The Sunday Mail
Prince Mushawevato recently in Durban, SOUTH AFRICA
The Vodacom Durban July is more than a horse race. It is more than a party. It is more than a cultural extravaganza. So what exactly is it?
Let’s just say it’s big. Very big.
This year’s edition was the 121st edition, and 50 000 revellers gathered at Greyville Race Course, mixing and mingling with hundreds of celebrities including our very own Big Brother Africa star, Pokello Nare. Zimpapers’ radio station, Star FM, was there too for East Coast Radio’s “Connecting Africa”, along with fellow broadcasters Yarona FM (Botswana) 99 FM (Mozambique) and Jacaranda FM (South Africa), among others.
The weeklong radio showcase, in its sixth year, is now a firm part of the Durban July and acts as a business and cultural exchange programme. Sipho Nzuza – the manager of Thekwini Municipality, the host city – says the radio showcase has been pivotal in promoting major tourism events like Durban July and the annual Tourism Indaba.
“We are working on cementing relations with various radio stations, Zimbabwe’s Star FM included. We have seen our people go to Zimbabwe to experience what they have and vice versa and this has all been through the radio experience. This kind of relationship is going to attract tourism for the two countries and counter the need to travel to international destinations before exploring our region,” he said.
“Last year we had about 49 000 people for Durban July and the figure has risen to over 50 000 people with hotels estimated to be around 98 percent full. This has certainly been achieved through regional partnerships with media.”
Now Durban wants greater connectivity with Harare. “There are routes like the direct Durban-Harare that are promoting tourism and we need to make sure they are harnessed. At present we have a single or two direct flights to Harare from here but I can tell you they are going to increase due to a surge in demand,” Nzuza said.
Melusi Khumalo, who is the Durban Tourism regional marketing manager for Africa, The Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand, added: “We are excited that Durban July continues to swell with each passing edition due to various marketing strategies we have put in place. Durban is a warm and friendly place to be, which is why I urge people to visit.
“Outside the Durban July we have other vibrant attractions like uShaka Marine World, Eyadini, PheZulu, Inanda, beaches, Durban Botanic Gardens etcetera that can keep visitors intrigued at any given moment.” This year’s Vodacom Durban July theme was “The Colour of Magic”, and the colour and magic were there for all to savour.
The Durban July is not only about horse racing and music. It also provides a platform for fashion designers to showcase their designs to new markets. This year, some seven designers showcased trending and yet-to-be introduced designs. After party events lit up an already vibrant club scene. Clearly, there are things that our Castle Tankard and OK Grand Challenge can learn from the Durban July.
