South Africa’s biggest Women’s Month athletic celebration returns with the Totalsports Women’s Race – uniting Durban, Cape Town, and Johannesburg in a powerful show of solidarity, fitness and purpose. PinkDrive, the official charity partner for nearly 13 years, will be at the heart of the event, championing breast cancer awareness and early detection. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or a casual walker, you can lace up for a good cause by entering the 10km or 5km events. Proceeds from the race support PinkDrive’s vital mission – offering free breast cancer education, screenings and clinical exams to medically uninsured South Africans. On race day, PinkDrive will also provide free clinical breast exams to both men and women. For the Durban leg, the start and finish is at Suncoast Casino on August 3. The 10km starts at 8am and the 5km starts at 8.10am. Entry fees are R150 for a 10km licensed runner (R200 includes temp license) and R115 for the 5km. Details: Visit totalsportswomensrace.co.za to enter or follow on socials: @WomensRace | @PinkDrive
The annual Hilton Arts Festival brings the pick of the country’s music, theatre, film and art to KZN audiences. Over three days, festival goers will enjoy dollops of comedy, a fine art exhibition, exciting arts-related workshops, fun activities for kids and an upmarket craft sector, as well as loads of live music, interactive musical experiences, free street theatre, and lots of food and drinks. Theatre lovers will be spoilt for choice with a super line-up featuring a host of local talent. Highlights include the Flatfoot Dance Company, and performances by Schalk Bezuidenhout, Ben Voss, and Durban’s favourite comedic couple, Aaron McIlroy and Lisa Bobbert. For the adventurous, there’s the chance to enjoy the Midlands with birding company, Rockjumper, who is back with a great line-up of exhibitions, lectures, guided walks and drives. And for classic car enthusiasts … Retro Rides boasts a selection of beautifully restored vehicles and rare models. It all unfolds at Hilton College from August 8 to 10. Entrance for the weekend is R100 per car. Details: Book via Webtickets.
Don’t miss the South African Women’s Arts Festival – a signature event on the national cultural calendar that honours, showcases and empowers women through performing arts. Taking place from August 8 to 30 at The Playhouse in Durban, festival highlights include The Cry of Winnie Mandela that delves into the emotional and psychological landscapes of four women and reflects the personal journey of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, that will be staged in the Drama Theatre at 2pm on August 8 and 9; and The Unlikely Secret Agent, a gripping drama set in 1963 tells the true story of Eleanor Kasrils, a young mother and undercover ANC operative arrested under the notorious 90-day detention law, to be performed on August 8 at 7.30pm and August 9 at 3pm in the Loft Theatre; and Sophiatown – a revival of one of SA’s most beloved musical dramas that takes to the stage on August 29 and 30 in the Drama Theatre. Details: Tickets (R120 to R150 ) are available at Webtickets.
For 13 years, Zanele Nzimakwe has been a vital part of The Domino Foundation’s Early Childhood Development programme, mentoring women running township crèches to become fully registered centres. Now, she’s close to opening her own ECD centre – Fountain of Life – in Inanda. Zanele’s dream was made possible through a partnership with Hosanna Women, an NPC focused on empowering Black women in education who helped secure land and draw up plans for the centre. To support Zanele and other aspiring crèche-owners, Hosanna Women is hosting a Family Fun Run on Women’s Day, August 9, at Westville Country Club. With 5km and 1km courses, live entertainment, and family activities, it promises to be day of fun and purpose. Tickets are R100 via Quicket. Details: cheron@thekwinimotorgroup.co.za
This month we celebrate National Organ Donor Awareness Month and to commemorate, local organisation Hero777 – who strives to increase awareness about organ and tissue donation in South Africa, and the Durban transplant co-ordinators are hosting Donor Tribute Day at Durban Botanic Gardens. The event takes place on Saturday, August 9, in the event hall from 10.30am for 11am and honours KZN organ and tissue donors who have saved and transformed lives. Details: Contact Janet at janet@hero777.co.za
