Upcoming Events

June and July 2012

• Elvis Blue performing live at Umfolozi Casino Resort on the 23rd of June 2012. R100 per adult and R50 per juvenile under the age of 12. For more information contact +27 (0) 35 787 8200 or visit www.umfolozicasino.co.za
• Floral Club Meeting held in Richards Bay Library at 2pm on the 21 June 2012 
• Exhibition of all sport shops and local gyms held in Boardwalk Inkwazi Mall, 16 June 2012. For more information contact Tel 035 789 7251/2 or visit www.boardwalkinkwazi.co.za
• Ladysmith Black Mambazo performing live at Imbizo Hall; Empangeni on 15th June 2012, tickets at R50 per person. Tickets available at Shoprite and Computicket. For more information Tel 083 420 9573.
• Karou’s Spicy new show that is about comedy, music, magic and dance. It is live at Umfolozi Casino Resort on the 9th of June at 19h30. For more information contact +27 (0) 35 787 8200 or visit www.umfolozicasino.co.za
• Vocal artist Andre Swiegers will be performing live in Wood Pecker Inn. Date: 09 June 2012@R130 p/p. Contact +27(0) 35 786 1230 for more information
• Christmas in July. This unseasoned event will include two community events; craft market and a tea garden at Empangeni MOTH Hall during the day, and a Christmas party and a three course meal at the same venue that evening. This occurrence will take place on 21st July 2012. 
• Vehicle exhibition showcasing vehicles from past to the modern days. Date; 07 July 2012, Boardwalk Inkwazi Mall. Tel 035 789 7251/2 or visit www.boardwalkinkwazi.co.za
• Empangeni SPCA Car Boot Sale opposite the Zululand Observer Offices, Empangeni from 8am to noon, date 07 July 2012. Please contact 035 792 9129 for more information
• Richards Bay Coal Terminals Relay, July 2012. For more information please visit www.relay.rbct.co.za or Tel: 035 789 6907

Great Family Day Out At The Hatchery Beach & Lagoon Experience

With so many people out there complaining that there is nothing to do with their children on a weekend, where children are catered for and mums and dads get to chill and enjoy good food and have a great day out.......if this sounds like you, then have you considered a visit to the Hatchery, near Gingindlovu?

The Hatchery has introduced Nikki from “Cherry on Top Caterers.” Nikki will be focused on ensuring your Sunday Picnic lunches are exciting and original, making that family day out that much more enjoyable.

The Hatchery is very family orientated and they are hoping that all those families out there wanting a day out with delicious food, great atmosphere and that relaxed feel of what every South African knows well will be the kind of experience they have at the Hatchery.

The Menu will be different each Sunday! So ..... in order to be a part of the fun and great foods all you have to do is one of the following: Book into the hatch for the weekend of the 29th June and book your Lunch to ensure you don’t miss out on all the fun or if you cannot stay the weekend then you can call Nikki directly to book your meal for the Sunday 1st July 2012.

For children, their is endless fun to be had playing in the safe lagoon and The Hatch even boasts "Beach Butlers" that can be hired to look after your children if you need some peace and quiet.

The lunch will begin at 12h00 and you will be “Surprised “ with the menu. There is a bar on offer and this will be a cash bar, or you can take your own wines. Be sure to book soon as spaces are filling up fast and there is a limit to numbers!

We do hope this has wet your appetite properly. We at the Hatch, cannot wait to see you for our “Cherry on the top." For more information, contact  084 959 8827 or visit www.thehatchery.co.za

Mtunzini Hiking Trails get A Facelift

Councillor Keith Powell and Barbara Chedzey step out onto the new boardwalks through Mtunzini's swamp forest.

The boardwalk through the Raphia Palm Monument and Mtunzini’s beautiful Swamp Forest have been completely rebuilt!

The Raphia Palm Monument is one of the few declared natural monuments in the country and it is the best place to spot the rare Palmnut Vulture which nests near the top of these particular palms. The palms were introduced to Mtunzini about 100 years ago from the swamp forests of the Kosi Bay and it's one of only six palm species indigenous to South Africa. The raphia palm can grow to a height of 25m in 25 years and its leaves are amongst the largest in the plant kingdom. The Raphia Palm Monument also interlinks via a series of trails with the uMlalazi Nature Reserve which also boasts some impressive Mangrove Forests, These forests are inhabited by a number of strange creatures of which the fiddler crabs are perhaps the best known. Male fiddler crabs have an enlarged claw, which is used both for displaying to attract females as well as in combat with other males. During mating season the mangrove forest is alive with gaiety as the little males beckon to females with their enlarged claws. Also worth looking out for is the mudskipper - a little amphibious fish - which can often be seen skittering over the mud surface searching for insects and small crustaceans to eat.

