23 March 2026: Four exceptional African screenwriters will showcase their original television series projects to international industry leaders at the Series Mania Forum in Lille, France, later this month, following six months of intensive development through the Realness Institute’s AuthenticA Series Lab.

The AuthenticA Series Lab is an episodic screenwriting programme run in partnership with The StoryBoard Collective, and with support from the Canada Media Fund and industry partners Series Mania Forum, the major international gathering for the development, financing and distribution of scripted television series.

Now in its fourth edition, AuthenticA Series Lab supports and mentors African writers to develop globally competitive television series enabling them to pitch and connect with international partners, financiers and producers.

The writers from Egypt, Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria will present their projects at the AuthenticA African Series Pitch on Tuesday, 24 March 2026 (14:30–15:00) during the Series Mania Forum. 

The four participating writers are:

Reem Morsi (Egypt/Canada) who will pitch Humanitarians!, a Dark Comedy at the Forum. Reem is an award-winning writer and director, and multi-genre filmmaker, with a background in professional scuba diving, and human rights advocacy. Her feature Banned has just begun its festival tour, and she has directed the film Queen Tut and episodes of Virgins!, including the season finale. Her series FISH won the Canadian National Genre Competition by WIFTV and is currently in development, along with two other scripted projects. 

Gamel Apalayine (Ghana) who will pitch his Mystery Drama The Gospel According to Charlotte Nelson is a storyteller working across film, television, theatre, and music. He was Head Writer for 560 episodes of Ghana’s hit series DEDE and two seasons of ENO, Showmax’s first original drama series. He is developing a dynamic slate of film, TV, and theatre projects through his creative company, Whistling Rocks. 

Mona Ombogo (Kenya) is an award-winning scriptwriter and best-selling author, who received the 2024 Women in Film Award for Best Script Writer and the Best Writing in a Series award at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards for Netflix’s Volume. She has served as head writer for Salem and Shanga, and contributed to Showmax’s Single Kiasi. She will pitch a Romantic Thriller series called Kanaan at the Forum.

Joladé Olusanya (Nigeria/UK) who is a poet, filmmaker, and photographer, who tells intimate stories blending lyrical writing with cinematic visuals, will pitch his project KID: The Hogan Bassey Story, a Sports Epic. Joladé has been commissioned by the BBC and Barbican, and exhibited internationally. Through his company, By The Kin, he is developing short films and an original TV series while building community-led projects. 

"At Series Mania Forum, we’re excited to showcase these four extraordinary talents from Africa on a global stage, where their rich and diverse stories can captivate the international industry,” says Francesco Capurro, Director, Series Mania Forum. “We’re proud to champion their voices and look forward to the impact they will make worldwide"

“Providing African writers a safe space to develop the stories they want to tell with the resources they need to tell them, is still a rare intervention.  These four writers are proof of what becomes possible when that space actually exists,” says Mehret Mandefro, Creative Producer, Managing Director, Realness Institute: 

“Each year the AuthenticA writers are encouraged to tell the stories they have kept quietly hidden — the audacious, difficult, complex ones. With the support the lab provides, the writers consistently push the boundaries,” says Selina Ukwuoma, Script Consultant and Director of Writing Programmes, Realness Institute. “They find a way to tell these groundbreaking stories and in so doing they redefine the narrative about Africa.”

Laure de Peretti de la Rocca, Executive Director, The StoryBoard Collective says, "The AuthenticA Series Lab is not only a long-term creative development program, but also provides writers with the market literacy and industry access needed to protect their voices. We support storytellers whose perspectives deserve far greater visibility on screen and create pathways to international partners ready to bring those stories to life.”

Through its robust and hands-on mentorship and development programme the AuthenticA Series Lab equips African series writers with the skills to bring their stories to life, while the Series Mania Forum opens doors to global audiences.

For more information on the AuthenticA Series Lab: https://www.realness.institute/authentica-series-lab

OceanHub Africa launches Impact Report at Ocean Innovation Africa 2026 in Durban

Durban, South Africa — 24 March 2026 — OceanHub Africa (OHA) will launch its 5-year Impact Report at Ocean Innovation Africa (OIA) 2026 in Durban on 23 March 2026.

This report reflects OceanHub Africa’s first five years of building a more regenerative and inclusive ocean economy in Africa, shaped by local entrepreneurs, stronger ecosystems, and coastal communities that can thrive alongside healthy marine environments. It shares what has been achieved, what has been built, and what is needed next to deepen and scale ocean impact across the continent.

