MZANZI ISSUE 16

events
RomanKhomlyak; iStock
15-16 December
Eden Kite Festival
Sedgefield, Garden Route
Established in 2015, this fun kite-flying
and demonstration event grows ever more
popular each year.
Vanessa van Rensburg-Shutterstock
28 December – 1 January
The Trans Agulhas Challenge
Plettenburg Bay, Mossel Bay, Stilbaai, Struisbaai,
Uilkraalsmond to Strand
Every year on 28 December the Trans-Agulhas
Challenge, known as the ‘world’s toughest inflatable
boat race’, gets underway in Plettenberg Bay. This
year’s race will be the 31st one with a field of over
40 boats. The first stage ends at Mossel Bay, with
subsequent stages each ending at Stilbaai, Struisbaai,
and Uilkraalsmond respectively, before the race ends
in Strand on New Year’s Day. The exciting starts and
finishes can be watched up close from the various
beaches along the route. There are always plenty of
spills and thrills.
Web www.trans-agulhas.com.
16 December
Day of Reconciliation
South Africa
This public holiday is an annual reminder
of South Africa’s divided past and its
reconciliation as the rainbow nation since
1994. Major gatherings take place in
different parts of the country, with different
keynote speakers. Watch the media for
details.
28 December
Unplugged62 Festival
Barrydale
Date still to be confirmed. Taking its name
from South Africa’s famous Route 62 and
staged in the unofficial capital of this route
over the New Year’s weekend, the festival
annually brings together revellers, great
food and drink, and top-notch live acts in
the fabulous setting of the Joubert-Tradauw
Wine Farm in Barrydale.
Phone +27 (0)82 304 9000.
31 December
Mother City Queer Project New Year’s Eve
Party
TAU Cape Town & Crew Bar, Cape Town
A mother of a party with three dance floors,
multiple acts and performers, incredible
décor, street-based stretch-tents and 5 wellstocked
bars. Website https://mcqp.co.za.
DianeBentleyRaymond; iStock
24 & 31 December
Christmas marching bands & Malay choirs
Wale Street, Cape Town
Come watch the Christmas bands and Malay
choirs (known locally as “nagtroepe”) as they
march, dance and sing their way up Wale
Street in the city centre. Strictly speaking
they are not part of the Minister Carnival that
starts on 2 January, although closely related
and every bit as lively, musical and colourful.
26 December
Boxing Day Cricket Test SA v England
SuperSport Park, Centurion
Enjoy the start of the first cricket test on
Boxing Day on the grass at SuperSport Park
as England kick off their SA summer tour.
iStock
29 December – 1 January
Smoking Dragon Festival
Bergville, Northern Drakensberg
This three-day music festival ushering
in the New Year takes place at the
Amphitheatre Backpackers Lodge near
Bergville just off the R74. The festival
brings together musicians, performance
artists and storytellers to celebrate New
Year. It is situated in the foothills of the
beautiful Drakensberg Mountains range,
overlooking the Tugela Falls. This popular
event has grown into a monster of a party,
as its name suggests.
31 December
New Year’s Festival of Lights
Nieu-Bethesda, Eastern Cape
The mesmerising New Year’s Eve Lantern
Parade held annually in this small Karoo
town never fails to entertain, delight and fill
people with the spirit of Christmas. Make
your own lantern or get one here. Tel 049
841-1731.
January
1 – 31 January
Kaapse Klopse / Cape Minstrel Carnival
Cape Town
This is South Africa’s oldest and most lively
and colourful carnival, going back to the
19th century and the time of slavery. Ten
thousand dancers, marchers and musicians
in colourful costumes and painted faces
take over the streets of central Cape
Town on 2 January, with the party and
competitions continuing the entire January
at the Green Point Stadium and other
venues. Tel 021 794 1619.
22 |ISSUE 16|www.mzanzitravel.co.za | MZANZITRAVEL