This project which replaces the original boardwalk established more than 25 years ago, has restored Mtunzini's trail system linking the swamp forest in the municipal area with the dune forest in the Umlalazi Nature Reserve. There is a range of hiking trails in and around the Umlalazi Nature Reserve. A short trail of about 15 minutes through one of the best examples of Mangrove Forest to be seen in South Africa, starts at the parking area at the lagoon and takes the visitor past John Dunn's Pool. In the winter months this is the place to spot the Mangrove Kingfisher. Energetic hikers can continue on the trail which connects with the road to the mudflats which is often an excellent birding area.

Residents and visitors now have several kilometres of beautiful boardwalk and trails on which to explore the various habitats that Mtunzini has to offer. The project has cost R400 000 and has been financed by the National Department of Environmental Affairs and channeled through uThungulu District Municipality’s Coastal Working Group which is chaired by Ward 19 Councillor Keith Powell. Barbara Chedzey and Mtunzini Residents Association chairperson Wendy Forse are members of the Coastal Working Group. The project manager has been Blessing Sikakhani who has supervised the contractors on behalf of Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife who implemented the project.

Councillor Powell, long-time resident and champion of Mtunzini’s natural areas, is very impressed with the rebuilt boardwalk and is sure that they will last at least another 25 years. There is new signage at the entrance to the boardwalk and you will be delighted with your expedition through this special piece of paradise. For more information, contact the uMlalalazi Tourism association on 035 473 3359 or email ronel@umlalazi.org.za

Hit the Mountain Bike Trail This Winter

The Big 5 Mountain Bike Series aims to encourage community participation in a healthy outdoor sporting activity that encourages family participation, community and business networking. Each event raises funds for a community or environmental project to positively impact on people’s lives.

The Big Five Mountain Bike Series has come a long way since 2006. Cyclists compete for honors by racing the full series where their best four times count. Growth in all distances the 10km, 25km and 50km has been phenomenal with a 30% growth in the last year and with the recently announced sponsorship by MiWay, the series is set to boom. MiWay have become well known in the Mountain biking world through their supersports TV programme MiWay Mountain biking. This is a very exciting development for both Zululand riders and sponsors.

This year the organisers of the Big 5 are taking the series to unprecedented heights with some exciting plans for the 2012 season; this together with the headline sponsorship from Miway the series is on a massive growth path.

The next race scheduled is the Heatonville Leopard, on the 24th June 2012 starting at the Heatonville Farmers Club. If you haven’t ridden the Heatonville before, this truly is a route for Mountain bikers. Roadies will weep as they see Mountain Bikers sweep through the gullies, ravines and the mad crazy downhill of Neverest. The event has a 50km and 25 Km route as well as a short 10 Km fun cycle option for the family.

The last race of the series is the Kwambo Lion on the 30th September 2012. The race starts from the Kwambo Country Club and heads out into the gum forest, with specially cut single track, exiting the forests the riders gradually take a winding course up to the highest point following cattle herders tracks to the top water point, a very welcome sight where the riders are rewarded with some great views before some good downhill riding descending into the swamplands and out once again into the gum forest. Save some legs for the way back, the organizers have thrown in some surprises for 2012.

The final event on the 1st October, the Series, Gala Dinner and Prize Giving at the Umfolozi Casino with Andrew Maclean as the Guest Speaker. This has attracted some very positive comments as the event recognizes our top Zululand Mountain Bikers, showcases the sport and besides saying well done to the riders also allows us to show our gratitude to the organizers and our sponsors.

The Five Race Series now boasts the addition of its own website www.big5mtb.co.za a Facebook page, a Cycle and Outdoor Expo at the Umfolozi Casino where Cyclists can take advantage of the discount on offer and register with ROAG for the Big 5 Challenge, and the grand finale, a Gala Dinner for the Series prize winners also at the Umfolozi Casino.