UHAMBO: THE JOURNEY

 Recently opened at the Schreiner Gallery at the Tatham Art Gallery in Pietermaritzburg, is Uhambo: The Journey which will run until Sunday, June 7 at 17h00.

UHambo: The Journey brings together three emerging artists whose work explores the space between inherited identity and self-authored identity. 

This is a collaboration that is nestled at an intersection of the prevailing impact of art education, patronage systems, and collectorship, reflecting how these factors shape, sustain, and give visibility to emerging artistic voices. Through drawing and ceramics pieces, their works reflect deeply personal narratives shaped by culture, memory and lived experience.

Although these three artists created work in separate places and spaces, a common theme threads through their practices: still emergent, their visual languages equally contribute to a dialogic culture where drawing from memory is both challenge and the goal, and accuracy is the shared intention - whether it is expressed through hyper realistic precision, sculptural formation, or naturalistic sensitivity.

"These artworks are a labour of love...

Each minute leads to hours...

This practice of making art is truly a labour of love."

 -Thobani Shozi

 

NB. Secure Parking space is available.

For more information contact Pinky Madlabane-Nkabinde, Art Education Officer (Tatham Art Gallery) on 033 392 2811 or email: Pinky.Nkabinde@msunduzi.gov.za

The Gallery is situated in (Commercial Road) Chief Albert Luthuli Street, Pietermaritzburg.

 

CONCERT FOR KZN YOUTH ORCHESTRA & KZNPO

The busy KZN Youth Orchestra will be performing a glorious Gala Concert this month with the KZN Philharmonic, on Sunday, May 17 at 15h00 at the Durban Jewish Club.

The concert features a carefully-curated and diverse repertoire that spans classical, romantic and modern music as well as some contemporary pieces.

Eight talented youth orchestra soloists will perform a variety of solo works accompanied by the KZNPO: Laila Jones on oboe; Eva Lai on flute; Gabriel Pechoux on vocals; Serena Nip on cello; Nonjabulo Khumalo, Sayuri Mahabeer, Kashmira Naidoo all on violin and Lance Martegoutte on trumpet.

The KZNPO will present selected orchestral items and the KZNYO will showcase their own repertoire. The concert will conclude with a grand finale featuring both orchestras performing together. The concert will be conducted by Chad Hendricks and Lykele Temmingh.

Conducted by Lykele Temmingh, former resident conductor of the KZNPO, and presented by Cathy Peacock, professional trumpeter and founding member of Platform Jazz, the KZNYO comprises young musicians from all around KZN province who are passionate about preserving and celebrating the enduring magic of orchestral music.

The KwaZulu-Natal Youth Orchestra is a group of talented young classical musicians, aged between 12 and 22 who rehearse and perform throughout the school year and play a wide range of classical, contemporary and African music. They are taught by professional musicians, many of whom are with the KZN Philharmonic.

Over the past 10 years, the orchestra has toured to Stellenbosch chamber festival, Germany, four times to the National Arts festival, three times to the Hilton arts festival, three times to music in the mountains to perform with the Drakensberg Boys school, three times to the South coast. They have performed in various schools’ festivals and at the Royal show two years running and several times at the Botanic Gardens and various retirement complexes around Durban, Margate and Umdoni, Pietermaritzburg and Howick, and various public performances.

The exuberant and talented young performers are a joy to behold. Many great musicians have passed through our doors and continue to make their mark in the music industry

Details:

Gala Concert: Together with the KZN Philharmonic

Durban Jewish Club, main hall.

Sunday, 17 May at 15h00

Tickets available at Quicket

General Admission: R150 / Pensioners & Students: R80

 

For more information, contact: Cathy – 082 349 8362

LOST & FOUND: SIYANQOBA MTHETHWA

 

(Siyanqoba Mthethwa)

The Centre for Jazz and Popular Music is proud to present “Lost & Found”, a live performance by acclaimed musician Siyanqoba Mthethwa, taking place on Wednesday, 13 May at 17h30 at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Howard College campus.

