It is national Heritage Day on Saturday 24 September – a day when South Africans across the spectrum are encouraged to celebrate their culture and the diversity of their beliefs and traditions.
This weekend, 1000 Hills CTO invites you to explore some of the activities and destinations which honour our distinctly South African heritage, in the hills.
PheZulu.
Heritage Day is very special to the Phezulu team – the staff dress up in their finest traditional attire, emanating pride and belonging.
The Phezulu Dancers will be performing four shows a day on Saturday and Sunday this weekend, in a show which is both educational and entertaining. You will “feel” the proud South African vibe that our dancers are famous for. Show time are: 10h00; 11h.30, 14h00 and 15h30. Tickets are R120 adults / R100 children under 12
Pheulu serves traditional South African food in their Nguni Café. On Saturday they will be launching a new addition to their menu due to popular demand – traditional South African vetkoek with mince.
At the adjoining curio shop, there is a huge selection of traditional South African clothing, shoes, and beaded jewellery.
For all the reptile enthusiasts, the crocodiles will be fed at 12h30 on Saturday and Sunday, followed by a informative snake demonstration in the demo pit. The ever-popular game drives will be running as per normal, and tickets are sold on a first come first served basis, so the suggest you arrive early. Game drive times are: 9h00, 10h00, 11h00, 12h30, 13h30, 14h30 and 15h30.
Also on site is a master Zulu Shield Craftsman, who makes authentic Zulu Shields and visitors are welcome to pop in and see him in action.
Good to Know:
PheZulu is 190 Old Main Rd, Botha’s Hill
Phezulu Game Estate tel031 777 1465 / Safari Park tel 031 777 1000
Umgeni Steam Railway.
Umgeni Steam Railway is planning a busy Heritage weekend at Inchanga Station: on Saturday 24 September there will be longer trips for which one should book, and on Sunday, fun little shorty trips running every hour on the hour which one doesn’t need to book.
SAT: Pre-book for longer trips (R150 / R100) on Wesley, the refurbished vintage steam loco, @ 08h30; 11h00; 13h30; 15h30. The Austin Car Club will be following the 08h30 train and displaying their cars at Inchanga; whilst the Classic Motorcycle Club will be doing the same for the 11h00 train.
SUN: USR is having a fun fund-raising Open Day. Wesley will be doing regular “shorty” trips hourly from 9h00 until 14h00. Tickets are R50 and can be purchased on site. If you want a footplate experience, tickets are R300.
On both days, the Inchanga Craft Market will be in full swing with dozen of stalls offering family-friendly locally-sourced fare. There is also a food garden offering a range of light meals and snacks, a play area and picnic site. The Inchanga Railway Museum will be open for tours; as will the model railway, Thomas & Friends, be operational in the Modeller’s hut. Tours will be offered through the shed to see the 110 year old Steam locomotive, Maureen, under repairs as well as tour the vintage coaches.
Please note that there are no ATM’s on site, nor card facilities. Cash or Zapper accepted.
Good to Know:
Inchanga Station is at 1 Station Road.
Safe, guarded parking on site.
Visit USR website at www.umgenisteamrailway.com
Enquiries: 082 353 6003
Heritage Overload at Ammazulu Palace.
Looking for something different, colourful and fun to do this heritage season? Consider a guided tour of the astonishing heritage art, museum pieces, artefacts, curiosities and collectables to be found at Ammazulu Palace in Kloof, not far from Kloof Gorge and Krantzkloof Nature Reserve in the 1000 Hills catchment area.
This quite indescribable, one-of-its-kind eclectic Palace has been the life-long passion project of owner, artist and collector, Peter Amm. He has sought out, found, saved, negotiated and collected the most phenomenal private collection of work to be found under one roof, probably anywhere in the world. Certainly nothing comes close to it in KZN.
It is quite extraordinary. Seldom does one walk into such a majestic and intricate building which quite literally takes your breath away – it personifies sensory overload.
Super efficient, knowledgeable and engaging manager, Alta du Plooy offers daily weekday tours at 10.30am and weekends at 11am, which last roughly an hour. Your R100 entrance ticket buys you a detailed and entertaining description of all of the quirky pieces in an art-exhibition walkabout format – and includes a cup of tea / coffee and light refreshments, and the ticket money goes to charity. Tours are subject to availability and demand, and should be pre-booked. Typically the tour needs minimum of ten people at R100 per head which includes tea / coffee and refreshments.
Good to Know:
Ammazulu Palace / 20 Windsor Road, Kloof
For information: info@ammazulupalace.com / 031 764 8000
It is a 5 star establishment
Ten suites / Bed only / Breakfast on request
Adults only (no children under 14 permitted)
Suites overlook the Krantkloof Nature Reserve – every suite has a balcony with a view
King Shaka Airport is 53km away
Ammazulu provides a shuttle service
Durban town is a 20 minute drive away
Kloof Central is 2.8km away.
For more info: https://www.ammazulupalace.com/
AmmaZulu Sculpture Precinct.
Ammazulu Gardens and Sculpture Precinct feels a bit like a gigantic Easter Egg hunt – with visitors searching for fabulous whimsical confectionary in the form of 120 enormous sculptures hidden in the nooks and crannies, and often way above the ground, of a portion of the 20 acre primeval forest.
Local, African and international artists from diverse traditions have created the works using different media – predominantly recycled and found objects; metalwork, wood and stone. The sublime alongside the whacky and the literal alongside the fantastical.
At the centre of the garden is an alfresco café, with art studios behind – and a permanent exhibition of the works of respected Durban artist, Andries Botha.
Good to Know:
Ammazulu Gardens and Sculpture Precinct / 88 Kloof Falls Rd, Kloof.
Open to the public, Thursday to Sun: 10am until 4pm
For information: 071 937 2706
Entrance to the Sculpture walk is R50 / Kids under 10 free.
Guided tour of “it takes everything…” exhibition / R200 per party.
For more info: https://www.ammazulupalace.com/gardens-and-sculpture.php#mapSection
Woza Moya.
Woza Moya at the Hilllcrest Aids Centre Trust has a magnificent display of bespoke individually hand-crafted locally made heritage themed wares, art, jewellery, gifts and collectables especially created for Heritage Weekend – look out for it on the front table of their fabulous shop.
Good to Know:
Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust is 26 Old Main Road, Hillcrest
Opening Hours: Weekdays from 8am to 5pm / Saturdays from 8am to 2pm
Call +27 31 765 5866
Post/Pre Sales Queries: wozamoya@hillaids.org.za
Marketing Queries/Corporate Projects: wozamarketing@hillaids.org.za
Find us on Facebook: wozamoyahactandfriends
See the love on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/woza_moya/