From the beginning, OceanHub Africa’s belief has been simple: the Blue Economy must create value that stays in Africa. It must strengthen livelihoods, restore ecosystems, and unlock solutions rooted in local realities. While policy and research remain essential, OceanHub Africa has focused on entrepreneurship as a way to translate ideas into practical change with speed, adaptability, and proximity to real-world needs.

Over the past six years, OceanHub Africa’s work has focused on four strategic levers: enabling frameworks, capability development, enterprise-driven regeneration, and access to finance. Through this approach, OHA has supported 149 ocean-impact businesses, helping founders turn early ideas into stronger ventures while also building the partnerships and support structures that make the wider ecosystem more resilient.

“Rather than forcing a model the market was not ready for, we focused on building what was missing… OceanHub Africa evolved from a startup support initiative into a broader platform to support, connect and invest in Africa’s ocean-impact ecosystem.” - Alexis Grosskopf, Founder and CEO, OceanHub Africa

“Over the past five years, the impact has been measurable: ventures in our ecosystem have mobilised $20M+ in capital, women’s participation has increased from 24% to 61%, and our portfolio has created and sustained 1,700+ full-time blue jobs—proof that disciplined, tailored support can build real readiness and long-term potential.” - Herland Cerveaux, Managing Director, OceanHub Africa

With the launch of the Impact Report at OIA Durban, OceanHub Africa is bringing this momentum to the stage, sharing how an Africa-led ocean-impact ecosystem is growing, and what it will take to scale what has been proven.

Media are encouraged to request access to the report and attend the launch at Ocean Innovation Africa to hear directly from the team about the next chapter of building a future where people and the ocean thrive.

Launch details

What: Launch of OceanHub Africa’s Impact Report

Where: Ocean Innovation Africa (OIA) Summi 2026, Durban, South Africa - ICC

When: 23 March 2026, 2PM

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge Durban Central Regional - 3 Schools Trust: Sunday 22 March

Just over midway in the 2026 SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge, teams participating in the Durban Central Regional take to the turf for the sixth regional, at 3 Schools Trust on Sunday 22 March, hosted by St Henry’s Marist College.

St Henry’s welcomes Durban Girls’ College; Durban Girls’ High School; Inanda Seminary Secondary School; a combined team representing Inanda, Ntuzuma and KwaMashu and defending champs, Maris Stella School. 

Six schools will be vying for the title in this year’s challenge, with home team - St Henry’s taking on Durban Girls’ College in the opening fixture. The first game gets underway at 8am, with all of the 15 round robin games lasting 25 minutes. During the round robin, running time is allocated for the games, except for the final that allows for a penalty shoot-out if the concluding game ends in a draw. 

Leading up to the final, victorious teams will be awarded 4 points on their log, while teams that tie will both earn the same number of points. A goalless draw will see each team adding 1 point to their tally, while a game tied with goals will each earn 2 points. A loss registers zero points. Once all the games have been played, the top two teams will meet for the regional final. 

Four teams have already earned their spot for this year’s Grand Finals which takes place at St Mary’s D.S.G. in July. First to book their place was Our Lady of Fatima (DBN North Regional) followed by Amanzimtoti High School (DBN South Regional); St John’s D.S.G. (PMB Central Regional) and St Anne’s Diocesan College (PMB North Regional). Teams in the Highway area will be duelling it out the prior day (Saturday 21 March) at Westville Girls’ High School. The final four spots will be revealed as the challenge continues to travel around KZN in May. 

Three teams playing in this regional have advanced to the Grand Finals. Durban Girls’ College dominated with 14 wins since the tournament’s inception in 2011. Maris Stella broke their long standing record, earning their first Grand Finals appearance last year. Durban Girls’ High School went on to the Grand Finals three times when they participated in the Durban South Regional in the early days of the tournament. 

Matrics participating in the challenge will have the opportunity to win a year’s bursary at eta College, a leading Sport Science, Coaching and Management tertiary institution in Durban. The bursary will be awarded at the Grand Finals.

All the games will be livestreamed on the SuperSport Schools app, so if you can’t get to the sidelines, you can catch all the action online.

For more information, follow the tournament on Facebook: SparSchoolGirlsHockeyTournament and Instagram sparkznhockey or TikTok spar.kzn.hockey or use the hashtags: #ChixWithStix; #HeartoftheCommunity; #SuperLocal; #MyKZNSPAR #MySPAR