Candles on the steps of Moses Mabhida stadium spelt out 350 as Climate Impacts Day [May 5] drew to a close, sending the message: We must cut CO2 in the air [from its current level of over 392ppm] to 350ppm.

Started by students about five years ago, 350.org is a grassroots, non-profit movement that connects and builds awareness globally through social media to slow down and solve the climate crisis. Its name comes from what some call ‘The most important number in the world’: 350ppm which leading scientists, measuring gases in parts per million [ppm], say is the safe upper limit for CO2 in our atmosphere.

For thousands of years atmospheric CO2 was stable around 200ppm. It began to rise as the Industrial Revolution got under way around 250 years ago when the world started burning more fossil fuel: first coal in the 19th century, then oil in the 20th.

Climate Impacts Day win for Renewable Energy

Organised by local 350.org supporters, the event in People’s Park included a soccer match: Renewable Energy V Fossil Fuel, which Renewables won 3 – 2, plus the chance to see renewable energy in action on Greenpeace’s Solar and Wind Trailer. People could put dots on a big Mandala with artist, Dina Cormick, and take home curry leaf and pimento tomato seedlings to plant.

GLOBAL Day of Action

he event in People’s Park was only one of thousands happening round the world on Saturday May 5th when Climate Impacts Day launched the Join the Dots campaign.
This aims to get people to make the connection between human action and the effects of Climate Change – unreliable and more extreme weather, melting polar ice, glaciers leading to drying up of rivers, water and food insecurity, famine, biodiversity loss and worse.

The main cause of climate change is the overheating and polluting of the atmosphere from burning fossil fuels.
We raced past 350ppm in the late 1980s, are now around 392ppm and rising fast. If we are to put a brake on climate change so that our children and grandchildren can live in a relatively safe world, we need to break our addiction to fossil fuels and invest in non-polluting renewable energy.
We need to face up to the fact that earth is a finite planet, that we are living way beyond its capacity – and there is NO PLANET B

We had a little rest after NYE and have been working on this event for pretty much the whole year since then. We hope that all our hard work has paid off and you are ready for the best FDR yet!

Both stages this year will be full of top SA and Durban acts Including local favorites, Big Nuz, who went platinum on their Pound for Pound album released last December. Lately they picked up the MTN SAMA for Best Kwaito to add to their 2 Metro FM awards and Song of the year on Ukhozi FM and Gagasi FM. With their mystro DJ Tira already back in the studio, rumors are out that his album will be dropping around June/July. (Sample please)

Other artists appearing on the night are Mi Casa, AKA, Liquid Deep, Black Motion, Mahoota vs Vetkuk, Zakwe, Teargas, DJ Zinhle, DJ Cndo, Lvovo, DJ Fisherman, Joocy, Bhar, Spikiri, Funky G, DJ Kent, DJ Bongs, KingSfiso, Mzo, DJ Kotini, Vumar and still more being confirmed!
Mc’s Dineo Ranaka and Mo Flava from Club808 as well as MC’s Lekomotion and Thandolwethu from Gagasi FM.

Like NYE this event will feature a main stage and the Hip Hop/House floor.
Expect a monster sound system on both floors, thanks MTN, lighting and some cool live graphics on the screens. About 150m of bar, 300 dedicated staff and 20000m2 for our 10000 friends to show SA how we do it…Durban style!

There will be plenty ways to get your hands on some prizes with our Sponsors like Gagasi FM, eTV Club808, Sunday World, Sowetan, Castle Lite and of course our main sponsor MTN.
Keep up to date on our “MTN Fact Durban Rocks 7 July” Facebook event page or follow us @FactDbnRocks & @djtira on twitter for all competition details.

From 1 June you can get your tickets from Computicket for R170 (R200 at the door) or R450 for VIP (usually sells out). Last year we reached capacity by midnight(8000) so we have increased our capacity to 10000 this year. Bars will trade until 4am with a 2hour cool off period, music off by 6am. Please use the cool off period to get something to eat and some water or cool drinks which will still be available.

“Mawufuna ukujaiva woze Durban” – If u wanna dance come to Durban

Ezase Afro

Event: MTN Fact Durban Rocks
Date: 7 July 2012
Time: 6pm till 6am
Venue: Moses Mabhida, People’s Park
City: Durban, the warmest place to be!

This Saturday we see Golden Arrows FC take on Orlando Pirates right here at Moses Mabhida Stadium. Hospitality packages are available from our call centre as well normal tickets from the usual outlets.

Golden Arrows FC vs Orlando Pirates
Saturday 19 April
15:00
Hospitality packages available

Tel: 031 582 8238
Email: hospitalitysales@mmsdurban.co.za

With a sigh, a wipe of his hand across his nose and then a quick flick at the tears gathering at the corners of his eyes, Durban quadriplegic Mark Charlesworth dragged his left leg on to the 550th step at the top of the arch of the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Sunday.

At that moment, the sounds of revving engines from the supercars parked below could be heard in salute as Charlesworth raised his arms into the air. His dream to conquer the arch while raising money for charity was accomplished.

Charlesworth, who once raced Porsche cars and lost the use of his arms and legs in a horrific accident in 2004, didn’t believe that he wouldn’t walk again.