Renowned for his vibrant and genre-blending sound, Mthethwa seamlessly fuses jazz, gospel, and African musical traditions. This performance follows the recent release of his EP Lost & Found, as well as his album Inevitable Jazz Edition, further cementing his place as an exciting voice in contemporary South African jazz.

Joining him on stage is the dynamic vocalist Unathi Mzekeli, alongside a talented band featuring Sbu Zondi on drums and Qhubekani Mthethwa on bass. Together, they promise an engaging and memorable live music experience.

Event Details:

Date: Wednesday, May 13 at 17h30

Venue: The Centre for Jazz and Popular Music, University of KwaZulu-Natal (Howard College)

 

Tickets: R130 (R100 Pensioners, R70 Students) available at the door (cash).

 

HEY HEY DIVORCÉ

Have you ever gone through a divorce? Well, Schalk Bezuidenhout has! And lucky for you, he has to talk about it. Actually ... he NEEDS to talk about it! Why? Because it's cheaper than therapy. That's why!

Hey Hey Divorcé is raw, real stand-up comedy at its finest. And maybe even a single tear running down the left cheek. This is (hopefully, for the love of all things good) the first and only show about divorce Schalk will ever do, so it is not to be missed!

The show runs at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre from May 14 to 17.

 

Tickets are through Webtickets at Pick n Pay outlets or online at https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1590473720

Facebook URL: https://www.facebook.com/schalk.bezuidenhout.101

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/schalkiebez?igsh=MTF3NnFzbmJ1dDdpcw

Website: https://schalkbezuidenhout.com

FALLS THE SHADOW: REVIEW

 

Nicol’s view of contemporary society is one that can make readers very afraid at the same time as entertaining them. (Review by Margaret von Klemperer)

 

Here Mike Nicol, who is deservedly hailed as one of South Africa’s leading thriller writers, is launching a new series, this time centered on Captain Zara Dewane of the police’s Internal Crime Unit. If you have been following the horror show that is the Madlanga Commission, you might rightly assume that such a unit would have its hands full. Nicol helpfully provides a list of the characters at the beginning of the book, but while I don’t wish to give spoilers, it is a list that is going to diminish at an alarming pace as you read on.

The action starts when Zara and her sidekick Wynstan Adams are called to a cottage on the West Coast where a cop has shot his family and himself, and in the shed behind the cottage are a whole lot of stolen firearms. Some kind of corruption is obviously at play, but what Zara needs to find out is how deeply it goes. Local police are presumably involved, but this all seems to reach its tentacles much further into the hierarchy.

As well as dealing with potential criminals who outrank her, some by a very long way, Zara has a messy private life to contend with – something that seems to affect the vast majority of fictional cops – and also operates on a very short fuse which can complicate things. As Zara struggles to unravel the tangle of corrupt cops, stolen guns, gangsters, shady diamond dealers, and very dubious money transactions, the violence escalates. She is a target, and there is going to be a lot of collateral damage.

Nicol’s style is laconic and his storytelling is fast-paced. The picture of the South African police service – and South Africa in general - that he paints is deeply unsettling and disturbing, particularly as there is no reason to think that this is a fictional exaggeration. For some readers, this may all come a little too close to the bone – cosy crime it certainly is not. But one of the great strengths of good thriller writing is that it can draw a picture of the real world for readers who might otherwise bury their heads in the sand. Nicol’s view of contemporary society is one that can make readers very afraid at the same time as entertaining them. – Margaret von Klemperer

 

Falls The Shadow is published by Macmillan: ISBN 978-1-77010-946-9

BITTER WINTER

 

A powerful collision of talent on stage.

Written by acclaimed South African playwright Paul Slabolepszy and directed by Lesedi Job, Bitter Winter is a gripping and thought-provoking production featuring André Odendaal and Oarabile Ditsele.