Once the Moses Mabhida Stadium was completed in 2009, he set himself the task of climbing the 550-step arch to raise funds for Hospice, the Quadpara Association, the Chris Burger fund and the Voluntary Emergency Medical Assistance unit.

read more here

Please take note of the attractions operating times:

Skycar: last Skycar trip at 10h30
Express tour: 09h00 and 10h00 only
Big Rush: last jump at 10h00,
Segway: last stadium tour at 10h00

The Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations this week announced Port Elizabeth (Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium), Durban (Moses Mabhida Stadium), Rustenburg (Royal Bafokeng Stadium) and Nelspruit (Mbombela Stadium) as the host cities for the tournament early next year. Johannesburg (FNB Stadium) will stage the opening match and ceremony and closing ceremony and final. The 2014 African Nations Championship (Chan) for local-based squads will be hosted by Polokwane, Cape Town, Bloemfontein and Kimberley.

The KwaZulu-Natal Sport department says hosting the next year’s African Cup of Nations tournament will not benefit only Durban but the province as a whole. Spokesperson Mluleki Mtungwa said the opportunity puts the province in a position where the province’s infrastructure can be fully utilised.

“This announcement will also put KwaZulu-Natal to be a preferred venue for international events. There is always a strong desire in this province to host such an event because we know very well that there are a lot of benefits that the province can derive from hosting such events.”

Due to popular demand, the Top Gear Festival has released more tickets for the public to purchase at all shows on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 June.

Tickets can be purchased online from www.itickets.co.za

Saturday 16 June 2012 – 14:30pm show

Platinum – Available
Gold -Available
Silver -Available
Bronze – Available
Family Gold – Available
Family Silver – Available

Saturday 16 June 20:30pm show

Platinum – Available
Gold – Available
Silver – Available
Bronze – Available
Family Gold – Sold Out
Family Silver -Available

Sunday 17 June 2012 – 14:30pm show

Platinum – Available
Gold – Available
Silver – Available
Bronze -Available
Family Gold – Available
Family Silver – Available

Sunday 17 June 2012 – 19:30pm show

Platinum – Available
Gold – Available
Silver – Available
Bronze – Available
Family Gold – Available
Family Silver – Available

Tickets can be purchased online from www.itickets.co.za

Steve Crory, CEO of Smartvisit Solutions, confirms, “This pass not only aims to expose more of what Durban has to offer, but due to the significant savings that the pass holder will experience, will also encourage tourists to visit more attractions to get the best value, which will ultimately benefit many businesses in the tourism industry.”

The pass offers different packages to suit the budget of all visitors. With its purchase, tourists are able to plan fun days with the family, whilst also enjoying a significant saving of up to 40% which the iVenture Card affords them. “There are four packages to choose from, namely the 3 day unlimited sightseeing package for R795.00, the 5 day unlimited sightseeing package for R895.00, the 7 day unlimited sightseeing package for R995.00 and finally the 5 in 1 package for only R495.00. Whereas the 3, 5 and 7 day packages offer unlimited sightseeing over consecutive days from first use, the 5 in 1 package enables you to visit any 5 of the top attractions during a 12 month period. Each of these packages also offers a reduced rate for children,” explains Crory.

The ‘See Durban Attraction Pass’ can be purchased by calling 086 199 4439 and will soon be available for purchase online at www.seedurbanpass.com, which is a major advantage to tourists planning their holiday. Durban Tourism Offices, located at uShaka Marine World, Gateway Theatre of Shopping, King Shaka International Airport, Florida Road and North Beach (OR Tambo Parade) are used as collection points. In addition to this, visitors to the city can purchase their iVenture Card at many of the attractions as well as at Umhlanga Tourism. Once the card has been collected and activated all that is left to be done is to plan an itinerary and start ‘dunking’.

More info: www.seedurbanpass.com

Mark Charlesworth, a quadriplegic, will attempt to climb the Moses Mabhida Stadium Arch in order to raise money for charity. The Players’ Fund are one of his chosen beneficiaries.

On Sunday the 13th of May, Mark will take to the stairs of the Durban Stadium in the hope of reaching the summit of the arch not once, but twice. That is over 1000 stairs a mere seven years after a car accident left him classified as aquadriplegic. Not an easy feat by any means and something that he has gone out of his way to achieve all in the name of charity. Besides the Players Fund, the other organizations that will be benefiting from the event are the QuadPara Association of South Africa, Highway Hospice and VEMA.

The day will also have a host of supercars on display thanks to the Porsche and Ferrari Club’s of South Africa!

This is an event we should all get behind and support. If you’re able to help – either through sponsorship or by giving your time – give Mark Charlesworth a call on 082 440 4215 or email mark@internationaltrade.co.za. Follow his training schedule on Twitter @onestepbeyondSA.

Date: 13-Apr-2012
Location: Moses Madhiba Stadium, Durban.
Contact: Mark Charlesworth
Phone: 082 440 4215
Email: mark@internationaltrade.co.za
Website: 550steps.co.za

The isiZulu-language daily title Isolezwe – a star performer both in the Independent Newspapers stable and in the South African media industry generally – marked its 10th anniversary with a celebration at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Thursday, 19 April 2012.

Isolezwe (Eye of the Nation) was launched on April 8, 2002 – the first ever isiZulu daily. After an uninterrupted decade of publishing, the newspaper now attracts an average 912 000 (AMPS 2011B) readers every weekday.

Independent Newspapers CEO, Tony Howard, who participated in the celebration, reflected on the success and development of the newspaper whose daily circulation (103 647 ABC Q4 2011) continues to show impressive growth despite the generally declining sales trend in the print industry.