The play follows revered classical actor Jean-Louis Lourens and rising television star Prosper Mangane as they find themselves unexpectedly thrown together at an audition for the blockbuster Six Guns at Sesriem.

As they wait for the arrival of a formidable American director, tension and rivalry begin to surface, shaped by their contrasting backgrounds and approaches to the craft. Yet, as the waiting continues, moments of humour, vulnerability and honesty unfold, revealing deeper truths about ambition, identity and the human condition.

Rich in wit and emotional depth, Bitter Winter explores the evolving landscape of the performing arts in South Africa while paying tribute to the enduring legacy of its theatre and screen icons. With compelling performances and sharp, intelligent writing, this production offers audiences an intimate and resonant theatrical experience that lingers long after the final curtain.

Performances take place on May 08 and 09, 2026, in the Playhouse Loft Theatre. Booking is at Webtickets

 

ABBA-SOLUTELY FABULOUS!

 

Northlands Bowling Club in Association with The Rhumbelow Theatre presents ABBA-SOLUTELY FABULOUS! featuring Aaron McIlroy, Lisa Bobbert and Marion Loudon.

The Mother’s Day Special show takes place on May 10 at 15h00. The venue opens 90 minutes before show

Looking for the perfect way to spoil Mom this Mother’s Day? Join us for an afternoon of music, laughter, and pure joy at Abba So-lutely Fabulous!

Starring the hilarious and talented trio Aaron McIlroy, Lisa Bobbert and Marion Loudon, this feel-good show is packed with all your favourite ABBA hits, outrageous comedy, unforgettable characters, and plenty of sing-along moments.

 

Expect:

-Iconic ABBA songs

-Laugh-out-loud comedy

-Interactive fun

-A chance to get up, sing along, and boogie with Mom!

 

Fun for all ages — come celebrate the moms in your life with music, laughter, and a whole lot of sparkle!

Bring your own picnic basket and make it a relaxed, festive day out with the whole family!

Bring food picnic baskets or buy at the venue. Full bar available (no alcohol may be brought on to the premises)

Tickets R200 (R180 under 13 and Northlands Bowling Club members)

Limited secure parking available   

Booking is essential on email:  roland@stansell.co.za, Webtickets or http://events.durbantheatre.com/

Northlands Bowling Club is located at 50 Margaret Maytom Avenue, Durban North

For more information call Cell 0824998636

 

CELEBRATE MOTHER’S DAY AT THE PAVILION

Celebrate Mother’s Day at the Pavilion with the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra at the Fountain Court on May 10 at 11h00 and 13h00.

The Pavilion Shopping Centre is honouring Mothers on Mother’s Day with two free concerts by the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra on Sunday May 10 at 11h00 and 13h00 and a charity gift-wrapping station for families to have their gifts beautifully wrapped.

The Pav is offering Mothers the gift of symphony with two special free hour-long Mother’s Day themed concerts by the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra with guest soloists, under the baton of resident conductor, Chad Hendricks.

In addition, the Pavilion have once more partnered with St Martins Diocesan Homes for Children, who will offer Gift-Wrapping Services to shoppers who spend R250 or more on a Mother’s Day gift at any of the 240 stores. The wrapping station will be available on the lower level, outside Woolworths and is operating from May 7 to 10.

All proceeds raised will be for the benefit of St Martins Diocesan Homes for Children. St Martin’s is one of the oldest children’s homes in the country, and provides care for over 75 vulnerable children at their facility in Glenwood.

LYSISTRATA IN THE HOOD

Durban University of Technology presents a modern retelling of Aristophanes’s timeless comic battle of the sexes drama, Lysistrata in the Hood.

DUT Drama presents a modern retelling of Lysistrata, this time In the Hood is a timeless comedy / drama written by Ancient Greek playwright Aristophanes about war, feminism and the universal power of women, which comes to the Courtyard Theatre at DUT for two public performances on May 21 and 22 at 18h00.

Lysistrata In the Hood interrogates the power and role of women’s voices in tempering the male ego to bring peace and order to a broken society. Based on the Greek myth of a group of fed-up women who are exhausted by war, who find a novel way to encourage their men reach a peace agreement.

Directed by Marcia Mzindle, this reimagined DUT staging places the action in a local township where women have reached their wits’ end in the face of domestic violence, appalling service delivery, drugs, gangs and the fall-out from male rage and ego.

Lysistrata formulates a novel solution – to withhold sex until the men reassess their behaviour and modify their need for violence and control.

 

Venue: Courtyard Theatre, Durban University of Technology

May 21 and 22, 2026, at 18h00

Tickets at the door R50 (R20 students and pensioners)

 

Warning: Contains strong language and scenes of violence and is recommended for mature audiences.

 

MAMMA MIA! FUNDRAISER FOR DENIS HURLEY CENTRE

Dress up, sing along, celebrate!

Rhumbelow Theatre, Umbilo: Sun May 17 at 14h30

The Denis Hurley Centre will be hosting an afternoon screening of the fun musical comedy Mamma Mia! at the Rhumbelow Umbilo on Sunday May 17 at 14h30, to which audience members are invited to dress up and sing along!

As you enjoy the film, you can also sing-along to the words of the ABBA songs on-screen. If you want to, you can also dress up: be inspired by an ABBA song or dust down your 70's disco outfit! There will be prizes for the best dressed man, woman and group.

The film follows Sophie, a bride to be (Amanda Seyfried) who invites three men to her upcoming sun-drenched Greek island wedding (Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth and Stellan Skarsgard) who were all former flings of her spirited mother (Meryl Streep) with the possibility that any of them could be her real father.

Entry is a donation of R220 per person or just R1,500 for a full table for eight people. (Since this is a fundraiser, unfortunately there are no other discounts or complimentary seats). You can bring your own picnic or buy food there. All drinks must be bought on site (cash or card). There will also be a raffle with excellent prizes. 

To book your place, email news@denishurleycentre.org

Tickets are selling FAST so book now to avoid disappointment!

 

 

MOTHER’S DAY AT GLENWOOD VILLAGE

Glenwood Village is hosting a fun family-friendly pre-Mother’s Day morning on Saturday May 9 from 09h00 to 14h00 featuring a community market, an affordable arts fair, and mini pamper parlour for Mum.

To this end, Glenwood Village is hosting its monthly market this time with a Mother’s Day theme, on the upper gallery level of the centre, with great coffee, morning tea treats, vintage clothing and accessories, arts and crafts, hand-made soaps, and bath time indulgences, jewellery, farm fresh produce, healing crystals and cleaning products. The centre regular pop-ups will also be trading. Street lit books, leather belts, perfumes, beadwork and crafts. The market runs until 14h00.

To complement the Glenwood Village Market, there will be an Affordable Art Show where locally made arts and craft will be on display. Customers are invited to support talented local artists and treat mum to a work of art. Alongside the art and market, will be a mini Pamper Parlour for Mums to enjoy a quickie neck and shoulder massage.

Ilze Oosthuizen will be playing tunes on the piano. 

Glenwood Village doesn’t charge for on-site parking, has guarded street and off-street parking and is easily accessible on public transport. The centre is corner Che Guevara & Hunt Roads, Glenwood, Durban.

For more information, visit www.glenwoodvillagemarket.co.za

APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR 2026 JOMBA! YOUTH OPEN HORIZONS

Deadline for applications: June 29, 2026.

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 (August 24 - September 6), hosted by the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Centre for Creative Arts in Durban.

In a celebration of young talent, the much-loved YOUTH OPEN HORIZONS returns to the Stable Theatre, Durban, on Sunday August 30 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.

Lliane Loots, Artistic Director of JOMBA!, says: "The YOUTH OPEN HORIZONS Platform is one of the most joyful parts of our festival. 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 June 29, 2026.

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